Hines Ward

Just when I thought I ran out of material to blog about, this came up,

"NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora told “NFL Total Access” Friday that Hines Ward won’t be back next season, according to his sources."

First off who does this Canfora guy think he his? If Adam Schefter or Mort had said this I'd be very worried. Don't get me wrong I'm taking this situation very seriously and tears will occur if Hines Ward isn't allowed to finish his career in a Steelers uniform.
But did this Canfora guy think about checking Hines Ward's Facebook page, where he said, "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. And as I've already told the organization, I am willing to work with them to restructure my contract to make sure this happens. -HINES"

First off, I understand where the Steelers are coming for. Hines will get 4 million dollars next year, clearly he isn't worth that considering last years numbers and the receivers on the team. I understand he isn't what he used to be. I know that. The Steelers know that. Hines knows that. That's my only argument for the Steelers, but it's not a great one considering Hines has already said he will play for less and wants to remain a Steeler.

Heading into next year the Steelers top 5 recievers will most likely be, Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders, Jerricho Cothcery (will be a free agent, but a great fit for the Steelers), then Hines. It's hard to say he will be the fifth receiver, but its true. However this leads me to my first point. Name me another receiver you would want to play a back up role? He can still make clutch catches on third down and in the red zone because the past 14 years have taught me he isn't afraid to get hit. Also he apparently has some type of influence on the younger receivers. Lets look at the list of his protege's.

Plaxico Burress --- Sure he was the 8th overall pick in 2000 so he is a great talent. His most underrated skill is his blocking ability, I think Hines played a role in that. Surprisingly he has never made a pro bowl but he was a great deep ball threat his entire career until he shot himself in the leg after he left the Steelers and didn't have Hines as a teammate anymore.

Santonio Holmes --- I feel so bad for the Jets. His last year as a Steeler, he caught 79 balls, 1248 yards, and 5 touchdowns. May I also add in he won a Super Bowl MVP and had the greatest catch in Super Bowl history as a Steeler. Since he has been a Jet, his best numbers are 52 catches, 746 yards, and 8 touchdowns. Think Hines played a little bit of role in his career?

Mike Wallace --- Clearly he was gifted with speed however last season he became a much more developed receiver by running more routes over the middle. He made the Pro Bowl this year and for the past two seasons he has gained over 1100 yards. He already has 24 career Td's in his 3 year career, while Santonio only had 20 in his 4 years as a Steeler.

Antonio Brown --- My number one argument. In 2011, his numbers jumped from 16 catches to 69 and from 167 yards to 1108. I also would like to add in he made the pro bowl with Mike Wallace. He was a sixth round pick and wasn't gifted with size. That's a gigantic improvement. From everything I've ever heard him or Wallace say about Hines is that he is a great role model and the best teammate.

I think I have proved my point that he is a valuable teammate. Sure this upcoming season he may not put up big numbers but his impact to the team is much more important than on the field contributions.

He does not deserve to be released by the Steelers ever. I understand it is a business and all that, but at a certain point a player has earned the right to decide when he wants to leave the team. He owns almost ever Steelers receiving record. He has won two Super Bowls, including a Super Bowl MVP. He was also made for the Steel City. He has the mentality of a fullback playing wide receiver. He was never the fastest, strongest, or biggest receiver but somehow he has 1000 career catches, 4 pro bowls, and was an all-pro once. He deserves the right to call it a career as a Steeler when he wants to.

If we have seen the last of Hines in a Steelers uniform, I may cry first off, but I will lose some respect for the Steelers organization. I really will. I understand most moves they make, for example letting Joey Porter leave as a free agent because they knew they had James Harrison as a back up, but this move does not need to be made. His value is his leadership he will provide for the team. This situation is very similar to the Bus. In Jerome Bettis last season, he only ran for 368 yards but look how he helped WIllie Parker. Hines is willing to take a pay-cut and he knows his role will be limited because it was last season. So this is on the Steelers now.

