We'll miss you Hines

The great Hines Ward has chosen to retire. I think it is the right decision. He didn't want to wear another teams uniform, and we didn't want to see him in one. He stood before the cameras today with tears in his eyes as he spoke of the team and the fans. I can not put into words what Hines has meant to us. He was part of a team that brought the glory back to Pittsburgh. He became as much a part of the Steelers Legacy as Harris, Bradshaw, Bleier, Swann, or Lambert. His name will be synonymous with theirs.

He didn't become a Raven, as I jokingly wrote about in my last blog. He also didn't go to the Dolphins or the Cardinals, as rumored. Hines retired with class and honor, as a Steeler, as he should have. I choked back my tears, as I watched him choke back his. He became very emotional as he spoke of and thanked Steeler Nation. It was hard for him to do, and hard for us to watch. He was truly one of the best. We'll miss seeing him on the field. But he retired a Steeler, and we will always have that.

Why I Want Hines Ward to Become a Raven

I was watching the Super Bowl at a party at my buddy Devo's house. Yes, that's his nickname, Devo. Like most of the guests, I was rooting for the Giants to defeat "Bellicheat" and the Patriots. I wore a Steelers sweatshirt just to remind everyone of who is usually there, not always a popular move. Unfortunately, our Steelers didn't make it this year. They were too banged up, and too poorly coached offensively. The offensive part may have been remedied with the hiring of Todd Haley, but that subject is for another blog post. Today's blog is about Hines Ward.

During the Super Bowl party, my good friend Mingo Joe, a feisty and rabid Steelers fan from Mingo Junction, Ohio, asked me my opinion on the situation with Hines Ward. I replied that I thought it was time for Hines to retire, or that the Steelers would probably cut him. I might as well have smacked Mingo in the face. He immediately objected and retorted. "How can you say that?!" He argued. "Hines is still a great player! He has a couple of good years left in him! He's willing to renegotiate his contract to stay and to retire a Steeler. The Rooney's will keep him. I think you are wrong on this one." We discussed it for a few minutes, then went on to other things. A few weeks later, the inevitable happened, the Steelers cut Hines Ward. The last time I felt this stung from a player leaving was when we lost Hall of Fame Member Rod Woodson.

Mingo's passion is common among Steelers fans when Hines is mentioned. Hines brings up strong emotions in people. I personally love the guy. I was excited the day the Steelers drafted him back in 1998. I had followed his career at Georgia. He played Quarterback, Runningback, and Wide Receiver in his days there. I thought he would be a great asset to the Steelers. Although, I never dreamed he would become the legendary player that he is today.

So I figure you are asking yourself at this point, "Why in the world would Tim want Hines to become a Raven?" The answer is simple. Remember, I write this blog as a displaced Pittsburgh fan. I live in Alexandria, Va., right outside of Washington, DC. Which means that besides the hoards of fair weather Redskin fans, I have to tolerate the Dirty Bird fans. And the Dirty Bird Fans are not fair weather. They are loud and boisterous. They hate the Steelers with a passion, and they especially hate Hines Ward. I have had many a bar argument defending the Pittsburgh Steelers Greatest Wide Receiver of All Time. The fans of Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs tell me that Hines is a dirty player. I find it amusing. Both teams play smash mouth football. They're just bitter because we usually come out on top. This year being one of the few exceptions.

So what would be more fun than to be able to stick it to the Ravens fans that Hines is now one of their own? They will have to root for him. For me, it would be the only good thing to come out of Hines leaving. Deep down, I wanted the Steelers to keep him. I felt he had at least one more year left. But with the depth of the receiving corp, Wallace, Brown, and Sanders, I knew they wouldn't. It hurt, just like when they offered Rod too small of a contract, and he left. Rod Woodson eventually became a Raven, remember? He even won a Super Bowl with them. But Rod isn't considered a Raven by NFL fans, he is considered a Steeler. When I watch him on NFL Network, he even still considers himself a Steeler. It will be the same with Hines. The two time Super Bowl winner and Super Bowl XL MVP will always be a Steeler, no matter what.

So go ahead Hines, join the Ravens. Give me the chance to stick it to the Dirty Bird Fans craw, pun intended. I'll love it. And you will always be a Steeler, no matter where you end your career. I mean, come on, does anyone consider this guy a Seattle Seahawk?

Point made.

It's Steelers / Ravens Day!!!

So the NFL, in the midst of their campaign to clean up football and stop all the big hits, chose to pit the two hardest hitting teams against each in a marquee match up on opening Sunday. The hypocrisy is amazing. This match up always gets big television ratings. And the NFL knows why; big, hard hits. These two teams play tough, smash mouth football. That's what the fans want, that's what sells. Roger Goodell knows that, he just wont admit it.

The Steelers and Ravens hate each other, which always makes for a good game and a great rivalry. They even bad mouth each other in the off season. During an interview in June, Lamar Woodley made comments about Joe Flacco, stirring up locker room talk about this rivalry in middle of baseball season. All he said was that Joe Flacco will never lead the Ravens to the Super Bowl because they would have to go through the Steelers, and the Steelers would never let that happen. I whole heartily agree. But little Joey Flacco got pissed. In his rant, which came after he claimed not to care, he stated "Do they think they are going to the Super Bowl every year? ". The answer is, yeah Joey, they do. That's the difference. The Steelers don't go every year, but the think they will go. That is the proper attitude. That is why they win as many games as they do. The bottom line is , Joe Flacco is just ticked off that he loses to the Steelers.

Today's game will be a good match up, as usual. The Ravens have made changes to their offensive line, which will be tested today against Dick LeBeau's top ranked defense. The Raven's also have a receiving corp loaded with rookies. So a little pressure on Flacco should be the ticket to winning. The Steelers starters haven't played in two weeks, which raises some concern.
as do the defensive secondary and the offensive line. Oh, but did I mention that Ben Roethlisberger was starting for the Steelers? Flacco will lose again today.

WVUTimmy's prediction: Steelers 23 Ravens 17

So enjoy the game Steeler Nation. This is the biggest game on the schedule for both teams, until they meet again in week 9. And it could set the stage for who wins the AFC North. So root hard and strong, and wave those Terrible Towels!!