Hines Ward Didn't Get Enough Opportunities this Season

…(1) It shows, using statistics, that Ward is potentially still a viable player, and deserves consideration for another year of play, and:

(2) it finally gets the picture of the Pittsburgh Mayor wearing a Tebow jersey off the top of the page of this website.

That’s why they didn’t pass to him down the stretch, to send a message.

I love young money, but the fact is that they need more time to grow up the Steeler way. There is no better definition of a Steeler than Hines Ward, and I would feel much more comfortable if they had another year or two to absorb everything Hines can offer. The last thing I want to see is those guys get a “me” mentality after this year’s success. Ward could provide the leadership necessary to make sure they all stay grounded and focused…and to be honest, I’d take 2 more years of #86, a true Steeler to the bone

Hines is still valuable to this team because of his experience. He is not the first or second option. Hell, he’s not even the third. He’s after MW, AB and HM. Ben has to have the time to check down and this season he just didn’t have that time unless he was running for his life with his head on a swivel. The bubble screen should almost never be run. It is too risky because a pick is almost certainly 6 and Hines shouldn’t be the target because he’s just too slow. This offense could be practically unstoppable with the receiving weapons we have and Hines is still one of those weapons. All those weapons are meaningless if the line remains as porous as it has been

Hines has been phased out as a key element in the Steelers passing attack. I don’t think he’s any slower now than he was 5 years ago. And he’s still just as tough and just as great a team leader. Furthermore (and you just know I had to get this in), if we had anything resembling a diverse offensive playbook, Hines could play a more important role instead of languishing on the sidelines.

I think we should bring him back IF and if is a big word. If we can either get Bubble Bruce to realize how to best use his talent or we temper Ben. All year we are trying to throw the ball to Ohio, when our talent is best served for crossing pattern throws and securing huge RAC. 86 could be used to secure us first downs and sit in the zone catches. Gang, you can include Heath into this discussion, completly not used correctly for years. I dont see us becomg a offensive line juggernaut over nigth so having hines spot up would be worth it but his leadership is something we need since the BUs has left.

the whole “Hines doesn’t have it anymore” racket was getting on my nerves. He hasn’t lost a step, he was never fast, what he does comes in other forms (not speed and crisp routes), and he can still block and obviously his hands still catch, so yes, he can still contribute if he gets the touches. you think Ben has confidence in the guy he has primarily been throwing to for 7 years? yeah, I am sure those two can read each other minds when a play breaks down.

Love you Hines, hope to see you back again.

At this point in his career, maybe a new role would be in order for him. It seems that Mewelde may be on his way out, so maybe Hines could get some more work as an old fashioned Joe Gibbs type H-back. I would think he should be a great at blitz pick up, and he should be able to get some good yardage catching the ball out of the backfield.

Another thought is using him in a formation similar to the flex formation that the Saints have been using this year. They have a TE or back line up outside of each OT, and they are each responsible for chipping the outside pass rusher after which they go out into pass patterns. Given the Steelers’ problem protecting Ben, it seems like something like this would be a good idea to help with that. I could definitely see Heath and Hines doing well in a role that.

about his catch percentage being above any of our other recievers simply because he gets thrown the ball on the highest percentage pass routes… Did he have a ball thrown to him over 15 yrds this yr?.. verses our other 3 whom are always running the deep routes..?..
Id guess our other 3 recievers are = % wise in same depth routes, and Id guess AB % would be higher…
Given Wallace will recieve the FT this yr… were in the market for one more reciever providing options if we decide not to resign him in 2013… I dont see how Hines fits into that scheme of developing a new reciever given Cotchery’s likely increased role and younger age next year…
Greatly appreciate Hines devotion and production over his career as a steeler…but My view is Id like to see him come back in a coaching or scout capacity….

He catches the ball when it hits him in the hands…unlike another receiver who proclaimed that he would break the single season yardage record of the greatest receiver of all time. What a frigging joke.

but I think it’s time to move on. A 34 year old receiver obviously has his best days behind him and we have four receivers better than him, not my opinion look at the depth chart from the end of year. You have to continually look to get better in the NFL as Randy Grossman put it, “NFL coaches are always looking for the total package” and while at one time Hines was a very productive receiver his time has passed. Hines was never fast but he had a burst and it’s not there anymore. If I hear well he’s a good blocker I may scream, you don’t keep a receiver because he can block a TE yes, but not a receiver. Give him a training camp and if he doesn’t make the team he doesn’t make the team.

I hope Ward comes back for one more year. But if he does, it will more than likely be in the same role. I don’t think Hines’ skills have diminished that quickly, I just think the other receivers have just passed him up. And when you have a legend as your 4th or 5th best receiver, it’s kind of sad seeing him sitting on the bench most of the time.

The difference between Ward and Bettis, is Bettis still got the opportunity to carry the football near the goal line and in short yardage. Even though he wasn’t no longer starting, he was still able to make significant contributions.

It’ll be interesting to see how the Steelers handle the situation.

…which is something Y$C doesn’t do well at all yet IMO. Hines helps the most in red zone and when plays break down. We didn’t do well in the red zone this year because the pressure got to Ben (OL issue) and Ben didn’t extend as many plays (foot, ankle). If one or both improve next year, I think Ben would love to look for a dismissed, uncovered Hines Ward.

Yes, Hines caught a ton of bubble screens and that inflated his catch rate. So you could say he’s still got great hands and those little screens are an extension of the running game, BUT if you’re going to fling the ball out there to a guy in space, is Hines even the best guy to get you the most yards? He’s at least 4th on my list, well behind MW, AB, and ESanders.

It just seems to me like we’re basically throwing away a play in order to get Hines the ball when running the exact same play to two or three other guys would result in more yards.

Thank you Michael for providing fresh ammo in the Keep-Hines debates that have started. That contrast between the Young Money Crew (or whatever they’re called) and Hines in terms of catch rate demonstrates why they need at least another season with the old Master.