Maybe he’ll get ripped for saying what he did, but I think it’s sort of refreshing to see an athlete give an honest answer instead of a canned cliche.

After the Steelers’ fifth consecutive loss on Thursday night, WR Hines Ward all but given up on the potential of a playoff spot.

“The playoffs,” Ward said, “is pretty much over with.”

The Steelers fell to 6-7 after a 13-6 loss to the Browns, who were 1-11 entering the game and had lost 12 straight to the Steelers.

Ward said the remaining three games will reveal the true characters of the defending Super Bowl champions.

“Right now we’re playing for pride,” he said, “pride for wearing this uniform. There’s going to be a lot of gut check for a lot of guys on this team.”

Ward probably shouldn’t have even played last night due to his gimpy hamstring, buy he walked the walk and got out there anyway.� I have no doubt he’ll play hard the rest of the year, but he’s absolutely right in that the Steelers ain’t gonna make the playoffs.

And really, it’s not so much the 6-7 record that’s the big indicator here.� You just can’t lose to the Cleveland Browns.� What the hell is up with the Steelers winning Super Bowls and then shitting the bed the following season?� “Steeling a season” is a term that could apply to anytime a team does that, especially since it doesn’t happen too often.� Or “Steeling” could apply, really, to any situation where triumph is followed by unexpected failure.� “Our first date went great – she went down on me – but I couldn’t even get hand action the next time we went out.� I totally Steeled that second date.”� Or something.

Fortunately I had Ward on my bench last night for my fantasy playoffs.� Four catches for 21 yards?� Against the Browns?� Pretty sure I’d be quite hostile this morning had I started him.� Eh, my team sucks anyway.

[USA Today]