Ward need's to retire

[msp26505]

Re: Ward need's to retire

The idea that the Steelers should part with Hines Ward now is absurd.

Until his knee was injured, his productivity had not dropped a bit from his previous ten years in the league, and he is the type of player that will probably be productive for two or three years beyond what any other player at his position would be.

He may have to take a pay cut to finish here, but like the Bus, I'm guessing he does it.

And good luck finding another WR anywhere that terrorizes opposing DB's and LB's the way Hines does.

Shame on all who suggest otherwise.

[Steelerphile]

Re: Ward need's to retire

Bryant Johnson is absurdly overrated. He was a first round pick of the Cardinals (Boldin was a second round pick in the same draft, by the way) who could never live up to the hype even in a high powered passing offense. The Niners brought him over thinking that he could blossom as a starter instead of as a 3rd WR behind Fitz and Boldin, and he did no better.

2008 San Francisco 49ers 16 12 45 546 12.1 42 3 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
2007 Arizona Cardinals 16 8 46 528 11.5 30 2 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
2006 Arizona Cardinals 16 8 40 740 18.5 58 4 1 -3 -3.0 -3 0 1 1
2005 Arizona Cardinals 14 4 40 432 10.8 41 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 -- --
2004 Arizona Cardinals 16 11 49 537 11.0 40 1 2 -6 -3.0 1 0 1 0
2003 Arizona Cardinals 15 8 35 438 12.5 54T 1 -- -- -- -- -- 1 1

Other than one season in which he had 740 yards, he's been below 550 every other year. Nate Washington's receiving totals are 624, 450, and 631. And Nate has the same amount of TD's in 3 seasons that Johnson has in 6 seasons (and Nate has only had 7 career starts compared to Johnson's 51). Nate was undrafted out of Tiffin, which Johnson was a 1st round pick out of Penn State. Sorry, but Nate is the better player. And I don't think it is all that those, to tell you the truth.

This a great post. Thank you for this. Nate is better than Bryant Johnson. Johnson has a pedigree, being a No. 1, but nowhere near the production to match. I like Nate, but if I could be his coach, I would give him some exercises to strengthen his hands so that his grip is better. If he could become just a little more liike Fitz and go up with a defender and sometimes win a jump ball, he would be really good. I think Nate's speed and route-running are very good and he gets separation, both deep and in the middle and to the sidelines. He catches the ball pretty well, even though there are still those who perpetuate the untruth that he drops a lot. He had 4 recorded drops this year.

He isn't as mentally tough as either Hines or Santonio but he he isn't totally soft either. He's somewhere in the middle on the toughness scale, I think. He has improved ad matured every season, so I think the trend will continue.

Hines should not retire. He takes excellent care of himself and is extremely mentally tough. He is willing to try anything, no matter how arcane to maintain and promote his health. With the offseason now to rest, heal and find new methods to improve, I see Hines coming back ready for another great year.

[Steeler Shades]

Re: Ward need's to retire

I can't imagine how the Steelers could even consider letting Hines go for at least another two years. Who other than Hines can catch the ball? Holmes? Yes, he had a great SB but lets not forget his regular season....not great. I think he is definitely a potential #1 WR (if he isn't already) but we need someone else with him. Who? Nate? I don't think Nate is even a good #3. Sweed? Maybe he'll be great, but he hasn't shown it yet. Dallas Baker? I don't think so. The Steelers need Hines until they can develop at least one and preferable two more WRs.

[Snatch98]

Re: Ward need's to retire

Hines Ward belongs on the Steelers and will remain productive for a while. If anyone agrees to a pay cut it's Hines Ward. If he doesn't retire a Steeler it would be a crying shame.

[AngryAsian]

Re: Ward need's to retire

Hines Ward will retire a Steeler. In 11 seasons he's had 4 pro bowl appearances, with the last being in 2004. He doesn't put up the monster numbers year in and year out, but he's has been the heart and soul of the WR corps and has been THE clutch set of hands for the Black and Gold since 2001. He will not seek greener pastures and this organization will work with him so that he retires a Steeler and will be inducted into the HOF with Swannee and Stallworth.

