Eric Ward Lands Free Agent Deal With NFL's Atlanta Falcons
05/10/2010 | Football
May 10, 2010
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND - The Atlanta Falcons announced Monday the signing of former University of Richmond QB Eric Ward to a free agent contract. Ward, an Atlanta native, was one of two signees by the Falcons following a tryout at the team's mini-camp this weekend in Flowery Branch, Ga.
Ward joins classmate Seth Williams, who signed with the New Work Giants, as the two Spiders who have landed free-agent deals this off-season. Former DE Lawrence Sidbury (also with Atlanta) and RB Tim Hightower and LB Paris Lenon (both with Arizona) are the three Spiders on current NFL rosters.
A graduate of Southwest DeKalb High outside Atlanta, Ward capped one of the winningest careers by a quarterback in FCS history, finishing his four years with a record of 41-12. He was 17-7 versus Top-25 ranked teams and 7-2 in the Playoffs.
Under Ward's watch, Richmond captured two CAA Football crowns (2007, 2009), made three-consecutive Playoffs appearances and was the 2008 National Champions. Ward finished as the eighth-highest all-time passer in CAA Football history (8,969) and is ranked fifth in total offense (10,375). On the FCS all-time list, Ward's 10,375 yards of total offense ranks 27th.
Former Spider WR Arman Shields, who was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 2008 but waived after an injury, also received a mini-camp tryout with Atlanta this weekend. He was not signed.