Steelers Got Some Bad Mojo Coming, Releasing Hines Ward?

[indeedproceed]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7564969/pittsburgh-steelers-plan-keep-hines-ward-report-says

The Pittsburgh Steelers, with a Hines Ward roster-bonus deadline fast approaching, have decided not to keep the veteran receiver, the NFL Network has reported, citing unnamed sources.

Ward, who lost his starting job in 2011, was scheduled to make $4 million in the last two years of his contract but has said he was willing to take a pay cut.

"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," Ward posted.

Ward posted on his Facebook page Saturday that he's already told the Steelers he's willing to work with them on altering his deal so he can remain with the team.

A decision is required by March 1 to satisfy a clause in his contract.

"I plan on playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers and going from there," Ward said Thursday during Super Bowl week.

This is not a Brett Farve, 'I've stayed too long and still want to dominate the offense' situation. Hines Ward is willing to take a pay cut, has already accepted a much-reduced role, and hasn't made waves.

I know roster spots are precious, but don't screw this up, Steelers. Pay the guy who personifies what you want your football team to be.

[PosImpos]

Maybe he's going to retire?

[indeedproceed]

Maybe he's going to retire?

That's the only way it plays out well for the steelers, he says no though.

[PAOBoston]

business is business.

but i think they'll restructure his deal to make it more team friendly.

[fairweatherfan]

This is why I hate the NFL's salary structure.  Dude serves his team for years, always works hard, plays well for them, and is a legit team legend. Now they can leverage him into taking a major pay cut because he's so loyal to the team, and they can still just cut him anyway.

I don't mind partially guaranteed deals or things like that, but if a team can cut a player at will with no compensation, the player should be able to do the same to them.

[goCeltics]

weird i thought ur suppose to rebuild around old players, but hey what do the steelers org know?

[indeedproceed]

weird i thought ur suppose to rebuild around old players, but hey what do the steelers org know?

Right, but you're talking about a franchise legend, who is willing to restructure his contract just so he can retire with his team. Not a major cap hold.

[Eja117]

This is why I hate the NFL's salary structure.  Dude serves his team for years, always works hard, plays well for them, and is a legit team legend. Now they can leverage him into taking a major pay cut because he's so loyal to the team, and they can still just cut him anyway.

I don't mind partially guaranteed deals or things like that, but if a team can cut a player at will with no compensation, the player should be able to do the same to them.

He didn't have to take a paycut though. He could have gone somewhere else, and there are many players that sign contracts and then later have hold outs, or get paid a lot and leave anyway.

[Fafnir]

weird i thought ur suppose to rebuild around old players, but hey what do the steelers org know?

Right, but you're talking about a franchise legend, who is willing to restructure his contract just so he can retire with his team. Not a major cap hold.

But he's a roster spot.

Especially when he's not going to be a good special teams player, and he no longer is productive wide receiver.

Ugh, and people are going to be calling for him to make the HoF at some point. He won't get in, but people will talk about it. I'm glad I don't live in Pittsburgh anymore local radio must be going nuts.

[mqtcelticsfan]

The Packers are running into a similar problem with Donald Driver. In both cases, we're talking about great players who are simply not likely to be top 5 WR options for either team, even if they take pay-cuts. If Ward is willing to accept 5th WR compensation, the Steelers might be wise to keep him, provided there isn't a 5th option that would be better. I don't see that as likely, though. Tough decision, but sometimes these things happen.

[Celtics4ever]

Ward always played hard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA34i0kdZ5E

Note how he called for help for Reed right after the hit.  Dude is so old school.

[Donoghus]

The smart teams know not to get sentimental about these things and willing to take the risk of cutting a guy a year too early than too late.

Roster flexibility and cap space are huge in the NFL. 

[Cman]

The smart teams know not to get sentimental about these things and willing to take the risk of cutting a guy a year too early than too late.

Roster flexibility and cap space are huge in the NFL. 

Completely agree.
On the other hand, Hines Ward still has some game left in him, and will be a nice pick up for some team out there. Not sure which team is the right fit, but I suspect Ward will play again (just not the Steelers).

[Donoghus]

The smart teams know not to get sentimental about these things and willing to take the risk of cutting a guy a year too early than too late.

Roster flexibility and cap space are huge in the NFL. 

Completely agree.
On the other hand, Hines Ward still has some game left in him, and will be a nice pick up for some team out there. Not sure which team is the right fit, but I suspect Ward will play again (just not the Steelers).

He'll find his way into someone's camp (AZ?).  Making a roster could be a little more trickier although he still put up somewhat decent numbers last year; 46 catches 381 yds 2 TDs.

Depends, does he wanna drop out from the game now or fade away?

[indeedproceed]

The smart teams know not to get sentimental about these things and willing to take the risk of cutting a guy a year too early than too late.

Roster flexibility and cap space are huge in the NFL. 

Completely agree.
On the other hand, Hines Ward still has some game left in him, and will be a nice pick up for some team out there. Not sure which team is the right fit, but I suspect Ward will play again (just not the Steelers).

He'll find his way into someone's camp (AZ?).  Making a roster could be a little more trickier although he still put up somewhat decent numbers last year; 46 catches 381 yds 2 TDs.

Depends, does he wanna drop out from the game now or fade away?

Hope he plays for whatever team beats the steelers in next years' playoffs.