Ward's status unlikely to change
-
Hines Ward - 27 receptions, 268 yards this season
Share with others:
Hines Ward's reduced status does not look as though it will change any time soon, which begs this question: Are we watching the final games of the brilliant career of the Steelers most prolific and decorated receiver?
That is, if the coaches see fit to play him.
Coach Mike Tomlin demoted Ward from the starting job he had held since 1999 for the Nov. 13 game at Cincinnati. Then, Tomlin buried him a little deeper on the depth chart while he was at it, dropping Ward behind Jerricho Cotchery to No. 4 for that game.
Ward caught one pass for 10 yards against the Bengals and played only a handful of downs. Antonio Brown, another bright light on a young receiving corps, started in place of Ward and led the Steelers with 86 yards on five receptions. Brown has moved into the ninth spot among AFC receivers in receptions (44) and yards (626), giving the team two in the conference's top 10. Mike Wallace ranks fourth in receptions (53) and second in yards (922).
PG VIDEOPG VIDEOWard ranks fourth on the team with 27 receptions and 268 yards.
Wallace and Brown have a chance to become only the fourth Steelers duo to eclipse 1,000 yards in the same season. Ward was half of the pair who did it the previous three times.
But Ward's days may be numbered and could end one year before his stated goal to finish out his contract in 2012 if Tomlin's actions Nov. 13 and his words Tuesday were any indication.
The coach provided Ward with no comforting words that his status will change from the one that provided him little playing time in Cincinnati. Asked Tuesday about Ward's role, Tomlin again was noncommittal.
"That is to be determined," Tomlin said at his weekly news conference. "Of course, that is what we are doing on days like today, as we formulate our game plan and try to play to our strengths and minimize our weakness. I am not in a position to answer that at this time.
"Obviously, Hines is a very capable man, as are some others. We will do what is best in terms of giving us an opportunity to win this game."
First Published November 23, 2011 12:00 am
