With all due respect to David Volek and Alfred Pupunu, Sunday January 8th, 2012 may very well go down as one of the worst days in Pittsburgh sports history. In one day, two championship dreams came crashing down.
The painfully obvious, in your face case was the Steelers who lost on a stunning 80 yard touchdown pass in overtime to the woefully mediocre Denver Broncos. The more subtle case was the Pittsburgh Penguins who accumulated two more critical long-term injury losses to their already decimated line-up.
The common denominator in both cases is injuries; to an almost unfathomable degree.
In the case of the Penguins, we are now in season two of the most crushing rash of injuries I’ve ever seen in sports. As I write, the Pens are without the best player in the world, one of the best offensive defensemen in the game, their leading goal scorer, the best third line center in the game and several key depth players. The truly frightening part is that I cannot say definitively whether this is worse than the injuries that cost them Crosby and Malkin last spring.
The Steelers injuries were nearly as significant by the time they reached halftime in Denver. They played without their leading rusher, their all pro center, two starting defensive linemen and their starting free safety. Add to that an obviously hobbled Ben Roethlisberger behind center and Lamar Woodley on defense. The losses on the defensive line were particularly daunting and resulted in little or no pass rush against the living legend that is Tim Tebow.
Truth be told if the Steelers played any other team in football we might be lauding them for a heroic effort, especially in their 4th quarter comeback. Alas, since they played potentially the worst NFL team to ever make the post season (or a close second to Seattle last year) there will be quite a bit of offseason angst in the Burgh.
The Steelers are officially done. There will be no return trip to the Super Bowl; no chance to avenge either Baltimore or Green Bay this post season. We will not see them play a meaningful game again until September and the team will likely look a fair bit different. Several veterans including the venerable Hines Ward are likely to be gone due to age, salary cap or both.
The Penguins maintain some hope but are very much in survival mode. They need to revert to last spring’s agonizing philosophy of grinding out low scoring wins (or pathetic as it is overtime losses) in any way possible. The lone positive consideration on that front is a healthy Geno Malkin (although it’s hard to take health as a given at the New Energy Barn these days). The bad news is the Pens grinders are a step down from last year and the team is missing at least one critical defensive piece in Kris Letang.
Right now it is perfectly reasonable to suggest that the Penguins will be spectators when the NHL playoffs start in April. Their current line-up is simply not good enough to compete with the better teams in the eastern conference. And if today’s injury update is to be believed, there is no real help coming for at least a month, if not longer.
The reversal of fortune for Pittsburgh’s two signature sports teams is absolutely stunning, especially when you consider where we were at this time a year ago.
The Steelers had just wrapped up another 12 win season with division title and first round bye. They were on their way to a third Super Bowl in six years and were absolutely capable of winning. The Penguins were coming off a 12 game win streak, a record setting performance by Sidney Crosby, and an awe inspiring 8-1 rout of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Our only hockey concern, and it was minor, was a “mild concussion” Crosby suffered that was expected to keep him out a week or two.
By the end of the day February 5th the Steelers had handed Green Bay the Super Bowl and the Pens were a rudderless ship without their two signature superstars. And it’s been all downhill since.
I make no bones that Pittsburgh sports fans have been spoiled rotten, at least if you ignore the abomination that plays all summer at PNC Park. Since 2004 the Steelers have arguably been the best team in football. Similar arguments could be made for the Penguins since about 2007. Both teams have delivered championships in stirring fashion.
We’ve benefitted from great organizations, superstar players, and an abundance of leadership and heart. The Penguins and Steelers earned their success and made their own breaks. But let’s be honest, there is always an element of luck when you win a championship. Whether it’s a missed field goal by normally reliable kicker or a lucky ping pong ball in a draft lottery, the black and gold in both sports have definitely gotten a break or two.
And right now I cannot help but wonder if that luck is finally changing. How can I not when Penguins and Steelers are being dragged off their respective playing fields in record numbers?
In the case of the Steelers it is at least somewhat explainable.
The quarterback acts weekly as a human target. I have unwavering respect for Ben’s ability and his toughness but it seems only a matter of time before he breaks down from the pounding he takes. The fact is the Steelers’ championship window lasts only as long as Big Ben’s prime and his prime gets shortened every time he gets creamed.
