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Hines Sight Guiding Steelers

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

arichardson@tampatrib.com

Published: January 22, 2009

TAMPA - There is really no comparison between the receivers for Arizona and Pittsburgh.

Arizona's high-flying offense is led by Larry Fitzgerald, whose recent three-touchdown performance in the NFC title game will be remembered as one of the best in league postseason history. The Cardinals also have Anquan Boldin, an equally talented receiver, and Steve Breaston. All three were 1,000-yard receivers during the regular season.

Pittsburgh has Hines Ward.

Steelers receivers Santonio Holmes, Nate Washington and Limas Sweed may not strike fear into Arizona's defense, but all will play a crucial role during this year's Super Bowl.

"When you look at Pittsburgh compared to the Arizona Cardinals, you can't compare them," former NFL player and current ESPN analyst Keyshawn Johnson said. "When it comes to big plays and explosiveness, you can't compare.

"There is one guy in Pittsburgh and his name is Hines Ward. He can make plays that lift the spirits of Pittsburgh's offense."

Ward is undoubtedly Pittsburgh's most accomplished receiver.

In Ward's 11-year career, he has made four Pro Bowl appearances and was named the MVP of Pittsburgh's Super Bowl XL victory against Seattle. In the 2008 regular season, he led the Steelers with 81 receptions for 1,043 yards and seven touchdowns.

In this season's playoffs, Ward has seven receptions for 125 yards. He ranks second in postseason receiving yards for the Steelers with 1,021 yards - trailing only Hall of Famer John Stallworth (1,054) - and has scored eight touchdowns. Ward also has caught a pass in 13 consecutive postseason games.

More notably, Ward is known as one of the NFL's hardest-hitting receivers.

"He has a knack of making plays," Johnson said. "He isn't in the type of offense where Ben Roethlisberger will drop back and throw the ball 50 times. Pittsburgh throws the ball 20 times and he will catch it six."

While Ward has made the most of his opportunities, it's debatable if his teammates have.

During Pittsburgh's 23-14 AFC Championship Game victory Sunday against Baltimore, Ward injured his knee in the first half after three receptions for 55 yards. Holmes stepped up and had two receptions for 70 yards and one touchdown - a 65-yard catch-and-run in the second quarter.

"Pittsburgh only needs 21 points to win, unlike Arizona, so their receivers are effective in doing what they do with its minimal opportunities, as opposed to Arizona's hire-wire act," said Hall of Fame nominee Cris Carter, who is also an ESPN analyst. "I like the matchup with Santonio Holmes, who is a deep threat and the most explosive player in their offense, but he hasn't been mature enough to develop. They still depend on Hines Ward."

Sweed, a rookie, has been unreliable during the playoffs, dropping what potentially could have been a 50-yard touchdown catch against Baltimore, plus another long pass against San Diego the previous week. After the drop against the Ravens, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin spoke to Sweed on the sideline. Sweed responded with a key block and finished with two catches for 20 yards.

"I wish he would just catch the football so that I don't have to respond," Tomlin said after the game. "That is all a part of growing up. He is a young player that wants to deliver for this team; sometimes he comes up short. ...Thankfully, he was able to come back and provide a play or two for us."

There is no comparison between receivers for the Cardinals and Steelers. However, Pittsburgh believes it has the ultimate team, not individuals.

"That's what team football is all about. That's what Steelers football is all about," Holmes said. "It's just been a wonderful ride now. We really have to also heal right now, take our time, and go to Tampa and do what we're supposed to do."

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425.

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