With all that in mind, UGA Wire presents a 10-question trivia quiz to test your knowledge of Dawgs bowl history. We rate this quiz as medium/advanced difficulty.
Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Hines Ward is returning to the college football ranks as a coach. Ward will be an analyst for the Florida Atlantic Owls.
FAU did not have any full assistant roles, but Ward is expected to work with FAU Owls wide receiver coach Joey Thomas, who is a former NFL and CFL player.
Hines Ward is a Pittsburgh Steelers legend that is close to making the NFL Hall of Fame. Ward played for the Steelers from 1998 to 2011.
Before the Steelers picked Ward in the third round of the NFL draft, Ward played under David Kelly at Georgia, who is Florida Atlantic’s coordinator of player personnel. Ward’s connection and impressive experience helped him secure his new role.
Hines Ward previously has coached with the New York Jets from 2019-2020. Ward will look to continue his coaching career with FAU and will continue to impact young men.
Offensive coach Hines Ward, New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14), and running back Frank Gore (21) walk off the field after losing to the Denver Broncos, 37-28, at MetLife Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, in East Rutherford.
Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Hines Ward is returning to the college football ranks as a coach. Ward will be an analyst for the Florida Atlantic Owls.
FAU did not have any full assistant roles, but Ward is expected to work with FAU Owls wide receiver coach Joey Thomas, who is a former NFL and CFL player.
Hines Ward is a Pittsburgh Steelers legend that is close to making the NFL Hall of Fame. Ward played for the Steelers from 1998 to 2011.
Before the Steelers picked Ward in the third round of the NFL draft, Ward played under David Kelly at Georgia, who is Florida Atlantic’s coordinator of player personnel. Ward’s connection and impressive experience helped him secure his new role.
Hines Ward previously has coached with the New York Jets from 2019-2020. Ward will look to continue his coaching career with FAU and will continue to impact young men.
Offensive coach Hines Ward, New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14), and running back Frank Gore (21) walk off the field after losing to the Denver Broncos, 37-28, at MetLife Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, in East Rutherford.
The New England Patriots’ surprising Monday afternoon termination of slot receiver Julian Edelman raised eyebrows around the NFL’s landscape, with speculation running rampant. Jokes were made about whether he’d soon catch a flight to Tampa Bay for a reunion with Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (who added pass-catching ex-Bengals running back Giovanni Bernard to his arsenal on the same day) and boisterous tight end Rob Gronkowski, two of his former teammates.
Some corners of the internet made an even more laughable assertion: that this could start the timer on Edelman’s Hall of Fame enshrinement. If that’s the case, then New Orleans Saints fan-favorite Marques Colston should be just ahead of Edelman in line for a gold jacket and bronze bust in Canton. He outplayed Edelman every step along the way.
Like Edelman, a last-second draft pick out of Kent State, Colston made a career from humble roots: his alma mater, Hofstra, doesn’t even have a football team any more. Edelman endeared himself to Patriots faithful by earning a roster spot for his work on special teams, trying out at a few different positions before carving out a role in the slot. It’s easy to see why they were each so well-respected.
But the comparison falls apart when you consider what they did with their careers. Colston averaged more receptions and yards per game (4.9 and 66.8) than Edelman did (4.5 and 49.8), while catching twice as many touchdown passes (72 against 36) in just nine more regular season games played.
Edelman has been rightfully lauded for his playoffs success — his juggling, almost-kissing-the-turf catch in Super Bowl 51’s historic comeback win against the Atlanta Falcons is as memorable as it gets — but the numbers are comparable even if you consider them. Edelman appeared in 19 postseason games, averaging 6.2 receptions and 75.9 receiving yards per outing. Colston logged 10 playoff appearances, with an average of 5.8 catches and 78.8 yards per game.
Maybe they’re weighed differently considering the playoff stakes, but the same is true given Colston played in a more competitive division and conference the whole time.
