Hines Ward, and Terrell Suggs: The League Has Their "Favorites"

[SoFlaJets]

Steelers' Hines Ward goes off on NFL hypocrisy on safety, drinking

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward lashed out Wednesday at the NFL for what he calls its hypocritical stance on player safety, arguing the league recently toughened its stance only because it wants to expand to an 18-game season.

Ward said there is considerable confusion among players about which hits are legal and which aren't since the league stepped up its policing of dangerous hits. Steelers linebacker James Harrison has been fined $125,000 for four separate hits since mid-October, two of which weren't penalized.

"They league doesn't care about us anyway," said Ward, a 13-year veteran and the leading receiver in Steelers history. "They don't care about the safety of the game. If the league was so concerned about the safety, why are you adding two more games on? You talk about you don't want players to drink ... and all you see is beer commercials. You don't want us to gamble, but then there are (NFL-endorsed lottery scratch-off games)."

The NFL is currently pushing for an expanded season during ongoing labor negotiations with the players union.

"It almost seems like the more flags we throw, the more fines we dish out, we can say we're protecting the game," safety Ryan Clark said, reflecting his opinion of the league's stance. "Now, we can have 18 games because look how we're protecting (the players)."

Ward also predicted a team will lose a game - possibly in the playoffs - because an official makes an incorrect call out of fear of being disciplined by the league for not adhering to its new policy.

"It's going to change the outcome; somebody's going to lose a game because of it," Ward said. "It's going to be a huge play in a playoff game, somebody's going to hit a quarterback or do something and the referee is going to be too scared to call it. So he's going to call it anyway so he can save his tail. He (the player) may not even get fined or not, but it will come down to the outcome of a ballgame.

Ward's comments reflect the growing anger among the players on one of the NFL's showcase franchises. The Steelers are becoming increasingly upset over the near-weekly fines levied Harrison, a perceived lack of protection for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and hits that are fined and penalized one week, but aren't subject to any penalty a week later.

"We don't know what the league wants," Ward said.

Steelers linebacker James Farrior said the league has quickly become "the wild, wild west. We're on our own right now. There's no type of (predictable) regulation going on."

Farrior also said NFLPA chief DeMaurice Smith hasn't properly supported NFL players on the issue.

Ward and several other Steelers players argued the NFL wouldn't hesitate to fine a player who injured the Colts' Peyton Manning or the Patriots' Tom Brady, yet did nothing when Roethlisberger appeared to be roughed up by Buffalo's Arthur Moats and Marcus Stroud after being sacked Sunday. Replays of the hit appear to show Moats twisting Roethlisberger's right leg while he is on the ground.

Neither player drew a penalty or fine. Roethlisberger, who injured his right knee and foot, wore a walking boot on Wednesday, although he said he expects to play Sunday in Baltimore.

Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs took the unusual stance of agreeing with the rival Steelers during a conference call with Pittsburgh reporters.

"The league has their favorites," Suggs said Wednesday. "One being in Indy (Manning) and one being with that team up north (Brady). Besides those two, everybody is fair game. Like I always said, (the Bengals') Carson Palmer got his knee hurt in 2005, but there was no rule made. Then Tom Brady got hit in the knee and all of a sudden there is rule and possible suspensions, excessive fines. It's just getting ridiculous."

Roethlisberger, asked about Suggs' comments, said, "He seems to know some things about the game of football."

Despite the weekly confusion they're expressing, the Steelers won't change their playing style to adopt to the ever-shifting rules, according to Ward.

"We're going to keep playing the way we always have been playing," Ward said. "If they fine us, they fine us. It's football. I don't care what type of rules you do, you can't protect (against) the physicality of this game. It's always going to be a physical ballgame."

[Klecko73isGod]

While Ward and his Steelers teammates may have a point, it's pretty ironic hearing this from the Steelers considering how they "beat" the Seahawks in the Super Bowl a few years ago and how every time a team like the Jets plays the Steelers they have 12 penalties by halftime while the Steelers usually have none.

It must suck to realize that you too can be guilty of a penalty after not being called for any for a decade, Hines. Wasn't Hines Ward voted the NFL's dirtiest player the year after Rodney Harrison retired?

