Under normal circumstances, Hines Ward's retirement would have been the story of the day on Tuesday. After all, as Gregg Rosenthal pointed out , Ward was just as engaging as he was on the field: laughter one minute, giving way to tears and poetic statements about the Steel City the next. Bengals safety Chris Crocker, for one, won't miss Ward. He was an all-around receiver," Crocker told the team's official website.
They used him perfectly to suit his abilities, and he was a big-time player for them. Some people might think of him as a borderline Hall of Fame r, but I think the fact he helped them win two Super Bowl s and all the things he did for that team make him deserving.
Crocker arrived in Cincy in on the heels of Ward's eyebrow-raising blindside block on Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers. Ward broke the rookie's jaw and ended his season. Burning bright on the Bengals ' radar, Ward clashed directly in with Crocker, who claimed the receiver punched him in the face. Let's be clear about something: Nobody's mistaking Ward for a patron saint. He operated with intensity and rewrote the book on physical play from the wide receiver position.
Are AFC North opponents raising their glasses this week? We'll see if Crocker is right about Ward making it to Canton or not. With names like Cris Carter and Andre Reed still waiting for their turn and upcoming players like Marvin Harrison , Terrell Owens and Randy Moss unless he goes against all odds and plays more than one or two more years likely becoming eligible around the same time as Ward, it will be difficult for him.
But, we agree with Crocker--Ward won't be missed but his respectable career can't be ignored. Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from.
By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Stories Schedule Roster Stats. Filed under:. Reddit Pocket Flipboard Email. Getty Images. Later that month, Ward broke the jaw of Bengals rookie linebacker Keith Rivers with a surprise downfield block. The hit, which ended Rivers' season, did not draw a flag. Discussing his reputation with SI last year, Ward said, "It's hard to sit there and tell everybody it's a violent sport but tone it down a little.
When I go across the middle, those guys aren't going to tackle me softly and lay me down to the ground. That's not football. I find it ironic that now you see a receiver delivering blows, and it's an issue.
But I haven't changed. I've been doing it this way for 11 years. The poll was conducted in September and included some well-known names in the top Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis 3.
Former Patriots safety Rodney Harrison, who retired last summer, received three votes. The Broncos ' Brandon Marshall , the only other receiver listed in the poll, received one vote.
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