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Earlier today NFL.com reported that the Steelers would cut Hines Ward. After that report, Ward came out on his Facebook page and to say,

“I don’t normally like to respond to rumors, but as I’ve said all along, I want to finish my career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It’s a classic example of a fan favorite player whose skills are slowly eroding and he’s owed a large amount of cash.

Fan Favorite: They’re plenty of Steeler greats, but Hines Ward better make the Steelers Mt. Rushmore. Look past Ward’s 1,000 catches, 12,000 plus yards and 85 touchdowns in his career, but don’t look past the way he played. He’s the best blocking WR to ever play the game. He played the game with such joy and passion. Ward is like Allen Iverson without the amazing talent and less than great attitude, but every single ounce of A.I.’s will and want. It’s easy to see why the mainly blue collar caucassian Pittsburgh fans relate to the half black, half asian Ward — he’s blue collar just like them.

Eroding Skills: Ward only caught 46 passes for 381 yards and two touchdowns this season, and that’s his lowest output since his rookie year. Although Ward played in every game but one this season, he was dealing with a concussion and bad ankle injury. Ward turns 36 years old next month.

Owed a lot of money: Ward is scheduled to make $4 million next season.

It’s a no brainer for the Steelers to cut Ward…he’s clearly not worth $4 millon dollars and he’s old. Remember what I said about Ward being blue collar? Ward loves football and is willing to do anything to play in a Steelers uniform….including taking a pay cut which is what I’m sure he’s going to tell management.

Now it’s up to the Steelers….do they want to pay Hines Ward pennies just so he can continue to make his passion his profession or do they send him on his way. You know what happens when you feed the animals at the zoo…they want more. If the Steelers let Hines Ward play this year, he’s going to want to play next year and the year after that. You thought Brett Favre loved the game and didn’t know when to walk away…wait ’til you see Hines Ward’s final years.

The Steelers need to cut ties with the soon to be Hall of Famer, because he will never stop playing unless he suffers are career ending injury or the career ending reality that no team wants his services.

That’s all I got,

Ricky Writer

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