Hines Ward puts ball in Steelers' court

[Palmetto Steel]

The waiting game: Hines Ward puts ball in Steelers' court
Friday, February 03, 2012
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

INDIANAPOLIS -- Hines Ward talked to Mike Tomlin on Monday at the Steelers facility on the South Side and to team president Art Rooney II earlier, letting them know he wants to play in 2012 in Pittsburgh.

"I just wanted to let them know I want to be here, I want to play," said Ward, who on Sunday will be part of NBC's five-hour Super Bowl pregame show. "I have two years on my contact. I know I have to restructure, but, under the circumstances, I think I can still play football."

ward.1_330.jpgThe '11 season was difficult for the veteran receiver. He was benched as a starter and buried deep on the depth chart for the Nov. 13 game against Cincinnati, then reinstalled as the starter in the next game against Kansas City. Ultimately, a concerted and successful effort was made to provide him with the opportunity to make his 1,000th career reception in the regular-season finale in Cleveland.

Ward maintained throughout the season that he wanted to play in '12. The unknown is whether the Steelers want him. He said he received no specific indication from Rooney and Tomlin about their intentions but got somewhat of a feeling they want him back.

"We have so many issues, we're $30 million over the cap," Ward said. "We have to figure a way to get that down. My cap number is not huge if I restructure [$4 million in salary]. There's like 10 other guys they have to get.

"They really didn't say [definitively]. It wasn't good, it wasn't bad. We were just talking."

Ward, the most prolific and decorated Steelers receiver of all time, opened his 14th season as he did the previous 12, as one of two starters. He caught 20 passes in his first five games but finished with 46, the lowest total since his rookie season in 1998.

Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, thought to be the one who recommended Ward be demoted, did not have his contract renewed by the Steelers and accepted a job Monday as offensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts.

"I'm not going to get into whatever happened last season," Ward said of his demotion.

"I don't think about Bruce leaving. I wish him nothing but the best. I don't know if he was an obstacle. I was a player, he was the coach, they made decisions, and I moved on. I don't have anything negative to say, I'd just rather not say anything."

Ward, who turns 36 March 8, had surgery to remove bone fragments from his right ankle. He will resume working out Monday at home in suburban Atlanta toward what he hopes will be his 15th season with the Steelers.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12034...#ixzz1lMYl9yzL

[Steelreign]

I still believe he has good football left in him. He suffered with discomfort in his ankle all season which affected him all year with his ability to cut and get open. Bring him back for one last year to be a third down slot receiver where he still has value as a possession receiver and as a leader on the team.

[bdeff]

I agree Steelreign...I mean are you gonna find a better 3 or 4 receiver who will be willing to accept a renegotiated rate?

[Palmetto Steel]

I agree Steelreign...I mean are you gonna find a better 3 or 4 receiver who will be willing to accept a renegotiated rate?

I really hope it works out.... Hines "defines" the name STEELERS in many different ways.

[Irish Goonatic]

I say cut him. He's a legend and has achieved a lot but he had a very poor season. you could have 2 young players on the roster for his money. Give him a coaching job.

[Palmetto Steel]

Give him a coaching job.

Will never happen "right out of the blocks" IMO... He needs a few years or so of separation..... But I do hope that it eventually happens....

[Steelreign]

I say cut him. He's a legend and has achieved a lot but he had a very poor season. you could have 2 young players on the roster for his money. Give him a coaching job.

He had a poor season because he dealt with a painful ankle injury the last 11 games. He had gotten off to a great start before the injury, which affected his effectiveness. He knows his role AND is willing to restructure his contract just to stay in Pittsburgh? He comes back if it was up to me, he still has game left and his leadership carries weight with the entire locker room.

[Palmetto Steel]

he still has game left and his leadership carries weight with the entire locker room.

Agreed.....

[Hambert5958]

He comes back if it was up to me, he still has game left and his leadership carries weight with the entire locker room.

Absolutely agree! bring him back......

[Hittman]

HE IS DONE! He had a wounderful H.O.F carrer but hus time is over. If he wants to go out like Mason, Rice,Fracon and play a meaninlgess season on other team then let him.

He dont play St and would rather give his money to Coth. They only way he get brought back is if we trae Wallace even then he is battiing guys like Battle,( drafed wr) for a roster spot.

[Palmetto Steel]

HE IS DONE! He had a wounderful H.O.F carrer but hus time is over. If he wants to go out like Mason, Rice,Fracon and play a meaninlgess season on other team then let him.

He dont play St and would rather give his money to Coth. They only way he get brought back is if we trae Wallace even then he is battiing guys like Battle,( drafed wr) for a roster spot.

What?...And who is "Coth" that he would give his money to?.....

[Steelreign]

HE IS DONE! He had a wounderful H.O.F carrer but hus time is over. If he wants to go out like Mason, Rice,Fracon and play a meaninlgess season on other team then let him.

He dont play St and would rather give his money to Coth. They only way he get brought back is if we trae Wallace even then he is battiing guys like Battle,( drafed wr) for a roster spot.

I ain't trying to sound like a dick, but really? If the Steelers keep Battle over Ward, then I question the sanity of the person making that decision. Ward is still one of the best 4 receivers on the roster and as long as he is, he deserves a spot. Who is Fracon and Coth?

[bdeff]

HE IS DONE! He had a wounderful H.O.F carrer but hus time is over. If he wants to go out like Mason, Rice,Fracon and play a meaninlgess season on other team then let him.

He dont play St and would rather give his money to Coth. They only way he get brought back is if we trae Wallace even then he is battiing guys like Battle,( drafed wr) for a roster spot.

IMO Cotchery is going to get a pretty nice payday as a #2 guy somewhere. I can't see him taking #4 money to return here and play behind Wallace, Brown and Sanders. Just my thought.

[Hittman]

I ain't trying to sound like a dick, but really? If the Steelers keep Battle over Ward, then I question the sanity of the person making that decision. Ward is still one of the best 4 receivers on the roster and as long as he is, he deserves a spot. Who is Fracon and Coth?

Cothery and Franco harris.

if Hines was one of the 4 best then he would have played in the Denver game. He was on the bench the entre 2nd half pretty much. They made it widely known that this was a recruitment year for Cothery stating that he is Ward of 5 years ago. battle is the special teams captain he contributes in areas that ward cant.


if he is willing to be the number 5 guy and play for vet min and just help the young money crew as a player coach then fine.Saunders, Sanders and Miller will take over the intermidate stuff and make Ward irrvelent.
The steelers may also decide that they might have a ward burres then in the next 2 years With having to pay brown and wallace. they might trade wallaceto a team like the dolphins for jake long and 1st pick. these are the only 2 reasons he will be back.

[bdeff]

they might trade wallaceto a team like the dolphins for jake long and 1st pick.

There is no way Mike Wallace is netting an 4x All-Pro LT and a first round pick. That is unrealistic