..And what irritates players the most is when he walks around with that smile on his face, or starts flexing after he cheap shots another player..

Mike, I've read your columns for a long time and I know you didn't write that line. As one of the few locals that has called out the Ravens for their excessive preening, dancing, and crowing after every single tackle, certainly you're not hating on Hines Ward because he is always smiling on the field?

Perhaps there are teams that have the moral authority to whine about Ward's style of play (and tell me the Ravens wouldn't like to see the same from their Bambi-soft WRs), but Suggs and Ravens certainly don't.

It's the NFL. He'll get what's coming to him....and it won't be pretty.

He'll get his soon. And it just may take him out for the year who knows. But that is the chance of all the people he cheap shots. Ward is a joke, have you heard about any of his play this year? NO!

Who cares. Ward is a master of psychological warfare on the football field and has the Ravens' number. Of course that smile is concocted to unnerve and anger the other team, and it works. He was able to incite Jarret Johnson into committing that stupid personal foul that greatly contributed to the loss against the Steelers.

But the excuses never end. The refs hate the Ravens. Ward is a dirty player. It's a rebuilding year . . . no, wait, we have a shot at the playoffs . . . no we don't . . . yeah we do. Flacco is the second coming of Johnny U. . . . no, he's just a rookie . . . wait, he's gonna be really good, Wacko for Flacco . . . start Smith instead. It just gets old after awhile. The people in Baltimore want victories, not excuses and stupid talk about injuring people from T-Fizzle. He can talk when the Ravens show that they can actually beat a few decent teams with a winning record.

Mike, I couldn't agree with you more. Pittsburgh fans call this tough football and compare it to hits by Reed and Lewis. The difference is that Ward's big hits come on guys not associated with the play who have slowed down as the play is finishing. Ward shows no contrition after putting a first year player out for the year. He calls this tough football and will continue to do so, in his words, even if it does incur a fine. I've lost respect for Ward. He revels is smiling after big hits and antagonizing other players and picking the player looking the other way. It is a cheapened manhood and a cowardice approach to playing football.

Suggs rhymes with "thugs" and the Ravens are just a bunch of thugs.

How stupid! They are going to put multiple “bounties” on people and then claim that the Steelers are dirty?

Then Ray Lewis says this to Sports Illustrated's Dan Patrick in his column in the Oct. 20 issue regarding his hit on Mendenhall:

"The force was freaking incredible," Patrick quotes Lewis about the tackle. "After the play, I wasn't screaming, 'He's hurt.' I was screaming, 'He's done.' "

Also, let’s not forget two years ago when the Ravens couldn’t stand the fact that Reggie Bush was getting more attention than them, so Bart Scott intentionally twisted Reggie’s ankle, then had the audacity to go on the Dan Patrick Show and admit it! “The media darling, aka the golden boy of the NFL can do all those shakes he wants, but I wasn’t going anywhere. I put a little hot sauce on that ankle.” Of course he later tried to say he didn’t intentionally hurt Reggie, and that he has too much respect for the game to do that.

If I were a Raven's fan I'd be embarassed. What a bunch of losers!!

Yeah! my money on leonhard! he's going to blow ward out of the season!!! Com on big jim, give your best shot straight to this coWARD!!!!can't wait no more someone give him a huge payback! Go RAVENS Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Ravens have got to stop whining. Hines Ward is an excellent blocker and if the league wants to turn the NFL into a ballet they are well on their way with these ridiculous fines and rules. The players where pads because there going to get hit, not for show.

Sour grapes - as Billick once said, if Ward was a Raven you would love him

Try being a reporter instead of a fan

Hey Steelerhater...Ward is tied for the NFL lead with 5 TD receptions. I believe thats 2 more then the entire Ravens team.

I hope there is a bounty. Somebody needs to put Ward on the shelf before he seriously hurts somebody.

