Ward: 'I Want To Be Here, I Want To Play'

by Neal Coolong on Feb 12, 2012 12:23 PM EST

The back-and-forth in the Hines Ward Saga stepped up quickly after a report yesterday suggesting Hines Ward will be released.

This time, it's Ward denying any knowledge of the alleged imminent release, as well as the team's denial of such a stance, as reported here by the Post-Gazette.

Ward wrote on his Facebook page, "I don't normally like to respond to rumors, but as I've said all along, I want to finish my career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. And as I've already told the organization, I am willing to work with them to restructure my contract to make sure this happens."

P-G reporter Ed Bouchette quoted Ward from Feb. 2 saying "I just wanted to let them know I want to be here, I want to play. 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 has two years left on his contract, and his owed $4 million in each of those seasons. The question isn't whether Ward is willing to restructure the contract, it's the extent to which he'd be ok with that contract being restructured.

The team has said no decision on Ward has been made yet, and there are still 29 days until the start of the league's 2012 season. If Ward is to be released, it would be before that date. Ward has claimed a clause in his contract says the Steelers must make a decision on Ward being on their roster by March 1.

The Steelers are already reported to have saved $18 million against the salary cap by releasing CB Bryant McFadden and WR Arnaz Battle, and restructuring the deals of OLB LaMarr Woodley, CB Ike Taylor and ILB Lawrence Timmons. All three received extensions last season.

Brian McIntyre of Football Outsiders and editor of Mac's Football Blog reports Ward has a $4.61 million cap number in 2012. Releasing him would save the Steelers an additional $3.39 million against the cap.

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Comments

Well, this is interesting

Damn

"I think every quarterback should believe they’re the best. Do I think there are better quarterbacks than me? Possibly. But would I take anyone else with the ball in their hands at the end of the game? I don’t think so." - Ben Roethlisberger-

by Mini Hulk on Feb 12, 2012 12:58 PM EST reply actions

let it be

This will work itself out. If he wants to be a Steeler and he’s willing to take the restructure; you have to believe this will get done.Plus, healthy; he can still produce as a possesion reciever.

by wmd3 on Feb 12, 2012 1:42 PM EST reply actions

sometimes a cigar...

I am not sure what Hines mean when he says he is willing to restructure his contract. One can certainly restructure without losing any net compensation. If Hines is willing to restructure, but not reduce his true total cost to the Black & Gold moving forward; then this may be where the subtle battle line is being drawn.

From a PR perspective Hines is in essence saying," Look- I will do what it takes to stay (in a contract restructure)’; which is very different from " Look- I will reduce my contract earnings and overall cap hit to stay with the team.

This may go to the 11th hour plus.

Use your powers for good.

by Sparky63 on Feb 12, 2012 6:50 PM EST up reply actions

I’ve been a Steeler fan since the days of Buddy Dial and Ernie Stautner, but Hines Ward is my all-time favorite.

I hope he suits up for the 2012 season but, I understand that football is a business.

by Mr. Spike on Feb 12, 2012 8:12 PM EST up reply actions

I agree.

Hines Ward is still valuable to any Offensive coordinator with half a brain. This topic needs to be dropped… like a pass from Tom Brady.

by ColdSteelRain on Feb 13, 2012 4:09 PM EST up reply actions

Hines has a lot left to contribute on the field

I’m confident whatever happens will be in the best interest of the Steelers. Here’s hoping #86 runs out of the tunnel on opening day in black and gold.

HERE WE GO STEELERS!
"Our Father, who art in Pittsburgh, Football be thy game. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, at Heinz Field as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, a stellar D and forgive us our bogus fines, as we (sorta) forgive Goodell who trespasses against us. And lead us not into defeat, but deliver us a Victory. For thine is The Steelers, the power and glory of climbing the STAIRWAY TO 7."

