Menudo Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 This is the tough part of everyone's career. HInes was one of the greatest Steelers of all-time, and I'm going to hate seeing him in another uniform. http://www.post-gaze...1213554-100.stm Steelers release Hines Ward Wednesday, February 29, 2012 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Peter Diana/Post-Gazette Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward laughs after taking a hit from a San Diego defender during a 2009 playoff game. Hines Ward, the Steelers all-time leading receiver, Super Bowl XL MVP and one of the most popular players in the team's recent history was released by the Steelers this afternoon. "This isn't how I wanted this chapter of my career to end. I did everything in my power to remain a Steeler and finish what I started here 14 years ago." Ward said in a statement released by his manager and lawyer, Andy Ree. "We had a conversation today with Hines Ward and informed him that we plan to release him of his contract prior to the start of the 2012 NFL calendar year," Steelers President Art Rooney II said in a statement released by the team. Despite wanting to end his career as a Steeler, Ward was magnaminous to the team and its fans. "I want to thank the organization, my teammates and coaches and everyone who made my run as a Steeler the best years of my life. "To Mr. Rooney, thank you for allowing me to play for one of the greatest organizations in the world. "To my fans and in particular, Steeler Nation, thank you for your support and all the great memories. I gave my heart and soul for you every down and I will always bleed black and gold." He did, however, intimate that his playing days are not over. "I do feel that I still have more football left in me and I am looking forward to playing in the NFL, again, this upcoming season." Rooney was effusive in his praise for Ward. "Hines has been an integral part of our success since we drafted him in 1998 and we will forever be grateful for what he has helped us achieve. He has meant so much to this organization, both on and off the field, and we appreciate his efforts over the past 14 years. Hines' accomplishments are numerous, and he will always be thought of as one of the all-time great Steelers. We wish him nothing but the best." Ward was originally drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft out of Georgia. He spent 14 years in Pittsburgh and became the team's all-time leader in receptions (1,000), receiving yards (12,083), receiving touchdowns (85) and 100-yard receiving games (29). Ward is the eighth player in NFL history to reach 1,000 career receptions and joined only Hall of Famer Jerry Rice as the only two players in league history to post 1,000 career catches and win multiple Super Bowls. Ward was the MVP of Super Bowl XL after leading the Steelers to a 21-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. He posted a game-high 123 receiving yards on five receptions with one touchdown. The Steelers' 2008 Walter Payton Man of the Year, Ward was named to four Pro Bowls (2002-05) and was a member of the team's 75th Season All-Time Team. Read more: http://www.post-gaze...m#ixzz1noshTkTv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajncajn Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 "To my fans and in particular, Steeler Nation, thank you for your support and all the great memories. I gave my heart and soul for you every down and I will always bleed black and gold." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ditkaless Wonders Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 He had himself a real nice career, borderline HOF. He certainly made the most of the gifts he had and I admire that in a man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainHook Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I don't think there's any way Hines Ward makes it into the Hall of Fame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
General Itals Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) Gotta give credit to the Steelers for running a business and not having loyalty to a name. Edited March 1, 2012 by General Itals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.K.Trey Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I don't think there's any way Hines Ward doesn't make it into the Hall of Fame. Fixed, and you must be kidding me? Will not only get in but probably won't have to wait very long once eligible. 1000 receptions to go along with being the best blocking WR of his generation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainHook Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) 1000 receptions is not a big deal anymore. More to due with playing 14 years than anything. Chris Carter,Tim Brown, Marvin Harrison, and Isaac Bruce all have more receptions. None are yet in the HOF. Andre Reed, Derrick Mason, and Torry Holt are all right behind him. None of them are yet in HOF. Jimmy Smith, Irving Fryar, Andre Reed, Torry Holt, Henry Ellard, Chris Carter, Tim Brown, Marvin Harrison, and Isaac Bruce all have more yards. None of them are yet in the HOF. Some have not been eligible very long (or are even eligible yet). But they all aren't gonna get in. This is a new era of offensive football. Not all these receivers are going to get in based on comparing their numbers to past HOF WR's. Only one season over 1175 yards. Six 1000+ yard seasons. Three seasons with 10+ TD's. Only four Pro Bowls. The one thing he has going for him is a Super Bowl MVP. But so does Deion Branch . . . Edited March 1, 2012 by CaptainHook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.K.Trey Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) Now is a new era, but not when these guys played most of their careers. And you think Cris Carter wil not get in?Of coursehe will, As will Harrison and