The defense is clearly showing its age. I give these guys immense credit for being warriors and true professionals. I’ve been bemoaning their aging for three years and they’ve done a phenomenal job of holding off father time. Alas it was bound to catch up to them eventually. It was hard not to notice both the inability to create turnovers this year and the increasing number of injuries to key defensive players; culminating with Hampton and Keisel suffering non-contact injuries today.
Losing today, in combination with significant oncoming salary cap issues may finally force changes on the defensive side of the ball. That may even include Dick Lebeau’s retirement. Of course cutting ties with the older guys is the easy part. Finding adequate replacements for players of this caliber is a whole different story.
On the Penguins’ side the injury bug is simply dumbfounding. There is no logical or reasonable explanation for it. And the ramifications are impossible to overlook.
The Sidney Crosby situation is untenable and cannot continue in perpetuity. The team cannot continue to operate having no idea when or if its best player will return; especially at $8.7 Million per year (and soon to increase). The Pens showed remarkable character and resiliency without Sid and Geno last year but I really believe the uncertainty of Crosby’s situation is starting to drag them down. The players just seemed to lose their edge when Sid bowed out for a second time. And Ray Shero has no cap room or free cash flow to address the resulting deficiencies.
I stated this over the summer and I know its absolute blasphemy but the Penguins need to determine whether Sidney Crosby can continue to be part of their future. The idea of trading Crosby may seem inconceivable on every level; but that ideal is based on Sid the healthy superstar. We are getting a free preview right now of how bad it could get if Sid struggles with concussion issues the remainder of his career.
That’s what is so disturbing about this. A year ago the Penguins’ future was as sure a bet as anything in professional sports. Now it is a perfectly logical consideration that the greatest player of this generation may be on the Eric Lindros road to career annihilation. The Pens have built every aspect of their organization around the idea of having a perfect one-two combination of superstars for the next decade. Right now that once certain ideal is very much in doubt.
I did not expect the Steelers’ season would end in Denver but I did not dismiss the possibility. There has been since opening day a troubling uncertainty around this club, even after a 12 win season. I freely admit I had doubts they were truly championship caliber.
Still, I figured even in the worst case scenario I could at least transfer my hopes to the Penguins. Now I’m not even sure of that. The calendar says January but it’s quite possible their season also ended today.
Showing posts with label Hines Ward. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hines Ward. Show all posts
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Monday, September 13, 2010
A Much Deserved Tribute to Hines Ward
It’s understandable that most of the Steeler Nation woke up this morning paying homage to Troy Polamalu and the defense. Yesterday was the kind of dominant, game changing performance we’ve grown accustomed to from that unit; sadly the kind that was missing for most of last season.
As for the offense, well that’s a different story.
Yes, he Steelers did exactly what we thought they had to do with Dennis Dixon at QB. They simplified the game plan and focused on the run. They did not let Dixon beat them with his arm, nor help them with his legs. If Dixon had chucked a few more balls in to the stands, we might have thought him a sleeker, modern version of Neil O’Donnell.
Amazingly, even with all those limitation, the best wide receiver in the NFL over the last decade had another huge day. And no, Randy Moss did not sign with the Steelers before Sunday’s game.
In all seriousness, has there ever been a more underrated superstar in Pittsburgh sports history than Hines Ward? With all due respect to Max Talbot of course.
I can already hear the laughter and dismissal from football fans everywhere. If I asked 1,000 non Steeler fans who was the best WR in the NFL the last decade, I doubt #86 would get a single vote. Well read carefully before you laugh my friends.
Hines Ward is a player who can not be adequately measured with statistics; at least not until they have stats for downfield blocking, decleating hits and locker room leadership. So I’m somewhat reluctant to show them here; lest we lose site of the bigger picture. That being said, looking at his stats gives some necessary historical perspective on his greatness.
One game in to his 13th NFL season, Ward eclipsed 900 catches and 11,000 yards. To put that in context consider what that translates to for an average season:
· Full career – 75 Catches, 912 Yards, 12.2 Avg, 7 TDs
· Last 9+ years (his prime) – 86 receptions, 1,043 yards, 12.2 Avg, 7 TDs
For a bit more perspective, Ward’s 901 receptions rank 12th best in NFL history. If he plays four more years and averages 52 catches per season, he will finish with the second most receptions in NFL history, at least as we stand today. That’s pretty amazing but here is another dish of shocking perspective.
