Best Steelers FOOTBALL player ever
by WARDANE33 on Oct 7, 2009 3:39 PM EDT
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With Hines Ward and all his statistical accomplishments, team accomplishments and the way he plays the game i.e. one of if not the best blocking WR in the history of the game, his ability to play hurt, his jaw breaking crack back blocks (see Keith Rivers), great hands, great route running, his never going out of bounds rather handing out punishment like Walter Payton back in the day, the way he played special teams as a young guy covering kicks and punts, blocking punts etc. does this make him the all-time greatest FOOTBALL player in Steelers history? He has done it all and I love the old-timers like Lambert, Greene, Franco, etc. but I think Hines has to be mentioned in that group of the top 3-5 Steeler FOOTBALL players ever if not the best. He is one tough football player.
Thoughts? Agree or Disagree? Where does he rank among our all-time greats?
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Not quite
Joe Greene, Mel Blount, and Jack Lambert changed the way their positions were played. Greene is considered in many circles to be the greatest defensive tackle of all time. Mel Blount’s aggressive, physical style of play lead to the pass defense rules being changed to give receivers more of a chance. Jack Lambert, 25+ years later, is still revered as one of, if not the, toughest linebacker that ever played.
Ward is great, no doubt…the heart and soul of the Steelers…but I don’t feel that he’s the greatest player in the org’s history. I would concede that he’s the best WR in team history, and maybe one of the 6-7 greatest players in team history…But think about how many Hall of Fame players we’ve seen here in the Burgh…that’s saying a lot.
breathe in deep feel your heart beat, just to know that life's worth livin'. feel your feet on the earth, better love it while it's still here spinnin'.
But Almost
Hines Ward’s aggressive physical style of play lead to the offensive rules being changed to give linebackers more of a chance.
While I in no way think Ward id the clear cut greatest Steeler ever, I do believe in 20 years from now we will speak Ward’s name with the same reverence we use for Greene, Ham, Blount, etc…
The rules weren’t changed to give LB’s more of a chance, they were created to protect them from blindside blocks. Now, Hines is probably the only WR bad-ass enough to induce sympathy for LB’s from league officials, but I hardly put that on the same plain as Blount’s rule change.
There’s one dominant reason why Greene et. al. will always be a step above Ward: 4 Super Bowls in 6 years. Greene, Lambert, etc..will always be in a different conversation because of what they accomplished. Now, 2 SB’s in 4 years is amazing, but not dynastic. I understand that teams, not individuals win titles, but guys like Greene, Lambert…transcended the team.
breathe in deep feel your heart beat, just to know that life's worth livin'. feel your feet on the earth, better love it while it's still here spinnin'.
by NoCal-SteelCity on Oct 7, 2009 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions
2 more in 2 years would be nice
then it would be really interesting conversation if they both had 4 rings in almost the same time frame.
Apples and Oranges
If it was not for Ward, would that rule ever have been instituted? Whatever the reasoning behind it, HInes Ward’s playstyle caused the NFL to change the rules. That in itself is pretty awesome.
If you play the game the way it was designed
then sooner or later they will be naming a penalty after you.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
or if you want to be babied they'll name on after you
(see Brady)
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
agreed
and we’re also forgetting that the NFL was still quite evolutionary in the 70s…easier for rule changes to be made. that being said, i put 86 at 4…behind Greene, Lambert, Blount.
by TheCincinnatiConqueror on Oct 19, 2009 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions
He should be in the group
but there are just way to many to have a consensus best of all time. You could name off about 70% of the starters from the great teams of the 70’s and make a case for them, add a few bright spots from the 80’s and 90’s and several from the this decade. What you can call him is one of the most complete WR’s to ever play the game(and please let’s not confuse complete with the ability to put up big numbers again)
I agree with what these guys say
He is definitely in “the group” of greatest Steelers. It is hard to pick just one, even if you are picking Lambert, Greene, Blount, or Bradshaw.
" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
Where Hines truly shines
I’ll put Hines down as the best Steeler ever in one category: Complete Football Player
Ward seemingly was born to play this game and he doesn’t know the meaning of quit. He gives you 100% or more all the time, whether it’s diving for a first down or TD, or delivering crushing blocks downfield. He’s a Vince Lombardi kind of guy. I’ve never seen a better all-around player. Hall of Famer for sure!
I don't disagree
Hines is a complete baller. My only reservation about naming him the best is that we also have a complete player named Troy.
Yea Joe Greene was all around too
BTSC Obituaries
OldManSteeler, ominously died two days before Superbowl 123 where the Ravens are set to attempt their 7th superbowl win, facing the Detroit Lions on Sunday. He was 86. His last words are believed to be "MALOR CAN SUCK IT!!!". Like friends and family, we can only guess what this could mean.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Oct 7, 2009 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Billy, we agree on this just not the similarities in the Bungles and Bolts game (cool)
I agree with your statement: Complete Football Player
When Hines came out of UGA, he had played DB, QB, RB, WR and he was just an all-around football player. Thank goodness the Steelers snatched him up in the 4th round i believe, could have been a round earlier. My friend works their training camp every summer and he called me after about a week and he says to me, “Tommy, we got this kid from Georgia and he is absolutely unreal. If he can keep this pace up not only is he going to make the team, he’ll be an all-time great in no time!” Needless to say I took that with a grain of salt and as Paul Harvey said, “now we know the rest of the story”
you beat me to it
"Polamalu’s lineage can be traced through several roots. Chuck Norris mated with an Amazon Queen, and on the other side, Tony Hawk mated with Mother Nature.
The two children of these spawned and fused in a tantric love session to create Troy Polamalu. The mother however died as he tore through the birth canal with a spin move."
Mechem on the roots of Troy Polamalu
on PS. Never on 53 man roster. At least pick a player BrownRaven.
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
In all seriousness
I have to go with Ben. This is of course only in the era since I have been alive (21 years). I don’t think I qualify to name one of the guys from the 70’s.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
should have seen Bradshaw (although you’d a been a Colt fan and hated him) from about 75-82. Ben is getting there.
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
Bradshaw has stated that Ben is already better than him, I think he means it.
Hines, it’s hard to go against someone like Hines. He’s so very good in so very many ways. He belongs with the greats. I don’t think any other player making it to that level would make me happier than watching Hines Ward’s HoF acceptance speech.
There are great speeches and great men in the HoF, but I think Hines making it in would be the one I would be happiest about.
by Phantaskippy on Oct 7, 2009 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions
best player ever
Joe Greene was the best, the most dominant. Jack Ham was the most technically sound, perfect, never out of position, never missing a tackle.
86
I would have to agree with 33. The greatest “pure football player” in Steelers history may be Hines Ward.
That should take nothing away from the greatest QB or LB in Steelers history or my favorite player in Steelers history. These are all different players. Hines is simply the greatest pure football player the Steelers have had since I have been following Steelers football. (12/23/72)
Ward is a 3rd round pick that has always been counted out. He fought and clawed on special teams to make the Steelers roster. Guys were regularly drafted higher like Troy Edwards and Plax were supposed to supplant Hines. Didn’t happen. The guy can catch and run. He can block and tackle. He can hit and take a hit. He can throw. He is a team player. He is a leader. He has 2 rings and 1 Super Bowl MVP. He is always smiling. Hines is a football player. He is a Marine.
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
12/23/72. My father also became a Steeler fan on that date.
Every year at 4:02PM EST on 12/23 we watch a tape of that play.
btw, during my lifetime, 1982 - present, Hines is the best Steeler in my book.
I never got a chance to watch the old teams play, so I can’t comment on them.
One stat I would love to see is total number of catches that resulted in 3rd down conversions. I bet Hines would rank pretty highly in that category, even compared to receivers who played their entire career in “pass-happy” offenses.
There are simply just too many great ones to only name one.
