Jason Wood's Thoughts

No matter how much time and effort you put into your fantasy football preparation, you are bound to make some big time mistakes. Last year, Hines Ward was among my biggest errors in judgment. Coming off a top-3 season in 2002 (and his 2nd Pro Bowl appearance), as his running mate Plaxico Burress finished 8th, I figured the Steelers would take a step back in 2003 and only one of the receiving tandem would duplicate the previous year's excellence. While I was right on that assumption, I chose the wrong guy…siding with Burress. My logic was based on the idea that Burress was faster, taller, younger and more explosive; so it stands to reason we hadn't seen his best yet.

Needless to say, my logic proved completely wrong. Burress regressed, showing lapses in concentration and taking himself out of the game mentally when things weren't going his way. Meanwhile, Hines Ward chugged along, running crisp routes, catching anything thrown his way, beating defenders for the ball, and remaining one of the best red zone receivers in the game.

• 2003 Red zone TD receptions - 7 (2nd in the NFL)
• 2003 TDs (Inside the 10 yard line) - 5 (1st in the NFL

So as we look ahead to this season, I'm bound and determined to pay Hines Ward the respect he's due. Fantasy owners don't care much about player abilities that don't show up on the score sheet, but it would be remiss to not pay homage to Ward's blocking skills. He's such a tireless blocker in addition to a polished pass catcher that many football pundits believe he's the best all around receiver in the NFL. It's also worth mentioning that Ward, a former college QB, has at least 60 yards rushing in each of his last 3 seasons. For fantasy purposes, while I certainly wouldn't take him over the likes of Randy Moss or Marvin Harrison; Ward is among a short list of "can't miss' receivers, in my opinion.

For the record, I'm not a fan of Tommy Maddox and thought the Steelers made the right move in drafting Ben Roethlisberger this year. That said, it's tough to argue that Maddox doesn't know how to effectively utilize Ward's skills on the field, considering he's had back-to-back top 6 seasons catching passes from the former XFL MVP.

Positives

• One of the most complete receivers in the league, a punishing blocker, excellent runner, sure handed and a proven scorer



• In 3 consecutive Pro Bowl seasons, he's averaged 100 receptions, 1,165 yards, and 9 touchdowns



• In point-per-reception leagues, Ward is a top 4 WR prospect

Negatives

• Ward isn't a burner, his career 11.9 yards per reception mean he must catch a ton of passes to put up truly monstrous yardage numbers



• He was unhappy with his contractual status and has demanded a new deal commensurate with his status among the league's best receivers



• The Steelers want desperately to get back to playing smash mouth football; remember that in 2001 (when Pittsburgh led the league in rushing) Ward only had 4 touchdowns in 94 receptions

Final Thoughts

There's not much to say about Ward beyond what we already know. He's a warrior on the field and, barring injury, is going to catch a ton of passes, gain some decent yardage on the ground, and score a bunch of touchdowns. There's no reason he should fall out of the top 10 if he's healthy, and is one of the five or six "can't miss" receivers this year, in my view. You'll have to take Ward early, but he's worth it and then some.

Maurile Tremblay's Thoughts

Hines Ward is a sure-handed, dependable, tough receiver who is as good a blocker as he is a pass-catcher. He has had three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, and was tied for first (along with Derrick mason) among AFC wide receivers last year with 95 catches. Ward is very quick and runs very crisp patterns; he can get open against any kind of coverage, and is especially effective on short and intermediate patterns. He also has the strength to defeat the jam at the line of scrimmage, and has very good hands and body control.

Fellow Steeler WR Plaxico Burress had a down year last year, but still occupies defenses, preventing teams from doubling Ward. And even though Burress is the bigger target, Ward is still the favored receiver near the goal line. He was targeted 21 times inside the twenty last year, and converted seven of those targets into touchdowns.