Either way I cannot imagine watching a Steeler game without 86 playing for them. I know the day will come eventually but that day should not be now. Hines will tell us when that day is, not the Steelers.

Top 5 Super Bowls of My Lifetime

I was thinking about doing a Super Bowl recap, but let's be honest you all know I'm very happy. I feel bad for Tim Leavitt and Matt Lee, I know the feeling of losing a Super Bowl since last year I was beyond depressed about the Steelers. However the Giants are saving the 70's Steelers legacy. Only coach with four rings, Chuck Noll. Only QB/Coach combo with four, Bradshaw/Noll. Plus my Pops got to see his team win their fourth Super Bowl.
For this blog, I want to give the top five Super Bowls I've seen, since football just ended and I'm already depressed I have to wait about 7 months to see preseason football (yes, I watch preseason football and also there will be Hard Knocks this year).

1. Super Bowl XLIII --- Steelers 27, Cardinals 23 --- Biased, maybe. Think about it though, it had two of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history. James Harrison with his 100 yard pick six on the last play of the first half and then Yo Holmes making a circus catch for the game winning touchdown. Add in Larry Fitzgerald scoring a 64 yard touchdown to take the lead with 2:37 to play. Kurt Warner threw for 377 yards, the 2nd most in Super Bowl history (behind his own record of 414), against the number 1 defense that year in every category. The reason I put it number one, is due to the fact that James Harrison and the last 5 minutes of the 4th quarter almost killed me. How my heart is still beating, I'll never know. So biased...yes.

2. Super Bowl XLII --- Giants 17, Patriots 14 --- 18-0. The perfect season. Bill and Tom going for their fourth ring. The Giants snuck into the playoffs. Nobody could possibly stop Tom Brady and Randy Moss, who set every record in the book. And then the Giants literally shock the world. David Tyree? That has to be the greatest play in Super Bowl history. How does Eli avoid the sack first off (credit to Mike Carey, great ref for not blowing the whistle) but then how does Tyree catch the ball with his helmet with Rodney Harrison draped all over him. Then former Steeler great, PLAX is wide open for the game winner and Eli becomes ELIte.

3. Super Bowl XXXIV --- Rams 23, Titans 16 --- This was my number one for a long time. This years Super Bowl ended with a hail mary. This Super Bowl's final play started at the 10 yard line with 6 seconds to play and ended with a tackle on the one yard line. By who? Mike Jones. Kurt Warner threw for 414 yards, including a 73 yard bomb to Isaac Bruce late in the 4th to break the tie at 16. Steve McNair was so close to carrying the Titans to a Super Bowl. That final drive was McNair writing his Hall of Fame resume, but it came up one yard short. Brutal, especially because I was rooting for the Titans because I loved Eddie George, Jevon Kearse, and Steve McNair.

4. Super Bowl XXXVIII --- Patriots 32, Panthers 29 --- This was a toss up between Patriots over Rams, but I lost a 3 dollar bet to a sixth grade teacher for that game, so it's a bad memory (Mr. Richmond, you never taught me but I still remember that). 37 points were scored in the fourth quarter. The Panthers were down 11 and then had a 33 yard TD run by DeShaun Foster (From....UCLA) and an 85 yard TD pass to Muhsin Muhammad to take the lead. Mike Vrabel then answers with a touchdown catch. The Panthers answer back with a Jake Delhomme pass to Ricky Proehl to tie the game at 29 with 1:08 to play. Then Brady leads them down the field to set up Adam Vinatieri for the game winning FG. What a game.

5. Super Bowl XLVI --- Giants 21, Patriots 17 --- Maybe this is a bit of an overreaction, but it was a rematch that was meant to be. The game really only had one memorable play, the Manningham catch on the last drive. What a throw by Eli. It was a a very competitive and extremely even battle. Ahmad Bradshaw didn't really know what he wanted to do on is game winning touchdown, but then it gave the Golden Boy aka TFB just under a minute with a timeout to have his chance to win. The game ended on a hail mary, which was just out of reach by the Gronk. Healthy ankle does he make that play? Not sure, but Bernard Pollard...I love you, you are a Raven, but seriously. Also the Giants kept the 70's Steelers legacy alive. Thank you G-Men.