John Stallworth and Lynn Swan, the two HALL OF FAME Steeler wide receivers combined…COMBINED…to catch 873 balls in their NFL careers, for 14,185 yards. Ward has already caught more balls then the two of them and could conceivably retire with more yardage as well.
I’m well aware that the NFL game has changed exponentially from 1974 to 1998. Comparing Ward to those guys is hardly apples to apples. Still, it gives you some idea of how productive Ward has been. And let’s not forget, that for most of his career in Pittsburgh, the Steelers were the NFL’s predominant running team. Yesterday’s game was a stark reminder that Ward get’s it done whether his QB is a future hall of famer or a struggling former 5th round draft pick.
Seriously, what do you think Ward could have done if he, Ben, and Bruce Arians came in to the league together?
Here are a few other numbers that are even more telling when considering a player who truly should not be measured by stats (again over 12+ years):
· Games missed – 6
· Fumbles – 10 (or about 1 season for Adrian Peterson)
· Steelers record – 117-75-1 (regular season); 10-4 (playoffs)
· Super Bowl XL MVP
Oh and did I mention that he played in Super Bowl XLIII, two weeks after sustaining a knee injury that should have ended his season.
Getting the point?
What’s truly amazing about Ward is his consistency. He’s tallied 94 or more receptions 4 times, plus two other seasons over 80 and two more over 70. He’s accumulated over 1,000 yards receiving six times and has been at 975 or higher in eight of the last nine seasons. I doubt you’ll find that kind of consistency from Chad OchoStinko or Terrell Owens. During that time he’s never once tried to run his QB out of town or publically questioned their sexuality.
And again, this is a player whose best attributes are truly difficult to quantify. Ward quite literally leaves everything on the field every week. There are so many paycheck players in sports today. Hines Ward will never be one of them. I doubt the Steelers have ever gotten less than a full effort from him. Moreover, you get the feeling that he genuinely loves playing in the NFL and especially being a Pittsburgh Steeler. We’ve grown accustomed to Ward hopping off the turf grinning from ear to ear after making a great catch, often after taking a bone jarring hit.
Ward’s biggest problem is he refuses to self promote. If he ran his mouth incessantly like T.O. or Keyshawn Johnson or was self absorbed and pouty like Randy Moss, maybe he would get more attention. Did you notice how much coverage ESPN focused on Moss, T.O., and OchoDufus yesterday? All Ward did was catch 6 balls for over 100 yards including one spectacular catch in the third quarter; all while playing with a third string QB.
Ward spent the day helping and mentoring Dixon. Moss spent the day crying about his contract. How many lousy games can Carson Palmer player before his loud mouthed WR duo turns on him?
Do you think the Steelers would have traded Ward in his prime for Moss and a first round pick? I’m guessing no way.
Remember how Plexico Burress was supposed to be the star receiver and Ward the side kick? How did that work out? Throw out the fact that Burress is an imbecile and Ward is one of the classiest players in the league off the field. Just remember that when the Steelers needed a big catch from Burress in the 2005 AFC Championship game, he dropped an easy touchdown.
Ward sometimes takes grief for opening his mouth too much, such as when he publically criticized Ben last year for not playing against Baltimore. I did not agree with his stance on the issue; but I never doubted his passion or desire. I wonder though if we have a bit of a different perspective on Ward’s comments given the ‘pay no attention to the man behind the curtain’ revealing of Ben in the last 12 months. And let’s not forget who walked on to the field with Ben on the first day of training camp this year.
Ward sometimes takes criticism for his open field hits on linebackers. I’ve heard him called a blind side, cheap shot artist. I wonder how many of those same people would kill to have Ward on his team. I wonder how many yards Bettis and Willie Parker owe to Ward’s tenacious down field blocking.
Some players talk a great game; Ward plays one. Ever wonder why the “Steeler way” has worked so well for the last decade plus? It has a lot to do with the example set by the team leaders. Ward is without question one of those guys.
