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Hines Ward as a Bear – this one is worth considering
Hines Ward as a Bear ? this one is worth considering
Hines Ward as a Bear – this one is worth considering
March 1, 2012, 12:25 pm SHARE THIS POST
Could Hines Ward make a good veteran addition to the Bears' receiving corps? (USPresswire)
The Bears-related frenzy surrounding every wide receiver with even a faint football “Q” factor runs a bit amok much of the time. Terrell Owens and Randy Moss would be two.
Now comes Hines Ward, being released by the Pittsburgh Steelers. And while CSNChicago.com generally prefers to stay away from personnel endorsements beyond reporting relevant information, Ward is worth more than a casual look, particularly as part of a coordinated plan at wide receiver.
The Steelers have Mike Wallace as their clear choice as franchise receiver, with good reason, although they are not expected to protect him with a franchise tag by next Monday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
But Ward was let go despite the option of taking a pay cut, according to a report from longtime Steelers scribe Ed Bouchette at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The math of the situation is that Ward now can be had for the price of $925,000, the minimum for a 10-year veteran (Ward has played 14 years), of which only $540,000 counts against a team’s cap.
“I do feel I have more football left in me and I am looking forward to playing in the NFL again, this season,” Ward said as part of a statement he and his attorney/manager released.
It is truly the end of an era in Pittsburgh, where Ward won Super Bowls and caught 1,000 passes, 46 passes even last season when he was demoted below Wallace, Antonio Brown and one-year-signee Jerricho Cotchery.
Ward turns 36 in a week but he was mentored by and remains friends with Bears receivers coach Darryl Drake. He is a proven leader and role model as a professional. At even the veteran minimum, not an insignificant amount, Ward would step in as a clear step up as the No. 3 receiver after Earl Bennett and a free agent (or draft choice) to be named later.
The Bears would not be getting the Hines Ward who as a Super Bowl MVP or four-time Pro Bowl selection. They would, however, be getting a veteran with huge intangible benefits and something still left, if his 46 catches as a part-timer in 2011 are any indication.
"Give 100%. 110% is impossible. Only idiots recommend that." - Ron Swanson
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I absolutely love the way Ward has played the game and wish the Bears had had the fortune of nabbing him instead of the Steelers. However, the dude is almost 36 years old. I just don't know if it'd be worth it or not. If he did agree to the vet minimum I guess I would consider it, but if we're going to look at an older receiver I think I'd rather grab Wayne. Now, if we could get him to retire and just take over for his buddy Darryl, THAT would be nice. 
"Give 100%. 110% is impossible. Only idiots recommend that." - Ron Swanson
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High Fives / Like - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Member
if he's willing to take league minimum then sure.
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Hines Ward as a Bear – this one is worth considering
No, he's not.
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Junior Member
Jerry thinks this would be a good idea, wherever he is... a step in the "right direction", after the whole Omiyale debacle. 
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Pass, pass, pass. We have enough veteran leadership and I don't care if the WRs can learn to block better I just want them to catch 60+ balls in one season.
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Member
Originally Posted by
Henry Burris 
No, he's not.
then tell him to ballet his ass back to dancing with the stars 
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Pittsburgh has a really good history of letting go of their people at the right time. That, his age, and his move to 4th on their depth chart last year should be enough red flags to keep Emery away.
Winston Churchill:
"Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak."
"If you're not a liberal at twenty you have no heart, if you're not a conservative at forty you have no brain."
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High Fives / Like - 2 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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We already have a younger version of Hines Ward on the team and we just extended his deal. Earl Bennett is a similar player and already has Cutler's attention and trust. There times when I almost feel like he's not even looking at him and bam, he completes a pass to him.
If Tice and Emery feel the receiver core could benefit from a senior presence then make an offer to Reggie Wayne. He's younger and even at this stage in his career a better receiver than Hines Ward. Mullin must have been diggin' for something to write about today.
Last edited by soulman; 03-03-2012 at 02:14 PM.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. 
Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Good points.
Originally Posted by
BearStuff Pittsburgh has a really good history of letting go of their people at the right time. That, his age, and his move to 4th on their depth chart last year should be enough red flags to keep Emery away.
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