Fines for Ward now, flags coming soon

By Neal Coolong  |   Wednesday, October 15, 2008  |  Comments( 3 )

Pittsburgh Steelers
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Players on the Pittsburgh Steelers have been actively supporting charities in recent weeks.

The problem with that is they aren't doing it by choice, and in wide receiver Hines Ward's case, he doesn't even know what he's doing to incur such generosity. Nor does Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who said as much Tuesday, asking for "clarity" behind the fines.

Ward has been fined twice in his past two games, once for $5,000 for "unnecessary roughness" against Baltimore in Week 4. Then he was slapped with a $10,000 fine for the same infraction in a Week 5 win over Jacksonville.

The league confirmed Ward was not fined during the Steelers' bye week, but players on the team were fined a total of $45,000 in their past two games.

Commentary: Neither play from which the league derived the fines against Ward were penalized. It should come as a surprise to no one that Ward, one of the league's more tenacious blockers, draws a fine or two for overzealous hits on opponents each season. But if the league isn't being clear on what exactly he's doing, or even when these infractions are occurring, Ward's soon going to pay out half his salary in unknown but unnecessary roughness fines.

What's worse for the Steelers is that they can count on their Week 7 opponent, Cincinnati, baiting Ward into any and all confrontation, because the league clearly has its eye on him. It's only a matter of time until penalties will precede the white piece of paper with five numerals and a dollar sign that gets posted to his locker.

Wide receiver Nate Washington was flagged for taunting against Jacksonville, and it cost the Steelers 15 yards, along with the $7,500 stupidity bill paid by Washington. Ward can count on costing his team huge yardage if he doesn't stop challenging the league's patience in these matters.

Fan Pulse: Steelers fans on the PittsburghLive message board are discussing Ward's play against the league's decision to dole out fines for "general unnecessary roughness."

Fantasy Football Impact: Ward has been the team's best receiver so far this season, scoring four touchdowns in five games. Look for him to have another big game in Week 7 against Cincinnati, a team against which he's excelled in the past few games.

Injury Watch: The banged-up Steelers will likely be without fullback Carey Davis on Sunday, but they will get running back Willie Parker back after missing the past two games. The Steelers should also get defensive end Brett Keisel back. Punter Mitch Berger will replace kicker Jeff Reed on kickoff duties -- although Reed is supposed to suit up and kick field goals as well as extra points.
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About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one ...
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