About the only knock on Hines Ward as a player is that he lacks true deep speed, and is not a threat to score from long distances. (All ten of his touchdowns last year were from inside of thirty yards.) Some other concerns focus on his team situation: (1) he is unhappy with his current contract and has ruled out the possibility of holding out; and (2) he may have a rookie QB (first-round pick Ben Roethlisberger) throwing him the ball at some point this year.

If the Steelers can generate a more effective running game this year, it will force defenses out of the two-deep zones that most teams played against the Steelers last year, and will open things up for the passing game.

Positives

• Dependable receiver who runs good routes and has good hands; is particularly effective in the red zone



• Proven performer; has been a top six fantasy WR in each of the last two years



• The presence of Plaxico Burress and Antwaan Randle El will keep double-teams off of him

Negatives

• Lacks top-end speed and is not a true deep threat



• There is some uncertainty at the QB position, where rookie Ben Roethlisberger may get some playing time late in the season



• Does not have the same kind of physical talent as the other elite WRs like Randy Moss or Terrell Owens

Final Thoughts

Hines Ward is a draft-day bargain every year, maybe because he's viewed as a tad boring. He isn't an awesome athletic specimen like Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, or even Plaxico Burress. But, along with Marvin Harrison, he is one of only two receivers who've had back-to-back seasons with 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in the past two years. He doesn't get the same kind of respect as the other elite receivers, but he has been every bit as productive over the last couple years. I think Hines Ward becomes a very good pick in the early third round of a 12-team draft; he is more reliable and studly than any of the RBs still available then.

Quotations from the Message Board Thread

To view the entire Player Spotlight thread (there's a ton of fantastic commentary in there), click here.

Gorby:
"I'm not as positive about Ward as I have been for the past few years. But I think that's more a statement about the Steelers than Ward. Touchdown Tommy looked lost last year. Burress was horrid. Staley will eat up receptions. Big Ben might get a few games at the end of the year. Add that to Ward's 2 TDs in his final 7 games last year and I just can't project him at the same level."

Repressed Dennis:
"I've been a big Ward booster the last two years, and I still think he's one of the safest choices out there for a top WR. However, I think his upside is limited this year due to Mike Mularkey leaving and the supposed increased emphasis on the run that Cowher will try to implement."

loser:
"I guess I'm probably in the minority here, but I expect a HUGE season from Ward, for a variety of reasons:

1. The offensive line last year was a MASH unit. Maddox played with fear and it showed. A lot of guys had to play out of position, and weren't comfortable. The talent is there, and if healthy, the Steelers will have a solid line, good for Maddox's security, better for...

2. A run game. Staley's no superstar, but he is good enough to garner attention. Pittsburgh's struggles last year were due in large part to the failed Zereoue experiment. Coupled with the decimated O' line, teams were content to play Cover 2 all day, knowing the Steelers had to (wanted to) pass to beat them. Which brings me to my most important reason of all.

3. Mike Mularkey is gone. Anyone who saw that Jets game last year knows what I'm talking about. Maddox had 38 attempts. Starting running back Bettis had 16 carries. What's important about this is the game was played in BLIZZARD conditions. And it's not like the run game got stuffed. Bettis finished with 4.3 YPC. Mularkey abandoned the run before it got started, in a deluge, against one of the worst rush D's in the game. One-dimensional doesn't get it done in the NFL, and new OC Whisenhunt has vowed to get the running game back in gear. Ward will prosper from this."

NumbCruncher:
"He is highly underrated, and I thought he was a fluke, but yet he keeps posted nice numbers. This guy has no ego and will succeed if either Burress, Randel El, or Freddie Milons is starting opposite him, or if Maddox or Roethlisberger is the QB. He has the right attitude to play the game and shows it."

Shooter McGavin:
"I've been guilty of underestimating Ward for a couple of years now. I'm still probably not high enough on him to where I would be able to land him in a draft. I have him projected as my #8 receiver."

Hines Ward Projections