I think this is a good debate...on one hand, at age 31, his 8,005 yards and 58 touchdowns are a tier below many of his peers, he's never won a receiving title, he's not particularly big, nor fast, and some would argue, feared far less by coaches than Plaxico Burress when they were teammates.
All that said, here's the counterargument...
6 straight seasons of at least 975 yards and counting (and easily could have eclipsed 1,000 the last two if he selfishly sought to...)
8,005 yards for a team that FLAT OUT SHUTS DOWN the passing attack in the 2nd halfs when leading.
One of the best blocking receivers in football history.
Super Bowl 40 MVP
Top-40 all time in receptions and counting
Shattered Stallworth & Swann's receiving records, both of whom are in The Hall.
Consumate good-guy, beloved by Pittsburgh, no bad rep.
Plays through injuries like a real man.
On the receiving end of Kordell/Maddox/Ben in a coldweather city.
Fights so hard for Y.A.C.
Will he? Or not enough yards?
2007-05-15 20:53:01 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Football (American)
He is often thought to be the best blocker for a receiver, and most complete receiver. Alot of course will what eles happens in is career. He holds single season receptions and TD for the steelers. He is a 4 time pro bowler, 3 time team MVP, and 2 time All NFL team and a superbowl MVP, and career leader in receptions for his team should get him on the ballet.
He is also considered a nation hero in S Korea and has changed how Korea views their mixed childern which makes him transsends the sport.
Add in the fact the almost every reporter, and player who know him like him and I think he will get in. I don't know if he will be a first ballot, but he will get in.
2007-05-15 23:08:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think Hines Ward has hall of fame calibur ability, but a lot of his success depends on Roethlisburger performs this year behind center for Pittsburgh. Ward never had a truly healthy #1 QB throwing his way for the majority of the season last year. The Steelers running game last season wasn't up to par with their standards either. Perhaps some of that had to do with the retirement of Jarome Bettis having a bigger effect on the team's running attack than most had initionally envisioned going into the 2006 season. The Steelers offense just wasn't firing on all cylinders last season, and that will need to change this year if you want to see the best productivity you can get out of the Steelers number 1 wide-out. At this point I'm leaning towards Ward getting into the hall. As others have pointed out, WRs don't have an easy time getting into the hall, and I wouldn't even rank Ward as the best overall reciever of his active playing era. I think that distinction is something that can be debated over with the careers of Marvin Harrison and Torry Holt. However we aren't going to get a true measure of Ward's hall-of-fame potential until he calls it career as a player. So just keep watching and judge for yourself then when that time comes.
2016-04-01 03:43:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Even with all of the good stats that you have given, he still might not be Hall of Fame worthy. To get into the Hall of Fame, you either have to change the way your position is played, or you have to make a HUGE impact not just on your team or in your city, you have to make a HUGE impact on the ENTIRE NFL. That's a lot to ask. Look at all of the things Tiki Barber did in New York, and he STILL, by many Hall of Fame experts, might not have done enough to get in. Hines Ward is good, but he has A LOT more to prove, before anybody can say he's Hall of Fame material. Marvin Harrison has a way better shot, and for the record, I'm not a Colts fan or a Steelers fan.
Just a Broncos fan being honest with you. I agree with the guy above me about the biased thing, I think the HOF is biased also against the Broncos.
2007-05-16 02:36:21 · answer #3 · answered by Ro Daddy 56 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd be very surprised but if he has about 6 more seasons it isn't out of the question.
Right now the only Hall of Fame lock as a receiver is Marvin Harrison, first ballot guaranteed.
A Super Bowl MVP is impressive and the numbers are good but Deion Branch won't be a Hall of Famer and if Art Monk is not a Hall of Famer how is Hines Ward?
2007-05-16 02:49:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a hard call. Yeah you gave the reasons he should be in. Problem is also a biased against Steelers. You would have thought Swann would have got in sooner wouldn't you? So I agree with the person who said he probably will BUT won't be the first Ballot. Hell I'm still waiting for Art Monk to get in. After all if Cokehead Irvan got in then no reason Art Monk is on the outside looking in. Remember look at the STATS AT THE TIME rather then compare their stats when the game changes over the years. Bars rise over the years. Art Monk was one of the top WRs when he retired. Just because he doesn't have people lobbying for him he can't get in. Which might help Ward, look who he has lobbying for him.
2007-05-16 01:59:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think as a Pittsburgh fan I would say yes. The problem is not everyone gets to see him play week in and week out like i do. Five years after he is retired will everyone remember all the intangibles that make him so great. I hope so but yards play a huge role in voting. His performance in Super Bowl XL shows his skill. His blocking alone is reason enogh if you ask me. I think it will be a toss up. He might have to wait for several years like Swann did.
2007-05-16 01:48:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No way. He is a great reciever and any team would love to have him but he doesn't have the stats. Swan was a God, not just in Pittsburgh but throughout the league. If the voters take into consideration that he played for a run first team he would have a slim chance but they don't and he doesn't have the star power.
2007-05-16 09:50:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course he will. He owns the receiving records for one of the most storied franchises in history. Super Bowl MVP should put him in the Hall for sure. Plus, he's probably the best receiver in traffic in the past century.
2007-05-16 05:16:11 · answer #8 · answered by Polamalu is God 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He is a good player and MVP of Superbowl 40, but just because he was MVP does not make him Hall of Fame bound. A prime example of that is Timmy Smith.
2007-05-16 06:13:50 · answer #9 · answered by jabeez77 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. He hasn't done enough. He may not even be in the top five receivers today. He's not a candidate. I know Steeler fans all say so, but as a general NFL fan, he won't.
2007-05-16 02:45:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