[NorthCoast]

Re: Ward need's to retire

Hines has already mentioned on his own he wants to play another year or two. Let him play until he isn't getting it done anymore then offer him the wr coach job.

I think the Steelers need a guy that will go up and attempt to catch a pass over a defender rather than just run the route and wait for the ball to come to them. I rewatched the Superbowl and saw 3 occasions where our WR just stood there flat footed on the ground instead of attempting to catch the pass over a defender.

Santonio had one heading down the sideline where he had time to go up and try and catch the pass over the CB but instead stayed on the ground.

Nate had the deep pass that Ben underthrew that would have been a TD but he didn't attempt to go up and take off the DB and then on the final drive right before the 2 minute warning Ben laid one out down the sideline that Nate could have gone up to get but instead just tried to shield the CB from the ball and catch it in his bread basket.

We don't have that WR that is physical other than Hines, and he is more of a mini tight end type WR. We need the 6'3" +/- WR that will go up and outphysical a smaller DB for the ball. Like Fitz did to Ike in the endzone for the TD.

Go up and get the football and catch it with your hands instead of waiting for the ball to come to you and try and catch it with your belly!!!!!

Been my observation for a while, no one except Hines is strong to the ball. Holmes and Washington are best when they have separation. Teams that have physical corners that play up will cause us a lot of problems if we can't find a Boldin.
On Hines....you simply don't mess with team chemistry, period. He stays if he wants to but even Hines has to begin realizing that his salary/playing time ratio can't be supported. If pay was based on heart, he is worth every penny he is making. But I think he will need to take one for the team and restructure.

[steelcityrules!!]

Re: Ward need's to retire

Hines is done, he needs to take a pay cut.

We won the Super Bowl and the AFC championship without Hines.

what an ignorant statement.
slap your own mouth right now and apologize.

[feltdizz]

Re: Ward need's to retire

this whole thread was a play on Ben getting another ring for Hines next year...

every year the haters say he is done and every year he catches 20 passes that are clutch 3rd downs that extend drives...

we have enough WR's IMO... and why would Hines take a pay cut? Unless he is benched for a young star it makes no sense.. he is still out there breaking fools jaws and distracting Baltimore's LB's with bounties..LOL!

As long as Hines has a bounty he is worth it.. when teams start ignoring his blocks then we can talk about cutting Hines pay or playing time...

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Re: Ward need's to retire

Ward is like Bettis... he stays until he decides to leave...

Who did Holmes mention in every interview? Hines...

Who had the first catch for 38 yards in the SB that set the tone? Hines...

Who will mentor Sweed and was the first to get him to shake off that pitiful drop? Hines....

Great point with the comparison to Bettis. Only thing is, Bettis took a pay cut to stay. Do you think Hines does the same thing?

But aside from all that, I think a healthy Hines Ward has 2 or 3 good years left. Hopefully he retires a Steeler.

again quoting inside the NFL... those morons said the Steelers wouldn't re-up Hines after this season (his final under contract)... because the Steelers just don't do that... "look at Joey Porter and Clark Haggans" they suggested.

Hines is more like rod woodson (who the rooneys regret not re-signing).

[fordfixer]

Re: Ward need's to retire

this whole thread was a play on Ben getting another ring for Hines next year...

every year the haters say he is done and every year he catches 20 passes that are clutch 3rd downs that extend drives...

we have enough WR's IMO... and why would Hines take a pay cut? Unless he is benched for a young star it makes no sense.. he is still out there breaking fools jaws and distracting Baltimore's LB's with bounties..LOL!

As long as Hines has a bounty he is worth it.. when teams start ignoring his blocks then we can talk about cutting Hines pay or playing time...

Thank you I was starting to think that part was over looked