I used to be ignorant, and just thought that it was random circumstances that made Ward seem like a jerk and that he really isn't a bad guy. Now I'm not so sure; the guy seems like he has a penchant for trying to end people's careers.

The problem is that the media loves the "tough guy" image so Ward ALWAYS gets a pass. If refs had the guts to flag him once in awhile, I'll bet he will stop. It goes the same for the Ravens since they have the rep of being the Raiders of the east...so they get a number of unsportsmanlike penalties. Some are deserved, but people have the perception that the Ravens are "bad boys" so you know the penalties are coming!! Thanks for the great post Mike!

Bets,
If you're not a Ravens fan, stay off The Sun's website
MIKE,
The hit on Mendenhall was a clean shot on the ballcarrier, who cares if a squeeler is done for the year! You actually believe the atlanta police department ? Hello!?! McFly !?! Do you remember the Olympic bombings in 96 ? Yeah, they know what they're doing in atlanta. You're a moron.

GPT,
It's not him smiling that's irritating, it's the fact that he's smiling because he KNOWS he just cheapshotted someone. Here's hoping someone ends his career THIS season !

Football players are taught from DAY ONE protect yourself at all times, the play is not dead until the wistle blows!

As for show boating the Ravens lead the league from the second Ray starts the mokey dance, to everytime anyone makes a very routine tackle.

Un-sportman like conduct is a thing of the past, bring it back!

Stop the dancing, the hot dog video game antics, and just play the game.

I'd tell my players
"SHUT THE F_ _ _ UP!
Go play football.

As for bounties any player of mine who even spoke on the subject would be fined the max allowable, any player involved in a "HIT" would be suspended the max allowable time.

Hawk Time

Suggs never should have made it public but I think we'd all stand and cheer if someone laid out Ward on our field. He's a great player, but he's also a classless cheap shot artist. Where's Zeus when you need him?? I can see it now, Zeus walks up to Ward, says "I'm gonna break your leg, and all it's gonna cost me is 15 yards!!" A guy can dream can't he.....

Jim Leonard would be the perfect one to put a hit on Ward - he hits very hard and Ward would never suspect Leonard. He'll be looking for the usual suspects (Reed, Lewis, Suggs, Scott, JJ, Ivy).

Preston - You want to smack the smile off a guy's face because he likes what he's doing? Gimme a break. Ward plays hard, is a first ballot hall of famer, & as much as Billick hated him, he said he'd love having him on his team. He doesn't blind-shot anybody - he plays the game til the whistle & just because he's a WR, you want him not to block. If I were the Ravens, I'd be more concerned on trying to beat the Steelers rather than putting childish bounties on a guy.

I'm going to tone this down.

If a football player takes part of a play off and gets his head knocked off it's his own fault!

From day one high school level you are taught to keep your head in the play, keep your head on a swivel, and your motor running until the wistle blows!

As for the clowning, and show boating, Baltimore leads the league, from Ray's entrance on the fileld, to ever tackle it's a joke.

Bingo Ray and the Traveling All Star's
and Motor King's.

Bounties are illegal in the NFL if the management had any stones they would slap max fines on anyone stupid enough to mention a "HIT" on an opposing player.

Stop the dancing, the crying, and just play football.

"B"

The Ravens just wish that just one of their DBs were as tough as Hines Ward. It's got to be embarrassing for Ravens fans to hear their team members cry because of the way a WR pushes them around on the field.

It should also be of note that Ward is tied for the league in TD receptions, and has 3 more TD catches than Flacco has TD throws. So not only does he light up the opposing players, but the end zone as well.

I feel so bad for the helpless linebackers of this league and those huge, mean wide receivers they need to run to the league office for protection from.

Ward's hit on Rivers this weekend was in the middle of the play. Rivers was the closest defender to the ballcarrier at the time of the hit. It's a tough hit, but how is it possibly a cheap shot? Just because a poor little linebacker doesn't expect to get plowed by a WR doesn't mean the hit isn't legit.