[Irish Jet]

I agree with all of them. The game is being ruined.

[JiF]

They are all right. Its no secret that the league has its favorites. Manning and Brady can change the rules of the game because of their psychological size over the NFL.

The NFL is reaching levels of hypocrisy that is very dangerous and its one of the major reasons I dont see there being an NFL season in 2011. They speak out both sides of the mouth and we have a dictator running the league, clearly players are pissed.

[Gastineau Lives]

I agree with all of them. The game is being ruined.

I don't see it. The games look about the same to me.

Hypothetically speaking (and this is entirely plausible), but say Hines Ward is playing on a different team and gets Massaquoi'd by Harrison, comes back a few weeks later to play the Steelers again and gets Cribbs'ed. This may sound crazy, but I don't think he's calling Roger Goodell. I think he's calling the cops.

[Garb]

Two of the biggest whiners on the planet. Shut up already.

[T0mShane]

Good for them. They're 100% correct in that there will be huge games won or lost because a defender tapped a QB's helmet or hit the ambiguously-defined "defenseless receiver."

[shawn306]

Anytime you get a Steeler and a Raven actually agreeing about something. That is news.

Could you imagine the uproar Tuesday morning if the Jets lose and the reason is some bs roughing the passer call like Manning got against the Eagles a few weeks back.

The NFL is becoming the NBA where the stars get all the calls and get away with murder.

[JonEJet]

Two of the biggest whiners on the planet. Shut up already.

[RutgersJetFan]

You have got to be KIDDING me. No team has benefitted more from scheduling and bad officiating over the past 10 or so years than the effing Steelers. None.

[Integrity28]

Two of the biggest whiners on the planet. Shut up already.

Really?

[dbatesman]

Two of the biggest whiners on the planet. Shut up already.

[hoping4ASuperBowl]

LOL

Oh that'll never get old.

[THE ILK]

Is what you'd see if the "favorites" did not get all the calls.

[Irish Jet]

I don't see it. The games look about the same to me.

[Gastineau Lives]

Oh yeah, now I see it. Total anarchy. Have there been a couple of calls that were "wrong", yeah. But I'm sure the game will live. If this were the sixties you'd be screaming that clothesline tackles and head slaps were part of the fabric of the great game of football.

You know what ruins the game? When two of your players get knocked out of two or three games because someone decides to be a tough guy when he's the one doing all the hitting and not the hit-ee. The only people really crying about the "new" rules (they're actually not so new) are defensive players, guys on the dirtiest player in the league's team (all apologies to Cortland Finnegan) and on-the-couch tough guys at home who don't have to worry about their wives, kids or dogs coming along and braining them into unconsciousness. It's easy to volunteer other guys for brain injuries, I know, but to DEMAND that it continue, well that's another thing entirely.

[greeniemeanie]

Two of the biggest whiners on the planet. Shut up already.

Really?

Your boy Brady doesn't whine more in your eyes than Hines Ward or Terrel Suggs?

Wow.

So what are you a victim of Garb, Fantasy or Hypocrisy?

because reality is certainly not your strong suit.

[Garb]

I have never seen Brady whine to the media - ever. His entire career, never. That is not fantasy, denial or delusion. That's fact.

[JetsFan220]

Never thought about the Palmer/Brady thing before...It took for Brady to get hurt for there to be a rule change...very interesting

[dbatesman]

You have got to be KIDDING me. No team has benefitted more from scheduling and bad officiating over the past 10 or so years than the effing Steelers. None.

Doesn't mean they're wrong.

[BaumerJet]

While Ward and his Steelers teammates may have a point, it's pretty ironic hearing this from the Steelers considering how they "beat" the Seahawks in the Super Bowl a few years ago and how every time a team like the Jets plays the Steelers they have 12 penalties by halftime while the Steelers usually have none.

It must suck to realize that you too can be guilty of a penalty after not being called for any for a decade, Hines. Wasn't Hines Ward voted the NFL's dirtiest player the year after Rodney Harrison retired?

I agree, a perfect example from our end would be the opener against the Ravens. 6 "Ghost" penalties that appeared to be jumped on due to the new references. However, the week later, when actual penalties could have been thrown on the New England Patriot defenders when the went after Sanchez, the refs disappeared.

