Report: Hines Ward will retire

[Jooser]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... ds-future/

Conflicting information emerges about Hines Ward’s future

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 9, 2012, 6:08 PM EST

AP
Some of Hines Ward’s teammates expect that the veteran receiver will retire. Ward and some reporters around Ward feel differently.

Rich Walsh of Channel 11 in Pittsburgh reports Ward wants to continue playing.

Jim Wexell of Scout.com believes that defensive linemen Aaron Smith and Chris Hoke will retire, but Ward and linebacker James Farrior will continue playing.

Of course, there’s no guarantee the Steelers will bring Ward back if he tries to play again. Ward would likely have to take a reduction in salary and may not be guaranteed to make the team out of training camp in 2012 if he wanted to return.

[pittpete]

I think we learned this year about keeping players way past their prime.
Retire Hines, you are the man but a very one dimensional sloooow man.

[fordfixer]

Hines Ward
I wanted take a moment to thank all of Steeler Nation for the love and support. I'm sorry for the disappointing loss. I'm still depressed about it. We had a great year finishing 12-4 but our ultimate goal was to win the Super Bowl and we fell short. Hats off to Denver. I'm also getting lots of questions about retirement so let me set the record straight: I have no plans on retiring right now. I want to win another Superbowl. I don't know where the media is getting this info from but rest assured that when I decide to retire, you'll hear it from ME first. - HINES

[pick6]

Chadman, you gotta like Mcclendon. He holds his own and is never pushed out of place. He is very solid and a keeper. I think he should try a little DE 5 technique next year. I see him as a very good utility guy on the dline. What do you think.

[pick6]

so glad to hear hines is coming back. yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hawaiiansteel]

Hines Ward Refutes Retirement Speculation: "Let me set the record straight: I have no plans on retiring right now."

by Michael Bean on Jan 9, 2012



1 day ago: Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward (86) walks off the field after the Steelers lost 30-23 to the Denver Broncos in overtime of an NFL wild card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, in Denver.

That didn't take long. Not one day had passed since the Pittsburgh Steelers bowed out of the 2011 NFL Playoffs with their shocking 29-23 OT loss to the Denver Broncos that the media hit the ground running with rampant speculation about the pending retirement of Hines Ward. Well, hold the phone according to none other than Ward himself. Writing on his Facebook page late Monday afternoon, Ward had the following to say about his retirement plans....or lack thereof:

I'm also getting lots of questions about retirement so let me set the record straight: I have no plans on retiring right now. I want to win another Superbowl. I don't know where the media is getting this info from but rest assured that when I decide to retire, you'll hear it from ME first. - HINES

Ward began his post by expressing disappointment and apologies to Steeler Nation for the way the Steelers performed in Sunday afternoon's loss to Denver. All class, as usual, from the future Hall of Famer.

We'll speculate about Ward's future with the Steelers, and whether or not the unthinkable of him finishing his career elsewhere is in the cards, but for now, let's just start every conversation about No. 86 under the assumption that he will not in fact be hanging it up after 14 wildly successful seasons with the black-and-gold.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/20 ... h-steelers

[feltdizz]

Who started this rumor? I bet it's the same guy who had BA fired last year...

[Chadman]

Chadman, you gotta like Mcclendon. He holds his own and is never pushed out of place. He is very solid and a keeper. I think he should try a little DE 5 technique next year. I see him as a very good utility guy on the dline. What do you think.

McLendon looks like a fine role player- but not a real dominant starter. He's Chris Hoke- the guy you want to have come in for a few snaps & rest your main guy.

The more Chadman thinks about it, the more NT is becoming the priority going into the draft. Must get a dominant NT to make the Steelers pass rush improve, as Harrison is declining & neither Hood or Heyward are at their 'peak' yet. The NT needs to soak up at least 2 blockers, putting at least 1 OLB & maybe 1 DE in a 1-on-1 blocking situation. You do that, the Steelers pass rush improves. The NT doesn't have to be a sack artist- but he needs to soak up blockers to allow Hood, Keisel & Heyward to get pressure- and that makes the LB's more effective...which improves the play of the DB's...

Flow on effect.