And can anyone point me to the hits Ward was actually fined for? The league still hasn't identified them. Not a very good deterrent if you're not going to let players actually know what they're not allowed to do.

And at least Ward doesn't go around talking about "bounties" on players. Real classy.

Well said. I can't stand him. Hope he gets rocked around a little bit. He'll get what's coming.

I don't blame them for being pissed off at Ward, even though they should tone it down a little. I mean look at the hit Ward layed on Scott last year, yeah it was a big hit but the play was over so I can understand him being mad, they just need to shut up about this talk of bounties and hit him on the field.

Kenneth you say "The difference is that Ward's big hits come on guys not associated with the play who have slowed down as the play is finishing."

Not associated with the play? Rivers was in pursuit of the tight end, Matt Spaeth, who was carrying the football. Ward made a block to spring. That is how you play football.

As for slowing down as the play is finishing? Your suppossed to play until you hear a whistle, if you drop your guard you are prone to injury. From pee-wee to pro's, you always play to the whistle. Always.

What does it matter that (Rivers) is a first year player? Are we suppossed to take it easy on rookies now?

The guy's jaw breaking was not intentional, it just happened. Injuries from time to time do happen, its an unfortunate part of football.

Ward also smiles when he gets hit, how many times has Ward really been popped? Quite a bit...

Maybe the league would better off and safer for your eyes, if the league was made of quarterbacks and a bunch of Deion Sanders type of guys. Then we can just play two-hand touch.

Mika from France: Who the heck is leonhard?

hines ward wont have any teeth left when he finally gets it.

and i hope they make a you tube reel of that

Haha, it sounds like a bunch of spiteful ravens fans here. Suck it up, you guys suck, steelers will always have your number...........

I find it hard to believe that Ward continues to land these cheap shot and then just smiles and walks away on the field without a penalty flag! The fact he is getting fined by the league compounds this fact. Ward cannot be that stupid to want to play every game knowning that someone somewhere is going to give him exactly the same kind of cheap shot he has been dishin out just to teach him a lesson.

In case you Steelers fans didn't realize it, there's a difference between a cheap shot (ie Hines Ward looking to blindside someone not in the play) and a football hit (a hard tackle on the guy who has the ball..ie Ray on Mendenhall). Ray's comment was probably over the top, but his hit was not a cheap shot. Any another thing, I've never understood the logical fallacy of trying to discredit the message by attacking the messenger. It doesn't make it less true that Hines Ward is a cheap-shot punk just because you think the Ravens have "thugs" on the team (and to clarify more, the messenger in this case is Mike Preston who is a columnist, not a player for the Ravens). If Ward a cheap-shot punk, then he's a cheap-shot punk (which he is).

I used to respect Ward before he started hunting for players that aren't in the play and are looking the other way. He used to just be a tough receiver who always held on to the ball. Now, he walks around all proud for jacking guys that aren't even involved in the play. That's like taking out a punter who is jogging back to the sideline. But I should expect nothing less from fans who hold joey porter in such high regard. Maybe Ray should show a little more contrition, but it was a perfectly clean hit; he just plugged the gap.

I have been a very vocal critic of the Ravens in the past for their stupid penalties. But I must say that in the last couple of games I have not seen any penalties that have raised my blood pressure. Harbaugh's message may be getting through.

A little proof reading and spell checking would make alot of the above posts more readable.

Fellow Ravens fans, is this what it has come to? Why not concern ourselves with actually making the playoffs? Man, what a bunch of retards. Ward is a coward....take him out for the season...payback....complete loss of focus you idiots.

Word is, Antonio Pierce is gunnin' for him. I hear Antonio is the type to cover all the fines to anyone on his defense too.

During the “2 Live Stews” syndicated radio show on Oct. 17, when he was asked, “Did you all put a bounty out on that young man [Mendenhall],” Suggs replied, “Definitely. The bounty was out on him and the bounty was out on [Ward] — we just didn’t get him between the whistles.”
*********************************************
Suggs is in deep trouble and every time he talks he digs the hole a little deeper. The wheels are coming off in Ravenland!! Ward is so deep into the Ravens' heads that it isn't even funny.

