Steelers Do Not Plan To Bring Back Hines Ward

La canfora reporting ward wont be back

http://blogs.nfl.com/2012/02/10/la-canf ... back-ward/ he is right about one yhing there is no talk of them working out a contract. Looking at it that way it could spell trouble for some other players as well. While i think we will be fine i do believe there are going to be a lot of cuts coming up.

Merging these posts as it's the same subject matter.

 

Re: La canfora reporting ward wont be back

What is there to work out? He has said he would take the Vet minimum and that he is looking at a 1 yr deal at most. Much like Smith he wants to end his career in Pittsburgh on his terms and not because an injury forced him out. It is my belief that Mr. Rooney has told both of these men to let them take care of the pressing UFA and RFA and then they will work out the details of their final contracts with the team. Just my opinion though.

 

Re: La canfora reporting ward wont be back

He may not have actually said that, but that is the way they typically do things. And as they should, take care of the big fish first.

 

Hines Ward

 

If true, very sad. Very sad indeed.

 

He says he's willing to take the league minimum, and doesn't want to leave Pittsburgh (I take that to mean he will take a backup role). But it says they won't bring him back even for the league minimum, a savings of $3.39 million. If he is willing to be #4 or #5, I would totally keep him. It's not like he's useless. He can still do what he does, and he can still block. Wallace, Brown, Sanders, Cotchery, Ward. Why not? Why drop him? If he's comfortable only making 10-20 catches next year, why get rid of him? Just to see what he looks like in a Cardinals uniform?

 

Big Ward fan but it's time to move on. New OC, two young pro bowl receivers--would take Cotchery over Ward if given the choice at this point.

He doesn't make sense as a 4 of 5 receiver for the vet min. those roster spots need to contribute on special teams and Ward gives you no value there.

 

This is just ridiculous!
Sign him for one year on a restructured contract and let him possibly go out on top retiring from the franchise that he has given his blood, sweat and tears to or we will probably see him in a Rats uniform next season.

 

Main issue is that 2 receivers have to play special teams.
And usually that's #4 & #5. (Cotchery / Ward)
When 3 play ST, its 3, 4 & 5 (Sanders / Cotchery / Ward)

Not a guru, but maybe you're right: he'll be attended once RFA and UFAs are locked.
And probably they can use backup CBs & Ss to play ST instead of him.

If gone, where do you think he'll be given a shot to play?

 

My favorite all time Steeler... I'd if he goes out like this, but with cap issues the business part of the game will come into play.

How are we going to sign our draft picks for cryin out loud?

I would love if he came back for 1 season at 1 million and go out like Bettis did. :hello:

 

Dude it makes me wanna cry to think that Hines would be in ANY other uniform! It's just not right. Honestly I would rather him just retire right now as opposed to going to some other team where the fans have no idea what they have in him. He deserves atleast the proper sendoff to ya know?

 

Money's tight, I know and believe business is business, but players like Ward should be able to retire in the right colors. No matter what it takes, get it done.

 

I love Hines just like the rest of you, but he isnt the same player he was when he was in his prime. Some players hang on too long and need to be told when their time is up. I understand we want Hines to go out his way, but the truth is we dont have a roster spot for him anymore. The Rooneys have to make some tough decisions with this current team as a lot of veterans are going to be cut or "retire" this year. They have to do whats best for the team and not for the player or fans. Its tought to cut an ICON, but sometimes thats what happens. Hines' contributions this year were minimal and next year it would stand to reason to be less as well. Will some other team give him a chance, maybe, but I think they will also see he has nothing left in the tank to perform at the level of play we remember and not just wish he could he still give. This is the part of the game in players careers that they have to know its over. I wish all players could ride off into the sunset on the Super Bowl stage, but thats not reality and Hines' numbers wont improve enough to make any difference in his HOF career to sway any vote. He changed the game and he should be a first ballot HOF'er. He has nothing to prove or be ashamed of, he had a great career, dont ruin it now by hanging on too long,

 

Business is business, but sometimes people have earned more than that. If he's willing to take the minimum then how can you not keep him?

 

The end is near.

Please Steelers and Hines find a way to make it work for
for one more year. Hines has been to good for this organization
for a long time,and can be used in a useful situation next year.
It will be sad if we let him go under these circumstances. Woodson, Webby, Franco
Faneca, Just once lets have a happy ending.

 

Re: The end is near.

I wish there was a "like button" because I like this post.

 

I don't usually have a problem with the treastment of most players. In my opinion they get way more than they deserve. In this case I feel different though. It seems to me that Hines is a guy that always gave his all and laid it all out there on the field putting team first. In his case, I hope they take that into consideration. I hope he doesn't go anywhere else. Although I have trouble putting most of the guys of recent teams up there with a lot of the guys of the seventies, he is one of few exceptions for me. He is a true Steeler in my mind. I hope it ends well for him here. Thanks Hines.

 

HInes Ward is great player, and I understand to a degree the emotional outpouring for him. But as I read these post, I get the feeling that somehow it's gonna be the Steeler FO's fault if Hines goes elsewhere. This I don't really understand.

If it is important to HInes to retire a Steeler, he can do so. He just has to do it now.

Players, especially extremely competitve ones like Hines, always think they have more in them, it's what makes them great. It's also what makes them blind to decline in the abilities. Unfortunately, Hines wll have to learn the hard way that he's done, and he'll probably learn that someplace else. Though with the league min for Hines at near $1MM, you have to wonder who's willing to pony that up.

 

Hines can still be valuable as a slot receiver not to mention his blocking abilities. Plus he's a solid leader in the locker room and can help the "young money" receivers fine tune their skills to get to the next level. It could be like having a player-coach on the sidelines. So.... signs for the league minimum, locker room leadership, mentors the young guys, finishes his career as a Steeler, it's a win-win for everybody.

 

I hope this report is wrong. No way on earth should Hines Ward, wear any other jersey besides the Steelers. The man is everything a Steelers player should be. He's willing to be a back up and play cheap. You HAVE to let him go out as a Steeler. It would be a complete shame to see him somewhere else.

 

Re: The end is near.

He definately deserves to go out like Jerome did. We may not win it all next year, but at least give him one more shot.

 

Re: The end is near.

I think he stays. Not sure about a restructure, but an outright release with the understanding that he will be resigned for the vet minimum is the most likely route. Hines is no dummy. He knows the situation and how the game is played. Im sure he'll be fine with it.

At a greatly reduced salary, he still has plenty of value left.

 

Re: The end is near.

any chance the redskins offer him 100 million and he leaves