Let’s lump everything together: regular season and postseason games. That puts Colston with 156 total games played, catching 769 passes to gain 10,547 yards and score 76 touchdowns. Edelman, meanwhile, would match Colston with 156 combined games played while trailing in each category: 738 receptions, 8,264 receiving yards, and 41 touchdowns scored. In per-game numbers, that’s 4.9 receptions and 67.6 receiving yards per game for Colston against 4.7 catches and 52.9 yards per game for Edelman.
Now for a counterargument. Maybe we shouldn’t put these great players up against each other like this. Neither of them ever received a Pro Bowl nod. They both beat the odds stacked against them and their draft status to set the standard future players would be compared against. They’re each cherished by their teams’ fan bases, and for plenty of great reasons.
Neither of them might get into the Hall of Fame, instead joining great talents like Hines Ward (the Pittsburgh Steelers legend averaged 4.6 receptions for 56.4 receiving yards, with 95 touchdowns scored in his 235-game career, including the playoffs) and Jimmy Smith (the Jacksonville Jaguars icon who clocked 4.8 receptions for 68.4 receiving yards per game, with 74 touchdowns scored in his 189-game career, including the postseason, for Duval) in the “Hall of Very Good.” Here’s how they each compare in per-game stats — again, including the playoffs:
Marques Colston: 4.9 receptions for 67.6 receiving yards, 0.49 TD per game
Julian Edelman: 4.7 receptions for 52.9 receiving yards, 0.26 TD per game
Hines Ward: 4.6 receptions for 56.4 receiving yards, 0.40 TD per game
Jimmy Smith: 4.8 receptions for 68.4 receiving yards, 0.39 TD per game
It would be terrific to see them all get their time in the spotlight. But with the Hall of Fame becoming increasingly crowded and voters remaining stingy, that recognition might be a long time coming.
The former Steelers great was passed up for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the fifth consecutive year.
The fifth time was not a charm for former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward. The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced finalists for the Class of 2021, and Ward was snubbed… once again.
During Hines’ 14-year career in Pittsburgh, he was voted to four Pro Bowls and helped the Steelers win two Super Bowls. Ward was named MVP of the 2006 Super Bowl, a rare honor for a wide receiver. He finished his career with 1,000 receptions, 12,083 receiving yards and 85 touchdowns.
The 15 modern-era finalists, including former Steelers guard Alan Faneca, will be whittled down to a maximum of five inductees and announced during the broadcast of the annual NFL Honors on Saturday, Feb. 6.
Bill Cowher and former safeties Troy Polamalu and Donnie Shell are awaiting their induction into the Hall, which was postponed due to the pandemic. The Centennial Class of 2020 and Class of 2021 will be inducted in separate ceremonies during a star-studded weekend the HOF has coined “Twice the Fun in ’21”.
Two former Georgia football players are among 25 modern era semifinalists for the NFL Hall of Fame.
Three Georgia Bulldogs are among the 25 semifinalists of modern-era players for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021.
Steelers legend Hines Ward and three-time Super Bowl winner Richard Seymour are the two Dawgs who are semifinalists.
Between the two of them, they have five Super Bowl rings.
To be considered for selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a nominated individual must not have participated as an active player for five consecutive seasons.
Ward had an incredibly successful NFL career playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ward is currently a Hall of Fame candidate. Over fifteen seasons in Pittsburgh, Ward accumulated 1,000 career catches and over 12,000 receiving yards. Ward is the Steeler’s all-time reception, receiving touchdown and receiving yardage leader. He won two Super Bowl titles including a Super Bowl MVP award. Not too bad for a third round pick out of Georgia.
Seymour was a force to be reckoned with not just in college, but in the pros as well. The 6’6, 317 lb Seymour attended Lower Richland High School in Hopkins, South Carolina and won first-team all region honors his senior season.
Seymour played for the bulldogs from 1997 to 2000. In 41 games (25 starting), he finished his UGA career with great stats. He tallied 226 total tackles, 9.5 sacks, 25.5 tackles for loss, and 35 quarterback pressures. He was named to the All-SEC first team in 1999 and 2000 and first team All American in 2000.
