Steelers won't retain Hines Ward

[ThomasTomasz]

The Pittsburgh Steelers, with a Hines Ward roster-bonus deadline fast approaching, have decided not to keep the veteran receiver, the NFL Network has reported, citing unnamed sources.

Ward, who lost his starting job in 2011, was scheduled to make $4 million in the last two years of his contract but has said he was willing to take a pay cut.

A decision is required by March 1 to satisfy a clause in his contract.

"I plan on playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers and going from there," Ward said last Thursday during Super Bowl week.

Speaking at the media center in Indianapolis, Ward called reports about his possible retirement "rumors," reiterating he wants to play next season.

Asked if he wanted to play three, four or five more years, the 35-year-old Ward laughed and said, "I don't know about that long."

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7564969/pittsburgh-steelers-plan-keep-hines-ward-report-says

 

[Primetime]

They'll rework the deal. Hes not going anywhere.

 

[Aso]

I think they will get rid of him. His role was diminished a ton by the end of last year and I don't think he brings much to the table as a receiver anymore. Couple that with him probably being the teams 4th receiver and not playing special teams. Then it also being publicly known that the Steelers have yet to contact him. All signs point towards the team parting ways.

 

[BrntO4Life]

Ward is a turdlicker.

Nothing pissed me off more than seeing him as the only on-field survivor in the trailer for The Dark Knight Rises.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

If he's willing to take a pay cut, the Steelers should take him back and stash him on the back end of the roster. He can't be any worse than whatever UFA scrub they will likely have in that roster slot, and it's pretty obvious he wants to stay even at a reduced salary and role.

It really annoyed me as a fan in 2008 when the Rams cut Isaac Bruce loose over $1M. He was willing to take a pay cut to stay, and the gap was $1M. He not only ended up on the hated 49ers, but he promptly proved he could still play by leading them in all three receiving categories. Drew Bennett replaced Bruce in the starting lineup and caught one pass.

 

[red33]

I always figured the steelers took care of there players a oil better then other teams. Ward has been an integral part of that team for a long time and probably have his number retired by them. You would think they could keep him for a small amount of money.

 

[RosettaStoned]

I always figured the steelers took care of there players a oil better then other teams. Ward has been an integral part of that team for a long time and probably have his number retired by them. You would think they could keep him for a small amount of money.

No we usually dump them a year early. Hines got the benefit of playing a year longer than most.


I wish we could keep him, I love Hines. He's one of the all time great Steelers. If there is one thing I know though, is that the Steeler's front office knows what they're doing. I hope he retires, I don't want to see him in another jersey.

 

[TuxedoYoda]

Some WR poor team like the Skins or Browns will overpay for him and he'll have a crap 2012 season.

 

[strahanfan92]

he'll have a crap 2012 season.

 

[Aso]

If he's willing to take a pay cut, the Steelers should take him back and stash him on the back end of the roster. He can't be any worse than whatever UFA scrub they will likely have in that roster slot, and it's pretty obvious he wants to stay even at a reduced salary and role.

It really annoyed me as a fan in 2008 when the Rams cut Isaac Bruce loose over $1M. He was willing to take a pay cut to stay, and the gap was $1M. He not only ended up on the hated 49ers, but he promptly proved he could still play by leading them in all three receiving categories. Drew Bennett replaced Bruce in the starting lineup and caught one pass.

I don't like the comparison though. Bruce didn't average 8 yards a catch his final season. Bruce was also a starter before being let go, Ward will likely be the teams 4th receiver come the 2012 season (if he were to be kept). Hines Ward won't be leading anyone in any receiving categories. I don't like the comparison because I think the situations are entirely different. I think the Steelers will and should get rid of him.

 

[Aso]

Well now it's announced he's gonna be cut.

I'm just waiting for him to either go unsigned or be signed and have an incredibly bad 2012 for some shitty team.

 

[JOHNNYTHECLOWN]

never been a fan because he's a steeler... but he didn't look like he had much in the tank anyway

 

[BigBucs]

Damn man. And you wonder why these athletes try to bleed these teams for all they can when its time to get paid. Some players should never hit the open market no matter the circumstances.

 

[j.hen]

Come play the slot in ATL for the vet minimum. :yep:

 

[Shayn•Da•Pain]

He's still got plenty of ball left in the tank, for the right team. He's a 3rd down magnet, still a hard blocker, and having him on the field will help somebody out there win games. If there's a team that has some playmakers already but just needs a possession guy, or somebody who can come in and be a leader, Hines is that dude.

I hope this helps out retaining Wallace!

 

[Aso]

He's got no ball at all left in the tank. His 8 ypc average should just head for retirement.

 

[SethMode]

Did Hines Ward fuck your Mom or something? Jesus.

He was a great Steeler...I wish they could have restructured to keep him there no matter what, but oh well. Tough to see him go...going to be even tougher if he ends up on a rival team.

 

[Tailback U]

When I think of the Pittsburgh Steelers recent era, I will think of Hines Ward.

You don't have to like the guy, but nobody can deny his love for the sport of football. That dude loved football like few we've seen. The term, "throwback", is used a bit too often for my liking, but Hines Ward lived up to it.

I think his career is all about done. He should just retire, but he won't, because he loves the game too much and like most greats that love the game, he will play for one more meaningless season that won't mean much to anyone but himself. And that's really all that matters when you think about it.

 

[red33]

sure fire first ballot korean american football players hall of fame.

 

[RosettaStoned]

It's really not that Hines can't ball anymore... It's more that we have one of, if not THE best young receiving core in the NFL. How are you going to get a possesion guy like Hines on the field?