Tag: Hines Ward

Steelers receive bad news ahead of 2025 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers won’t have any compensatory picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, limiting their chances to add another hidden gem.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have proven themselves adept at selecting elite talent with compensatory picks in the NFL Draft—and it has now been confirmed that they will receive none of these selections.

Some of the biggest home-run hits from the compensatory picks made by the Pittsburgh Steelers include legends like Hines Ward, elite playmakers like RB James Conner and OLB Alex Highsmith, and rising stars like WR Calvin Austin III. It is nothing short of bad news that the Steel City will have no opportunity to add to this list in 2025.

While the compensatory pick system is complicated, it can typically be summed up by determining whether a team lost more free agents than they signed in an offseason—which the Pittsburgh Steelers did not in 2024.

While Pittsburgh’s 2024 NFL Draft class proved that GM Omar Khan and the Steelers’ front office are more than capable of finding elite talent throughout all seven rounds, it is troubling that the team will be without any compensatory picks heading into the 2025 NFL Draft.

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Steelers shut out among Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists

Hines Ward and James Harrison missed the cut for the HOF again.

On Saturday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 15 modern-era finalists for the 2025 class of the Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, that list did not include either of the former Pittsburgh Steelers who were semi-finalists.

Wide receiver Hines Ward and linebacker James Harrison both missed the cut this time around.

For Harrison, the only player at his position who did make the cut was former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs. In fairness to Suggs, he played 51 more career games and finished with 139 sacks compared to just 84.5 for Harrison. For the Steelers, Harrison is a legend but his road to the HOF isn’t going to be easy.

The argument for Ward is even tougher with three other wide receivers making the finals. Ward is one of only 14 wide receivers with at least 1,000 career receptions. Another of those is Reggie Wayne who is a finalist as is Steve Smith Sr. Only Torry Holt doesn’t have at least 1,000 receptions and all three finalists have more receiving yards. However, none of them have more receiving touchdowns.

 

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Former Steelers WR Hines Ward among 50 candidates for Pro Football HOF

3 former Steelers made the top 50 for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

On Wednesday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the final 50 modern-era candidates for the 2025 call of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Next up will be the announcement of the 25 modern-era semifinalists.

The Pittsburgh Steelers got three players in the final 50. Wide receiver Hines Ward, outside linebacker James Harrison and kicker Gary Anderson are among the final 50 modern-era candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

Based on the strength of the 2025 class, all three former Steelers are probably long shots to make the Hall. Anderson is in the same group as Adam Vinatieri and there aren’t going to be two kickers and both Ward and Harrison face stiff competition at their respective positions.

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Bucs WR Mike Evans moves up all-time receiving yards ladder

As Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans continues his trek towards enshrinement at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

As Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans continues his trek towards enshrinement at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the 11-year veteran moved up the all-time receiving yards ladder in Thursday’s matchup.

Entering the divisional matchup, Evans sat in the 31st position with 11,894 yards, slightly behind Dallas Cowboys great -and Hall of Famer- Michael Irvin, who amassed 11,904 yards in his 12 years of service with the Cowboys. Baker Mayfield’s first pass attempt of the game was a completion to Evans for 15 yards, moving him into the Top 30 all-time.

Assuming Evans keeps his 1,000-yard streak intact this season, the Bucs WR will have at least 12,680 receiving yards in his career, surpassing DeAndre Hopkins for the 23rd most.

23. DeAndre Hopkins – 12,476

24. Brandon Marshall – 12,351

25. Antonio Brown – 12,291

26. Jimmy Smith – 12,287

27. Charlie Joiner – 12,146

28. Hines Ward – 12,083

29. Derrick Mason – 12,061

Oh, and Evans Is also closing in on being in exclusive company in receiving touchdowns. With two more of those, he will become just the 11th player in NFL history to record 100 or more.

Who is the greatest WR in Steelers history?

Cast your vote for who the greatest receiver is in Steelers history.

The 33rd Team offered up their Top 10 wide receivers of all time and they included former Pittsburgh Steelers star Antonio Brown at No. 8 but he was the only former Steeler to make the cut.

This got us thinking about where Brown fits historically among the best receivers in franchise history. There are really four guys who can make an argument to be on top including Brown. As an old-school fan, I grew up watching John Stallworth and Lynn Swann and while their numbers weren’t great, both guys made their biggest plays in the biggest moments and you cannot diminish their impact on what is the greatest dynasty in NFL history.

Who is the greatest WR in Steelers history?
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Then there is Hines Ward. He’s quietly the statistical leader of the Steelers and one of only 14 players with 1,000 or more career receptions. Ward epitomizes everything it means to be a Steeler. He’s also been an impact player in the most meaningful of moments.

Then there is Brown. In terms of overall talent, Brown stands above the other three. And in terms of numbers, Brown had the greatest six-season stretch in NFL history. But you have to include Brown’s meltdown at the end of his time with Pittsburgh and the fact that for all his numbers, in one Super Bowl with the Steelers, a loss by the way, Brown caught one pass for one yard.

Cast your vote and let us know who you consider the greatest wide receiver in Steelers history.

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Antonio Brown takes big shot at Steelers franchise on social media

Antonio Brown doesn’t appreciate Cordarrelle Patterson wearing his jersey number.

On Thursday, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced the jersey numbers for all of their free-agent additions this offseason. This included wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. Patterson will wear No. 84 for the Steelers, which happens to be the same number former Steeler Antonio Brown wore during his playing days.

