Is 2011 the Final Year for Hines Ward?

The Steelers 2001 season has been one of the most memorable years to me for several reasons.  For one, I was 8-years-old and it was the first year that I had watched all 18 games, (counting the playoffs), from start to finish.  I can still remember balling my eyes out when we lost to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.  Also, it was the year of the 9/11 attacks.  I was in my second grade classroom at St. Nicholas Elementary School when I had learned of the tragedy.  Of course, being a little kid, the first thing I thought about was why in the world somebody would do such a thing.  Then, when I learned that the Steelers-Browns game was to be canceled for that week, I became even more angry and upset at the fact that the 21-3 loss to the Jaguars would be in my head for another week.  (Joking, of course)

So when most Pittsburgh fans think of the Steelers 2001 season, they remember having the wonderful feeling of that old fashion Steelers football being restored.  But when I think of the 2001 season, I think of Hines Ward, and Jerome Bettis.  Most people tend to forget that this was Bettis's LAST 1,000 yard season. Considering that the guy only played in 11 regular season games, I'd say 1,000+ yards was a pretty solid performance.  Ironically enough, this was Hines Ward's FIRST 1,000 yard season.  This is remarkable to me because it symbolizes how wonderful Steelers football truly is.  When one special player's career show's signs of slowing down, another's is just taking off.

Bettis was never the same after that season.  He struggled with injuries, and was hardly considered a "starter" for the squad in the years following.  Hines, on the other hand was only 25-years-old and just starting to make a name for himself as a possession receiver.  He hauled in 94 catches, for 1,003 yards, and 4 touchdowns.  Those are some solid numbers considering Kordell Stewart was at quarterback.  The following year, Hines had a career-high 112 receptions, for over 1,300 yards, and 12 touchdowns.  Undoubtably the best statistical season of his career.  Bettis, however, saw a huge decrease in both carries and yardage.  

Now here we are.  Ten years, two Super Bowl Titles, one Super Bowl MVP award later.  Hines Ward, now the Steelers all-time leading receiver is 35.  He's noticeably slower, noticeably older, and just isn't the same Hines that he was even three years ago.  As of right now, he has 966 catches.  After catching his 1,000th ball this season, (which I'm confident he will), I doubt we'll see much more of Hines Ward.  As tough as it is to admit it, there's almost no room for him in the receiving corp anymore.  Sanders and Brown are clearly passing him up as the weeks go by.  Still, I would take Hines in his prime over almost any receiver out there.

Typically, when people think of great receivers, name's like Jerry Rice, Cris Carter, and Randy Moss come up.  Needless to say, Moss came into the league in 1998, the same year as Hines.  Just this past off-season, Moss retired.  He finished his career with 954 catches.  You know what most people didn't notice?  Hines Ward also had 954 catches going into this season.  So I'll go ahead and say it.  I would take Hines Ward's career over Randy Moss's career any day of the week.  I don't care how many records Moss broke, how many insane catches he made, how many damn teams he played for; he never won a Super Bowl, and never had the emotional impact on a team than Hines Ward did with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Written by Alex Muchnok