Not a bad problem to have
excatlly
Rod Woodson, Carnell Lake, Dermontti, John Henery Johnson, Swan/Stallworth, Franco, Rocky, Mike Webster, Dwight White, L. C. Greenwood, Ernie Holmes, Jason Gildon, Randy Grossman, Faneca, Arron Smith, Brett Keisel, James Farrior, Jeff Reed, Mike Wagner and to finish the list Donnie Shell
"Polamalu’s lineage can be traced through several roots. Chuck Norris mated with an Amazon Queen, and on the other side, Tony Hawk mated with Mother Nature.
The two children of these spawned and fused in a tantric love session to create Troy Polamalu. The mother however died as he tore through the birth canal with a spin move."
Mechem on the roots of Troy Polamalu
by WVPiratesfan on Oct 7, 2009 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions
And you even left out almost as many as you listed
Bradshaw, Lambert, Ham, Blount, Lipps, Troy, Ben, Bettis, Marvel, Kolb, Heath, etc. etc. the list goes on and on.
Well I went with guys that wither are not playing anymore and aren't in the hall of fame don't play for the steelers or are at the end of their careers
But it still proves the point that there are alot of great players that have played for the steelers
"Polamalu’s lineage can be traced through several roots. Chuck Norris mated with an Amazon Queen, and on the other side, Tony Hawk mated with Mother Nature.
The two children of these spawned and fused in a tantric love session to create Troy Polamalu. The mother however died as he tore through the birth canal with a spin move."
Mechem on the roots of Troy Polamalu
by WVPiratesfan on Oct 7, 2009 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions
the only man to ever RUN OVER Earl Campbell
I remember i was in 4th grade (we had just got transplanted to Houston from the Burgh) and me and all my new buddies were talking smack back and forth because the game on Monday Night Football was Pittsburgh vs. Houston and they were saying Earl Campbell this and Tyler Rose that and I was just telling them that Lambert was going to KILL Earl and low and behold here come Donnie Shell KABLAM!!! Side note: last year I took my now 4th grade son to the Burgh to watch the Steelers and Texans opener and all week my Brother In Law and my nephew were talking smack about the Texans and they were gonna do this and do that and we all know what happened. Needless to say, it was a SWEET plane ride back to Houston.
The best EVER was Duce Staley
He wore sweats better than any Steeler ever.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
by PixburghArn on Oct 8, 2009 6:43 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Hines
is one of the easiest players to like. Every time he gets up from getting hit, with that smile on his face, makes me happy to be watching football. He brings a different type of value
by kick him in the head on Oct 8, 2009 11:34 AM EDT reply actions
and the easiest to hate if you’re a ravens, bungles or browns fan. every time he gets up smiling he just rubs salt in the wounds of non-Steeler fans
breathe in deep feel your heart beat, just to know that life's worth livin'. feel your feet on the earth, better love it while it's still here spinnin'.
by NoCal-SteelCity on Oct 8, 2009 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
One of my best friends
is a Bengal’s fan…I get the impression they’re jealous
by kick him in the head on Oct 8, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Ward friggin rules. I love my GA brother like no other...
You can also see his value when you see guys like Limas Sweed knocking the snot outta some guy. I would love to see Hines on the coaching staff when he finally hangs it up. Hines is the shit. I wouldn’t trade him for any 3 top wide-outs. I am old enough to have seen the greatness of the 70’s and I don’t know if you can say that any one player is the best, but he is my favorite current player and has been since they drafted him. He does hold virtually all of the teams receiving records, and is a demon while blocking. I love Hines Ward. I hope he can keep playing another 3-4 years. I am gonna cry when he reitres.
by SteelersFnRule on Oct 8, 2009 2:38 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
+1
to every MFing word of your post….he’d be the best WR coach ever….oh, and I’m gonna cry like a little girl when he announces it — please God, let it be a long time from now
by SteelerStuckintheSouth on Oct 8, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Let's take it a step further
and make him the OC
by kick him in the head on Oct 8, 2009 5:42 PM EDT reply actions
I am biased
Stallworth and Lambert are my two favorite Steelers so its hard for me to rank any by number,but Ward is up there and his name belongs right there with all the great, big name Steelers of all time. Ward is my favorite Steeler still playing and he is definitely the standard bearer for this generational group of Steelers superstars that will be immortalized in franchise lore i.e. Ben, Polamalu, Harrison,Smith, Farrior,Harrison, The Bus, Faneca, Heath Miller and others.
