Was Hines Ward The Last Of His Kind?

[86WARD]

In the process of watching all of Ben’s TD passes in the “Thanks Ben” thread and something that really sticks out:

Hines Ward.

Is there a receiver today that even comes close to what Hines was as a player? Sure there are many receivers that are light years better at running and many receivers that are light years better at catching but are there any out there that will take the hit and keeping grinding like Hines did, block like Hines did, initiate contact like Hines did? This guy took vicious hits, multiple hits at times and was still able to get the extra yardage, the first down, the TD time and time again. Somehow he was able to play fast when in reality, he was kinda slow…lol.

Who is out there today that plays like Hines? I can’t think of anyone recently since Hines…other than Steve Smith maybe?


https://youtu.be/lhCK99g_sjA

[Mojouw]

In the process of watching all of Ben’s TD passes in the “Thanks Ben” thread and something that really sticks out:

Hines Ward.

Is there a receiver today that even comes close to what Hines was as a player? Sure there are many receivers that are light years better at running and many receivers that are light years better at catching but are there any out there that will take the hit and keeping grinding like Hines did, block like Hines did, initiate contact like Hines did? This guy took vicious hits, multiple hits at times and was still able to get the extra yardage, the first down, the TD time and time again. Somehow he was able to play fast when in reality, he was kinda slow…lol.

Who is out there today that plays like Hines? I can’t think of anyone recently since Hines…other than Steve Smith maybe?


https://youtu.be/lhCK99g_sjA

Guys that were at least in the ballpark of Hines:

Anquan Boldin
Steve Smith
Donald Driver

Current guys that do it a bit differently (mostly because of rule changes) but might be an answer to your question:
Mike Evans
Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp (both are asked to block often)
Allan Lazard

But I can not think of a guy that relished hitting and flourished with contact they way Ward did.

[Steeler-in-west]

We have one here in the Hines Ward mold

[NCSteeler]

Hines would have made one hell of a safety

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[teegre]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:

Hines Ward = Nirvana

Not the most album sales. No record-breaking concert sellouts. Yet, the first 10 seconds of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” changed music for forever.

[tube517]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:

Hines Ward = Nirvana

Not the most album sales. No record-breaking concert sellouts. Yet, the first 10 seconds of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” changed music for forever.

Someone needs to photoshop Hines' smiling face on the baby on "Nevermind"

[Orion]

the pure hatred of hines from our division rivals fans made hines that much more special. he lived rent free in their heads.

[Shoes]

There was none like Hines, except maybe in a smile and that would be Antwaan Randle El

[HollywoodSteel]

There was no one quite like Hines and I doubt there ever will be.

But this comes as close as it gets:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j9zNdkbkv0s

[Dwinsgames]

There was one , there will never be another ...

he truly was ONE of a Kind

[fansince'76]

We have one here in the Hines Ward mold

Yep - JuJu. Wish some of this would rub off on Claypool:

[Dwinsgames]

Yep - JuJu. Wish some of this would rub off on Claypool:

it does but only in street fights when he has nothing ot do with it and can cheap shot the guy someone else put on the ground with his $400 tennis shoes

[fansince'76]

it does but only in street fights when he has nothing ot do with it and can cheap shot the guy someone else put on the ground with his $400 tennis shoes

Hell, I'd even settle for Claypool fighting for and taking away contested catches from guys he is 6-8 inches taller than once in a while.

[Dwinsgames]

Hell, I'd even settle for Claypool fighting for and taking away contested catches from guys he is 6-8 inches taller than once in a while.

YES!!

[Steeler-in-west]

Hell, I'd even settle for Claypool fighting for and taking away contested catches from guys he is 6-8 inches taller than once in a while.

still not sure if claypool was supposed to be that receiver that was going to stretch the field or not, Martavis Bryant he is not, I don’t know what kind of receiver claypool is

[steel striker]

I know we all really like JUJU and, especially when he laid out Burrfect! It's like who is Claypool and, he can get better who knows?

[fansince'76]

still not sure if claypool was supposed to be that receiver that was going to stretch the field or not, Martavis Bryant he is not, I don’t know what kind of receiver claypool is

My problem with Claypool is for as big as he is, he plays extremely soft. No physicality at all.

[86WARD]

My problem with Claypool is for as big as he is, he plays extremely soft. No physicality at all.

He never gets separation either...every catch is a contested jump/dive/hop/etc.

[steelcityboyz]

He never gets separation either...every catch is a contested jump/dive/hop/etc.

You're right. I would hope the coaches see that and try and coach him up on that.

[Dwinsgames]

He never gets separation either...every catch is a contested jump/dive/hop/etc.

he never runs harder than he needs to ... get to the mark faster and make the catch while on the move ...

he takes his time getting to the spot and then the QB seemingly has to adjust and throw it high for him to have a shot at it ... by design or just lazy route running ???