Just About Everybody Hines Ward Doesn't Knock Silly Appreciates How He Plays

Hines Ward has been in the NFL for 11 years, and for most of that time, he's been known as a gritty, hard-working wide receiver and, more than that, a tenacious blocker. So it should be hardly worth noting when he legally plants an unsuspecting defender on his ass since, you know, it happens a half-dozen times a year.

Yet, every season, a small subset of folks decry Ward's tactics as dirty, over the line, so on and so forth. His latest victim (see above), Bengals rookie linebacker Keith Rivers, suggested through a jaw wired shut that Ward would "reap what he sows." Later we learned that the Ravens defense had a bounty on Ward, not to mention the discussion this week that Cincinnati would be plotting their revenge.

Ross Tucker, a former NFL lineman who now writes for SI.com, helps dispel some myths about bounties, revenge and whatnot in his latest column.

As usual, some in the media are pontificating about revenge, dirty hits, bounties, and their place in the NFL. That is typically my cue to set the record straight on an issue that seemingly won't go away, so here goes: Ward is one of the most respected players in the league and his hit on Rivers was entirely legal. And awesome. He's paid to make that block. It is Rivers' own fault for not protecting himself, and I have not spoken with one current or former player who feels differently. ...

I played with way too many prima donna wide receivers who were only concerned about their own personal statistics to not enjoy the toughness and selfless attitude Ward brings to the Steelers. His devastating blocks aren't about him; they are about the team and his role within it. Offensive linemen around the league love him, need I say more?

Tucker also makes the important point that while the Bengals players would certainly love to knock the crap out of Ward, "it is not very easy to do while still being focused on the task at hand and not getting penalized." Which is to say, Cincy could go out of their way to level Ward, but it could cost them the game.

Of course, they'll be without three starting offensive linemen, Carson Palmer and Chad Javon Ocho Cinco; maybe all they have to play for is going after Ward. That's fine, I suppose, just keep an eye out for James Harrison.