Ward, Steelers agree to extension

By Scott Brown, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
Sunday, April 26, 2009

Hines Ward said last week that he wanted to retire as a Steeler.

It looks like the veteran wide receiver may get his wish.

Ward and the Steelers agreed to a four-year contract Saturday. Terms weren't disclosed, but ESPN.com reported it is worth as much as $22 million. Ward, 33, had been heading into the final year of his contract.

The new deal accommodates the Steelers as much as Ward because it should provide them salary-cap relief for the upcoming season.

The Steelers, who earlier this month signed outside linebacker James Harrison to a six-year, $51.175 million deal, still have a number of starters heading into the final year of their contract.

The team has been busy creating room under the salary cap.

In addition to Ward's deal, the Steelers restructured cornerback Ike Taylor's contract last week.

Ward is entering his 12th NFL season, but the 6-foot, 205-pounder hasn't shown any signs of slowing down.

He caught 81 passes for 1,043 yards and seven touchdowns last season. It was Ward's first 1,000-yard receiving season since 2004 and also the first time since the '04 season that the four-time Pro Bowler played every game.

Ward attributed his good health to coach Mike Tomlin allowing him to rest an extra day during the week instead of practicing.

Not that last season didn't take its toll on Ward.

He played in Super Bowl XLIII on a sprained right knee and had shoulder surgery during the offseason. Ward said last week he is easing into offseason practice but added that he will be completely healthy by the start of training camp.

Ward, a third-round pick in the 1998 draft, has become one of the Steelers' more popular players because of his production and physical style of play.

He, as much as any Steeler, has come to embody the team's blue-collar mentality, and Ward is the organization's career leader in receptions (800), receiving yards (9,780) and receiving touchdowns (72). He made it clear following the Steelers' first offseason practice that he wanted to finish his career where it started.

"I want to go down as one of the best receivers to play for the black and gold," Ward said last Monday. "I don't want to put on another uniform."

It doesn't look like he will have to.