Seymour was taken 6th overall in the 2001 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He became one of the Patriots best defenders of all time and was the leader of their defense for eight seasons. He helped the Patriots win three Super Bowls and was named to five different all-pro teams. In the ladder of his NFL career, Seymour played a few seasons with the Oakland Raiders.
Five Pittsburgh Steelers are included in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021 nominees.
BREAKING: The Modern-Era nominees for the Class of 2021 have been unveiled. The list is comprised of 130 players. Among the group are 14 first-year eligible players.
Five Steelers are among the modern-era nominees the Class of 2021, as announced by the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Wednesday.
“Selection Saturday,” where the modern-era finalists are selected from a pool of 15, will take place on February 6, the day before Super Bowl 2021. The class will be enshrined on Aug. 8, three days after the rescheduled Hall of Fame Game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys.
Here are the Steelers who are potential finalists for the 2021 Class:
Heath Miller, tight end
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Hines Ward, wide receiver
Rick Stewart/Getty Images
Alan Faneca, guard
Matthew Emmons- USA TODAY Sports
Casey Hampton, nose tackle
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Joey Porter, linebacker
Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images
Last month, longtime Steelers scout Bill Nunn was named a contributor finalist.
Steelers rookie wide receiver Chase Claypool is walking the walk in Pittsburgh.
When Chase Claypool was drafted this spring, it was by an organization renowned for its lineage of hard-working and productive wide receivers.
Aside from his physical traits of frame, speed and catching radius, the Steelers were attracted to Claypool’s work habits.
In his senior year, Claypool earned the University of Notre Dame Monogram Club Most Valuable Player, which honors a student-athlete who displays a strong work ethic and commitment to the team before self.
Steelers offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner is excited to see that work ethic Claypool displayed at Notre Dame hasn’t missed a beat in Pittsburgh.
“That’s exciting because that isn’t an easy thing to do early for a young wide receiver,” Fichtner said. “We’ve had many really, really great wide receivers come through here and he’s right in that same mode of work-work-work, shut up. That’s how he attacks his day.”
The “great wide receivers” Fichtner is referring to are Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster, all of whom Fichtner has coached over the years.
Hines Ward
Ward embodied the work ethic and toughness that the Steelers stand for. It’s part of what made him one of the league’s best possession receivers and blockers in the league.
He prided himself on hard work, whether it was in the film room, the weight room or on the field, and it showed in every game.
Mike Wallace
Wallace had the luxury to watch and learn from Hines Ward. With that, Wallace took the work habits that already existed in him and built upon it. Up until his unreasonable contract demands sent him packing out of Pittsburgh, his exemplary penchant for grinding was a trait the Steelers loved about him.
Antonio Brown
We can all knock Brown on his immaturity and how it ruined his (what could’ve been legendary) career. But one thing was for certain in Pittsburgh, Antonio Brown was a hard worker.
His incessant, near-OCD approach to note-taking, studying film, and keeping in football shape is part of what made him one of the best receivers in the NFL. Even with all of the receptions, all of the yards, all of the touchdowns, Brown never rested on his laurels. He possessed a constant drive to outdo himself.
JuJu Smith-Schuster
“I learned it by watching you!” Just like the Ward-Wallace mentorship before, Smith-Schuster had with Brown. His work ethic is so litty that he practices after practice, and if he messes up a set off the Juggs machine, he starts all over again. He walks that fine line between light-hearted and serious and never stumbles.
The standard…
As we know, “the standard is the standard” in Pittsburgh.
When asked to explain what his oft-used phrase means, Tomlin responded, “I don’t know.” Perhaps he’s keeping the meaning of his team’s recipe for success a secret. The phrase is important enough for the organization that it’s proudly displayed in steel on the walls of their facility.
And Chase Claypool caught on very quickly to “the standard”. Right along with his Steelers teammates, he lives it, breathes it and shows it. As long as Chase continues to do so, it needs no explanation.
With former Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown teasing retirement, Steelers Wire takes a look at his stats versus those of Hines Ward.
A hot topic of debate since Antonio Brown “retired” for the umpteenth time on Monday has been whether he’s a better receiver than Hines Ward.