Read this for a real perspective on Hines Ward.
http://www.jaguars.com/News/Article.aspx?id=7357

"He's done" doesn't make Ray dirty, it makes him mean. Bounties doesn't make dirty, it makes them common. Smiling after breaking someones jaw. Makes you hated! HATED! Smiling about sending someone to IR is Cowardly. On any team. Was Ray smiling when Mendenhall left the field. Same question about Ward on Rivers. Every team has thugs...not every team has cowards.

I see absolutely nothing wrong with the hits hines puts on people if they were dirty then he would be diving at knees ripping face masks does he that no he doesn't he lays people out with a good shoulder to the chest thats called a block!!!!! just because your players got jacked by a little receiver doesnt mean you can start whining and call him dirty
look ray lewis is an amazing player and i love the way he plays is he dirty no does he lay people out yes just give the respect ward deserves he aint rodney harrison! baltimore the official whiners of the nfl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i do like ray lewis though!!! oh yeah next time you start thinking your good think about the rings 5!!!!!!!!!!! thats rite 5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! your greatest player came for pittsburgh losers
go steelers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The difference between Ward's cheapshots and the hit by Lewis (or any other defensive player) is that Ward is protected by the rules. A DB or LB can't draw a bead on a WR, take a 15-yard running start, and level the guy from the blind side. Heck, they can't even PUSH a WR downfield until the ball gets there.

If they DO get a shot in on the WR, it's a results of perfect positioning and timing. There's no skill envolved in what Ward does.

When Mendenhall took that handoff, he knew a collision was coming. That was two men squaring off, head-to-head. There's a HUGE difference between that and a WR laying a blind-side hit on someone that can't (legally) hit back.

Wow, it's really amusing reading all these comments. Did everyone forget this is football? This is the most violent game there is, the only game that can be compared to war. The best players take a warlike mentality on the field with them. If you don't you get hurt. If you do, then you hurt people. I've played football all the way through college as a linebacker and I have not been on one team that didn't have defensive players looking to hurt people. This is not soccer or baseball, this is a mean sport with the fiercest competitors. If you don't like it, don't watch or go to the opera and shed a tear. Football is about hitting people, dominating your opponent, and taking their will to compete. If you do that, you win. And you win by any means necessary.

I don't think anyone in the NFL has a problem with a big time block. The problem is the blind side hit on a player who is not involved in the play. For example, the ball is run to the off side of Ward & he crushes a guy on his side of the field that's not even near the play. Then he has the audacity to laugh about it. These hits are right about the time the whistle blows. I think that Someone, maybe Golic, mentioned that it's kind of an urwitten rule that you don't blow someone up at the whistle that's not involved in the play. If they're involved, drop the hammer on them. I tend to agree with Ken, he's got one coming.

This tagline posted on the Steelers site, so thought I would respond. Everyone is up in arms about Hines Ward's play....like it's something new and intentional all of a sudden. Thing is, Ward's play has been very consistent throughout his career. He is a COMPLETE RECEIVER who can catch the clutch 3rd down pass, deliver a game winning grab on an 8 yd fade in the end zone, run the reverse and option for the pass downfield and yes, deliver a textbook block to allow a fellow receiver extra yardage. If Hines were a Raven, the Baltimorean faithfull would be singing his praises as "one of the greats."

To hear all the whining about "cheap shots" just makes the Ravens players look juvenile and making excuses for losing. MAN UP and just PLAY THE GAME guys.

Is it just me, or are Ravens fans a rather inarticulate bunch? You can usually look at the number of exclamation points or "IM" grammar and spot one.

Anyway, back to the discussion at hand. If I were Harbaugh I'd tell Bart Scott, Suggs, and anyone else crying about Hines Ward to zip it. It's embarrassing to see players from the supposed big, bad Ravens defense whining about a WR jacking them up.

