Hines Ward gone?

As the Steelers scramble to clear cap space, a $4 million chunk could be opening up in one fell swoop.

Jason La Canfora of NFL Network reports that the Steelers won’t bring back veteran receiver Hines Ward for a 15th season with the team.

In 2011, Ward slid down the depth chart, which makes him way too expensive for his current contribution level.  Also, even if he cuts his pay down to the veteran minimum, he’s in danger of occupying a position that ordinarily would require the wideout to play special teams.

In the end, the Steelers may try to “retire” Ward, the same way offensive coordinator Bruce Arians “retired.”

Maybe Ward will end up with the Colts, too.

Jason Loncoforia is usually pretty accurate. If it was ESPN reporting, expect 180 degrees of what they report. Nothing is writeen in stone either, it's February and not even a week removed from the Super Bowl. However, the plan may to keep Jericho Cotchery as the vet to guide the young kids, he was a good locker room presence. I almost think Rooney got Hines 1000 catches as a parting givt, just my honest guess.

Just retire already Hines. We would all hate to see him on another team (cough cough Cardinals) but it's obvious he has nothing left. Love the guy but at this point he's more of a hinderence. I would much rather see Cotchery re-signed and keeping a tall receiver draft pick and I feel like Ward will just make this a 52 man roster.

Hines said he still want to play.  I wouldn't blame him if he went to another team.

After the LeBeau retirement fiasco in 08 where trusted sources reported that LeBeau was definitely going to retire...plus given this years Arians drama ... he's coming back, no he's retiring, no he's just going to the Colts...I have no reason to believe reports based off of unnamed sources, no matter how accurate the reporter/analyst has been in the past. 

Right now the Pittsburgh sports reporters are pretty quiet about it on the tweet and they're usually the first tweeting away about happenings with the Steelers.

I'm fine with Hines Ward leaving.  I think the time has come for that to happen.  It was great while it lasted, but the time has come to wish Hines the best with the rest of his career/life, and move on.  He is too old to contribute on the field any longer; he is a hair late now in running his routes (never possessing great speed, he has relied on extraordinary route running to make up for it) which causes him to either not be a viable target in games or worse, to get blown up by the other team's defense while trying to catch a ball (as there is no time for him to catch it and get down). 

Everyone that is in the know is quite right now.  All Ward said was they had one meeting, and nothing was decided.  Some of these writers have nothing to right about so they just pop up a story with the classic "Unnamed Sources".    Usually the unnamed sources are the writers themselves making a story up, and coloborrating it with unnamed sources that never existed other than in their own mind.  Journalism is dieing in all aspects nowdays, so the unnamed sources is the fastest way to make a bogus story seem credible, except people don't buy the unnamed sources anymore, it has been used too much, and found out to be no sources. 

I am thinking about writing a story where a lot of unnamed sources have personally told me that Peyton Manning has been secretly meeting with Dan Rooney in Ireland about being the back up QB to Big Ben and is willing to sign for the veteran minimum because he wants to win another Super Bowl and catch his brother.  Oh by the way the same sources have also said the Bus is coming out of retirement to personally fix the redzone running fiasco too.

Steelers still have two weeks to decide what they will do with him. You hate to see careers end, but not sure Hines has anymore to give.

Let me first say, when I first heard of this news....it sadden me. Same thing happens in all sports when players retired. Felt the same way when Bettis hung it up. This is even worse though because Steelers are going to cut Ward.

I highly doubt he will end up with the Colts. Reason for that is because Arians is the guy who reduced Ward's role.

Let me first say, when I first heard of this news....it sadden me. Same thing happens in all sports when players retired. Felt the same way when Bettis hung it up. This is even worse though because Steelers are going to cut Ward.

I agree that it will be a sad day. 

It saddened me to see L.C. Greenwood get cut.  It saddened my to see Terry Bradshaw hang it up (especially with Cliff Stoudt, Mark Malone, David Woodley, Walter "Bubby" Brister, etc).  It saddened my to see Franco Harris in a Seahawks uniform. 