A strong argument can be made for both sides. Ward currently stands as the franchise’s best receiver stats-wise (easy considering he played for five seasons longer than Brown did). However, as you’ll see below, Brown did more in a shorter period of time than Ward.
This breakdown could get much deeper into the analytics and style of play, but we’ll just keep it simple.
Hines Ward
Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Ward had a wildly successful career in Pittsburgh, complete with 12,083 yards on 1,000 receptions and 85 touchdowns. He was selected to four consecutive Pro Bowls (2001-2004) and had 29 100+ yard games in his 14-year career.
Hines hit a handful of top 10 markers throughout his 14-year career: Receptions (four seasons), yards (three seasons), yards per game (two seasons), touchdowns (three seasons).
Astonishingly enough, Ward’s career highs in targets (160), receptions (112) receiving yards (1329) and touchdowns (12) didn’t come when Ben Roethlisberger was at the helm. His best season was in 2002 with Tommy Maddox and Kordell Stewart at quarterback.
Most of Ward’s career was spent in a run-first offense, and overall the Steelers pass-to-run ratio was 6,762 to 6,990 in those 14 seasons.
Hines helped the Steelers to two Super Bowl wins in three appearances and was named MVP of Super Bowl 40.
Antonio Brown
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Statistically-speaking, Brown will never be the Steelers leading receiver. It’s just not possible. With that being said, there’s no disputing that AB was a beast when he was in Pittsburgh. Thankfully, he was traded before he got a chance to even sniff the franchise receptions record held by Ward and fell short by 876 yards.
A seven-time Pro Bowler (2011; 2013-2018), Brown left the Steelers as one of the best in the NFL. In nine seasons, he racked up 837 receptions for 11,207 yards and 74 touchdowns.
Brown’s career-high in receiving yards came in 2014 with 1,698. He amassed 100+ yards per game an astounding 42 times as a Steeler.
In 2015, Brown closed in on 200 yards three times and surpassed that mark with 284 yards versus the Oakland Raiders. He also posted a 213-yard game versus the Baltimore Ravens in 2017.
Side-by-side
(AP Photo/Don Wright)
I think it’s fair to pit Ward against Brown in a nine-year comparison. From 1998 to 2006, Ward was targeted 1,026 times to Brown’s 1,275. Ward brought down 648 receptions for 8,005 yards to Brown’s 837 receptions for 11,207. Brown also leads in the touchdown category 74 to 58 and yards per game at 86 to 57. Ironically, the two averaged 13 yards per catch.
Brown was at an advantage as there were 110 more pass attempts in his nine seasons versus Ward’s. Of course, it doesn’t entirely explain Brown’s dominance in the realm of stats. But with the increased attempts, AB had more balls thrown his way, thus more opportunities for receptions, yards, touchdowns and yards per game.
Who’s the better receiver really does come down to a matter of opinion. If you look at the nine-year comparison, Brown wins out. If you look at the overall career, Ward is ahead by a landslide (and rings).
There’s no debate that Brown was something special. It’s just a shame he couldn’t keep his head on straight and retire a Steeler after 14 seasons like Ward did. Brown’s demise in the league wasn’t forced by injury or the perfect end of a double-digit tenured career. He ruined his career all by himself circa immature and selfish acts.
If AB truly does retire — and that’s a BIG if — I’d be bummed. Not because I like him but because I really was looking forward to seeing if he could even come close to what he did when he had Ben Roethlisberger throwing him the rock. Something tells me Brown wouldn’t, but now we may never know.
Here’s our breakdown of the 11 best wide receivers in Steelers history.
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With the news that former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown might be retiring yet again, it is time to share our thought on who the best wide receivers are in franchise history.
Check out this gallery where we ranked out top 11.
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It’s so easy to put Hines Ward at the top. A consummate professional and the most productive receiver in franchise history by a significant gap. Ward never played for fame or glory and loved the game every single play. He was never an issue off the field, gave 100 percent effort and could do a little of everything on the football field.
But beyond Ward, how does the Top 11 shake out? How much credit to I give to Brown and where does the iconic tandem of Lynn Swann and John Stallworth rank among the modern stars?