possibly Holt and Brown. And he was an outstanding blocker on a running team. So because of the numbers guys are putting up now , should we remove all the QB's and WR's in already beacuse their numbers don't match up to current inflated numbers? I guess time will tell. Edited March 1, 2012 by G.K.Trey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainHook Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Chris Carter has been eligible for 5 years. Still not in. Tim Brown has been eligible for 3 years. Still not in. Andre Reed has been eligible for 7 years. Still not in. All have comparable numbers to Ward. Will they get in eventually? I'm not sure all three of them will. I could see a similar fate for Ward going up against some other WR's of his generation. Will Isaac Bruce, Marvin Harrison, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Derrick Mason, Torry Holt, Keenan McCardell, Jimmy Smith, Reggie Wayne, and Muhsin Muhammad get in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skippy Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I still think there is a pretty good chance that he will be back with the Steelers. They just were to far away on price so the Steelers decided to let him test the free market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menudo Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 I still think there is a pretty good chance that he will be back with the Steelers. They just were to far away on price so the Steelers decided to let him test the free market. I hope you are right, but, I don't think he will be back. He is a #4 at best with the Steelers, which means he would rarely see the field. Also, you would want your #4/5/6 receivers to be playing special teams, and, at this point, Hines isn't going to be asked to do that. As for the Hall of Fame debate. He is not a sure thing hall of famer, in my opinion, but, I do think he will get in eventually. What will probably put him over the top in comparison to others is his two rings, one mvp, and his reputation as the best blocking WR of all-time. I appreciated that the guy gave his all every single play of his career. Whether he was seeing the ball didn't matter. He simply did his job. He also had to earn his way to everything. He was on special teams his rookie year, and worked his way up the depth chart. He will definitely be missed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby's Hubby Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I still think there is a pretty good chance that he will be back with the Steelers. They just were to far away on price so the Steelers decided to let him test the free market. This Iffy on the HOF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainHook Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 The other thing that will greatly help his HOF cause is 1000 receptions. Only 8 players have done that as of right now. However, that hasn't helped Chris Carter or Tim Brown get in yet. And there are several players knocking at the 1000 reception mark. Randy Moss (954), Derrick Mason (943), Reggie Wayne (862), Andre Johnson (706), Larry Fitzgerald (693), and Jason Witten (696). The 1000 reception club could easily have 14 members by the time Ward is eligible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furd Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 being the best blocking WR of his generation. So what? People don't care if tight ends can block. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Same type of player as Rod Smith of DEN. Both guys' value far transcended their numbers on the field. The downfield blocking - which both were exceptional at - the leadership, the training of junior teammates, the clutch delivery. But because we have sportswriters voting for HOF inductees, you likely won't see either guy in the HOF, even though they do have the numbers to support the induction. Most of those fat bastards can't see past their after-game beers and front porches and don't understand the game well enough to recognize the full value of either guy and how exceptional they truly were. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevegrab Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) Shouldn't the thread title be changed to be more accurates since they have not yet released him (at least not according to the linked article) "Wednesday, the Steelers delivered the toughest body-blow to Ward's 14-year career when they announced their plans to release him, without ever asking him to take a pay cut." ETA: I realized today while talking to somebody else about this that the players cannot be released until a certain date, sometime in early March I believe according to what he said. Didn't realize that so I guess the "we plan to release" is pretty much the same as "he's been released". I know it doesn't sound like they're giving him any chance to stay with the team, but if he hasn't yet been released then he is still on their team. As for the HOF discussion, he is no lock to make it, and I'd say iffy. I was surprised reading the other comments (with some great info and comparisons made by CH) that he's only been a Pro Bowl selection 4 times. 4 Pro Bowls in 14 seasons doesn't sound very HOF caliber to me. Edited March 2, 2012 by stevegrab Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpwallace49 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 He also has two Super Bowl rings . . . that does have weight in HOF voting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt770 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Dirtiest WR in NFL history + DUI = no HOF for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azazello1313 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I hope baltimore signs him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caddyman Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Dirtiest WR in NFL history + DUI = no HOF for you. You are more than likely correct. I doubt he sees the HOF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I hope baltimore signs him And then he cold cocks a couple Steelers with his patented cheap shots to the head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polksalet Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 And then he cold cocks a couple Steelers with his patented cheap shots to the head. http://www.halloffamememorabilia.com/images/products/p-26604-ben-roethlisberger-super-bowl-xl-framed-8x10-photo-pittsburgh-steelers-touchdown-div-aaa-20160.