Honorable Mention --- Steelers 21, Seahawks 10 --- This is really just because it was the first time I ever saw my team win. I remember so many plays from this game but I'll give you my top three. Clearly the Antwaan Randle El pass to Hines Ward is the first play. Hines Ward, Super Bowl MVP, 1,000 career catches, holds pretty much every Steeler WR record. Hall of Famer. Alright onto number 2. Willie Parker's 75 yard TD run (aka the longest run in SB history over Marcus Allen), add in Alan Faneca's block after he pulled, Steelers football. Number 3, it's a tough one. I think I go with the play where Big Ben broke out of the pocket and stood at the line line of scrimmage and then launched a bomb to Hines at the one yard line, then he dove into the endzone. I'm laughing at my own honorable mention, sorry. I bleed Black and Yellow. I really, really do.

I think it's hard to argue with that list, either way I am so happy that the Giants won. Congrats to my Pops, Matty Bants, and Joe Seff John. As you may know, I hate the Patriots, I respect what hey have done and I think Bill and Tom are one of the best ever. But I am beyond happy that they lost and the 70's Steelers still are the only real dynasty.

Super Bowl XLVI

It had to be the photo, sorry.
If you have ever read my blogs before you know who I am rooting for. If it was legal to kill one human being during your life I would kill Bill Belichick. He only added to my hatred of him yesterday by cutting Tiquan Underwood, aka the greatest high-top fade I've ever seen, how do you release a player on Super Bowl eve. That is pure evil. Tiquan handled it like a champ on Twitter, so respect to you sir.
Onto my Super Bowl breakdown. The Giants have the edge in most categories.
Defense by far being number one --- Give me JPP, Osi, Tuck, Rolle, and my boy Mark Herzlich (he may not see the field) over anybody on the Patriots defense other than Big Vince Wilfork.
Offensively, I think the O-lines are a push.
WR --- Giants. Cruz, Nicks, Manningham are a lethal bunch. This group compared to the '07 Giants isn't even a competition. They may not be as high profile as Plaxico, Amani Toomer, or Steve Smith but they have a better QB and they have great hands. Tell me when you remember CRUUUUUUZZZZ dropping a pass, don't worry I'll wait.
Tight Ends --- Patriots. Even if the GRONK isn't at 100%, Yo soy Fiesta. He is a beast. Add in my former Little League opponent, who hit a 300 foot grand slam when I was 11, Aaron Hernandez and Tom F. Brady has all he needs to throw the ball quickly to evade the Giants pass rush.
Running game --- another push. Sure Ahmad Bradshaw didn't play in the game during the regular season, so you would assume Bradshaw/Jacobs is better than The Law Firm (Ben-Jarvis Green-Ellis). The Law Firm does not fumble, not never. He may also have a big game due to the fact the the G-Men need to concerned about stopping the pass. If Bill F. Belichick is smart, he gives the Law Firm over 20 carries.
Coaches --- The two most important factors are the coach and QB. Tom Coughlin has beaten BFB in SB XLII and this season. As a Steeler fan I know how hard it is to beat Bill two times in a row. Both coaches are fighting for a spot in the Hall of Fame honestly, If Tom wins he matches Bill Parcells (how did he not get voted into the hall, just dumb) with 2 rings for the G-Men. If Bill wins he matches Chuck Noll and Bill Walsh with four (nightmare).
QB --- I'll give Tom F. Brady love first. If he wins, I will have to say (as much as this kills me), he is the greatest QB of all-time. He will have four rings, which ties Montana and Bradshaw, but look at his supporting cast compared to those two. Montana had the greatest receiver of all-time, plus Ronnie Lott on defense. Bradshaw had two HOF receivers, in Stallworth and Swann, Franco Harris as his RB, and the Steel Curtain. Tom's best receiver was Randy Moss, which did not amount to a championship, David Givens, Deion Branch, and Troy Brown are no match to the 3 receivers I just mentioned. Now it's Eli Time. I know a few die-hard Giants fans and they still hate Eli because he shows no emotion and has an "awww schucks" attitude. I understand that. However he is the best Qb in the league at the moment. He has all the talent Peyton does but he doesn't choke in the clutch (he has his ring, but SB XLIV the pick 6 to Tracy Porter...ouch).

