Releasing James Harrison

I’m not sure I understand this move.

Please advise.

Thanks,

Tech

 

I understand the business side, he wasn’t getting any playing time, he can’t contribute on ST anymore. On the emotional side I hate it. Don’t do your players like him this way. It’s very sad, but the split was inevitable.

 

But on business side Tomlin and Porter were both saying they were saving him for this point in year and going to be using him situationally

 

I think TJ Watt’s development has had a lot to do with it. He hasn’t hit the rookie wall and has been phenomenal. Also the players in front of Harrison are healthy, not something you can count on in September...I’ve been critical of Chickillo, but he does well on ST and is solid on D. Doesn’t stand out in either a good or bad way which means he does what’s asked of him. Moats is also solid on ST and he plays all 4 LB spots. Obviously better on the outside than inside, but in a pinch he can step in.

It’s been reported that is was an amicable parting, so maybe Harrison asked for an was granted his release...also saw a report saying he could be brought back next week. Not sure I believe that one, Harrison won’t appreciate being a yo-yo so he might decline to sign with the Steelers again, if they are interested.

 

Yeah, that’s all I can figure too. But one injury away from linebacker depth issues now imo

 

Honestly I was pretty shocked. I thought either Feiler or McCullers was going to be cut, or maybe even Sensabaugh...Harrison would not have been in my top 3 choices. When I saw Harrison on the injury report I figured he was headed back to being inactive. Did not expect him to be released until the offseason...

 

Same here

 

I sure hope this is a short-term move and he rejoins the team in time for another Super Bowl ring

 

Too bad. I think they could have used him this time of year. He always got up for the playoffs.

 

You really think he wiuld come back? He has already said if he new this was how he would be used he would have gone to another team and now they cut him on tne verge of the playoffs. I seriously doubt he will be willing to rejoin them. I fully expect thr Pats to make him an offer so that they can pick his brain and use him against the Steelers shoukd they meet in the playoffs. Harrison is the kind of player who would li e nothing mire than get a chance to show the coaching staff they were wrong.

 

This is my biggest issue with the move, frankly.

Harrison was a wasted roster spot. Obviously, the team couldn't have predicted that back in the spring when they signed him. He was the most reliable, and likely best, OLB they had last year. The defense, though, has evolved and Harrison just doesn't fit anymore. The OLBs are being asked to drop into coverage on more than 50% of their snaps at this point (saw a stat that showed Dupree is dropping on more than 70% of his!) and Harrison just can't do that anymore. TJ Watt and Bud Dupree excel in both coverage and as pass rushers so they never leave the field. When they do leave the field, Moats and Chickillo get the reps because they can actually drop as well. From a football standpoint, it makes perfect sense. Even if Watt or Dupree gets hurt, Harrison wouldn't get the reps. So why is he here?

Morale?

That might have been a good reason before he started spouting off about not playing. Once that started, his time with the team was all but over. He became a distraction on a team that had enough distractions.

Unfortunately, I would be shocked if the Pats don't make a move for him. On the field, I don't fear James Harrison. The Steelers offense can expose him. What I fear is his knowledge and what he could give the Pats in that regard.

 

No he cannot drop into coverage but he is probably stil a damn good pass rusher and should have been used as such. If the Pats pick him up that is how he will be used and his skill vs Ben mental abilities does not bode well. The pats will be like yeah its obvious he is going to rush your qb do somethung about it and in true belichick fashion it will be a misdirect o what he is having be rest of the defense do and Ben and the streelers coaching staff will fall righ into it.

 

You could be right. He'll certainly be motivated. I guess I think if he had any value to the team as a pass rusher, situational or otherwise, he'd still be a Steeler. Perhaps the Pats can utilize him more effectively than the Steelers can. Belichick loves retread veteran players.

 

Can't really say that I (or Colt McCoy) am sorry to see him gone from the Steeler's roster . . . But, I think it was a shitty way to part ways with him. He deserved better than that.

 

This I agree with. Primarily due to reading stuff about saving him until the playoffs. He was probably fed the same lines.

Even if he can't drop into coverage, surely they could have found ways to just let him rush the passer. 40 snaps on the season is crazy low

 

I still hope it's short-term, but probably wishful thinking. If he decided to come back, it would be for his teammates and who knows what he's thinking right now. I was hoping he'd be key against a good rushing team (Jags, Ravens) in the playoffs, but what do I know. If he's done as a Steeler, he was one of the greats and will be truly missed!

Merry Christmas

 

Just got this crazy thought today....


What if they want the Pats to pick him up the week before they play in the playoffs... then Deebo feeds them bad intel.

 

There is an ESPN report being widely spread around that James Harrison is in fact signing with the New England Patriots.

 

Releasing him was dumb just for the fact that the Patriots were obviously going to take him. Now if you play them you gotta spend less time game-planning and more time changing signs disguising plays.

 

I guess that in the end the Steelers saw what we didn't and I'll trust their judgment. If the Pats beat the Steelers like they usually do, I doubt Harrison will be the deciding factor.