I'm Still Having a Hard Time Getting Over Ward

[flippy]

Hines Ward is like the modern day Jack Lambert of this team.

Instead of the snarl, you get the smile.

Both weren't the perfect size, speed, athlete for their respective positions.

Both got way more out of their bodies than any reasonable person should.

Neither was the best player on their team or even their unit. But they set the tone for their respective teams.

They both played with this enormous chip on their shoulders with something to prove.

They were both feared.

Both inside their opponents heads before kickoff.

Both of these guys were infectious.

And they were fearless.

The thing that always set Hines apart for me from every other WR I've ever watched was his ability and willingness to block guys who's numbers start with 9s. You just don't see that outside of the Steelers games. Heck, even the 150 lb Randle El leveled the 350lb Pat Williams to spring Big Ben for a TD run. And that kind of stuff never happens if you don't have Hines setting the tone.

I'd even go as far to say the defense has to hit so hard and take so many fines so they dont look softer than the offense and Ward.

We've been lucky to have Ward for so many years. And I'm probably going to be in mourning until our next SuperBowl victory.

The Steelers will never be the same.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: I'm Still Having a Hard Time Getting Over Ward

Nice comparisons, flip! Well done...

[skyhawk]

Re: I'm Still Having a Hard Time Getting Over Ward

Nice comparisons, flip! Well done...

Agreed! Nice job Flip.

I will miss Hines never going down on a tackle or running out of bounds but instead lowering his shoulder or stiff arming. It would pump me up. Just think what it does to those who play. I am pretty sure I saw at least 990 of Wards 1000 regular season catches!! Will never forget him!

[Eddie Spaghetti]

Re: I'm Still Having a Hard Time Getting Over Ward

amen.

[steelz09]

Re: I'm Still Having a Hard Time Getting Over Ward

I hear ya.

Aaron Smith is done and injury prove that over the past several years...

Farrior might ... and I mean, might have 1 more year in him which is incredible (38 at ILB??)

Ward I still think could have contributed next year. I don't trust that Sanders won't get injured or that we'll sign Crothcery so where would that leave us depth wise?

Heres hoping that the Steelers will sign back Ward at a reduced salary for 1 last year.

[Chadman]

Re: I'm Still Having a Hard Time Getting Over Ward

The true value of Hines was that he made the others around him play better. That's a real quality that so many players lack. And he can give focus to a team. When Ward was switched on, really switched on, the Steelers played at a different tempo.

In future years we may look back & realise that Hines Ward, through his aggressive run support, has revolusionised the WR position for future years.

We may have been lucky to see a real 'Game changer'.

[Steelers>NFL]

Re: I'm Still Having a Hard Time Getting Over Ward

Nice comparisons, flip! Well done...

Agreed! Nice job Flip.

I will miss Hines never going down on a tackle or running out of bounds but instead lowering his shoulder or stiff arming. It would pump me up. Just think what it does to those who play. I am pretty sure I saw at least 990 of Wards 1000 regular season catches!! Will never forget him!

X2 all of the above.

[Chucktownsteeler]

Re: I'm Still Having a Hard Time Getting Over Ward

Very god post, Flippy.

I had the honor to meet Hines last summer and he came across as the nicest, down to earth person you could expect from an athlete.

He will be one of my all-time favorites and I am torn to wanting to see him play again or not. I just don't know.

Nice post!

C-town

[SidSmythe]

Re: I'm Still Having a Hard Time Getting Over Ward

Someone posted at the bottom of the ESPN story.

"Don't cry b/c it's over. Rather smile b/c it happened"

[NottinghamForest_UK]

Re: I'm Still Having a Hard Time Getting Over Ward

Nice post Flippy!

Think we are all having a hard time over this, hopefully one day he'll be back in some coaching capacity! Thanks for everything Hines!

[ikestops85]

Re: I'm Still Having a Hard Time Getting Over Ward

Someone posted at the bottom of the ESPN story.

"Don't cry b/c it's over. Rather smile b/c it happened"

My wife will like that quote. She is very upset about Hines leaving.

[aggiebones]

Re: I'm Still Having a Hard Time Getting Over Ward

I'm upset that he's leaving. He's got one more year as WR4 left and then let him walk away. Find the room and the veteran minimum money for a farewell season. This epitomized him and what he meant to the organization:
(from Wetzel article)
* I remember Ward walking out with Roethlisberger on the first day of training camp 2010, just in case the public hadn’t forgiven the quarterback. “If they boo you, they’re booing me and they’re booing the organization,” Ward told him.

* But what about the alleged rivalry between the two? “It’s a big brother-little brother thing,” Ward explained. “We get on each other’s nerves but there are never bad feelings.”

[RussBII]

Re: I'm Still Having a Hard Time Getting Over Ward

I'm upset that he's leaving. He's got one more year as WR4 left and then let him walk away. ”

I think he'd be WR5 if Cotchery comes back. And a 5th WR who doesn't play Special Teams, at 925K/year Veteran Minimum? No team will do that.

I'm said they had to let him go but I'm frustrated he didn't just walk way. The writing was on the wall.

That being said, 86 is one of my all time favorites. I hope they have the good sense to not give out that number for at least 20 to 30 years.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: I'm Still Having a Hard Time Getting Over Ward

I'm upset that he's leaving. He's got one more year as WR4 left and then let him walk away. ”

I think he'd be WR5 if Cotchery comes back. And a 5th WR who doesn't play Special Teams, at 925K/year Veteran Minimum? No team will do that.

I'm said they had to let him go but I'm frustrated he didn't just walk way. The writing was on the wall.

That being said, 86 is one of my all time favorites. I hope they have the good sense to not give out that number for at least 20 to 30 years.

Numerous wideouts have been wearing Stallworth's 82 and Swann's 88 for years (there are only so many numbers that you can give to WR's and TE's, so a number in the 80's will need to be recycled since teams carry so many wideouts and tight ends).

Also consider that Rod Woodson left after the 1996 season. By 1998, rookie Deshea Townsend already was wearing Rod's 26.

[RussBII]

Re: I'm Still Having a Hard Time Getting Over Ward

I'm upset that he's leaving. He's got one more year as WR4 left and then let him walk away. ”

I think he'd be WR5 if Cotchery comes back. And a 5th WR who doesn't play Special Teams, at 925K/year Veteran Minimum? No team will do that.

I'm said they had to let him go but I'm frustrated he didn't just walk way. The writing was on the wall.

That being said, 86 is one of my all time favorites. I hope they have the good sense to not give out that number for at least 20 to 30 years.

Numerous wideouts have been wearing Stallworth's 82 and Swann's 88 for years (there are only so many numbers that you can give to WR's and TE's, so a number in the 80's will need to be recycled since teams carry so many wideouts and tight ends).

Also consider that Rod Woodson left after the 1996 season. By 1998, rookie Deshea Townsend already was wearing Rod's 26.

Oh i know, but at least give him a few years, ya know? 20 or 30 is obviously not going to happen.