Steelers didn't offer Ward a pay cut

The Steelers just didn't want to dance around this issue anymore.

Sorry to see it end this way. But, as I said elsewhere, accountants are running the show right now.

is it cheaper to cut him, and later re-sign him?

Damn, I hate to see such a loyal team player go, all time best receiver with the Steelers, one great person too, but there is no room for sentimentality. They have cap problems and need to sign some of their younger guys. We will miss you Hines and that smile of yours.

I hear that the 'skins are looking for someone for RG3 to throw to.

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 08:57 AM ET  03.01 by Mangler.

Damn, I hate to see such a loyal team player go, all time best receiver with the Steelers, one great person too, but there is no room for sentimentality. They have cap problems and need to sign some of their younger guys. We will miss you Hines and that smile of yours.

Eventually it happens to every player, but this still surprised me in a way. Hard to believe Ward's been at it for 14 seasons.

It won't take him long to find another team.

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 08:57 AM ET  03.01 by Mangler.

We will miss you Hines and that smile of yours.

That one he always wore after peeling himself from the turf.

He will be somebody's third or fourth option at WR.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:12 AM ET  03.01 by THE BISHOP!

That one he always wore after peeling himself from the turf.

Yeah, because the referee was signalling a reception. Gotta give the guy credit for being effective.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 09:16 AM ET  03.01 by 50yearfan

He will be somebody's third or fourth option at WR.

Better than that, maybe, depending on where he ends up.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 09:16 AM ET  03.01 by 50yearfan

He will be somebody's third or fourth option at WR.

Better than that, maybe, depending on where he ends up.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:49 AM ET  03.01 by Devi8ed

The Steelers just didn't want to dance around this issue anymore.

And to their credit, buy cutting him loose now, Ward gets a chance to hook up with a new team sooner rather than later. It's the right thing to do.

* by cutting him loose now

Maybe he could catch on as a dance instructor or as guest judge this year, on 'Dancing With(out) the Stars'???

Would love to see a venue(combine ) where veterans that have been let go do the shuttle, run the forty and press 225 LBS. again and compare it to their numbers when they did it before the draft.
That I would watch.

QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 09:55 AM ET  03.01 by 50yearfan

Would love to see a venue(combine ) where veterans that have been let go do the shuttle, run the forty and press 225 LBS. again and compare it to their numbers when they did it before the draft. That I would watch.

Ward himself said he hasn't lost a step, because he never had one to begin with, never had blazing speed, just tough blocking and great hands.

As a Steelers fan, it's upsetting but not surprising. He could be a huge upgrade to a team like the Broncos. Running is important there, and the ability to slip off of a block and run a route out of play action, he would be deadly.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:49 AM ET  03.01 by Devi8ed

The Steelers just didn't want to dance around this issue anymore.

Nice..... But seriously, it IS a tough pill for Steelers fans to swallow....to see a player who most would consider the "quintessential" Steeler, finally ending his career with the B&G. I was hoping the Steelers would keep him on at the veteran minimum pay, if for nothing else than to provide some leadership and guidance to an otherwise very young receiving corps... It would be a shame to see Ward playing in another teams colors.....like Franco Harris and Rod Woodson did.. I think Hines would make an excellent receivers coach and if the Steelers were smart, they should extend an offer to talk about this option with Hines...

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:12 AM ET  03.01 by THE BISHOP!

That one he always wore after peeling himself from the turf.

I think you mean after he clocked someone with a hard block down field. There will NEVER be another like him. Don't let the last year or two make your memory fuzzy about how tough this SOB was on the football field. He will be missed.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:12 AM ET  03.01 by THE BISHOP!

That one he always wore after peeling himself from the turf.

LMAO! ....tell that to Ed Reed, or Keith Rivers.....Ward was more often the one crackin' open the can of "whup-ass".... But I don't remember any of THEM bouncing back up to their feet with that Sh#T-eating grin of his!!! ;)