Is Hines Ward a Hall of Famer?

[ring91013144043]

Saw some people debating this in the Super Bowl gamethread. It seemed like most of the people who said no were only trying to reduce his impact on the upcoming Super Bowl, which seems irrelevant when looking at his entire career.

So I'm curious about your thoughts, and how long it'll take for someone to say "hez drty nd doznt dezrve 2 b in da HOF b/c hes drty"

[SACNYY]

He's a Hall of Famer for sure to me. I don't see why not.

[BlackMagicNZ]

He's not a first ballot hall of famer, that's for sure. It'll take him a few years, but he might get there. If it was 1970 he'd be there in a second, Hines is old school, we seem to have different expectations for a wide receiver now.

[LegendX]

Yes. Most definitely a Hall of Famer. Statistically better than Stallworth and Swann, just not as clutch as Swann. One of my favourite players of All Time.

[ULT WARRIOR408]

He'd be first ballot imo for sure.

[bosox3431]

Yes. Most definitely a Hall of Famer. Statistically better than Stallworth and Swann, just not as clutch as Swann. One of my favourite players of All Time.

Of course he's better statistically, the NFL is pass happy now. He averages almost 4.5 receptions a game to stallworth who averaged 2.25. In the late 70s teams had about 25-28 att per game. In 2010 it was near 34. How about stallworths yd/rec which is better then Hines.

Only 2 of his comparables are in the hall of fame, and they both played in the 60s and 70s. I'm sure he'll get in, dosent mean he should be.

[LegendX]

Of course he's better statistically, the NFL is pass happy now. He averages almost 4.5 receptions a game to stallworth who averaged 2.25. In the late 70s teams had about 25-28 att per game. In 2010 it was near 34. How about stallworths yd/rec which is better then Hines.

Only 2 of his comparables are in the hall of fame, and they both played in the 60s and 70s. I'm sure he'll get in, dosent mean he should be.

True, but considering its the Steelers its hard for a WR to be incredibly successful. You also have to take into account the fact that Hines Ward for most of his career never really had a legitimate threat opposite him, then consider he's not exactly a deep threat type of guy, then there's his ability to block and give back to the Defense what they give him. he's a great player and most certainly deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

[DBR96A]

True, but considering its the Steelers its hard for a WR to be incredibly successful. You also have to take into account the fact that Hines Ward for most of his career never really had a legitimate threat opposite him, then consider he's not exactly a deep threat type of guy, then there's his ability to block and give back to the Defense what they give him. he's a great player and most certainly deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

Not only that, but he had Kordell Stewart throwing him the ball for the first five years of his career. That'll stunt any WR's numbers. His versatility has to be a feather in his hat, though, as does being a Super Bowl MVP. He also has the numbers to go with the accolades. Here are some nifty charts to illustrate this...

Receptions

Current all-time ranking: 8th
To enter the top five: 124

Receiving yards

Current all-time ranking: 21st
To enter the top 20: 132
To enter the top 15: 761
To enter the top 10: 1,680

TD receptions

Current all-time ranking: 19th
To enter the top 15: 1
To enter the top 10: 5

By the time his career is done, he could be in the top five in receptions, and the top 10 in receiving yards and TD receptions. Not bad for a guy who dealt with mediocre QBs for the first half of his career.

Anyway, I don't think he'll get in on the first ballot, but I do think he'll get in within 10 years of eligibility.

[steelcityroller]

Not only that, but he had Kordell Stewart throwing him the ball for the first five years of his career. That'll stunt any WR's numbers. His versatility has to be a feather in his hat, though, as does being a Super Bowl MVP. He also has the numbers to go with the accolades. Here are some nifty charts to illustrate this...

Receptions

Current all-time ranking: 8th
To enter the top five: 124

Receiving yards

Current all-time ranking: 21st
To enter the top 20: 132
To enter the top 15: 761
To enter the top 10: 1,680

TD receptions

Current all-time ranking: 19th
To enter the top 15: 1
To enter the top 10: 5

By the time his career is done, he could be in the top five in receptions, and the top 10 in receiving yards and TD receptions. Not bad for a guy who dealt with mediocre QBs for the first half of his career.

Anyway, I don't think he'll get in on the first ballot, but I do think he'll get in within 10 years of eligibility.

But he wont' be by the time he is eligible for the HOF. By then he will have been surpassed by guys on those lists. Just look at Ark Monk he was #1 in receptions and yards when he retired and is now 10th and 14th....

[Metsfan98]

Yes. To me he is a Hall of Famer.

[J-E-T-S]

John Stallworth once made the Pro Bowl making 8 catches for a 100yds

Hines Ward will take some time to get into the HoF, he is in the hall of the "very good" but he will eventually get in after Brown, Carter, etc.

[Bravo95]

Yes.