Hines Ward's Potential Release Shows Lack Of Respect From Franchises for Players

From SB Nation KC

4 months ago Matt Conner 49 comments 0 recs |

Comments

Funny. No mention of doing Waters a favor and letting him go to a team to try to get a championship

Those evil organizations that pay players millions of dollars and don’t continue paying them when they can’t perform up to deserving those millions! How dare they!

I'm so overrated, I'm underrated.

by RememberDelaney37 on Feb 12, 2012 10:09 AM CST via mobile reply actions 2 recs

Agreed

Where’s the loyalty when a team grooms a player for years and the first sniff of money elsewhere their gone. It’s a two way street.

by kcchief1981 on Feb 12, 2012 10:13 AM CST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

Good point

And you’re right. Players leave despite lots of fan support and even being given the chance to play when others wouldn’t let him.

I will say that Ward is this example of a player wanting to stay and I hope the team does right by him. But good point.

by Matt Conner on Feb 12, 2012 10:18 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

The salary cap is something that exists.

And I’m glad it does.

by bossmanham on Feb 12, 2012 10:43 AM CST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

They've Done Right By Him Already

He’s had a long career with the team and been paid well for it. The Steelers don’t owe him any more than that. And where’s the sense in keeping a declining 36 year old receiver on the roster when they can find someone younger and cheaper out there? Maybe that guy will turn into the next Hines Ward…but he doesn’t get a shot if they keep Ward around out of sentimentality.

by UCrawford on Feb 12, 2012 6:13 PM CST up reply actions

Exactly

I thought we left this one sided crap behind once the lockout ended. Guess not.

I'm so overrated, I'm underrated.

by RememberDelaney37 on Feb 12, 2012 10:18 AM CST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

Yeah, Don't Buy This At All

Hines Ward was the fourth best receiver on an offense that wasn’t all that great and he got a hefty salary for it. If the Steelers were to cut him, I seriously doubt he gets a starting job anywhere else. He was a great player for them, I’m sure they appreciate his service, but every player’s career has to end sometime and the end is close for Hines Ward…and that isn’t the Steelers’ fault.

by UCrawford on Feb 12, 2012 6:07 PM CST up reply actions

NFL is a business ,

unfortunately for Pittsburgh they need the money if im remembering correctly. and ward is simply not performing , if ward is willing to take a next to nothing contract to retire i bet Pittsburgh might do it. but the players have to understand that they cant get paid millions to do nothing but want to retire.

by chiefsman! on Feb 12, 2012 10:17 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

Bye Bye Bowe

Could this mean they are getting ready for Bowe to take his place.we all know who their new OC is.

by chiefsfool on Feb 12, 2012 10:21 AM CST reply actions

Bowe is going where the money is

Lets hope its here

I'm so overrated, I'm underrated.

by RememberDelaney37 on Feb 12, 2012 10:24 AM CST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

thats what i hope .

but i read about the eagles possibly tagging jackson and trading to browns , that means the money chucking eagles will be looking for a veteran wr.

by chiefsman! on Feb 12, 2012 10:35 AM CST up reply actions

Ward hasn't been the Steeler's #1 receiver for a while. He's bascially already been replaced.

The trio of Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, and Emanuel Sanders is one of the best young receiving corps in the league. Realistically speaking, Ward was probably their #4 option, maybe even #5 behind Heath Miller.

Plus, rumor has it that Bowe and Haley had a bit of a falling out before he was fired. So I’m not sure if Bowe is dying to follow Haley anywhere.

I’m not saying that there’s zero chance that Bowe end up playing in Pittsburgh, but I’d rate it as one of the least likely scenarios.

"[Jamaal Charles] probably fights crime in his spare time while inhaling carbon emissions, exhaling oxygen, and crapping oil. That’s how awesome he is. Not just good for the Chiefs, but America."
- MNchiefsfan

by MtHammer on Feb 12, 2012 10:36 AM CST up reply actions

Bowe actually said publicly that there was no tension between them

He says they have talked a few times since Haley was canned. Not sure if there is any truth to the claims of a Haley/Bowe blow up, which considering it came from the local media, shouldn’t be a surprise at all

I'm so overrated, I'm underrated.

by RememberDelaney37 on Feb 12, 2012 10:41 AM CST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

Bowe denying it doesn't necessarily mean anything. But you're correct, we have no waying of knowing if there's any validity to those reports.

I still think it’s highly unlikely. Particularly because the Steelers are really old and/or need upgrades at a lot of positions, and WR isn’t one of them. Signing Bowe would be a terrible use of their pretty tight cap space.

by MtHammer on Feb 12, 2012 10:44 AM CST up reply actions

Wright already admitted he got the timing wrong.

