For years, Hines Ward has not gotten the credit that he deserves. Chad Johnson and Randy Moss are better deep threats...but, neither is a better football player than Ward. Terrell Owens and Marvin Harrison post bigger numbers...but, they are nowhere near as complete as Ward.
Even Steelers fans are hesitant to admit just how good Ward really is. More often than not, things such as the following are uttered: "Ward is good...but, he is no Lynn Swann or John Stallworth."
For those who base their evaluation on players on statistics alone, Ward surpassed Lynn Swann (336 receptions) long ago...and during Sunday's game against the Browns, Ward surpassed the statistical leader for the Steelers, John Stallworth (537 receptions). And Ward has at least four good years to add to his current total of 543 receptions.
But, people will always point out that Lynn Swann's greatness went way beyond mere statistics...and I would agree. Furthermore, I become quite pleased whenever someone notices this fact.
Similarly, Ward's greatness can not be quantified by mere statistics: his value to the Steelers is so much more than receptions. It is his desire to block the living daylights out of defenders...linebackers and defensive linemen included. It is the the fact that the bigger the game, the greater Ward plays reminiscent of Swann). And, it is his understanding that this is a GAME, and that there are only about 1,600 people on this planet who get to play this game...an understanding which is evidenced by Ward's ubiquitous smile.
Ergo, on Sunday, when Ward finally passed John Stallworth as the all-time receptions leader for the Steelers, praise was duly heaped upon Hines by the announcers. All the while, a thought kept running through my head, "It is about time people realized just how good Hines Ward truly is."
And, luckily for Ward, the record was broken during Sunday's game...because Tommy Maddox will be the starting quarterback next week for the game in Baltimore. Considering Maddox's last outing, I forsee the Steelers running the ball 45 straight times. In other words, Ward may only get one catch next week...maybe.
But, I refuse to turn this into a "Tommy bashing" article; that would be too easy. Instead, I will keep this positive. Ergo, back to Ward.
When Ward finally tied Stallworth's record, he did so with an amazing, juggling touchdown reception...but, the officials overturned the play. It was probably the correct call...but, it would have been nice for such an amazing effort to have been "the play" that tied the record, because that play would have typified Ward's career: hard fought, yet successful. Alas...
Similarly, late in the second quarter, Ward made a reception, and landed on the goal-line. It looked to be a touchdown...but, again, the officials said Ward was not in the end-zone (the ball was placed at the one-inch line). With seven seconds left, the Steelers could not afford to wait for a replay, so they hiked the ball, and Charlie Batch dove into the end-zone.
But, Ward would not be denied. Antwaan Randle El took a reverse around the right side, and hit a wide open Ward for a 51 yard touchdown.
While it would have been nice for Ward to have had three touchdowns on his record breaking night, his stat-line was decent, to say the least: eight receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown. All around, it was a great night for Ward...a night that embodied him...a night when he became the best wide receiver in Steelers history.
[Note: The play that actually broke the record was a screen pass from Charlie Batch. Write that down, because it WILL be a trivia question in a few years.]
As far as the rest of the game goes...the Steelers won. I will say no more, because this article, and that night, are solely devoted to the greatness that is Hines Ward.
