James Harrison officially signs with Pats

[TheBostonStraggler]

Agreed that is what puzzles me. The Steelers and Tomlin knew of that this result was realistic and they did it anyhow.

But now the word is the Steelers wanted him back. So does that mean it ends up he has some gas left in the tank?

We know there have been instances of players cut that 'sucked' yet played well with a new team. So will this be JH or is this, unfortunately, David Harris part deux (Harris is a good teammate but he sure looks too slow to be effective anymore)??

Here's what we do know: the Patriots are in a starkly weak LB situation (LB is FAR below any other area). The options for street FA LBs isn't something BB/MP thought/think could change that weak situation. We've signed a LB that was once highly productive, who has basically sat the bench this year, and had (??)45 tackles and 6 sacks last year. What we don't know is how this translates to productivity on the remainder of the 2017 season/post season. It's all a guess(TBD) until if/when he takes the field for the Patriots.

 

[Tony2046]

You say attributed like it's a matter of opinion. It's a fact. They are both scumbag thugs. Yes, most people would consider one worse than the other. Harrison still has time. Anybody think OJ was capable of doing what he did? It's not a huge leap from that level of domestic violence to being capable of murder. The point was not to compare them. The point was to illustrate that Bill will sign anyone. He has proven over and over that character is meaningless to him. It's disgusting.

You're one of those Tofu meat substitute guys aren't you.

"Nerr nerrr Tofu steaks are the same as a T-bone"

It's not. So knock it off.

 

[supafly]

But now the word is the Steelers wanted him back. So does that mean it ends up he has some gas left in the tank?

We know there have been instances of players cut that 'sucked' yet played well with a new team. So will this be JH or is this, unfortunately, David Harris part deux (Harris is a good teammate but he sure looks too slow to be effective anymore)??

Here's what we do know: the Patriots are in a starkly weak LB situation (LB is FAR below any other area). The options for street FA LBs isn't something BB/MP thought/think could change that weak situation. We've signed a LB that was once highly productive, who has basically sat the bench this year, and had (??)45 tackles and 6 sacks last year. What we don't know is how this translates to productivity on the remainder of the 2017 season/post season. It's all a guess(TBD) until if/when he takes the field for the Patriots.

We should see him this weekend. Turn his ass loose and get him comfy again, and against Bryce Petty in the friendly confines of Gillette during week 17, to boot. I can’t think of a better situation to prepare for the bigger games of the postseason.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

We should see him this weekend. Turn his ass loose and get him comfy again, and against Bryce Petty in the friendly confines of Gillette during week 17, to boot. I can’t think of a better situation to prepare for the bigger games of the postseason.

I like it Sup . I'd assume his experience is likelier than not to get him right into some D calls/situations.
This game is big, however, since McCown has been out the Jets O appears to be as bad as getting a Chia Pet as a Christmas gift (something like 9 ppg since McCown has been out). So it sure would be nice to see the game heavily lean toward a W as early as possible, get JH out there often, get him as many snaps as what he has gotten in any game in Pitt, and let's see his movement to the QB/ball with a kind of intensity that suggests he will be a +. Then onto 2 weeks to practice with the D.

Yeah, it's probably probably pie in the sky wishful thinking on my part but it would be nice to see KVN come back and up to speed, plus JH shows some 'has some football left' intensity, and take the Patriots D to a higher level than it has been. Maybe even give Chung a little time off from being a LB .

 

[IndianPat]

So we exchanged James Harrison for Trevor Reilly on the roster. It appears to be a very low risk move by the Pats. Can some of the more knowledgeable posters opinion-ate whether James Harrison is an upgrade over Trevor Reilly?

 

[supafly]

So we exchanged James Harrison for Trevor Reilly on the roster. It appears to be a very low risk move by the Pats. Can some of the more knowledgeable posters opinion-ate whether James Harrison is an upgrade over Trevor Reilly?

I think the hope is that Harrison is a better pass rusher who is also an improvement at setting the edge. He obviously has a lot of big game experience and came on the cheap, so there seems to be little downside. If Reilly can be signed to the PS tomorrow to compete over the summer for a ST spot, it will be a win/win.

