Charvarius Ward Hasn't Lived Up to his Contract with the 49ers

Last year, the 49ers gave Charvarius Ward a three-year, $40.5 million contract to replace Jason Verrett as their No. 1 shut down cornerback. To be someone opposing quarterbacks avoid.

But halfway through Ward's second season with the 49ers, he has become someone opposing quarterbacks exploit as much as possible.

The 49ers should have seen this coming.

Ward spent the first four seasons of his career on the Chiefs, where he won a Super Bowl. But he never went to a Pro Bowl, even as a young man pursuing a big contract. So the Chiefs didn't extend his contract. They knew something the 49ers didn't.

The 49ers thought they knew better, so they outbid the rest of the league for Ward. Now, they probably wish they hadn't.

Ward has been flagged 16 times since he joined the 49ers, and most of his penalties result in automatic first downs. We're talking pass interference, defensive holding and illegal contact. Those are his specialties. He's good for one of those per week.

And opposing teams know it now. So instead of targeting Deommodore Lenoir, who's young and unproven but surprisingly solid, they're going after Ward as much as possible. He has been targeted 16 times in the past two games alone, and has allowed 10 catches for 175 yards and 2 touchdowns. He's a mark. An expensive one.

Right now, there's no correct way to use him. In zone coverage, he's a spectator who's a step slow to the play. In man coverage, he simply grabs the receiver he's covering. He used to be much more disciplined when he played for the Chiefs. He needs to step it up and earn his contract.