Hines Ward announced his retirement today, after 14 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. A month ago, the news that the Steelers were going to release Hines Ward came out. At the time, Hines Ward said he was not ready to retire. I didn’t think anyone would have any interest, but you can never rule out what a franchise like Arizona will do with washed up Steelers. The lack of response once free agency, though, told Hines Ward it was time. Now, he gets to retire having played his entire career as a Steeler, and the talk turns to his Hall of Fame chances.

Hines Ward played hard, sometimes on the edge, played for a long time, and was a Super Bowl MVP. People will point out that he has more receiving yards than Stallworth and Swann, two other Pittsburgh Hall of Fame wide receivers. If Pittsburgh gets to push more wide receivers into the Hall of Fame because they always have a great defense, then of course, he has a chance.

I’m a Big Hall of Fame guy, and I think there is way more room than just the Jerry Rice’s and Joe Montana’s. I have no problem with 7 players going in every year in perpetuity. These guys put it on the line when it can end in a moment’s notice. More is better when it comes to remember this fleeting game. A large Hall also allows us to disagree or have different types of players, from the career longevity guys to the brilliant mercurial stars to the playoff heroes.

That said, there is currently a major logjam at wide receiver, when guys like Cris Carter, Tim Brown and Andre Reed (three guys I would put ahead of Ward) are having difficulty getting in. Marvin Harrison, Terrell Owens and Torry Holt are going to be coming up soon, before Ward. Randy Moss will be soon behind. Not too many years after you’ll get Larry Fitzgerald.

At pro-football-reference, his most comparable players based on career shape and regular season value (and granted, this is just based on the regular season) are Derrick Mason and Keenan McCardell. Both played 14+ years, made a couple of pro bowls, and were generally among the best 10-15 receivers for a long period of time. Mason has 57 fewer catches and 22 fewer career receiving yards. Hines Ward made 4 pro bowls during his 14 years, a little higher rate than the other two. He gets credit for his blocking, but Mason also gets extra credit for being a pretty good return man for the first half of his career on top of playing receiver, leading the league in all-purpose yards during Tennessee’s 13-3 season in 2000.

Hines Ward’s playoff performance separates him (Mason played in a fair number too, Ward’s numbers are better) and I think he’s ahead of those two. But it’s not that far of a jump, and nobody will talk about Mason or McCardell, at all, as a Hall of Famer.

Okay, but what about another guy who I didn’t mention yet. Do you think Isaac Bruce is a Hall of Famer? Gut reaction?

Here are his numbers compared to Ward:

  • Isaac Bruce: 16 seasons, 223 games, 1024 receptions, 15208 receiving yards, 91 receiving touchdowns, 4 pro bowls, no first team all pros.
  • Hines Ward: 14 seasons, 217 games, 1000 receptions, 12083 receiving yards, 85 receiving touchdowns, 4 pro bowls, no first team all pros.

Bruce played a little longer (though the final season in San Francisco added little). He has over 3,000 more receiving yards in roughly the same number of games, and more receptions. The numbers are remarkably similar, both selected as pro bowlers four times, neither considered the best receiver in the game at any point, they transitioned from #1 receivers in their 20′s to quality #2 receivers who continued to produce in their 30′s.

Ahhh, but the postseason! Hines Ward was a Super Bowl MVP. Here’s one where if any sense is applied, this factor doesn’t help Ward against Bruce either. Yes, Ward was selected MVP of Super Bowl XL. Here are Ward’s numbers from Super Bowl XL set against Bruce in Super Bowl XXXIV, when the Rams beat the Titans:

  • Isaac Bruce in Super Bowl XXXIV: 7 receptions, 127 yards, 1 touchdown (game winner just inside two minute warning);
  • Hines Ward in Super Bowl XL: 5 receptions, 123 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 rush for 18 yards.

Almost identical. The difference, and why people will tout that Ward has that MVP as a Hall of Fame qualification while Bruce will go unnoticed: Ben Roethlisberger stunk and Ward caught his touchdown on a trick play from Antwan Randle-El, while Warner was brilliant. As far as the game, though, Bruce’s big play was the deciding touchdown, while Ward’s came in a far less memorable game.

What about the rest of the postseason? Ward was excellent in the playoffs for the most part, and he gets a boost there. 18 games, 88 receptions, 1181 yards and 10 TD’s is another year’s worth of great play against good opponents.

Here’s Isaac Bruce in the playoffs: 9 games, 44 receptions, 759 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Exactly half the number of playoff games, exactly half the receptions, and a higher yards per game rate.

Hines Ward’s Steelers ranked #1 in points allowed four times, in the top 3 three other times, and never below the league average. Bruce’s Rams ranked in the top 10 in points allowed only twice, and usually below the league average. Ward played in more playoff games because his teammates were better. Bruce played just as well or better in the playoff games in which he played, including their signature Super Bowl performances.

Hines Ward is going to be an interesting discussion in five years. I’m not sure how they have it without Isaac Bruce being part of the talk as well. If they will put Bruce in, then yeah, maybe Ward is a Hall of Famer. If not, I think it’s quite frankly a bunch of junk.

[US Presswire]