phattywankenobi Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Yeah, I know it's the offseason and it's time for every loose connection under the sun. I don't think this guy John Manasso wrote a song about it but "want to hear it, hear it go". Hines Ward makes sense for FalconsAfter 14 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hines Ward may be out the door since posting his worse stats of his career in 2011 since his rookie season.(Jason Bridge-US PRESSWIRE) http://www.foxsportssouth.com/common/medialib/266/407077.jpg ARCHIVE | EMAIL John Manasso is the author of "A Season of Loss, A Lifetime of Forgiveness: The Dan Snyder and Dany Heatley Story" and freelances for NHL.com. He also worked for the website of the Atlanta Falcons as the team's beat writer for the 2009 season. http://platformic-co.../recommends.png Recommend http://platformic-co...ons/comment.png comment(0)http://platformic-co...icons/email.png emailhttp://platformic-co...icons/print.png printhttp://platformic-co...ns/facebook.png Facebookhttp://platformic-common.s3.amazonaws.com/global_images/icons/feed.png rssFebruary 13, 2012http://www.foxsports.../266/591434.jpgKirby Lee-US PresswireHines Ward would fit in well with Tony Gonzalez and the Falcons' offensive.Hines Ward says he wants to retire a Steeler, and that is understandable. But in the hard business of the NFL, if the Pittsburgh Steelers do not want the aging wide receiver at any price, then what better place for the Forest Park High School and University of Georgia grad to finish up his storied career than with the Atlanta Falcons?Here is the story. Over the weekend, the NFL Network reported that the Steelers would part ways with Ward, who is reportedly owed $4 million each season of the last two years of his deal and will be 36 in a few weeks. On Saturday, Ward posted this on his Facebook page: "I want to finish my career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. And as I've already told the organization, I am willing to work with them to restructure my contract to make sure this happens."For Ward, staying in Pittsburgh might not be that simple. Here is how Sports Illustrated's Peter King put it on Monday: "The way he was buried in the last half of the season, it's hard to imagine the Steelers want him back, especially with the speedier bench player Jerricho Cotchery available."Ward played an average of 14.4 snaps per game in the last nine games of the 2011 season, according to ProFootballFocus.com.As mentioned before, the NFL is a tough, Darwinian business. No matter what a player has done for a franchise, especially one that values winning as much as the Steelers do, a team has only 53 roster spots and a finite amount of salary-cap space available. No matter how beloved a player might be (see Manning, Peyton), if a front office deems others are more valuable or if it's in the "best interests of the organization," it parts ways with him.Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator of the past five seasons, Bruce Arians, is gone. Todd Haley is in. As we know in Atlanta, the impetus behind new coordinators is partly a fresh, objective viewpoint in evaluating personnel. Haley has no ties to Ward, which might make it easier for the organization to cut him than it would have under Arians. It's a young man's league.While the Falcons might not have ties to Ward, Ward does have numerous ties to the area. Born in South Korea, he moved to metro Atlanta at the age of 1 and remained a resident of the state until he was drafted by the Steelers in 1998. He still owns a home in Sandy Springs.As one of the keys to head coach Mike Smith's philosophies, the Falcons want to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Ward, one of the most physical wide receivers in league history, would seem to fit seamlessly into that philosophy.Yet the best argument for the Falcons to sign him would be the intangibles that he would bring. (His star power would be one of numerous secondary pluses). It has been expressed that perhaps part of the reason the Falcons have failed to win a playoff game in three tries under Smith in four seasons is that the team lacks players who have won at the highest levels.In Ward, they would acquire a player who has won two Super Bowls and who is active in the community, which is important to the Falcons and owner Arthur Blank. Ward owns a reputation as a high character player, his arrest on suspicion of DUI in metro Atlanta in July 2011 notwithstanding.When the team held an end-of-season press conference in January with Blank, general manager Thomas Dimitroff and Smith, Dimitroff was asked specifically whether the team had enough players with experience winning."In line with what I mentioned earlier about the grit and the experience and the toughness, there's no question that's going to be something that we look into this offseason," Dimitroff said.So it's possible that Ward would fit their profile. Heck, the Falcons gave Tony Gonzalez another season and $7 million.Finally, it's by no means certain that the Falcons' slot receiver, Harry Douglas, will be back. Douglas is one of the team's 17 free agents and Dimitroff asked to guess how many he would be able to re-sign, guessed eight.Douglas caught 39 passes for 498 yards and a touchdown last season, but is capable of delivering explosive plays. In the team's 26-23 overtime loss to New Orleans at the Georgia Dome, Douglas had eight catches for 133 yards.With a lot of money already committed at the wide receiver position to Roddy White and Julio Jones, the Falcons might not be able to tie up even more with a substantial raise to Douglas, who will be 28 next season. Former offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, now the head coach in Jacksonville, could make a play for Douglas, as the Jaguars are notably thin at that position. Ward could be a cheaper option.(It would be an interesting coincidence if the Falcons replaced a wide receiver raised in Clayton County — Douglas is from Jonesboro — with another raised there, as Ward was.)Ward could prove valuable in the slot and also as a mentor to Jones, who could use some polish in learning his playbook and in his growth as a professional.Whether the Steelers choose to retain Ward remains a fluid a situation. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on Sunday, citing teams sources, that it had yet to make a decision.If the Steelers do choose to let him go, Ward could find a welcoming home in his former one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.Mays Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 No he suck please keep him away from the ATL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phattywankenobi Posted February 15, 2012 Author Share Posted February 15, 2012 Probably just another one of those loose hometown connections but does anyone have any other thoughts than "he sucks". