Ward Willing to Take Pay Cut

[phillyesq]

From PFT:

Hines Ward says he would take a pay cut to stay in Pittsburgh
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 11, 2012, 12:56 PM EST

APHines Ward doesn’t want to retire. And if the Steelers don’t want him next year, he’ll try to find a job elsewhere.

“It would be weird, not how I want it to happen,” Ward told Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “But I do want to play. I still think I can play. I’m not even thinking like that — what if. If that scenario happens, I’ll be devastated, but I do want to play football.”

Ward is due $4 million next season. He knows he’ll have to take a pay cut and is willing to do so.

“I want to be here, I’m telling you I’m willing to do that,” Ward said. “And I understand the ramifications — we have the cap number and stuff, but I want to be here.”

The Steelers may be ready to move on. They have their top three out wide: Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, and Emmanuel Sanders.

Ward’s production fell dramatically this year. He averaged only 8.6 yards-per-catch and didn’t top 400 yards receiving. It was his worst yardage total since he was a rookie in 1998.

[flippy]

The Pay Cut sounds very un Ward like.

But he probably realizes he'll maximize his lifetime income by remaining a Steeler and potentially winning another championship.

[SteelBucks]

I read somewhere that the coaches would prefer to keep Cotchery and add a red zone WR to the roster. This would leave Ward as the odd man out. It's going to be difficult to keep Hines....the team already has to cut around $23 million off the roster just to meet next years cap. It's great that Hines will take a pay cut but it feels like the team is ready to move on without him.

Guess we'll find out in March when his roster bonus is due.

[Slapstick]

The Steelers have parted ways with star players before...the fact that Hines is making how badly he wants to stay public could bode well for him.

I wouldn't count on Cotchery staying...he probably could get a job with just about any other team and have better pay and playing time...

But, maybe he's all about a Super Bowl...we'll find out, eh?

[ikestops85]

The Steelers have parted ways with star players before...the fact that Hines is making how badly he wants to stay public could bode well for him.

I wouldn't count on Cotchery staying...he probably could get a job with just about any other team and have better pay and playing time...

But, maybe he's all about a Super Bowl...we'll find out, eh?

While Cotchery might be able to get a job with other teams he seemed to be very impressed with the Steelers organization and culture. I think if the Steelers made him a reasonable offer he would stay.

Hines has to stay a Steeler ... but only if he takes a pay cut. The long term steelers that the organization lets go are the ones who still want a big payday but are getting long in the tooth. The next one up who fits that category might be Troy. If he's looking to get another huge contract it won't be with the Steelers. He'll have to go elsewhere.

[Slapstick]

While Cotchery might be able to get a job with other teams he seemed to be very impressed with the Steelers organization and culture. I think if the Steelers made him a reasonable offer he would stay.

Hines has to stay a Steeler ... but only if he takes a pay cut. The long term steelers that the organization lets go are the ones who still want a big payday but are getting long in the tooth. The next one up who fits that category might be Troy. If he's looking to get another huge contract it won't be with the Steelers. He'll have to go elsewhere.

But, is he a priority enough for the Steelers to afford making him a reasonable offer?

[phillyesq]

The Steelers have parted ways with star players before...the fact that Hines is making how badly he wants to stay public could bode well for him.

I wouldn't count on Cotchery staying...he probably could get a job with just about any other team and have better pay and playing time...

But, maybe he's all about a Super Bowl...we'll find out, eh?

While Cotchery might be able to get a job with other teams he seemed to be very impressed with the Steelers organization and culture. I think if the Steelers made him a reasonable offer he would stay.

Hines has to stay a Steeler ... but only if he takes a pay cut. The long term steelers that the organization lets go are the ones who still want a big payday but are getting long in the tooth. The next one up who fits that category might be Troy. If he's looking to get another huge contract it won't be with the Steelers. He'll have to go elsewhere.

Around the time of the comments about Holmes, I remember reading or hearing that Cotchery essentially begged out of NY because he couldn't stand being in a meeting room with the WRs the Jets had. Having seen life on the other side, could be that he decides to stay with the Steelers.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

This could be an interesting situation. First of all, would any other team sign Ward to a significant contract? Would anyone be willing to hand him a starting spot heading into camp or would he have to compete? Does he want to go somewhere else to sit on the bench if he doesn't win a starting spot?

He is due $4M + $610K in pro rated SB which counts against the cap whether we have him or not. If he comes back he knows he is not a starter here. Would you be willing to keep him at $1M + the $610K? That's the question.

I would try to keep Cotchery first, but if he moves on then I would bring Ward back at this number.

[feltdizz]

I would bring Ward back for a mill. He may not have the speed but it's not like Sanders stays healthy and Crotchery missed a few games as well.

[Shawn]

If given the choice I would rather have Brown and Cotchery over just having Wallace. That is still a very good WR trio...Brown, Sanders and Cotchery. If Wallace wants top 10 money that is likely what we will see.