In reality, the only thing that has come out of the ref's calls this season due to the changes are that they (Referees) are clearly showing favorites - something that a "NON-BIAS" Ref should not be doing.

And before anyone says anything, it's happening to every team everywhere - Not Just at JETS home or away games!

[serphnx]

It's about the money. It's ALWAYS about the money. It is NEVER about the safety. We all know these rules.

[greeniemeanie]

I have never seen Brady whine to the media - ever. His entire career, never. That is not fantasy, denial or delusion. That's fact.

I'll give you that, but the fact remains that BB looks down upon any of his players really "talking" to the media. There is also the fact that whining to the media is not the only way in which the act of whining is carried out. Tom Brady is repeatedly guilty of whining to the officials. I think in terms of "whining" from the scope that you originally insinuated, it is hard to say that anybody in football whines more than Brady. If you want to narrow it down to the media, that's fine. However, I think you would be hard pressed to find a bigger whiner, in the broad sense of the word, than Mr. Brady.

Nice try at saving face though. I'll definitely give you points for creativity.

Semantics, gotta love 'em.

[RutgersJetFan]

Doesn't mean they're wrong.

Yeah, but come on. This is like if Lebron tried crying about the lack of integrity being shown by Melo towards Denver.

[Garb]

I'll give you that, but the fact remains that BB looks down upon any of his players really "talking" to the media. There is also the fact that whining to the media is not the only way in which the act of whining is carried out. Tom Brady is repeatedly guilty of whining to the officials. I think in terms of "whining" from the scope that you originally insinuated, it is hard to say that anybody in football whines more than Brady. If you want to narrow it down to the media, that's fine. However, I think you would be hard pressed to find a bigger whiner, in the broad sense of the word, than Mr. Brady.

Nice try at saving face though. I'll definitely give you points for creativity.

Semantics, gotta love 'em.

I challenge you to watch as many football games as possible this weekend and keep count of how many players whine to the refs...this includes QB's, Receivers, D-backs, lineman, coaches, etc. EVERYONE whines for a flag and a competitive edge. Brady is a high profile player that you all hate very much - therefore it's epic to all Jest fans.

[Larz]

well, I think we all can agree goodell doesn't destroy the evidence if it's the panthers who get caught cheating

[greeniemeanie]

I challenge you to watch as many football games as possible this weekend and keep count of how many players whine to the refs...this includes QB's, Receivers, D-backs, lineman, coaches, etc. EVERYONE whines for a flag and a competitive edge. Brady is a high profile player that you all hate very much - therefore it's epic to all Jest fans.

I challenge you to stop deflecting. How many times are you going to change the entire premise of your argument?

Really it's quite obvious that logic is eluding you this time. Garb, I respect the heck out of you. I really do, but you're gonna have to do better at communicating what it is that you're trying to prove.

Are you saying that Tom Brady does not whine?

I respect Brady, the football player. He is amazing at a lot of the things that he does. Personally I have nothing against him. He is the QB for the nemesis of my favorite football team, but that's it.

I have to honestly say, that this back and forth has less to do with my dislike for Brady, and appears more tied into your inability to admit that the guy has any flaws. He's a whiner. You know it, I know it, and most NFL fans know it.

The comedy of this whole "tennis match" is that it started out with a comment about Suggs and Ward, and ended with a Pat's fan posturing defensive.

That whole asterisks thing probably raises a few hairs too, doesn't it?

God, I would hate the psychological dilemma of being a Patriots* fan.

Either way, your defense of all things Patriot is probably so ingrained into your being, I'm not going to waste my time trying to "show you the light"

I'll simply agree to disagree, I suppose. I want to reiterate your feelings that I hope there are no injuries. I know this game will be entertaining.

That is, until Brady starts his darn whining again.

[Mattyandthejets]

Ward is a crybaby but he is right, but he should also be pointing fingers at his own team because the steelers are clearly one of the nfl's love interests. The nfl loves to sell tickets, and offense sells tickets so naturally they are in love with the colts and patriots and will make any ridiculous rule and enforce it even more ridiculously to prevent brady from breaking a nail or peyton from bruising his abnormally large head.