"Oh... you're a northerner. What exactly do they call 'you people' from Pittsburgh?" "They just call us LUCKY."

by 1BlkGldFan on Feb 12, 2012 3:54 PM EST reply actions

Slow day at btsc. C’mon Neal, you’re not doing enough to stir controversy. I’m posting cats fer crissakes.

by IronJake on Feb 12, 2012 5:15 PM EST reply actions

lol

Sorry, man…maybe now’s the time to unleash my dissertation on how Cowher never left, Tomlin’s a puppet in front of Cowher and his “secret staff” for the last five years…

Follow me on Twitter

by Neal Coolong on Feb 12, 2012 5:54 PM EST up reply actions

yeah lets read it

by klompus on Feb 12, 2012 9:19 PM EST up reply actions

Two feature projects going this week, including a collaborative effort from the editorial squad. There are also two email interviews in which the subjects COULD respond back to me for the remaining questions. No promises on that though.

Today may not be the most happenin’ day, but it’ll pick up quite nicely starting Monday. Stay tuned!

Follow me on Twitter

by Neal Coolong on Feb 12, 2012 6:04 PM EST up reply actions

Its the offseason...!

You know, back in the day when BTSC was young, there would sometimes be a week without a post on the FP in the off season. Interesting how times change.

by SteelersVT on Feb 12, 2012 7:07 PM EST up reply actions

Much prefer that to a "smizik" !

" I think this is probably the best team ever assembled. They talk about the Vince Lombardi Era, but I think the Chuck Noll Era is even greater. " - Mel Blount

by michaelbro8 on Feb 12, 2012 7:35 PM EST up reply actions

Conversation

This is pure speculation. Just for fun reading.

Colbert: Hines, as you know we’re in deep crap this year with our cap situation. I think we need to come to agreement that you gonna have to agree to a pay cut.
Art: Hines, I love you like a son, you are the face of Steelers organization of the past decade. But you have to agree to a pay cut, cuz we’re in deep crap with our cap situation.
Hines: Of course guys, let’s restructure my contract. I’m with you guys. I’ll take the dough upfront like last time and Omar will do some of his magic for the future years.
Colbert: Hines, I think, you’re not understanding the situation. We can’t afford to give you signing bonus anymore. We have to pay salaries for young guns, and besides your contract restructuring will give us further burden for our future caps. As of now, we have to give you 4 mils each year for 2 years. But, we can afford to give you only vet minimum.
Hines: Hmmmmm… Let me think on it, will you?
Art: Take your time Hines.

Hines after the meeting on the way home calls his agent: “Yo dude, we need to come up with something. They are saying…….. What we gonna do?”

Agent: Let the internet war begin. I’ll give a call to La Canfora and we’ll see if our strong arming will help :)

by Bonek on Feb 13, 2012 12:29 AM EST reply actions

So Hines Ward, a 13 year veteran, had a meeting with the Steelers and his agent wasn’t present?

Revision: The agent told the Steelers “TS, you owe my client a lot of money. We’ll see you at mini-camp unless we hear from you otherwise.”

New Front Office Source calls La Canfora, says “we’re gonna cut Ward.” Ward hears of his upon landing in Georgia or wherever he is spending the off-season. He posts on his Facebook page, after having removed the specifics, he’ll restructure. Says nothing about the obvious need to take less money. Perhaps SOME less money, not a justifiable amount, because the Steelers owe him $600k minimum any way he slices it.

$600k from the Steelers plus $925k minimum from another team equals a decent season for him pay wise. Are the Steelers gonna accept a basement reduction to 1.525 million this year? Nope. All that’s left now is both sides trying to save face. Ward’s done by March 13 at the absolute latest.

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by Neal Coolong on Feb 13, 2012 1:04 AM EST up reply actions

sorry

if my post in any way or fashion was a bit too much off.

However, I wonder, why didn’t we hear anything from Bettis when his playing days were nearing to end?

by Bonek on Feb 13, 2012 1:13 AM EST up reply actions

I was joking about the agent. You’re right, I’m sure that’s more or less how it went down.

We didn’t hear from Bettis, but I remember reading in his book he held himself out of training camp or playing time when he wasn’t injured because of a similar situation.

The fact is, we want to paint the Steelers are being “above” common business practice in the NFL, whereas in reality, they aren’t. They have to make the unpopular but totally justifiable decision the same way every other team does.

What I honestly hope for top to bottom is the Steelers field the best team they can and Hines gets paid the most he can. If that means next year around this time, he signs a one-day contract to retire with the team, then so be it. That’s how it works nowadays.

As Lawrence Taylor said, give them eight of your best years, and make them take two of your worst.