Play the game. No one has any compassion for a group that is known for all of their whooping and hollering after every tackle.

Biff,

I agree you don't stop till the whistle blows but there is a level of hard hit and a level of a hit to hurt. If your intent is to hurt then you don't belong in the game. Any player that works to put another player out of a game should not be playing the game, Ravens or Steelers. I want strong solid football not cheap shots. If you remember years ago, Warren Sapp knocked an offensive lineman out for a period of time with a "legal hit" that occurred far from the play. Sapp got very close to an altercation with the head coach. No whistle had blown but this guy was not in the play. Nobody is faulting Ward for being aggressive and being a hard hitter but there is an attitude and level that crosses the line and I think that Hines Ward is approaching that line if he has not already crossed it.

Stop being haters people. Everybody knows that if Hines Ward was a Raven, you'd love him and defend his blocking skills to you're purple in the face. Every year you guys hate on Ward for being the best and it nets you the same conclusion.......He is the best. Put a bounty on him all you want, but I think the Raven D knows to look around when someone else on the Steeler offense has the ball.

Hines Ward a first ballot hall of famer? Are you kidding me? He'll be a blip on the NFL radar years from now and most likely will only be known for his quality blocking. For a wide receiver that is a pretty unspectacular reputation post-retirement. When he goes, it will be good riddance.

You steelers fans are hilarious!!! Why don't you go read your "own city's paper". Bandwagon fans who care more about insulting their opponents fans then their *own* team need to get a life. What's next the Orioles suck? Get a life already and stop throwing stones when finally the whole league knows how dirty your bush league players are.

If Flacco or Ben are blindsided by one of the LBs coming around the end, is that ever considered a cheap shot? Remember the hit Ben took in Baltimore a few years ago that took him out of the game? Was every Steeler fan complaining about how he was blindsided, NO. We understand hard-hitting football.

If you want to talk about blindside hits, maybe you should think about that every time a QB is wrecked by a LB.

Ward is my hero...too bad it wasn't a Raven he put out for the year!

The Rivers hit was a clean one that Ward was not fined for. That does not mean that he isn't a dirty player. If he wants to make cut blocks and takes cheap shots away from the action he should be fined and should stop crying about it. What a loser.

You guys crack me up. Hines Ward OWNs the Ravens, physically and mentally. Your team is sputtering and all you guys can talk about is a hit from a year ago.

Hines Ward has gotten in your heads. Its hilarious.

You Steelers fans are hilarious:

Like I said before, this tagline was posted on the Steelers site. We don't mind doing a bit of reading, even if its not the Trib or P-G. You calling Ward a "dirty bush league player" is a bit like "the pot calling the kettle black" or in this case, thugs like Suggs & Co.......

If Ward were a Raven what do you think would happen everytime he laid someone out? Ray Ray and the boy's would turn the bench area into there own personal dance club. Enough of the jelousy already!!!

Hines Ward is a great player in a great game. Why don't the Ravens like him? Because he plays their game of football. He is no different than Suggs, Scott, Lewis or Pryce and plays the game the same way , tough, hard and motivated. It just happens to be he is a WR and not a defensive player.This whole story would never exist if Suggs did not boast over the so called bounties. Ray's name never came up until the story started getting National attention. Now we will have a reason to whine about penalties called on us because NOW we are under the microscope. We need to move on. You only hate what you cannot achieve.

The Ravens defense does more dancing and yapping then any team in the entire league. Ward would be a GOD in this town if he suited up for the Ravens. I find it funny that people are saying, "He'll get his..." Hines Ward is a WIDE RECEIVER who makes his living across the middle. Its not like Ward is a speedster who goes deep on every play. Ward literally has made a career from 5 - 15 yards from the line of scrimmage. Every team in the league is trying to knock Ward out on every reception. Stop talking and do something about it!