To me on Twitter actually.

by bossmanham on Feb 12, 2012 10:46 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

If they've talked, couldn't Haley be guilty of tampering?

by bossmanham on Feb 12, 2012 10:45 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Not as long as they talked prior to Haley signing with Pittsburgh

I'm so overrated, I'm underrated.

by RememberDelaney37 on Feb 12, 2012 10:48 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Ah.

by bossmanham on Feb 12, 2012 10:50 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

It's about the money AND production

More often than not it’s about the production, but occasionally we see veterans get cut when they still have something left in the tank. Teams do this when they have younger cheaper players behind them. In this case the Steelers have younger, cheaper and better players behind Hines Ward. Hines Ward is a hall of famer in my opinion, but his best days are behind him. The NFL is a young man’s game where you need incredible speed and/or strength.

by Ray Brown on Feb 12, 2012 10:25 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

No way is he a HOF WR.

He was a good received for a Long time, burnout great. Was there ever a time you would say he is one of the top 5 WR active in the game.

The views expressed by craig in calgary do not necessarily represent the views of all Canadians.

by saskwatch on Feb 12, 2012 10:37 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

What kind of jibberish did my iPhone turn that into?

Good not great.

The views expressed by craig in calgary do not necessarily represent the views of all Canadians.

by saskwatch on Feb 12, 2012 10:38 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

I think he's the best blocking WR of all time (that I've seen at least)

Impossible to quantify the affect that had on games, but not impossible to quantify his championship rings.

by Ray Brown on Feb 12, 2012 10:42 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

He Was A Great Blocker

But where it really counts for HOF voters, he’s likely to come up short. One 100 catch season in a passing league and a career average of 12 ypr. He was a very good player and was instrumental in his team winning, but his team’s running game and defense were more important.

by UCrawford on Feb 13, 2012 1:24 PM CST up reply actions

He is overstep, and if he played for a small market team and didn't get all the Steeler attention, he would never even be considered for the Hall of Fame.

He was a decent receiver, but I don’t think there was ever a time that he was even one of the best 5 wr’s in the league.

There are a lot of WR who should be on before him.

The views expressed by craig in calgary do not necessarily represent the views of all Canadians.

by saskwatch on Mar 4, 2012 5:37 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Stupid iPhone, that should be overrated

The views expressed by craig in calgary do not necessarily represent the views of all Canadians.

by saskwatch on Mar 4, 2012 5:38 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Loyalty doesnt mean shit with the chiefs?

Loyalty with the chiefs,jarred allan,tony g,brian waters,on and on we could go.pioli would trade clark hunt if he could.

by chiefsfool on Feb 12, 2012 10:41 AM CST reply actions

Fool

Jared Allen want a part of the team when Pioli took over. Tony G wanted to be traded, as did Waters wanted to be released. Love when fans talk out of their backsides. So fun

I'm so overrated, I'm underrated.

by RememberDelaney37 on Feb 12, 2012 10:47 AM CST via mobile up reply actions 2 recs

Pioli didn't trade Allen...

by bossmanham on Feb 12, 2012 10:47 AM CST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

I still remember

Jared Allen’s off the field issues. I’m glad he changed once he got to MN, because refusing to call a cab or have a DD was going to get someone killed in Kansas City. Can’t trade an incarcerated paraplegic.

by RedAllYear on Feb 12, 2012 4:51 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

He Changed While He Was Here

Peterson just wasn’t willing to risk a long-term contract on him. Which I thought was pretty damned stupid, but oh well.

by UCrawford on Feb 12, 2012 6:09 PM CST up reply actions

he had not changed but was threated

you straighten are else big boy and its a difference when you have a ball and chain versus being rich in a cowtown as they called it playing the groupie field

by antony555 on Feb 13, 2012 11:15 AM CST up reply actions

STILL COULD OF KEPT THEM

They didnt have to get rid of them if they didnt want to,no matter who was the gm.this fool just wondering what it would be if they were still here.its nice to have the freedom of speech isnt it even though i dont know what im saying.

by chiefsfool on Feb 12, 2012 10:53 AM CST reply actions

' Merica. Home of the opinions stated as facts

I'm so overrated, I'm underrated.

by RememberDelaney37 on Feb 12, 2012 10:56 AM CST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

Yes you have the freedom of speech, but there are still rules! This isn't Nam!

Proper punctuation, and learning to use the ‘reply’ button will help you be taken a little more seriously.

by Ray Brown on Feb 12, 2012 10:56 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Rules do apply

Sorry im not a proffesinal speller,wasnt very good in english.but i think we all get the message to say what we want even if not right,im just having fun.

by chiefsfool on Feb 12, 2012 11:01 AM CST up reply actions

who are you to say that

by antony555 on Feb 13, 2012 11:18 AM CST up reply actions

I actually think King Carls trade of Allen was one of the best trades in Chiefs history

Got rid of an at risk player who didn’t fit the 3-4 scheme we implemented the following year and we received Jamaal freakin Charles and a serviceable LT in Albert, oh and one of those nobody TEs on our depth chart. But that trade worked out for all sides IMO

by Chiefs08Matt on Feb 12, 2012 4:04 PM CST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

how dare you clog this discussion up with facts!!