I'll say Lambert
He almost singlehandedly defined the Steeler linebacker
Bleeding Black and Gold.....forever
true, but Ham was every bit as good
"Polamalu’s lineage can be traced through several roots. Chuck Norris mated with an Amazon Queen, and on the other side, Tony Hawk mated with Mother Nature.
The two children of these spawned and fused in a tantric love session to create Troy Polamalu. The mother however died as he tore through the birth canal with a spin move."
Mechem on the roots of Troy Polamalu
Yea
I wish i was alive to see those guys play. Greene, Ham, Lambert etc gave us our identity that we strive to keep in this age
Bleeding Black and Gold.....forever
by Michael Hewitt on Oct 9, 2009 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I wish I had actually seen it in person as well
that would have been a sight to see all those guys and most of the should be in the Hall but aren’t for some unknowed reason
"Polamalu’s lineage can be traced through several roots. Chuck Norris mated with an Amazon Queen, and on the other side, Tony Hawk mated with Mother Nature.
The two children of these spawned and fused in a tantric love session to create Troy Polamalu. The mother however died as he tore through the birth canal with a spin move."
Mechem on the roots of Troy Polamalu
by WVPiratesfan on Oct 10, 2009 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions
It was amazing
We have had some defensive teams that statically have been as good as the teams of the 70’s but it was a different game back then. The defense got away with more and absolutely demoralized teams at almost every position. This is not to take away from our other great defenses just thought the 70’ team was awefully fun to watch
Greene, Lambert......
I must agree with another post about Ben. I loved Bradshaw, but those teams he was on, they were amazing. He had an offensive line and a running game. Those first 2 Super Bowls were more about him not losing the game. The last Super Bowls he did throw it, but as I said, he still had a great OL and running game.
Big Ben won it last year. The defense played great all year, but as we all know, it came down to Big Ben. We won the Super Bowl because of him, and if he continues this type of play over his career, I believe he will be one of the first players named when our children are here talking about their lists of all-time great Steelers!
As for me, I have my white, Mean Joe jersey framed and displayed proudly in our game room. Thanks to youtube, I got to show my children the coke commercial……. Hey kid, catch! My youngest son also knows the Steelers started playing the 3-4 in 1982, after Joe retired after the 1981 season. No player has ever worn 75 since then and the Steelers have not played the 4-3 (as their base defense) since then either.
Ps. As a side note…… In 1994 I went to see the first round playoff game between Maimi and KC (which ended up being Joe Montana’s last game). The Steelers had a first round bye so I went to Joe Robbie Stadium proudly wearing my Steelers’ 75 jersey and hoping to get Mean Joe to sign it. At that time, Greene was the defensive line coach (I believe) for Miami. Well before the game, as the players were out there warming up I spotted Joe, he was wearing a white polo shirt and a straw hat . After a few screams he looked over, spotted me, saw me holding out my number 75 Steelers road jersey (which I had taken off and was holding out with a pen) and then, after what seemed to be an eternity, he pointed to the Dolphins logo on his shirt and turned the other way. Man, that jersey would have looked great with a signature and a picture of him actually signing it! I understood though, at that moment he might have been a Dolphin, but I was hoping he’d know he’d always be a Steeler.
hines is one of them
if anyone else at any other position had the heart of hines ward they would be consitered one of the best..imagine hines ward if he had T.O’s size..hines would be the best ever..he’s one of the toughest guys I’ve ever seen play the game..and that’s every week…every year..he has the heart and desire of Lambert or LLoyd or any other steeler ever ..he may be one of the most under rated players in the nfl even at this age
yoy
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