The Ravens need to get over. Hines IS in their heads. Last year Scott threaten to kill him and a bounty was placed on him. This year,what 3 games after the fact the bounty is still out. Talk is cheap.Just a little side note there are many.many, many Steeler fans that LIVE here "hon" so guess what this is my "paper." it's delivered to my house and has been for over 25 years. Let's not forget "Baltimore Is Steeler Country "

if he's not blocking behind the play, for u ravens fans that means there is no chance of the blockee making the tackle, or being flagged by officials. Then u must enjoy a wr's willingness to hit a defender. I know defense as tough as the Ravens used to be, would welcome this kind of player to there team or at least appreciate how he plays against them.
I love Ray Lewis but dislike the ravens. I don't like Brady but hated that he was hurt.
I know the ravens r sposed to b professionals. And am sure they will act like it. Let's hope there fan base aren't thugs, yes that rhymes with Suggs!

Ever notice how every team has fans that hate a player on another team, it's called jealousy. I personally can't stand ray lewis. But, when you see him off the field in interviews and such and see what he does off the field for people, as well as players on other teams (ray lewis is on speed dial for more players on other teams to ask advice than anyone in the league I heard). he is a stand up guy. But once he is on the field he grates my nerves. Not because he is a great player, but because of the way he handles himself when he makes even a middling good play. I would look like a jackass if I did a victory dance every time I finished digging a grave. It's my job. I do it and I get paid.

I think the same mentality exists for other teams against ward. Do any of you haters know anything about ward off the field? The background he came from? How much he went through to get where he is? The stuff he does off the field for charities and such? You only see what's on the field and hate for it. But I guarantee you right now if ward came up for free agency (fat chance) there would be 31 head coaches banging at his door.

Regardless of what you may think I believe very few football players go out to intentionally end another players season. Anytime a player goes down seriously, both teams players are standing on the sideline thinking "but for the grace of god it's not me" because it could have been. And no one wants that.

Incidentally, ward owns every meaningful receiving record for a team that has 5 rings and included names such as Stallworth and Swann. When you do that you will be remembered in the hall of fame.

1. Hines Ward is not a first ballot Hall of Famer (He hasn't even been to the Pro Bowl in like 3 or 4 seasons)

2. ITS THE RAVENS AND STEELERS, there is constant bad blood between these teams its not going to be a pansy game when they play.

3. I guarantee you that every team in the league has players that put out bounties (Steelers included), the only difference is that the Ravens ALLEGEDLY got caught.

4. Steelers fans please honest and admit that Hines Ward is a dirty player, thats watch you like about him and any other team would.

5. Its funny how all the steelers fans are talking about Ravens fans whining, yet they keep Whining about the VERY LEGAL hit on Mendenhall.

6. Ravens fans have NO REASON WHATSOEVER to be jealous of another teams toughness, we epitomize it.

7. tfmfootballfan: How does Hines Ward "own" the Ravens, In His 11 years in the Pros and over 20 times Playing the Ravens Hes only had 1 count'em 1 hundred yard game, and the Steelers lost that game 13-30

8. IRONMAN: last time i checked this is a football forum and not english class, and if you make a assumption like that based on a few post, then maybe you need to go back to school.

9. Steeler fans, STAY ON YOUR OWN BOARD. Your opinions lack validity because they are bias.

10. Notice that Wards' hard hits are almost never when the guy is looking (it cant be denied), That is really not toughness thats just catching a guy off guard, something WR's have the best shot at being in the open field all the time.

himes ward has his day comming soon.he thinks he is cocky and smart. i do not like him. some teams linebackers

I just want to make one comment about Ward being a first ballot hall of famer. I have seen both Peter King as well as Paul Zimmerman from Sports Illustrated comment that they believe Hines Ward will be voted into the HOF. Now this doesn't mean he definitely will, or definitely won't, but I know that they are both voters, and are unbiased opinions, as well as more educated opinions than anybody else commenting on here.

