With all due respect to an original member of the NFZ, this seems to me to be a straight up move to keep Jamaal Carter.  Ward was a badass, however i would much rather see Ward on another team for a year or two vs seeing Jamaal Carter on another team for a decade.

Jamaal Carter is 6'1, 215.  One of the problems last year was covering tight ends.  Carter may be much better covering larger tight ends than Ward, simply because hes bigger. Ward covering a tight end was a mismatch, and we know what happens when theres a mismatch in the NFL. 

I will miss Ward terribly, however i understand the tactical nature of the move from the defensive coordinators point of view.

Enjoy your ring, thanks for everything Ward.