It's time to make my pick...My heart tells me one thing and my brain tells me another. Patriots 21, Giants 20. NYG +2.5. I am not betting on the game (other than the Kelly Clarkson over for her national anthem). I'll trust my brain for this Super Bowl. I just think Bill has a gameplan that will allow Tommy to get the ball out of his hands quickly and the Patriots will be able to dink and dunk their way down the field. As for stopping Eli, they may not be able to stop big plays from happening but I think the Patriots defense forces one or two key turnovers that will win them the game. However I am 9-1 for this postseason, my only loss was picking the 49ers over the Giants, so maybe it's a good thing I'm not picking them.

NFL Hall of Fame

Around 5:30 today my heart will be in my throat. There are three Steelers who are finalist for the HOF this year, Dermontti Dawson, Kevin Greene, and Jerome Bettis. I was alive to see Dawson and Greene and I hope they get into the hall because it will once again prove the Steelers are the greatest franchise in football, however I really don't remember much of their careers, unlike The Bus. I am not going to Canton, Ohio (location of the Pro Football Hall of Fame) until one of my favorite Steelers gets elected. As you may know I met the Bus in 2004, aka the year they won Super Bowl XL, he is a great person and a better football player. The Bus is 6th all-time in rushing yards, how he didn't get elected last year is beyond me. Clearly I think he should get elected today but I very nervous because the voting for the NFL hall of fame is stupid. My picks for the hall this year...

There is no set amount of people that can get voted in, but I'll give you my 5.

Bill Parcells --- Two rings with the Giants, brought the Patriots to the Super Bowl, carried the Jets to the AFC Championship with Vinny Testaverde as their QB, and got the Cowboys to the playoffs with Jerry Jones breathing down his neck, and as a GM turned the Dolphins around from a 1-15 team to the AFC East champs with Chad Pennington as the QB. Enough said.

Cris Carter --- The first reason I'm worried for the Bus, the NFL hall of fame voters are just dumb. This is Cris Carter's fourth year as a finalist. May I remind you he is 4th all-time in receptions, he is one of only eight players in NFL History with 1,000 or more receptions (1,101), and he was named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. How is he not in the Hall of Fame already?

Tim Brown --- Set Raiders franchise records for receptions, receiving yards, and punt return yards. DAYY RAIDAAA'S had another Hall of Fame receiver, Fred Biletnikoff, and Tim Brown holds all the team's records (sounds a lot like Hines Ward). I can also add in the fact that he won a Heisman Trophy at Notre Dame. He is 5th all-time in receptions (7 behind Cris Carter)

Willie Roaf --- Sure nobody knows who this guy is because he was a tackle for the Chiefs and Saints. He made the pro bowl 11 times and was an all-pro 7 times. That's a hall of fame resume if I've ever seen one.

Jerome Bettis --- Biased pick, I know, but he really does deserve to be in the Hall. He was built like a fullback but had the feet of tap dancer. The Steelers still miss his presence six years after he retired. Curtis Martin may get in before him, but all I can say kiss the ring...I love you. (Watch this clip and tell me The Bus wasn't the reason the Steelers won the Super Bowl http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNbHLlOMdDE ...Joey Porter lets him run out, his moment with Willie Parker, especially his talk with Big Ben, and then the last stop is here in Detroit).

I hope I get all five right because they are all deserving, but I really only want one. The real last stop for The Bus is Canton.