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]

Re: Ward Willing to Take Pay Cut

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]

Re: Ward Willing to Take Pay Cut

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]

Re: Ward Willing to Take Pay Cut

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]

Re: Ward Willing to Take Pay Cut

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]

Re: Ward Willing to Take Pay Cut

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]

Re: Ward Willing to Take Pay Cut

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.]

Re: Ward Willing to Take Pay Cut

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]

Re: Ward Willing to Take Pay Cut

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]

Re: Ward Willing to Take Pay Cut

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.

[Steelerphile]

Re: Ward Willing to Take Pay Cut

If he's willing to take and pay cut and isn't griping about his role, then why not at least bring him to camp? There is no other team that would want him as a starter now. He's made his share of money, which I hope he hasn't blown, like many athletes do, and now he just wants to play for the love of the game. It's nice.

My advice to him might be, let somebody attach an ACL to your knee. You did 1,000 receptions without one, now if you get one, it might help you hang around a little longer. Also watch the weight. Stay as slim as possible. Hyperbaric chamber round the clock.

I think they can afford to keep a Hines Ward but I hope they do try to get younger next year. So some of the other vets have got to go.

[brothervad]

Re: Ward Willing to Take Pay Cut

I love Hines Ward. I believe he is what is good with the game of football. I have long been a fan of him retiring a Steeler.

That being said, I think it's time for us to part ways with him. Not because of anything he said or did...I think this team needs to get younger and if I have a choice of spending money to bring someone in to fill a role, I want someone who has a chance of getting better as a season wear on, not brittle.

I will use our hated rivals the Ravens as an example. Todd Heap was beloved by the fans...I am sure there were a lot of fans who were shocked and pi$$ed at their jetisoning of him and Derrick Mason for that matter.

But I believe in the long run this probably was the best thing the Ravens could do. Not the ST windfall they received of the #2 seed, that is just gravy for them.

I hate writing this thread, and while I don't think the Steelers need a full rebuild, it's time to start seeding with potential and growth. Not keeping guys on the roster that should have moved on to their "life's work".

brothervad

[phillyesq]

Re: Ward Willing to Take Pay Cut

Some interesting tidbits from Dale Lolley:

© Hines Ward has told the P-G that he wants to play for the Steelers next season and is willing to take a pay cut to do so.

But, if a deal can't be worked out, Ward plans on trying to play somewhere else.

There are some on the coaching staff who don't want Ward back. In fact, one member of the staff didn't want him back in 2010.

But ownership wanted Ward with the team then and will likely want him back in 2012 as well.

Ward has been such a popular player for such a long time that the team will allow him to go out on his own terms and in a Steelers uniform. Unless, of course, Ward insists on having a greater role than what he played in the second half of 2012.

[Steelgal]

Re: Ward Willing to Take Pay Cut

Some interesting tidbits from Dale Lolley:

© Hines Ward has told the P-G that he wants to play for the Steelers next season and is willing to take a pay cut to do so.

But, if a deal can't be worked out, Ward plans on trying to play somewhere else.

There are some on the coaching staff who don't want Ward back. In fact, one member of the staff didn't want him back in 2010.

But ownership wanted Ward with the team then and will likely want him back in 2012 as well.

Ward has been such a popular player for such a long time that the team will allow him to go out on his own terms and in a Steelers uniform. Unless, of course, Ward insists on having a greater role than what he played in the second half of 2012.

If ownership is going to get involved in the decision like that, then I think it's a mistake. Yes, Hines has been a great player for the Steelers for years, but his better days are far behind him and they need move on. i hated seeing Rod Woodson in another uniform, but it happens. You can't keep a guy on the roster just because he's been a great player for you. It's all about what he can do for you in the future and I just don't see Hines adding much to the roster.

[fezziwig]

Re: Ward Willing to Take Pay Cut

I don't see the Steelers keeping Hines as much as they would probably like to.
Too old for a team that is already too old. It's time to cut ties with the older players and look towards the future with the younger guys.

Had the coaches/team thought Hines was a positive to get the job done this past season then, Hines would have gotten more playing time. I also think the reason why they had Hines get his 1000 catch was to allow the Hines era to come to an end.

Cotchry is a nice addition to the team but, I doubt they will break the bank for him and need him to accept a modest paycheck since they're so over the cap. His body of work wasn't anything to write home about this season as a Steeler receiver with his injuries and very little playing time.

Will Cotchry be in that big of demand from the other NFL teams ? As someone said, Cotchry seemed to view the Steelers as the promise land and possibly he is now in it for the ring. Cotchry won't be the only verteran out there for the taking, Hines will probably make the market one more receiver ready.

I believe Hampton is due some big dollars that they probably can't get around unless, he restructures his salary or they're happy with McClendon and let big snack go.