Cutting ties with Ward wouldn't be wise move for Steelers

mesaSteeler · 11-27-2010, 11:04 PM

Cutting ties with Ward wouldn't be wise move for Steelers
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt...s_711286.html#
By Mark Kaboly
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, November 28, 2010

They cut their all-time leading sacks leader and their all-time leading rusher to go along with two of their most productive linebackers.

They had no interest in bringing back the best center they ever had, the best guard they ever had and even one of their best receivers.

So if the Steelers can cut Jason Gildon, Franco Harris, Greg Lloyd and Joey Porter and were not interested enough to bring back Mike Webster, Alan Faneca or Louis Lipps, they wouldn't hesitate to let go of Hines Ward.

The Steelers pride themselves in knowing when the proper time it is to part ways with a player near the end of his career.

Will the offseason the time they need to make the decision with Ward?

Ward, who owns virtually every single receiving record in Steelers history, is having the least productive season of his 13-year career.

He has only 33 catches and 403 yards through 10 games and is on pace for his lowest numbers since 2000. Over the past four games, Ward has a mere nine catches for 53 yards. It appears Father Time has caught up with the future Hall of Famer.

Ward will have three years remaining on his contract after the season and the organization can save substantial amount of money if they make a clean break with him after the season.

It is something the Steelers have to consider, and history proves they would make the move if they deem it in the best interest of the organization.

But it's not in their best interest.

Even if Ward isn't having one of his best years, he still has good years left in him, even if he looks a step slow and appears to have a difficult time getting open.

The Steelers can't discount how much he means to the organization outside of football, and as long as he can still perform at a productive level, he has to be afforded the opportunity to remain with the organization now and for the near future.

Here's hoping the Steelers feel the same way.

Mark Kaboly can be reached at mkaboly@dailynewsemail.com or 412-664-9161.

steeltheone · 11-28-2010, 12:42 AM

Take into consideration 4 games without BR7....Plus the rest of the corps is still learning the ropes...We surely need Hines another couple of years.

MikeHaullace · 11-28-2010, 12:44 AM

Psssh.

Cut him and offer him a WR coaching gig.

$100-250K/yr sounds reasonable, though I have no idea how much lower-down-the-ladder coaches make. I'm sure they'd work with him as a coach.

I hope he wants to coach...

People say you can't teach what he has. I think he can teach what he has.

Either way, anyone that tries to contest whether or not Ward will get into the Hall of Fame is either ignorant of his career and him as a complete player, or just trolling you for the lulz.

I can already see him in Canton :

Love me some Hines.

***ricardisimo*** · 11-28-2010, 04:06 AM

I don't get it... He's tied for the team lead. It's not like he's suddenly the number four wideout. He's sharing number one with Wallace.

MikeHaullace · 11-28-2010, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricardisimo

I don't get it... He's tied for the team lead. It's not like he's suddenly the number four wideout. He's sharing number one with Wallace.

Logic and reason aside, I believe this is just your typical prognostication article to entice unnecessary debate. The Steelers are pretty boring in the headlines during the season so, this is about as good as it gets for Mr. Kaboly leading up to Week 12.

If Hines is healthy enough to play, he's going to finish his contract. It's that simple. Lost step or not. If his body permits, he'll suit. And that's what I like about the guy. He's a modern-day warrior with a cheesin-ass'd smile.

Whodis · 11-28-2010, 07:24 AM

He's so clutch, bocks and takes a hit like no one I've ever seen. I don't see anyone on the roster with those entangibles.

***Atlanta Dan*** · 11-28-2010, 07:42 AM

Six games to go in the regular season with the Steelers in the hunt for a playoff spot and we get this pot stirring

This can wait until the end of the season

With many long term starters who have contracts to be negotiated (Woodley/Colon/ Timmons) I could see Ward being asked to renegotiate as Bettis was in his last years

Whodis · 11-28-2010, 07:46 AM

Yeah, if your going to talk about cutting ties with anyone this early in the season write about the offensive coordinator

joeyssteelcurtain · 11-28-2010, 10:07 AM

No way You cut Ward I dont care if only has 1 more catch this year. You just dont cut a guy like him.

Goldsteel86 · 11-28-2010, 10:29 AM

No way, this is B.S.!!!!! He is the heart and soul of the offense, just look at the Pats game, the offense didn't have a pulse without him. If you want to get rid of receivers get rid of Battle, absolutely no use to the Steelers. Get rid of Hines and there goes the offense, let him finish his career as a Steeler!!!! Prototypical Steeler, deserves some respect, he has had to play through Ben's woes, he has held and will continue to hold this offense together. One more ring for our best receiver!!!!!