Ward is not the guy who catches 80 yard touchdowns in September. He’s the guy who catches 7 balls in traffic that move the chains in December and January. That’s how he manages to have 80 receptions and 1,000 yards every year for a run oriented franchise and never get his due nationally. So be it.
What’s amazing is Ward does not always get his full due in the Steel City. Would he be on your list of the five greatest Steelers of all time? How about ten? I’m sure many people would still have him 3rd beyond Swann and Stallworth as the team’s best wide receiver. Quite honestly, I’m not sure that’s fair, especially since Ward is a guy who could play in any era. Do you have any doubt he would have succeeded in the 70’s with DBs draped all over him? I don’t. I think he would have loved it.
I’m not trying to deify Ward. He’s not perfect on or off the field. I am trying to point out a great player and a solid human being; exactly the type that is too often ignored in today’s NFL. It’s amazing how often Ward is ignored; unless a pansy Bengal or loud mouthed Raven is griping about him. The guy is the definition of a football player, especially a Pittsburgh Steeler. He’s the one wide receiver any football players would want to go to battle with.
The Steeler Nation devoted the entire 2005 season to celebrating Bettis. I wonder what they will do when #86 has his last hurrah? The day he leaves there will be a cavernous hole to fill for the black and gold.
There is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding the black and gold this season, especially until #7 is back behind center. Thankfully, Hines Ward is one player they don’t have to worry about.
As for the offense, well that’s a different story.
Yes, he Steelers did exactly what we thought they had to do with Dennis Dixon at QB. They simplified the game plan and focused on the run. They did not let Dixon beat them with his arm, nor help them with his legs. If Dixon had chucked a few more balls in to the stands, we might have thought him a sleeker, modern version of Neil O’Donnell.
Amazingly, even with all those limitation, the best wide receiver in the NFL over the last decade had another huge day. And no, Randy Moss did not sign with the Steelers before Sunday’s game.
In all seriousness, has there ever been a more underrated superstar in Pittsburgh sports history than Hines Ward? With all due respect to Max Talbot of course.
I can already hear the laughter and dismissal from football fans everywhere. If I asked 1,000 non Steeler fans who was the best WR in the NFL the last decade, I doubt #86 would get a single vote. Well read carefully before you laugh my friends.
Hines Ward is a player who can not be adequately measured with statistics; at least not until they have stats for downfield blocking, decleating hits and locker room leadership. So I’m somewhat reluctant to show them here; lest we lose site of the bigger picture. That being said, looking at his stats gives some necessary historical perspective on his greatness.
One game in to his 13th NFL season, Ward eclipsed 900 catches and 11,000 yards. To put that in context consider what that translates to for an average season:
· Full career – 75 Catches, 912 Yards, 12.2 Avg, 7 TDs
· Last 9+ years (his prime) – 86 receptions, 1,043 yards, 12.2 Avg, 7 TDs
For a bit more perspective, Ward’s 901 receptions rank 12th best in NFL history. If he plays four more years and averages 52 catches per season, he will finish with the second most receptions in NFL history, at least as we stand today. That’s pretty amazing but here is another dish of shocking perspective.
John Stallworth and Lynn Swan, the two HALL OF FAME Steeler wide receivers combined…COMBINED…to catch 873 balls in their NFL careers, for 14,185 yards. Ward has already caught more balls then the two of them and could conceivably retire with more yardage as well.
I’m well aware that the NFL game has changed exponentially from 1974 to 1998. Comparing Ward to those guys is hardly apples to apples. Still, it gives you some idea of how productive Ward has been. And let’s not forget, that for most of his career in Pittsburgh, the Steelers were the NFL’s predominant running team. Yesterday’s game was a stark reminder that Ward get’s it done whether his QB is a future hall of famer or a struggling former 5th round draft pick.
Seriously, what do you think Ward could have done if he, Ben, and Bruce Arians came in to the league together?
Here are a few other numbers that are even more telling when considering a player who truly should not be measured by stats (again over 12+ years):
· Games missed – 6
· Fumbles – 10 (or about 1 season for Adrian Peterson)
· Steelers record – 117-75-1 (regular season); 10-4 (playoffs)
· Super Bowl XL MVP
Oh and did I mention that he played in Super Bowl XLIII, two weeks after sustaining a knee injury that should have ended his season.
