All WR projections   •  Current WR rankings   •   All PIT projections   •  PIT team report   •  PIT Stats

WR Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers

HT: 5-11, WT: 190, Born: 3-8-1976, College: Georgia, Drafted: Round 3

2008 Projections

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Leading the team in targets, and the recipient of Ben Roethlisberger's first touchdown on a five yard grab, Ward appeared to remain the primary target in this new offense, though it was relatively unchallenged most of the afternoon.

Week 2 - Ward was Roethlisberger's favorite target in the game. He led Pittsburgh with five receptions. Ward had a long gain of 21 yards. Ward nearly had a diving touchdown catch in the first half, but the ball touched the ground before he had complete control.

Week 3 - Ward caught one short pass for two yards. He dropped a potential catch on a play where he took a big hit. On the following play, Roethlisberger's pass was off target and Ward took another big shot.

Ward gained seven yards to convert a first down on a direct snap play.

Ward left the game with a knee injury. The Steelers plan to give him Wednesday off, but hope he will be available to play in week four.

Week 5 - Ward remained out due to injury (knee).

Week 7 - Ward came back after the Steelers' bye week and a nagging injury to lead the team in targets, receptions, and yards. He was Roethlisberger's safety valve target, and as such was frequently targeted after a Roethlisberger scramble to avoid the Denver pass rush. Ward sat down in front of the soft zone Denver was running and produced several middle length receptions, including several for first downs. He had a 12 yard reception called back on a penalty. Ward had a few drops in the first half.

Week 8 - Ward was apparently a welcome sight for Ben Roethlisberger. He was targeted seven times in the first half, catching two for touchdowns and taking another to the one yard line. Roethlisberger only threw eight passes in the second half, two of which targeted Ward.

Week 9 - Even though QB Ben Roethlisberger threw five touchdowns in the first half, surprisingly Ward did not have one, but did have four catches for 28 yards. He did not have a catch in the second half.

Week 10 - Whenever Roethlisberger was in trouble, he almost always seemed to be looking for Ward, who led the team in targets and catches for over eleven yards per reception.

Week 11 - He may no longer be the clear cut number one WR in Pittsburgh but he is still a legitimate threat. He averaged 23.5 yards on the two balls he caught and prevented the Jets' secondary from ganging up on Holmes.

Week 12 - Ward was very busy in this game, and the miserable conditions did not seem to phase him. Ward missed his first pass target of the night and then caught everything else thrown his way. He caught two other third down passes that were called back due to penalties (each would have given the Steelers a first down in Miami territory).

Week 13 - Ward was targeted early and often in this contest as QB Ben Roethlisberger looked to him when the Pittsburgh offense had to make a play. Six of his 11 receptions came on third down and five of those grabs went for first downs. Ward caught both of Roethlisberger's scoring throws which were his fifth and six touchdown receptions of the year. He was also the intended receiver on Roethlisberger's first interception of the game.

Week 14 - Ward carried the ball on a fourth and goal situation and was stopped at the one yard line after bumping into his own blocker. Two plays earlier he took a shovel pass from QB Ben Roethlisberger to the one yard line, as well. However, as a receiver Ward was on his game and caught all the balls he could put his hands on.

Week 15 - Ward shared the team lead in targets and receptions. He caught an eleven yard touchdown pass in heavy traffic, but also dropped a pass that would have converted a first down and a big gain.

Week 16 - Ward had a fairly quiet first half considering QB Ben Roethlisberger had over 200 yards passing and three touchdowns in the first half of this game. He caught three passes for 34 yards in the half. He would add three more catches for 25 yards in the second half. The Rams defense did a good of covering Ward most of the game, but he did have a couple of big third down catches for a first downs.

Week 17 - Ward did not play in this matchup.

Week 18 - Ward was all over the field all night. Roethlisberger threw the ball to him 15 of the 46 times he threw the ball, and Ward earned it by catching ten balls for 135 yards. He made a great catch in the back of the end zone on a two point attempt but it was called off due to offensive holding. Ward was in the right place all night, and at one time a pass that went off of Heath Miller's hands came right to Ward who took it for a 33 yard gain.