I’d love nothing more than Hines to announce his retirement in the Steelers’ Super Bowl winning locker room next year, but if that isn’t in the cards, I can’t see that diminishing one of the more uniquely outstanding careers in the history of the game.

That’s what I’ll remember, not the fleeting current-events sponsored by the La Canforas of the NFL world.

Follow me on Twitter

by Neal Coolong on Feb 13, 2012 1:22 AM EST up reply actions

completely agree with you

I think Hines Ward is one of the Legends of Pittsburgh’s sports history. Hope he agrees to a vet minimum and stays.

by Bonek on Feb 13, 2012 1:36 AM EST up reply actions

I hope the team can come up with something for him.

Maybe the vet minimum for a bit and a scouting or coaching slot down the line.

by SuperSerial on Feb 13, 2012 2:09 AM EST reply actions

Hines needs to stay!

I think people believe his production rate reduced in the latter half of the year because he “is old and done.”

But if you look at how he played against the Titans, and other games before that, the truth is that he IS still a reliable receiver and a great blocker. It’s just that we have other really great young receivers. Obviously he is older, and the few reps he got on the field after his back to back injury weeks werent’ always great…but to me, he’s still a great blocker and a good enough receiver to warrant one more year at a restructure/paycut.

How he played, and what fans noticed, was more the he had less time on the field, not that he was bad when he was on there. We expect him out on every play, he wasn’t, so the couple of times he messed up were more noticeable.

Think of it this way, Mike Wallce was on the field a lot more, and had quite a few drops as well. Are we going to get rid of him? No, because he IS valuable. So is Hines, to me.

Plus, we know Haley loves Miller. Ward is just as reliable a receiver, and a veteran/leader the team could really use during a time of change.

Plus, he IS such a great blocker, the team throwing him out there just to get those mandatory reps seemed like a disservice to what he could do out there…even from a blocking standpoint.

I think Hines knows he needs a $ cut. But I also think he figures, and is right in thinking, that he deserves a bit more than Vet minimum. I’m not saying 2 million, but definitely around a million/1.5.

Lastly, love the article Koveiacs from PPG wrote on how the team is essentially disrespecting Hines. But it’s not just about how the team handled other cuts better. Listen, back in the days of Franco, and other famous team partings, yes, people were upset, and no, you shouldn’t make fans feelings your #1 priorty.

But at the same time, we live in a social media age, and are at a time when beloved players are more a flavor of the month than a longstanding tradition. To part ways with a lingering legend who DOES have more juice left and who wants one more year, after he’s come out and said he’s willing to do what it takes to stay on the team (great PR move by him)? I think the backlash to follow isn’t worth whatever so-called pragmatic business decision dropping him may provide. Some may say he’s lost his step; I say those people will be proven wrong this year, when he puts on an 86 jersey for the Steelers one last time.

by Memmy on Feb 13, 2012 10:56 AM EST reply actions

My only disagreement

Is this: win, and all fan complaints go away.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Feb 13, 2012 2:43 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I'm sorry

the only way I keep hines is if I can’t sign jerrico.
Hines isn’t getting any better, he is only going to get worse, slower, more injuries, slower recovery from injuries.

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on Feb 13, 2012 11:58 AM EST reply actions

Interesting, wonder if:

under the circumstances, I think I can still play football."

had anything to do with Arians departure, and the possibility that some short passes, may be part of our offense this year.

"They timed it perfectly, they just went too soon." - Darrell Waltrip commenting on an illegal restart.

by alfresco on Feb 13, 2012 3:14 PM EST reply actions

we likely won't know for a while

The Steelers will probably try to negotiate with Cotchery first. If they can work a deal, then Hines is history; if they can’t, then it’s possible he comes back under a new deal.

" I think this is probably the best team ever assembled. They talk about the Vince Lombardi Era, but I think the Chuck Noll Era is even greater. " - Mel Blount

by michaelbro8 on Feb 13, 2012 6:26 PM EST reply actions

Cotch to me is definitely the better player at this point of time...

As for Hines, I actually don’t mind it either way… It’ll be “Great! Hines is back!” if he stays , if he leaves it’s like “I think that’s a salary cap move, and he’s not productive as compared to the others”

by stoco40 on Feb 13, 2012 11:59 PM EST up reply actions