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ditkaless Wonders Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 Same type of player as Rod Smith of DEN. Both guys' value far transcended their numbers on the field. The downfield blocking - which both were exceptional at - the leadership, the training of junior teammates, the clutch delivery. But because we have sportswriters voting for HOF inductees, you likely won't see either guy in the HOF, even though they do have the numbers to support the induction. Most of those fat bastards can't see past their after-game beers and front porches and don't understand the game well enough to recognize the full value of either guy and how exceptional they truly were. You know a stat I would like to see? I'd like to see % of catches which converted 3rd downs into 1st downs on scoring drives. Some players all they do is catch T.D.'s. Others seem to get their catches but kill drives by coming up a yard short. Then there are those clutch guys the Q.B. trust on third down to make the conversion and keep drives alive. Ward always seemed like one of those guys. Guys whose numbers may not have been off the charts, but who were integral to success. Just how many first downs did Ward get his team, do we know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheikYerbuti Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 I'm going to hate seeing him in another uniform. The good news for you is, next year you won't be seeing much of him in another uniform at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainHook Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 (edited) When Hines Ward decides to call it quits -- and he should definitely consider retiring as a Pittsburgh Steeler after the team announced it will release him -- he will have completed a Hall of Fame career. Whether Ward sees his bust immortalized in Canton is up for debate. He is certainly far from a slam dunk to get voted into the Hall of Fame, and the odds are currently against him from getting inducted. But he deserves to be there. Ward should get in for his productivity. He is one of eight players in NFL history to reach 1,000 career receptions. Ward should get in for his consistency. He averaged 85.6 catches during a nine-year period (2001 to '09). Ward should get in for his toughness. He is the only wide receiver who will be remembered as much for his bone-jarring hits as his clutch catches. Perhaps the best argument for Ward's enshrinement is that there are only two players in NFL history to catch 1,000 passes and win multiple Super Bowls: Ward and Jerry Rice. That's elite status, which is what the Hall of Fame represents. It's the best of the best. The reality is Ward will have trouble making the Hall of Fame. Just ask Cris Carter, Tim Brown andAndre Reed. They've been waiting for years, even though their credentials say they should get in. Brown ranks fourth on the NFL's all-time receiving yards list and sixth in touchdown catches. Carter is eighth in yards and fourth in touchdowns. One theory is that voters are split among those three receivers, so Carter, Brown and Reed cancel one another out. Another theory is Hall of Fame voters don't value wide receivers, which is something Carter believes. Only seven receivers in the Hall of Fame started their careers after the 1970 AFL-NFL merger:Michael Irvin, Steve Largent, James Lofton, Art Monk, Rice, John Stallworth and Lynn Swann. That's fewer than quarterbacks, running backs, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers and defensive backs. The struggles of Carter and Brown to get into the Hall work against Ward. He has significantly fewer catches, receiving yards and touchdowns than each of them. Ward also has been to half as many Pro Bowls. In many ways, getting into the Hall of Fame is a numbers game, and that's not what Ward wants to hear. Ward's best shot at reaching the Hall of Fame is his entire body of work. He wasn't the best deep threat. He wasn't the receiver with the most touchdowns. But he was the most complete wide receiver of his generation. No wide receiver blocked like Ward, and he fearlessly made catches over the middle. His reputation will stand the test of time. Receivers are often considered divas. Ward is ruthless. He's an old-school player who stood out because of his physical play. "Is there another receiver in the past 12 years who has a tougher reputation than Hines?" Swann said. Once the Hall of Fame voters resolve this current logjam with wide receivers, Ward could be faced with another one once he is eligible. (A player becomes a candidate five years after his final game.) He could be going against the likes of Terrell Owens (No. 2 on the all-time receiving yards list), Randy Moss (No. 5) and Marvin Harrison (No. 6). This could mean a long wait for Ward, who is 18th on that list. From my perspective, Ward has strong enough numbers to put himself in the Hall of Fame conversation. It's his other credentials -- violent blocker, Super Bowl MVP and great leader -- that put him over the top. http://espn.go.com/b...ke-hall-of-fame Edited March 2, 2012 by CaptainHook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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