mesaSteeler
10-28-2009, 11:37 PM
Steelers Ward; "I can't get frustrated, we are winning."
http://www.examiner.com/x-2703-Pittsburgh-Sports-Examiner~y2009m10d28-Steelers-Ward-I-cant-get-frustrated-we-are-winning
October 28, 10:35 AMPittsburgh Sports Examiner
Matt Pawlikowski
In the minds of many, the Steelers win over the Vikings was a statement game. A game in which the defending Super Bowl Champions sent a message to the rest of the NFL --" Heard you missed me,I'm back"
Wide receiver Hines Ward was more cautious in his approach of things when asked that question.
"I don’t know," Ward said. " It was a great atmosphere – a playoff atmosphere with the most fans ever at Heinz Field. The Vikings were 6-0, but we still have a lot of games left."
Ward, is having a career year for the Steelers. Through seven games he is second in the league in receiving yards with 602 yards. He is averaging 14.3 yards per catch and 86 per game. All this at the age of 33.
"I've got a lot of life left in these legs and this mind," Ward said. "The day I know I can't get open against guys I'll walk away from the game."
But it was a different story against the Vikings defense, who stuck to Ward like glue throughout the contest.
"They were taking all of the deep stuff away," Ward said. " And, at the same time, every time I would come underneath, the linebackers were right there covering me."
For most players leading the league like a Randy Moss, there would be complaints that the ball wasn't thrown in their direction more. Not so for Ward.
"I can’t get frustrated. We’re winning. I’m still out there helping the team win. The one pass, I caught the ball down the seam. I think if Mike is a little wider, then that corner doesn’t come off of Mike and make the play. I really wasn’t expecting to get hit. But he put a good hit on my tail bone."
That mentality is a reason Steeler coach Mike Tomlin is so fond of the elder statesman of the receiving corps.
"He wants to be the reason that we win, not only in stadiums but also around this building when no one's watching," Steeler coach Mike Tomlin said a few weeks back. "He's committed to doing things that put him in position to win. He doesn't run away from competition, he doesn't run away from moments."
Ward drawing attention meant he was able to do another thing he does well, play decoy, especially on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's 40 yard touchdown pass to rookie wideout Mike Wallace.
"They were getting really deep, so we wanted to take a shot at getting Mike behind the linebacker," Roethlisberger said. "Hines did a good job of attracting that linebacker. It got over his head, and Mike did the rest."
Wallace, who is coming into his own as a big play maker because of his speed, joked after, saying he'll take anything he can get when both Santonio Holmes and Ward are not open.
"It seems that everyone wants to double team Hines and ’Tone, so it leaves me kind of free at times" Wallace said. "I’ll take whatever scraps I can get."
Which is fine with Ward.
"This is what we talk and preach about finishing the game,' Ward said. "I think the team responded well. We can build on it.It’s great to go into the bye week at 5-2. We’re stacking wins. In the month of November, we’re heading in the right direction."
http://www.examiner.com/x-2703-Pittsburgh-Sports-Examiner~y2009m10d28-Steelers-Ward-I-cant-get-frustrated-we-are-winning
October 28, 10:35 AMPittsburgh Sports Examiner
Matt Pawlikowski
In the minds of many, the Steelers win over the Vikings was a statement game. A game in which the defending Super Bowl Champions sent a message to the rest of the NFL --" Heard you missed me,I'm back"
Wide receiver Hines Ward was more cautious in his approach of things when asked that question.
"I don’t know," Ward said. " It was a great atmosphere – a playoff atmosphere with the most fans ever at Heinz Field. The Vikings were 6-0, but we still have a lot of games left."
Ward, is having a career year for the Steelers. Through seven games he is second in the league in receiving yards with 602 yards. He is averaging 14.3 yards per catch and 86 per game. All this at the age of 33.
"I've got a lot of life left in these legs and this mind," Ward said. "The day I know I can't get open against guys I'll walk away from the game."
But it was a different story against the Vikings defense, who stuck to Ward like glue throughout the contest.
"They were taking all of the deep stuff away," Ward said. " And, at the same time, every time I would come underneath, the linebackers were right there covering me."
For most players leading the league like a Randy Moss, there would be complaints that the ball wasn't thrown in their direction more. Not so for Ward.
"I can’t get frustrated. We’re winning. I’m still out there helping the team win. The one pass, I caught the ball down the seam. I think if Mike is a little wider, then that corner doesn’t come off of Mike and make the play. I really wasn’t expecting to get hit. But he put a good hit on my tail bone."
That mentality is a reason Steeler coach Mike Tomlin is so fond of the elder statesman of the receiving corps.
"He wants to be the reason that we win, not only in stadiums but also around this building when no one's watching," Steeler coach Mike Tomlin said a few weeks back. "He's committed to doing things that put him in position to win. He doesn't run away from competition, he doesn't run away from moments."
Ward drawing attention meant he was able to do another thing he does well, play decoy, especially on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's 40 yard touchdown pass to rookie wideout Mike Wallace.
"They were getting really deep, so we wanted to take a shot at getting Mike behind the linebacker," Roethlisberger said. "Hines did a good job of attracting that linebacker. It got over his head, and Mike did the rest."
Wallace, who is coming into his own as a big play maker because of his speed, joked after, saying he'll take anything he can get when both Santonio Holmes and Ward are not open.
"It seems that everyone wants to double team Hines and ’Tone, so it leaves me kind of free at times" Wallace said. "I’ll take whatever scraps I can get."
Which is fine with Ward.
"This is what we talk and preach about finishing the game,' Ward said. "I think the team responded well. We can build on it.It’s great to go into the bye week at 5-2. We’re stacking wins. In the month of November, we’re heading in the right direction."