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSSSHHHRRR87 Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 We don't really need a wideout. We would have to let HD walk (that's if he wants to stay) in order to get Hines. The Falcons getting Hines due to hometown connections has about much of a shot as the Hawks getting Dwight due to him being an Atlanta-native. I really think hometown connections have little to do with where a player wants to play; they all just want the big contracts and place to win championships. He'll retire a Steeler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkonator Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Ward doesnt suck, he isnt a burner however, he has always been more of a possesion receiver, but he has lost a huge step from what was already not much, he couldn get any seperation this past season, good character guy love his mentality of football but. he wouldn help us improve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egoprime II Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Too bad Dan Reeves did not see fit to draft Ward. Anyone care to guess who we did draft in the same round at the same position, instead of Ward?As far as Ward goes...he fits into the Win Now philosophy our FO has adopted. He comes cheaper than Douglas and would be a stopgap to get us thru this season so that we do not have to use draft picks to get another third WR.Plus Ward is tough. He blocks, he hits, I bet he would even play on specials if he was asked to. And coming from a storied team like Pittsburgh, Ward could teach our guys something about pride, and how important history and legacy could be. IF some of that could rub off on our Falcons, then Ward's value goes far beyond his catches and yards and TDs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyBirdDynasty Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 His salary means his contract had to be dealt with but I assume that he would stay for cheap. If they really don't have room he could be available for cheap and would be a good pick up if he has anything left for a few reasons-A multiple Super Bowl champ, will make others around him better. Would be a great mentor for he ultra talented Jones and teach him about the toughness and work ethic it takes to be a champion-Doesnt mean we cant resign Douglas or get another slot WR, Douglas provides quickness, Ward could make the catch in traffic over the middle. Depth is a good thing, we've got plenty of speed at WR-Could be used as a blocker and teach Jones, we could run out of 3 WR setsI think he would enjoy the opportunity to come in and be a leader, teach people about being a champion and be a mentor to talents like Jones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyBirdDynasty Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 (edited) . Edited February 15, 2012 by DirtyBirdDynasty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.Mays Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 We have enough mentors we need players. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Doktor Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 5 years ago maybe. I'm not sure he has much in the tank left, and he'd take a roster spot from a younger, faster receiver. I love his game and attitude, he'd have been a monster of a safety!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulitik Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 I'd rather keep Harry. I wouldn't mind him on the team, if we lose Weems an somehow get a Boykin or give Franks the return gig. His leadership, and winning legacy could only help. I seriously doubt we sign him though.I could see the Pats getting him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconrej Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Too bad Dan Reeves did not see fit to draft Ward. Anyone care to guess who we did draft in the same round at the same position, instead of Ward?As far as Ward goes...he fits into the Win Now philosophy our FO has adopted. He comes cheaper than Douglas and would be a stopgap to get us thru this season so that we do not have to use draft picks to get another third WR.Plus Ward is tough. He blocks, he hits, I bet he would even play on specials if he was asked to. And coming from a storied team like Pittsburgh, Ward could teach our guys something about pride, and how important history and legacy could be. IF some of that could rub off on our Falcons, then Ward's value goes far beyond his catches and yards and TDs.Dammit Dan Reeves. Jammi German.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcon Man™ Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 No he suck please keep him away from the ATL.Hines Ward sucks? News to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff_Man Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Even Steeler fans don't want him unless he comes back for a minimum deal. I'll pass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1970 Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 If we're gonna go retro pick up T.O., Ocho and Moss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xx FaLcOhoLiC Xx Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 I'll stick with HD83 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattRyanProvesYouWrong Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Please, for the love of God, no more receivers, please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnrealfalcoN Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 HD is waaayyy better at this point. We need speed.Hines will bring this team some balls though.HD is waaayyy better at this point. We need speed.Hines will bring this team some balls though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconState Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 HD might be faster than Hines but he is not a better WR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.Mays Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Hines Ward sucks? News to me. It shouldn't be because he does, Lets not talk about what he done vs what he can do now. News flash the last 2 years of Shaun Alexander career he sucked. It doesn't mean he wasn't a great player before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.Mays Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 HD might be faster than Hines but he is not a better WRThis is a promise if ward restructure his deal with pitt, he will be the 4th wr, not option at best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Bird 2 Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Ward sucks. He's old. And he's dirty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Martyr Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 glad I'm not a GM with these decisions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Martyr Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Ward sucks. He's old. And he's dirty.lol dirty?Ward sucks. He's old. And he's dirty.lol dirty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribal Chief Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Hines would thrive in any role he gets at the age he's at right now. I would use him as a TE in 2 TE sets and we can put together some good 4 wr sets with him as well. if those type of weapons dont free them up, somethings wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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