Getting the point?
What’s truly amazing about Ward is his consistency. He’s tallied 94 or more receptions 4 times, plus two other seasons over 80 and two more over 70. He’s accumulated over 1,000 yards receiving six times and has been at 975 or higher in eight of the last nine seasons. I doubt you’ll find that kind of consistency from Chad OchoStinko or Terrell Owens. During that time he’s never once tried to run his QB out of town or publically questioned their sexuality.
And again, this is a player whose best attributes are truly difficult to quantify. Ward quite literally leaves everything on the field every week. There are so many paycheck players in sports today. Hines Ward will never be one of them. I doubt the Steelers have ever gotten less than a full effort from him. Moreover, you get the feeling that he genuinely loves playing in the NFL and especially being a Pittsburgh Steeler. We’ve grown accustomed to Ward hopping off the turf grinning from ear to ear after making a great catch, often after taking a bone jarring hit.
Ward’s biggest problem is he refuses to self promote. If he ran his mouth incessantly like T.O. or Keyshawn Johnson or was self absorbed and pouty like Randy Moss, maybe he would get more attention. Did you notice how much coverage ESPN focused on Moss, T.O., and OchoDufus yesterday? All Ward did was catch 6 balls for over 100 yards including one spectacular catch in the third quarter; all while playing with a third string QB.
Ward spent the day helping and mentoring Dixon. Moss spent the day crying about his contract. How many lousy games can Carson Palmer player before his loud mouthed WR duo turns on him?
Do you think the Steelers would have traded Ward in his prime for Moss and a first round pick? I’m guessing no way.
Remember how Plexico Burress was supposed to be the star receiver and Ward the side kick? How did that work out? Throw out the fact that Burress is an imbecile and Ward is one of the classiest players in the league off the field. Just remember that when the Steelers needed a big catch from Burress in the 2005 AFC Championship game, he dropped an easy touchdown.
Ward sometimes takes grief for opening his mouth too much, such as when he publically criticized Ben last year for not playing against Baltimore. I did not agree with his stance on the issue; but I never doubted his passion or desire. I wonder though if we have a bit of a different perspective on Ward’s comments given the ‘pay no attention to the man behind the curtain’ revealing of Ben in the last 12 months. And let’s not forget who walked on to the field with Ben on the first day of training camp this year.
Ward sometimes takes criticism for his open field hits on linebackers. I’ve heard him called a blind side, cheap shot artist. I wonder how many of those same people would kill to have Ward on his team. I wonder how many yards Bettis and Willie Parker owe to Ward’s tenacious down field blocking.
Some players talk a great game; Ward plays one. Ever wonder why the “Steeler way” has worked so well for the last decade plus? It has a lot to do with the example set by the team leaders. Ward is without question one of those guys.
Ward is not the guy who catches 80 yard touchdowns in September. He’s the guy who catches 7 balls in traffic that move the chains in December and January. That’s how he manages to have 80 receptions and 1,000 yards every year for a run oriented franchise and never get his due nationally. So be it.
What’s amazing is Ward does not always get his full due in the Steel City. Would he be on your list of the five greatest Steelers of all time? How about ten? I’m sure many people would still have him 3rd beyond Swann and Stallworth as the team’s best wide receiver. Quite honestly, I’m not sure that’s fair, especially since Ward is a guy who could play in any era. Do you have any doubt he would have succeeded in the 70’s with DBs draped all over him? I don’t. I think he would have loved it.
I’m not trying to deify Ward. He’s not perfect on or off the field. I am trying to point out a great player and a solid human being; exactly the type that is too often ignored in today’s NFL. It’s amazing how often Ward is ignored; unless a pansy Bengal or loud mouthed Raven is griping about him. The guy is the definition of a football player, especially a Pittsburgh Steeler. He’s the one wide receiver any football players would want to go to battle with.
The Steeler Nation devoted the entire 2005 season to celebrating Bettis. I wonder what they will do when #86 has his last hurrah? The day he leaves there will be a cavernous hole to fill for the black and gold.
There is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding the black and gold this season, especially until #7 is back behind center. Thankfully, Hines Ward is one player they don’t have to worry about.
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