Hines being phased out?

Tomlin's comments after the game were interesting:


Hines Ward didn’t play much. Were you holding him back because of the head injury?

No, I think he was ready to go. We were just kind of looking at some personnel groups and looking at ways we wanted these people, which we will do from week-to-week. That might not be any indication of how his participation is going to be moving forward, it’s just an indication of his preparation today.

 

i hate to use the worl phased out, but with Wallace, Sanders and the emergence of Brown as a legit star, Ward is going to have a hard time getting on the field.

Jericho has also looked very good. Ward will still be a valuable player for this team and i garauntee before the seasons over he will make a few more huge catches for them, but his time as a primary target are probably over.

unlike Cowher, Tomlin is showing that he will put the best guys on the field regaurdless of experience. we are starting to see more and more young guys getting a shot.

 

we need ward as a blocker now more than a catcher

 

The 'preparation' word at the end got me. Perhaps he misspoke.

 

I would love to see us win the Superbowl this year with Hines being MVP and then for him to retire. The guy has given 100% for a very long time, I'd love to see him go out on a high note, not with being "phased out." I also would love for him to stick around and be some kind of WR's coach or assistant of some kind. The guy isn't one of the most talented WR's to play the game, but he's one of the legends of the game due to his hard work.

 

I think we all new this day was coming and, to be honest, had we won the SB last year he may have retired. But I agree with all that has been said above. Hines still has some big plays left in him and his down-field blocking will still be a great help for our drive to 7th Heaven this year. Next year...well, we'll see.

 

I started a thread a few weeks ago. Hines is the ultimate Steeler and appreciate everything he's done for the black n gold however, he's probably the fifth best receiver on the team.posting.php?mode=reply&f=2&t=549&sid=8b056a87483b491df3f72dcdd4e6719f#

 

Hines is a gamer. The Steelers are definitely not phasing him out, more like preserving him, for key moments, when we need his clutch ability.

 

Great point.

 

I'd Like to say this is true, but it sure seems like he is getting phased out to me. Only way I see him getting more snaps is if there are other injuries to other WR's.

His blocking and toughness are his assets now, maybe give him some TE assignments?

 

I think Hines should just start coming off the bench we have to many young talented recievers for them to not start. We also have Cotchry who is a hines ward but a few years younger and is starting to gain confidence and could be a big help on the way to the playoffs. I love hines but this should be his last year has a player and become the WR coach for us next season.

 

Something to think about.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... lers-game/

 

He could be called upon at the end of the season and have some break out games...ala Bettis 2005

 

I agree with you.....I still think he has a big game or 2 left in him as well......