[Garb]

I challenge you to stop deflecting. How many times are you going to change the entire premise of your argument?

Really it's quite obvious that logic is eluding you this time. Garb, I respect the heck out of you. I really do, but you're gonna have to do better at communicating what it is that you're trying to prove.

Are you saying that Tom Brady does not whine?

I respect Brady, the football player. He is amazing at a lot of the things that he does. Personally I have nothing against him. He is the QB for the nemesis of my favorite football team, but that's it.

I have to honestly say, that this back and forth has less to do with my dislike for Brady, and appears more tied into your inability to admit that the guy has any flaws. He's a whiner. You know it, I know it, and most NFL fans know it.

The comedy of this whole "tennis match" is that it started out with a comment about Suggs and Ward, and ended with a Pat's fan posturing defensive.

That whole asterisks thing probably raises a few hairs too, doesn't it?

God, I would hate the psychological dilemma of being a Patriots* fan.

Either way, your defense of all things Patriot is probably so ingrained into your being, I'm not going to waste my time trying to "show you the light"

I'll simply agree to disagree, I suppose. I want to reiterate your feelings that I hope there are no injuries. I know this game will be entertaining.

That is, until Brady starts his darn whining again.

Does he whine for calls? Yes. Is he the only one? Nope. Check out the games this weekend and tell me how many receivers calls for flags, db's disputing flags, qb's asking for flags, etc. That is not deflection, it's the truth. I find it amusing that he's singled out for his whining - which he does - and no one else does. That's a reflection of your fan base, if you want to play that game. I'm just simply pointing out that "whining" is pretty common place in the NFL. That when you are a high profile player, with a lot of success, which breeds animosity, it gets magnified.

Anyway, that's my take on it. I do truly try to be as unbiased as possible. That does not mean I am always successful, but I try.

If it's any consolation, I find his metrosexuality really unappealing. Suede jackets and UGGs...ugh.

Enjoy the game.

[JonEJet]

Tom Brady

Til Death do you part

[dbatesman]

I find it amusing that he's singled out for his whining - which he does - and no one else does. That's a reflection of your fan base, if you want to play that game.

Two of the biggest whiners on the planet. Shut up already.

[Jetfan13]

The comedy of this whole "tennis match" is that it started out with a comment about Suggs and Ward, and ended with a Pat's fan posturing defensive.

WHAT ELSE IS NEW FROM PATSIE* FANS?

You have to remember, the pats* r the dirtiest team in the league, they ( and their fans) have to cry and whine to take the attention away from that fact

[Drums]

I have never seen Brady whine to the media - ever. His entire career, never. That is not fantasy, denial or delusion. That's fact.

Yeah, because he gets his a$$ kissed by the league and everyone else..

[Garb]

The comedy of this whole "tennis match" is that it started out with a comment about Suggs and Ward, and ended with a Pat's fan posturing defensive.

WHAT ELSE IS NEW FROM PATSIE* FANS?

You have to remember, the pats* r the dirtiest team in the league, they ( and their fans) have to cry and whine to take the attention away from that fact

Incorrect. It was a Jets fan that interjected the Brady angle. Predictable. The hatred is strong.

BTW - could have sworn your own team's players stated that the Lions are the dirtiest team they have ever faced. Peronally, I think it's the Titans and the Steelers. But whatever. Everyone has an opinion.

I swear this game brings out the emotional fisticuffs in fans. It's the nature of fandom, I guess. I just find it so interesting that players exchange pleasantries and laughs pre and post game. Sometimes I wonder if the fans have a more emotional investment in the games than the players do.

[Klecko73isGod]

Incorrect. It was a Jets fan that interjected the Brady angle. Predictable. The hatred is strong.

BTW - could have sworn your own team's players stated that the Lions are the dirtiest team they have ever faced. Peronally, I think it's the Titans and the Steelers. But whatever. Everyone has an opinion.

I swear this game brings out the emotional fisticuffs in fans. It's the nature of fandom, I guess. I just find it so interesting that players exchange pleasantries and laughs pre and post game. Sometimes I wonder if the fans have a more emotional investment in the games than the players do.

You complete me.