This didn’t sit well with Brown who took to social media to whine about how the Steelers don’t typically formally retire jersey numbers but instead sort of shadow ban any players from wearing them. Brown took exception to this because his number didn’t get the same treatment.

Brown then said he would come back and play for the Steelers for free if the team lets him wear No. 86. This of course is Hines Ward’s old number and hasn’t been assigned to a team since his retirement. He also hit up former Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell to see if he would come back to Pittsburgh if he could wear Jerome Bettis’ old number.

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Eight candidates to be Georgia’s next wide receivers coach

Eight candidates to be UGA’s next wide receivers coach. Georgia is replacing Bryan McClendon, who headed to the NFL

The Georgia Bulldogs need a new wide receivers coach after Bryan McClendon left to be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ receivers coach.  McClendon is the latest college coach to prefer the NFL’s superior work-life balance over college football’s hectic calendar.

Head coach Kirby Smart and Georgia football are looking for a new wide receivers coach that can replace McClendon’s recruiting ability and strong relationships. The Bulldogs could hire a former Georgia player, promote from within, or a coach from another college program.

Georgia’s next wide receivers coach will work with offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. The Bulldogs have shown they don’t need to sign the best wide receiver recruits in order to have a lethal passing attack.

Who are eight candidates to be Georgia’s next wide receivers coach?

Steelers legend Hines Ward on what Mike Tomlin is ‘lacking’

Hines Ward opens up about what he feels Mike Tomlin is lacking in great accomplishments.

It’ll be a dozen years next month since legendary Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward called it a career. And his former team remains without a Super Bowl since.

The “standard” of the Steelers was often brought into question during the 2023 season as it seemed the younger generation of players on the roster didn’t understand it, nor were they embodying it.

“The standard in Pittsburgh is all about winning Super Bowls,” Ward told The Schmo during Super Bowl week. “We’re very blessed. We won six Super Bowls in our organization.”

“… But we haven’t won in a while, so that’s the one thing that probably [Tomlin is] lacking on his shelves of great accomplishments and bringing another Super Bowl back to the city of Pittsburgh.”

The Steelers found great success during Ward’s career, a span of seasons that were some of the team’s best since the 1970s. He played in three Super Bowls, helping Pittsburgh to two victories, one under Tomlin.

Tomlin, who will turn 52 next month, is tied for 12th on the all-time coaching wins list, but the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and they last appeared in the Super Bowl six years before that.

Watching the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII served as a painful reminder of just how far the Steelers are from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

Tomlin’s last real chance for “bringing another Super Bowl back to the city of Pittsburgh” has likely come and gone.

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Two Georgia Bulldogs named among best players in Super Bowl history

Former Georgia Bulldog Hines Ward snubbed from the list of greatest Super Bowl players of all-time

Former Georgia Bulldogs running back Terrell Davis and defensive back Jake Scott are ranked among the best all-time players in Super Bowl history. Nate Davis of USA TODAY writes that Davis is the No. 9 player in Super Bowl history.

In what was arguably the greatest Super Bowl effort by a tailback, he ran for 157 yards and a record-tying three TDs – while combating a migraine – on his way to Super Bowl 32 MVP honors as the Denver Broncos won their first title.

The former Georgia star played with the Bulldogs from 1992-1994. Terrell Davis won two Super Bowls. He followed up his outstanding performance in Super Bowl 32 with another gem in Super Bowl 33.

Davis added 102 rushing yards and 50 more receiving when Denver repeated the next year.

Terrell Davis is the second-ranked running back on the list behind Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith.

Former Miami Dolphins star defensive back Jake Scott was named as the No. 30 all-time player in Super Bowl history. Scott won a pair of Super Bowls. He was named MVP of the 1972 Miami Dolphins, who are the only undefeated team to ever win the Super Bowl.

His pair of interceptions, including the game-clincher, put a bow on the Dolphins’ perfect season and brought him Super Bowl 7’s MVP. Scott got another ring the following year, recovering a pair of Minnesota Vikings fumbles. He also handled kickoff and punt returns for Miami.

Scott finished his NFL career with 49 career interceptions.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward should be on the list of the greatest Super Bowl performers. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY

The list snubs former Georgia Bulldogs Hines Ward, who was named as the MVP of Super Bowl 40. Ward played in three Super Bowls in his career, winning two. The former Pittsburgh Steelers legend racked up 14 catches for 244 total yards and two touchdowns in his three career Super Bowl games. Ward is part of Georgia’s current 23-year streak of having at least one former Bulldog in the Super Bowl.

Steelers shut out of list of 15 finalists for Hall of Fame class of 2024

Hines Ward and James Harrison failed to make the final round of voting for the HOF.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its 15 modern-era finalists for the 2024 class. The biggest surprise is that neither of the Pittsburgh Steelers who were semifinalists made the cut for the final 15.

Here is the full rundown of finalists:

– TE Antonio Gates
– WR Reggie Wayne
– DE Dwight Freeney
– OL Jahri Evans
– OL Willie Anderson
– WR/RS Devin Hester
– RB Fred Taylor
– WR Torry Holt
– WR Andre Johnson
– LB Patrick Willis
– DE Julius Peppers
– DE Jared Allen
– S Rodney Harrison
– S Eric Allen
– S Darren Woodson

Wide receiver Hines Ward and linebacker James Harrison were left out of the mix. The debate then becomes whether Ward is more deserving than Wayne, Hester, Holt or Johnson. Statistically, Johnson and Wayne both had better career numbers.

As for Harrison, he was more in the style of Freeney, Peppers and Allen, all of whom had significantly more sacks.

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