 

[Joker]

So we exchanged James Harrison for Trevor Reilly on the roster. It appears to be a very low risk move by the Pats. Can some of the more knowledgeable posters opinion-ate whether James Harrison is an upgrade over Trevor Reilly?

James Harrison career tackles and sacks....788....82.5

Trevor Reilly career tackles and sacks...40...1

Ummm...I'm gonna go way out on a limb here and say, yeah....Harrison is a slight upgrade

 

[ALP]

James Harrison career tackles and sacks....788....82.5

Trevor Reilly career tackles and sacks...40...1

Ummm...I'm gonna go way out on a limb here and say, yeah....Harrison is a slight upgrade

I think the better question is: is Harrison an upgrade over whoever will now be inactive?

I don’t see the team roster being the catch w this move but the active game day roster...so who do we deactivate? (Trevor was not active)

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

So we exchanged James Harrison for Trevor Reilly on the roster. It appears to be a very low risk move by the Pats. Can some of the more knowledgeable posters opinion-ate whether James Harrison is an upgrade over Trevor Reilly?

Reilly came from the practice squad near the end of October and did see more D snaps progressively each week (while playing frequently on STs): got D snaps somewhere around 8 against Denver, 13 against Raiders, then 20 against Miami. But he has not seen a D snap in the last 2 weeks including being inactive last game. Given the weakness of the LB spot, it was not a good sign for Reilly the last two weeks and suggests his snaps over that 3 game span was due to injury, maybe even desparation.
Bottom line with Reilly is his absence would theoretically only be felt, if it is at all, on STs.

Harrison's value to the Patriots is an unknown. He may be a + or he may not. However, the loss of Reilly in favor of Harrison is unlikely to have any tangible negative effect (even if Harrison is a bust it is no effect on the bottom line production). OTOH if Harrison can provide some QB hurries/sacks and set the edge a few times then it's a clear +. IMHO the only down side would be if Harrison caused locker room issues. Otherwise he is likely to be useful to some degree. What that degree is and is it tangible enough is TBD...

The Patriots real shot at impact LB production above what they are getting is return of a healthy and up to speed KVN. Harrison adding anything notably tangible above that will be a welcome surprise IMHO.

 

[luuked]

But the Pats worked him out before signing (unlike what they did with another high profile free agent this season)

If anything he got a glorified physical. I would not call that working him out.

 

[livinginthe past]

I enjoyed this Steeler fans take on the Harrison signing (and this week's Jets game):

I predict Harrison breaks the NFL single game record and has 8 sacks on Sunday. I'd put good money on it actually.

After his 8th and final sack of the day, a play on fourth down that seals the Patriots victory and #1 seed in the playoffs, Harrison will rip off his jersey to reveal a custom undershirt. The front will read "Eat ****, Mikey T!" and the back will feature a rather distasteful drawing of the ghost of Dan Rooney on his knees groveling at a massive 12" wang of Robert Kraft playfully bouncing in front of his face. Later, some will say at the right angle you can even see a slight sparkle coming from Kraft's eye looking down upon the sheepish Rooney.

Thousands will rush the field, lifting Harrison onto their collective shoulders in a scene that will echo the ending to Rudy but here the fans will chant "Tomlin sucks, Tomlin sucks!" instead. Effigies of Mike Tomlin will be hung from trees, tarred and feathered, torn apart by dogs, and doused with fire hoses -- all of which will in no way be racially motivated at all.

The Patriots will win each playoff game by 30 or more points, culminating in a 60-3 win over the Vikings in a SB. The 60 points pairing up with their 6 SB trophies. Tom Brady and James Harrison will both immediately announce they are returning for #7 next season while Ben Roethlisberger retires, Le'veon Bell signs with the San Francisco 49ers, and Todd Haley signs a 4 year extension.

 

[DarrylS]

Was not expecting this move, as never expected Harrison to sign here.. very nice surprise.

