Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward is 35 years old, and signs of his increasing age may have shown up last season. His receptions total and yards per game average both took a precipitous drop. But Ward recently said that he's in shape entering his 14th season -- "My health is good. Feel good and I'm ready to start the season" -- and he would like to play past 2011. "I'm gonna play as long as the Pittsburgh Steelers want me to play," Ward said Wednesday on NFL Network. "I don't want to play for any other team. And, you know, If God's willing -- if I stay healthy, I stay in shape -- I'll play a couple more years." "Deion Sanders told me, he said, 'Play 'til the wheels fall off, because once it's gone, it's gone.' You don't want to miss a day wondering, you know, if I still could have played." Ward also said that when he does decide to retire, that's exactly what he'll do; he won't drag it out like some of his peers. "I definitely don't want to be Brett Favre," Ward said.

Fantasy Analysis:

Ward is a team leader and a tremendous fan favorite in Pittsburgh. But on the field, his stats are declining. Mike Wallace is Ben Roethlisberger's favorite option, and Ward might be passed by Emmanuel Sanders in terms of production this season. He'll have his moments, but Ward is a bye-week option in fantasy.