11-27-2010, 11:04 PM	#1
mesaSteeler A Son of Martha Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mesa, Arizona Posts: 7,976 Gender: Male Member Number: 10438 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Cutting ties with Ward wouldn't be wise move for Steelers Cutting ties with Ward wouldn't be wise move for Steelers http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt...s_711286.html# By Mark Kaboly TRIBUNE-REVIEW Sunday, November 28, 2010 They cut their all-time leading sacks leader and their all-time leading rusher to go along with two of their most productive linebackers. They had no interest in bringing back the best center they ever had, the best guard they ever had and even one of their best receivers. So if the Steelers can cut Jason Gildon, Franco Harris, Greg Lloyd and Joey Porter and were not interested enough to bring back Mike Webster, Alan Faneca or Louis Lipps, they wouldn't hesitate to let go of Hines Ward. The Steelers pride themselves in knowing when the proper time it is to part ways with a player near the end of his career. Will the offseason the time they need to make the decision with Ward? Ward, who owns virtually every single receiving record in Steelers history, is having the least productive season of his 13-year career. He has only 33 catches and 403 yards through 10 games and is on pace for his lowest numbers since 2000. Over the past four games, Ward has a mere nine catches for 53 yards. It appears Father Time has caught up with the future Hall of Famer. Ward will have three years remaining on his contract after the season and the organization can save substantial amount of money if they make a clean break with him after the season. It is something the Steelers have to consider, and history proves they would make the move if they deem it in the best interest of the organization. But it's not in their best interest. Even if Ward isn't having one of his best years, he still has good years left in him, even if he looks a step slow and appears to have a difficult time getting open. The Steelers can't discount how much he means to the organization outside of football, and as long as he can still perform at a productive level, he has to be afforded the opportunity to remain with the organization now and for the near future. Here's hoping the Steelers feel the same way. Mark Kaboly can be reached at mkaboly@dailynewsemail.com or 412-664-9161.

11-28-2010, 12:42 AM	#2
steeltheone Team Owner Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Harrisburg Pa. Posts: 2,952 Gender: Male Member Number: 6351 Thanks: 56 Thanked 64 Times in 47 Posts	Re: Cutting ties with Ward wouldn't be wise move for Steelers Take into consideration 4 games without BR7....Plus the rest of the corps is still learning the ropes...We surely need Hines another couple of years. __________________ Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence." - Vince Lombardi

11-28-2010, 12:44 AM	#3
MikeHaullace Starter Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 574 Member Number: 16733 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Cutting ties with Ward wouldn't be wise move for Steelers Psssh. Cut him and offer him a WR coaching gig. $100-250K/yr sounds reasonable, though I have no idea how much lower-down-the-ladder coaches make. I'm sure they'd work with him as a coach. I hope he wants to coach... People say you can't teach what he has. I think he can teach what he has. Either way, anyone that tries to contest whether or not Ward will get into the Hall of Fame is either ignorant of his career and him as a complete player, or just trolling you for the lulz. I can already see him in Canton : Love me some Hines.

11-28-2010, 04:06 AM	#4
*ricardisimo* Administrator Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lalaland Posts: 4,831 Gender: Male Member Number: 15369 Thanks: 34 Thanked 69 Times in 48 Posts	Re: Cutting ties with Ward wouldn't be wise move for Steelers I don't get it... He's tied for the team lead. It's not like he's suddenly the number four wideout. He's sharing number one with Wallace. __________________ Why does God hate amputees?

11-28-2010, 07:24 AM	#6
Whodis Team Captain Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sunnyvale Trailer Park Posts: 738 Gender: Male Member Number: 6483 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Cutting ties with Ward wouldn't be wise move for Steelers He's so clutch, bocks and takes a hit like no one I've ever seen. I don't see anyone on the roster with those entangibles. __________________

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11-28-2010, 07:42 AM	#7
*Atlanta Dan* Resigned Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 9,919 Member Number: 728 Thanks: 74 Thanked 202 Times in 130 Posts	Re: Cutting ties with Ward wouldn't be wise move for Steelers Six games to go in the regular season with the Steelers in the hunt for a playoff spot and we get this pot stirring This can wait until the end of the season With many long term starters who have contracts to be negotiated (Woodley/Colon/ Timmons) I could see Ward being asked to renegotiate as Bettis was in his last years

11-28-2010, 07:46 AM	#8
Whodis Team Captain Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sunnyvale Trailer Park Posts: 738 Gender: Male Member Number: 6483 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Cutting ties with Ward wouldn't be wise move for Steelers Yeah, if your going to talk about cutting ties with anyone this early in the season write about the offensive coordinator __________________

11-28-2010, 10:07 AM	#9
joeyssteelcurtain Assistant Coach Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: lakeland F.L Posts: 1,253 Gender: Male Member Number: 11092 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Cutting ties with Ward wouldn't be wise move for Steelers No way You cut Ward I dont care if only has 1 more catch this year. You just dont cut a guy like him. __________________ Joey "I'm BLACK and GOLD until I'm dead and cold"

11-28-2010, 10:29 AM	#10
Goldsteel86 Starter Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 542 Member Number: 16432 Thanks: 0 Thanked 21 Times in 15 Posts	Re: Cutting ties with Ward wouldn't be wise move for Steelers No way, this is B.S.!!!!! He is the heart and soul of the offense, just look at the Pats game, the offense didn't have a pulse without him. If you want to get rid of receivers get rid of Battle, absolutely no use to the Steelers. Get rid of Hines and there goes the offense, let him finish his career as a Steeler!!!! Prototypical Steeler, deserves some respect, he has had to play through Ben's woes, he has held and will continue to hold this offense together. One more ring for our best receiver!!!!!

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