The bottom line is that noone is used to wide receivers putting hits on people. If they are not getting the pass, they just trot down the field and away from the play because they don't want to get hurt. It's about time that someone like Hines Ward steps up and make some awesome blocks !! I think what people hate the most is that he is dropping people twice his size and he is doing it with a smile on his face. That my friend is STEELER FOOTBALL !!!!

"Its funny how all the steelers fans are talking about Ravens fans whining, yet they keep Whining about the VERY LEGAL hit on Mendenhall."

As a steeler fan, this hit was a non issue until I found out that the tackler in question admitted to specifically targeting mendenhall to take him out, and upon completion of his mission gloated about it by stating "he's done". Talk about cheap shots. Legal or not targeting a player like that shows just how that player is on the field ie. cheap.

Ward plays the game hard, however, some of his hits are completely unnecessary. I agree, someone from the league is going to get him, and get him good.

I would love to see our version of "Rudy" Jim Leonard lay him out, and then smile:)

p.s. ray lewis's hit was very clean. He plays the game hard and comes to work.

Last time I checked, Hines Ward also smiles when he gets hit/tackled hard. Guess people don't watch the entire game. HE LOVES THE GAME as much as any Raven does.

He plays no different then anyone else in football. If the Ravens were winning people wouldn't even be talking about this. If the Ravens could sign Ward they would.

Just this past weekend the TV announcers were talking about a play (QB running) and how Lewis and others are looking to get a good hit before he slids.

Give it a break, nothing gained.

Lets face it ..the Ravens whipped the steelers and titans.....the scoreboard shows otherwise because of some bad ref calls ....that even the steeler and titan fans wont disagree...that puts the Ravens at 5-1 and the nfl is talking about us now......

I liked Ditka's comments " Take the face guards off and see how many "pretty faces" will get in there and lead with their helmets... It's one thing to blind side a defender to take him out of the play, its another to cheap shot a defender out of bounds ( on Jared Johnson) or lead with the helmet in the chest THEN turn your shoulder and head UP under his chin strap (on Keith Rivers) If Godell doesn't fine him AT LEAST $50,000, he'll keep doing it and someone else's season will end due to injury, possibly Ward's....

I think its a shame that the ravens think that the steelers play dirty when they have half their team in jail for this and that. At least the steelers have all their players and don't show off every ten seconds. Hines smiles because he made a good play and ya he may smile at someone that hit him but its because he wants them to know they aren't gonig to stop him. Hines will continue to run all over the ravens for seasons to come. The fact that this bounty or whatever has even been uttered or rumored doesn't suprise me given the ravens not so polished reputation

Ok Mike, I'm not sure exactly how you got your information that Suggs has no bounty on Hines Ward. Watching ESPN today I saw the interview with Ward and they played the audio of the Suggs interview. To refresh your memory, here's the quote from the ESPN website:

'During the "2 Live Stews" syndicated radio show on Oct. 17, when he was asked, "Did you all put a bounty out on that young man [Mendenhall]," Suggs replied, "Definitely. The bounty was out on him and the bounty was out on [Ward] -- we just didn't get him between the whistles."

Also during the interview, Suggs called Ward "a dirty player" and "a cheap-shot artist. ... We got something in store for him."'

So yeah, there is a bounty on him, Suggs said it in his own words. Probably no League problems as long as they haven't exchanged money for this bounty.

And for the record, the Bengals hit has been ruled a clean hit.

I just think it's funny that all the complaints are coming from the Ravens. Did you hear the Steelers whining when Mendenhall was taken out for the season during the Raven's game? No, because it's football and Steelers hit hard and expect to be hit hard in return. Sometimes injuries happen and as long as it's a clean hit - which Ward's was during the Bengals game - it's fine.

As Ward has said, he's smaller than a lot of the guys he takes down and if he doesn't hit hard, he could get hurt.