Players with a "lengthy" career eventually have to retire.  I still keep the fond memories of their playing days.

Why isn't Ben coming out in support of Hines?  I don't think they got along that well.  The conspiracy theorist in me is thinking since BA was Ben's buddy he phased Ward out a little earlier than he could have.

I am usually cool with making the best business decision, but IMO Ward is different than any player they have had the last 30 years. If he wants to play one more year at the minimum then you should let him. I have no doubt in my mind, we are still just four timers if Hines Ward wasn't a Steeler and I think letting him stay one more year than you necessarily want is a bargain for showing him some love. Especially since they have three young guys at the top. Ward's spot doesn't have to be filled with "the future" it just needs to provide some depth and if he has a healthy off season I see no reason why he can't be that. He did look bad at times this season, but he was hurt for a chunk of it. On third and 6 he is still a guy I want on the field.


I do understand the guys who are okay with him being let go, Ward is just the one player I feel differently about. Now I am ready to make that move on Smith and Farrior, Smith because he can't manage to stay healthy and farrior because we need a young guy in his spot. 

My suggestion...as crazy as it might be

Make Hines the backup QB. He knows the Steelers better than anyone and could certainly pick up the Hayley's scheme. He is more mobile than Charlie or baby face Byron. He is also A HECK of a lot more durable.  

Hines.. go warm up that arm! haha 

Ward is also different Bettis because Bettis in 2004 almost rushed for 1000 yards and only started I think 9 games. Ward just dropped.

The big key they have to decide on is did Ward drop because he was phased out by Bruce or did Ward drop because his skill are that far gone.  If its the former you bring him back if its the latter you have to let him go.  

I was reading that the Steelers could cut Ward, and resign him at the veteran minimum, and get his cap number down to about $500 thousand (but he would be eaning about $900 thousand).

Hines Ward might not be willing to play for that cheap, but would you guys be upset if the Steelers didn't at least offer him that?

 I would be happy if Hines Ward stays for one more season. The key is whether they can make the $$ required too retain him fit within the salary cap.

I was reading that the Steelers could cut Ward, and resign him at the veteran minimum, and get his cap number down to about $500 thousand (but he would be eaning about $900 thousand).

And by rule they can throw in up to a $50,000 signing bonus. That's the only way I'd be comfortable coming back. He'd be a nice 4th WR and red zone target in that situation. 

Hines Ward might not be willing to play for that cheap, but would you guys be upset if the Steelers didn't at least offer him that?

Me? No, everybody has to move on eventually. He's had a nice run and it was a mutually beneficial relationship. The Steelers have an obligation to the rest of the team to put the best 53 people money can buy on the field. 

Love Hines!  One of the all-time great Steelers players.

If he isn't willing to play for the league minimum...and compete for a roster spot...then I am perfectly fine with him moving on.  I would like to see him stay on as a role model for the younger players at the position, but his value as a receiver is very limited.  If he is the #4 guy, he's of little value because he doesn't play special teams.  Its hard to dress a WR who only gets on the field a handful of times a game and can't cover kicks.

Isn't it amazing how quickly the career of a skill position player can deteriorate?  It was just a couple of seasons ago that I was arguing for Ward on the All AFC North team, and now I can't even make a good argument for him to dress for games!

Thanks for everything Hines!!

I would like to see him stay on as a role model for the younger players at the position, but his value as a receiver is very limited.

When he does go, I can't see Hines staying away from the desk and camera lights of broadcasting for too long, unfortunately. I always thought he had the personality to pull it off, and his presence as a guest in the broadcast booth of NBC during the Super Bowl is telling, if not indicative. Of course, I would wanna see him more frequently than I would if he were to join NBC, but there are worse places he could be (ESPN and NFL Network...).

Of course, I would love to see him as a WR coach, but I don't know if that would happen.