Not sure how much he has in the "tank", but certainly an upgrade over Trevor O'Reilly....

To welcome him to Gillette BB should summon Felger, Bertram and Borges and have them sit in a room with Harrison and ask "probing" questions..

 

[luuked]

That controlled change of direction on the Tolzien sack is something else. Maybe some of our pass rushers and DBs (E. Roberts looking at you) can take some lessons about heading where the QB is about to be rather than where he was several moments ago.

I think Roberts would break a bone and tear a few ligaments if he would try to accomplish this. Not sure his body was made for anything but to be a torpedo.

 

[luuked]

Are there people who wouldn't? Welker was one of the least clutch players ever. Not only did he lead the league several times in drops, he was one of the most prolific third down pass droppers in the league. I will never forgive him for that SuperBowl. Gagging to that joke of a team a second time might have been even more frustrating than the first time.

Jesus. You know my stomach turns as well everytime I think about his SB drop (and 2012 Ravens AFCCG drop) but how can you sincerely say he is one of the least clutch players ever ? He had many, many tough third down catches that moved the chains at critical times.

Reducing him to 2-3 catches he didnt make is pretty stupid.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Googling around for info on what a terrible character guy Harrison supposedly is... apparently, at least he didn't threaten to break teammates' legs if they knelt for the national anthem...

FALSE: Steelers' James Harrison Threatens His Teammates

I mean, Myra would be happy about that, right?

 

[supafly]

Googling around for info on what a terrible character guy Harrison supposedly is... apparently, at least he didn't threaten to break teammates' legs if they knelt for the national anthem...

FALSE: Steelers' James Harrison Threatens His Teammates

I mean, Myra would be happy about that, right?

He can strangle puppies for all I care—just as long as he waits about 6 weeks. This 6th ring stuff is serious business, man.

 

[MainePatsFan26]

I think the better question is: is Harrison an upgrade over whoever will now be inactive?

I don’t see the team roster being the catch w this move but the active game day roster...so who do we deactivate? (Trevor was not active)

Harrison is a giant "F.U." to Pittsburgh. Unless there is a dark horse in the conference that can knock of the Steelers or Patriots, the two teams will meet in January. The long-time heart and soul of the Steelers sitting on our sideline will be a huge blow to Pittsburgh from a psychological standpoint. Even if he plays at roughly the same level as whoever he replaces, he'll be an imposing figure against the Steelers and that's enough of a reason to sign him.

 

[luuked]

I think the better question is: is Harrison an upgrade over whoever will now be inactive?

I don’t see the team roster being the catch w this move but the active game day roster...so who do we deactivate? (Trevor was not active)

Keep in mind that we have a couple of injured players that are on the verge of being back. It is not just Harrison that will need a spot on the active roster. On some level it will be more interesting to see how they resolve STs than the offense/defense actives.

Grissom, Lee and Dorsett/Britt to the inactives.. hell maybe even Hollister depending on gameplan.

 

[TomPatriot]

That controlled change of direction on the Tolzien sack is something else. Maybe some of our pass rushers and DBs (E. Roberts looking at you) can take some lessons about heading where the QB is about to be rather than where he was several moments ago.

A post about football! Selfish me, but for some reason I don’t care that Deus Irae once owned slaves and Bob Kraft channels Kim Jong Un.

Your post is spot on about bennies other players will get. Plus, yo, he ain’t gonna lead like High but he been to the Show.

Of course these highlights were from last year, but I noticed that JH still had a feel for where the QB would want to go. He still had enough motor and LB skill (hands, something Pats LBs don’t use enough) to get through the trash to the ball. The play where he circles back to sack Tolzien is about speed and agility as much as strength.

 

[Tony2046]

Jesus. You know my stomach turns as well everytime I think about his SB drop (and 2012 Ravens AFCCG drop) but how can you sincerely say he is one of the least clutch players ever ? He had many, many tough third down catches that moved the chains at critical times.

Reducing him to 2-3 catches he didnt make is pretty stupid.

My stomach turns while reading any of DuhFoe's posts.