I cant believe how many people STILL scream about losing the best 4-3 DE in the game when he was a drunk at the time, and as you said we picked up J freaking C and Albert in the deal. How many people screaming about the need to draft OL would rather have a player who doesnt fit our scheme but now we need 2 starting quality HBs and yet another OL but hey we got Jared Allen sitting on the bench!

-After this OC fiasco if the Chiefs dont WIN a playoff game in 2012 FIRE SCOTT PIOLI-
-Kool Aid drinking Cassel Believer-
(7-9) My record of picking Chiefs games before the season
(12-4) My Chiefs before the season prediction

Thunder Win-Loss 2011-2012 record (52-14)
Western division champs
NBA Champs over Miami Heat

by slackator on Feb 12, 2012 4:30 PM CST up reply actions

If Ward doesn't realize his skills are no longer useful

Then the loyalty argument goes out the window. Accountability on both sides.

by Steve_in_RI on Feb 12, 2012 11:10 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

So the Steelers should keep Ward...

Even though his production has slipped considerably, out of “respect”?

Ha! That’s some funny shit right there.

My earliest Chiefs memories are watching guys named Dawson, Podolak, Taylor, Thomas, Bell, and Buchanan. So, yeah...I'm kind of an old fart.

by Scott B. on Feb 12, 2012 12:51 PM CST reply actions

It's a competitive game.

Teams that keep players for the sake of nostalgia soon find themselves irrelevant.

Todd Haley lost 7 of his last 15 games by 20 or more points. It was time for him to go.

by joplin chiefs fan on Feb 12, 2012 1:11 PM CST reply actions

Lack of respect?

its not steelers fault that ward isn’t smart enough to know when to quit. Would letting have a roster spot until he was 60 be enough respect?

by Arrowhead25 on Feb 12, 2012 2:29 PM CST reply actions

The NFL is a business

Players leave for more money, teams cut longtime stalwarts. Fans are sentimental, but not players or teams.

Ward is done, in all likelihood. Less than 400 yards last year, only 8.3 per reception. He will be 36 next year, and would be at best the 5th option.

That being said, he does have 1000 career receptions, and should at least be given the opportunity to announce a retirement instead of being cut. If he decides he wants to keep playing instead, at least it would be a choice he made.

"Trying is the first step to sucking" -Jimmy Chance

by KHAZAD on Feb 12, 2012 5:32 PM CST reply actions

A silly, yet well-written article

Ward has been treated very well and then some. He’s washed up. If he had any class he’d retire. The Steelers gave him a B.S. pass to get his 1,000 catch. They’ve gone out of their way this year to give him a full paycheck while not carrying his weight.

by ChiefConcern on Feb 12, 2012 7:56 PM CST reply actions

It's a business get your money while you can

by FrankPitts on Feb 12, 2012 8:47 PM CST via mobile reply actions

it's no disrespect to cut ward

keeping him when you could find someone younger that can contribute more/longer/cheaper is disrespectful to the fans of pittsburgh

The only players I hurt with my words are the ones who have an inflated opinion of their ability. I can't worry about that.
Bill Parcells

Knowledge is confidence. And confidence lets you play fast.
Bill Parcells

by kcguy on Feb 12, 2012 9:19 PM CST reply actions

Yeah...

We should go back to the days when players are stuck with teams forever.

Who gives a shit. The dude will be 36 next year and never really was all that talented, but got by on tons of chutzpah.

The Steelers have paid Hines ward over 54 million they don’t owe him a Goddamn thing.

Since 2005: Royals win% = .4100, Chiefs win% = .4095
Mitt Romney is a serial killer.

by averagegatsby on Feb 12, 2012 10:06 PM CST reply actions

It's a damn shame Len Dawson not still playing.

by OJ In Nevada on Feb 12, 2012 11:56 PM CST reply actions

Two sides to every story.

It is sad to see a player who has played his butt off for a team to get released when his skills decline. It’s something all NFL players know is in the cards, though. It’s an unforgiving business.

The team did the right thing for them financially. As much as fans pull for a guy they like, they want their team to win ballgames even more. Staying financially invested in a player who can’t perform up to the contract precludes the team from giving that money to someone else who could help the team.

Hines has made a lot of money, won Super Bowls, and become a celebrity with the Steelers. That gives him a pretty good head start on whatever he does next. So, him getting cut shouldn’t be the end of the world for him.

by u2nspenserfan on Feb 13, 2012 9:15 AM CST reply actions