Falcons Quote(s) of the Day: Hines Ward as a Falcon?

by James Rael on Feb 14, 2012 10:29 PM EST

If you haven't heard, Hines Ward is a free agent, and apparently the Steelers don't want him anymore. Meanwhile, Ward is droning on and on about how he wants to retire in Pittsburgh. While I certainly respect his position, if he has to choose between retirement and playing for a different franchise, then he may change his tune. And given that he played college ball at UGA, if he's going to play for a different team, Atlanta is a logical destination. Fox Sports South analyst John Manasso wrote an article about it. He had this to say:

Ward does have numerous ties to the area. Born in South Korea, he moved to metro Atlanta at the age of 1 and remained a resident of the state until he was drafted by the Steelers in 1998. He still owns a home in Sandy Springs.

As one of the keys to head coach Mike Smith's philosophies, the Falcons want to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Ward, one of the most physical wide receivers in league history, would seem to fit seamlessly into that philosophy.

He would bring leadership, a winning attitude, and an aggressive style of play.

Let's be honest though, the results haven't really been there the last couple of years. His touchdown and yardage totals have decreased since 2009 and he was benched this year. He wouldn't be a horrible fourth option, because despite his relative inefficiency last year, his DVOA was above the league average every year between 2002-2010.

But let me be clear, I don't want him as our slot receiver and I'm definitely not willing to pay him anything close to the three million dollars he made last year.

Thoughts?

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If You Could Get HIm

for the rite price then sure why not, but only as you said James as a 4fh option reciever. I agree with you that i wouldnt want him as our slot guy, but the way this league is goin looking at the Packers and Saints mold 4th and 5th recievers can be quite effective. Put it this way if you can get HInes for the rite price as a 4th option i dont think im goin out on a limb here sayin he would be a better option than Eric Weems, and i like Eric but mainly as a return guy. With our new offensive scheme which what Ive heard is goin to be more vertical pass friendly havin Hines goin across the middle underneath Roddy, and Julio, and the slot guy, that wouldnt be a bad thing i dont think.

by c_hass_2 on Feb 14, 2012 10:43 PM EST reply actions

Only If.......

Jammi German isn’t available…..

by jkaflagg1 on Feb 14, 2012 11:12 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions

Jammi German. Drafted because they didn't think Ward would be a good enough blocker

As stated by Dan Reeves. Sometimes it’s just better to weep openly instead of holding it in.

by aces666high on Feb 15, 2012 1:29 AM EST up reply actions

High tide, low tide, washed up...

by mr92687!!! on Feb 14, 2012 11:24 PM EST reply actions

Nope

even at the league minimum I’d have to question how valuable a WR he’d be for ATL. While Ward is bigger, stronger and a better blocker than HD, Harry is much faster and more of a threat in the open field. Ward as the #4 WR? We have no idea what Meier can do and there are younger, and possibly cheaper, FA WR’s and late draft picks that would get the job done.

by mwalex on Feb 14, 2012 11:47 PM EST reply actions

He's a former Super Bowl MVP

the dude knows what it takes to win and plays with a chip on his shoulder. The leadership he’d bring to the table (as well as the playoff winning attitude) is worth at least a look.

Though really, I don’t know where he’d fit on the roster.

Say what you want to say, think what you want to think, but there is a method to my madness.

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by Caleb Rutherford on Feb 15, 2012 12:20 AM EST reply actions

Then hire him as a coach, not a player.

by mwalex on Feb 15, 2012 12:42 AM EST up reply actions

He's clearly not ready to hang up the cleats yet

so that’s unlikely. Plus, we retained our WR coach (denied JAX to him)

Say what you want to say, think what you want to think, but there is a method to my madness.

Follow @FalcoholicZippo

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by Caleb Rutherford on Feb 15, 2012 1:12 AM EST up reply actions

the only way he would contribute at this point is as a mentour

so absolutely not. any contract he would want would not make any sense for us to sign him to for no production on the field.

by jmpecker on Feb 15, 2012 3:21 AM EST reply actions

no thx 2 ward

Been a falcons fan since the big starter jackets was in style

by turnj35 on Feb 15, 2012 6:57 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Happy Day

for once a suggestion for the Falcons that actually makes sense. If Ward never set a foot on the field he would win two games with his presence in the club house alone. Let him start laying out DBs and LBs and maybe the whiners and OLine would start the same.

by Whopper Dawg on Feb 15, 2012 7:19 AM EST reply actions

I wish we had a spot for him.

Money’s not really this issue. Is he a good fit to take Harry Douglas’ spot should he leave? I don’t think so – at least not at this age. I don’t see it in 4 WR sets – his blocking would go to waste.

by widderslainte on Feb 15, 2012 9:06 AM EST reply actions

Gave him a small...

guaranteed salary with realistic incentives for a fourth option WR…this kind of experience and winning attitude this team needs!!

"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders

"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster

by Blood_Talon on Feb 15, 2012 10:48 AM EST reply actions

I retract this statement due to not thinking clearly when I wrote it!!

"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders

"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster

by Blood_Talon on Feb 17, 2012 9:56 AM EST up reply actions

This is interesting but,

it is unlikely be given any thought by the FO.

Harry is not going to be here.By my count,he would be an upgrade at #2WR for a minimum of 14 teams across the league.Most of those teams have much greater needs than WR.At least a few of those teams are going to offer him more than the Falcons will pay.

A scenario that could make Hines a Falcon might be something like 1 year at the veteran minimum guaranteed,with incentives that max him out at about what Harry made in 2011.I don’t see the Falcons going there and if they did,I dont see Hines taking a 60%cut YOY when he most certainly will get better offers elsewhere.

by dawg1060 on Feb 15, 2012 10:52 AM EST reply actions

Meh, you're probably right...

"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders

"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster

by Blood_Talon on Feb 15, 2012 11:01 AM EST up reply actions