Is It Time for Hines Ward to Take the Backseat in the receiving corps?

by DJ Vasil

Hines Ward is a Steelers legend. Hines will go down as one of the greatest Steelers to ever play and can be considered the greatest Steelers receiver in History. Hines has been a Steelers receiver since 1998 and year in and year out Hines has been the man the Steelers quarterback has looked for whether it was Kordell Stewart, Tommy Maddox or Ben Roethlisberger; all have looked Hine's way when they needed a big catch.



Since 1998 Hines has had multiple major knee surgeries and a number of injuries. Many say Hines has lost a step or two and during the 2010 season Hines looked slower than he has in past years. In 2010 Hines had 59 receptions, 755 yards and 5 touchdowns. The 59 receptions are the lowest for Hines since 2000. The 755 yards is his second lowest output since 2000 and his 5 touchdowns are his lowest since 2004. Really you can say Hines had his worst statistical season since 2000.

With the emergence of Mike Wallace and now 2nd year players Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown and with tight end Heath Miller still around Hines at times during the season was not thrown to in situations that he was in the past. A huge example was in the divisional round of the playoffs this past postseason against the Baltimore Ravens when Ben Roethlisberger hit rookie receiver Antonio Brown on a 3rd and long to convert and set up the game winning touchdown to Rashard Mendenhall. Of all receivers you think Ben would have gone to Hines Ward would have been the receiver been went to. Hines was also overlooked for a more open receiver like Sanders or Wallace.

Hines had 9 regular games last season where he posted 3 or less receptions and all 9 of those games Hines had below 40 yards receiving. 2 out of those 9 games Hines had just 1 reception.
So it shows that Hines is not the receiver he once was and Hines does not possess the skills it takes to be a number one receiver anymore.

I am in no way calling Hines a bad receiver here I am simply saying I think Hine's time is just about if not done. It is time to pass the torch on to younger talented receivers like Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown. Hines will never be forgotten as a Steeler and is a sure first ballot Hall of Famer.