It's no secret that the top two defenses in the NFL are the the Ravens & the Steelers and both are feared throughout the league due to their physical toughness. Heck, it's possible the Ravens could beat the Steelers when they meat again this season.

And as for Ward "smiling" - his nickname is "Smiley" - something he'll do often - even when he misses a catch or fumbles a ball, not a "celebration" because he delivers a hard and clean hit.

Ravens fans are just whining now because the Steelers won the first matchup.

And oh yeah, don't forget that the league has their eye on the Ravens' defense now too thanks to Suggs and his comments today.

"As a steeler fan, this hit was a non issue until I found out that the tackler in question admitted to specifically targeting mendenhall to take him out, and upon completion of his mission gloated about it by stating "he's done"

Let me take you into the mind of a defensive player during a Play:

Ball is Snapped: Ok gotta make sure I do my assignment and keep an eye on the ball

During the Play (LB): Ok i have the tight end covered but he is staying back in pass protection so i will just drop back in pass coverage

Qb see broken play takes off or dumps it off to rb in flat: OHHH YEAHH, Im coming to knock this guy flat out, no mercy, balls hard, eat wood crap dust.

Tackles Him Hard: Booyah! I heard him cringe on that

Bottom Line if youve every played football and not just watched it, especially on defense, you could care less about the other guy unless he stays down (which mendenhall did not). You want to take em out, not because of some bounty but because your a Defender.

The thing abot Hines Ward is this; is what he does technically legal? Yes. However, is it also dirty? Yes. Let's Mr. Ward man up and try to hit Bart Scott face to face and see who wins that battle. It's easy to knock a defensive player into the middle of next week when he is 20yds from the play and doesn't see you.

Granted, it is perfectly legal but I don't think it makes Ward tough. I actaully think it makes him a coward.

Ken,

I remember the hit Warran Sapp had on the Packers O-lineman. I didn't necessarily agree with Warren's hit, it was within the rules. But I didn't like it...but the O-lineman let up when the ball (or ball carrier) was beyond him (if memory serves it was on an INT). If I were on the field (being Warren) I would have tapped the guy a bit, because together they were out of the play.

Hines Ward hit was different (the one on Rivers), the ball was on that side, carried by TE Matt Spaeth, Ward's block sprung him for the yardage gain. Otherwise, Rivers makes the tackle for a minimal gain. Now if Rivers was on the other side of the field and was lolligagging it around and the play was well beyond him and he was leveled by someone, I would say its within the rules, but if I were on the field I wouldn't be egregious with a massive hit.

I sincerely doubt it was Ward's intention to break the guy's jaw...in fact it was kind of wierd that his jaw broke, you don't see that too often...chest contusion, concussion, knee whatever...

jamie,

I think he broke his jaw bc he hit him in the face.

Kenneth Rictor, do you really know what you're saying. Anyone or anybody can light up Hines Ward smilley face off if they want too regargless of fines. Regardless, Hines Ward already made names in NFL, he doesn't need to be cocky and physically hurt somebody. How would you like me to lite you up without telling you i am about to sucker punch you! Then after, let me know if it hurts.

Just remember Antwan Barnes hit on Sav Rocca before you guys complain too much about cheap shots....

Hi-ney is great receiver but does need a stiff arm too the face a couple of times a game to remind him he's not well liked by alot of players. It is not a bad thing to use mental tactics to impact the outcome of the game but it is bad too fall for it ! Hi-nee has figured out how to get away with not being called for fouls by the officials, so the other teams must devise a way to scheme some psychological warfare tactics when the play him. He would probably stop the BS if he felt he had a target on his back. WR can be lonely place when find yourself 30 yards away from friendly face. When he is driven into the ground with extreme prejudice he might get the message.

Daniel...Antwan Barnes hit on that kicker came in the first preseason game in Barnes rookie season.

I will admit that it wasnt right...but I'll also say that Barnes was young and trying to make a name for himself.

Hines Ward has been around long enough to know that what he does is dirty.