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The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review spent some time with Steelers WR Hines Ward recently, catching up on his offseason preparations and how he expects to do this season. Ward has already begun working out twice a day and getting a food regimen down so he can hit the ground running when he starts training camp in late July. And while he's 34 years old and not even close to a speedy receiver, Ward believes his production will remain strong. "I understand that perception," said Ward about people who think he's eventually going to get old and not produce. "That doesn't mean that I can't play football. People are so quick to bury us and put us in an old folks' home like we can't play. I still caught 95 balls (in 2009). How can you explain that? Next year if I only catch 40 balls then you have a legitimate story to write."
Analysis: Ward has been quite consistent over the last nine years and should remain a key factor in the Steelers offense. His age is an issue to some, but the bigger issue is that he'll be without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for at least the first four games of the season and possibly longer depending on how long his suspension actually lasts (we're expecting four games). Because he'll catch the ball plenty and be a red-zone target for the Steelers, we still like Ward as a low-end No. 2 Fantasy WR, especially in PPR formats. He's worth a pick between Rounds 6 and 8.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review spent some time with Steelers WR Hines Ward recently, catching up on his offseason preparations and how he expects to do this season. Ward has already begun working out twice a day and getting a food regimen down so he can hit the ground running when he starts training camp in late July. And while he's 34 years old and not even close to a speedy receiver, Ward believes his production will remain strong. "I understand that perception," said Ward about people who think he's eventually going to get old and not produce. "That doesn't mean that I can't play football. People are so quick to bury us and put us in an old folks' home like we can't play. I still caught 95 balls (in 2009). How can you explain that? Next year if I only catch 40 balls then you have a legitimate story to write."
Analysis: Ward has been quite consistent over the last nine years and should remain a key factor in the Steelers offense. His age is an issue to some, but the bigger issue is that he'll be without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for at least the first four games of the season and possibly longer depending on how long his suspension actually lasts (we're expecting four games). Because he'll catch the ball plenty and be a red-zone target for the Steelers, we still like Ward as a low-end No. 2 Fantasy WR, especially in PPR formats. He's worth a pick between Rounds 6 and 8.
