James Harrison officially signs with Pats

[PF_SU]

Article from Harrison's side
James Harrison speaks: 'A little hesitation' before signing with the Patriots

He just wants to play. Pitt strung him along all year. He asked to be released beginning of the year.

.

Key passages:

“I have to assume when they say you’re going to get 25 percent of the snaps and you get 25, safe to say things didn’t go as planned,” Harrison told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Wednesday.

“After the first week of the season, I said to them, it’s clear you want to play your younger guys and I understand, so why don’t you release me. You go on your way and I’ll go on mine. They said, ‘No, no, no, we got a role for you.’ ”

Harrison said the breaking point came after the 27-24 loss to the Patriots, a game in which he said he was told during the week “to be ready, that I’d get a lot of [playing] time. I didn’t get any snaps.

“If I didn’t play in the biggest game of the year, that told me I wouldn’t get any more snaps. So all that lip service you gave me before didn’t matter.”

Harrison said he went back to Steelers coach Mike Tomlin the following day and asked to be released. Harrison said Tomlin told him, “I’d have to be absolutely crazy to release you if something happened with injuries.”

Five days later, the day before they traveled to Houston for a Christmas Day game, the Steelers released him.

Harrison said Tomlin told him to “stay in shape in case we come back to you in a month.”

But Harrison said: “I can’t sit there on ‘ifs,’ and I’m not playing. I wasn’t upset, I’m not mad, it’s a business. But at the end of the day, I have to make a business decision.

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If what Harrison says is indeed what happened (and I think it was communicated before the season that he'd be a sub-package specialist for clear passing downs) then it's completely ridiculous that the Steelers are now faulting him for wanting out and signing with NE.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

The rancor is good for football entertainment, good for the very possible playoff rematch. It's like two boxers who drum up hype by insulting each other's mothers and fighting ability. But the thing that is clear is the contrast between Pitt and NE's operating fundamentals.
JH was definitely a pillar of the Steelers for years. Former teammates can either take the "he was a good teammate but we all know football is also a business. We have a big game this week then we have a big game coming up in the playoffs. That is what me, my teammates, our coaches are focused on; playing our best and winning games". JH can simply say "I wanted to play but Pitt wanted to go a different direction. We parted ways and I'm now a Patriot. When coach calls my number I'm focused on playing as good as I can".

Or they all can take a different road. Whatever, we are onto the Jets...

 

[Wheelman]

I didn’t think Jackson was that bad. O line did a horrific job run blocking. Few would have succeeded.

And that's what DeGugliemo (sp?) was supposed to improve. The run game, with his forward leaning stance system vs Scar's neutral stance. The forward leaning stance didn't help the run game when it was supposed to and it left the o-line vulnerable in the pass game.

 

[Delicate Genius]

Geneo Grissom has switched to #96.

 

[Wheelman]

So here's what I think. I believe Harrison, as he said, did want to be released. So I take what he says at face value. Meanwhile the media wastes no time in turning this into a big story, focusing on how the Squealers just released him. Even though there was already reports of him saying had he known this is what his role would have been he would have never signed with the Squealers and didn't plan on re-signing with them. Of course the Squealers players were butthurt that he signed with the pats and took the bait hook, line and sinker. Attacking Harrison based off what the media baited them into. Making the squealers players look even dumber.

Thank god we have BB who teaches his players better than to be baited by the media.

Media = 1
Squealers players = 0

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Friggin Classic!

Belichick was asked by reporters whether Belichick puts “any stock into the fact that [Harrison] could provide valuable intelligence given his familiarity with the Steelers and their system.”

“Well, we’re playing the Jets this week,” Belichick said. “I don’t really know what that has to do with it. Maybe I’m missing something. I don’t know.”

“What about looking ahead to any possible matchups in the playoffs?”

“Well, we play the Jets this week,” Belichick said.

 

[Simpelton]

I love Bill and his war with the media

 

[DarrylS]

I'm willing to bet Harrison is incredibly flexible.

"Pliable" as in rubber band(Guererro) pliable, not questioning his flexibililty..

 

[PF_SU]

Googling a bit, I think this part is a key issue in understanding the Harrison/Steelers issue:
James Harrison's new role: 'Safety net,' not starter

That means 39-year-old James Harrison will be a “relief pitcher,” according to his coach. He will neither start nor get extended playing time at outside linebacker.

“We have two guys who are first-rounders, we drafted them for this,” said Joey Porter, their outside linebackers coach. “Now you have to turn them loose and let them play.”

“That’s why he’s here; he’s going to fight it,” Porter said of the expected lesser playing time for him. “But his role is his role. He’s a relief pitcher. Until we need you, the young guys are going to play. You’re a good safety net to have; if somebody’s not getting the job done, we happen to know we have a wily veteran that we can put into the game. But to be honest going in, we have two young first-rounders who shouldn’t be tired. And when they do get tired, we’ll make the adjustments we need to.

“I know the old guy wants to play but at the same time it’s hard to get in there if those guys are doing the job. If they’re doing their job and they’re playing at a high level, the understanding is understood. You don’t have to explain anything that you can see right there on tape.”

James Harrison didn't know the Steelers' plans, but he's OK with 'relief pitcher' role

Porter, the Steelers outside linebackers coach, told the Post-Gazette Monday that as long as Watt gets the job done, he will stay in the game unless he gets tired or proves unproductive. That is when they will sub Harrison.

Harrison said it was the first time he heard of such a plan when reporters mentioned it to him Wednesday but said he is OK with it.

“Whatever it is they ask me to do,” Harrison said. “I’m fine with that.”

Nevertheless, he acknowledged that even playing 10-12 snaps a game isn’t enough for an outside linebacker to get into the flow of rushing the quarterback.

“The more I’m in there, the more productive I can be.”

I think the Steelers when they re-signed Harrison figured him to still be a good part in their defensive game plan. But when they drafted TJ Watt and he started off good in training camp they decided to relegate Harrison to a bench-warming role which embittered him since this is not what he (re)signed up for. Also fits Harrison's narrative that he asked for a release before the start of the season.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

I personally love that the steelers are criticizing him. It’s going to make him play even better!

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Claim is he wanted out:

Maurkice Pouncey: James Harrison wanted off Steelers

It's too bad Pouncey didn't have a " Free Harrison" cap......

 

[Uptown]

“In last season’s playoff game between the Steelers and Chiefs, Harrison recorded 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hits, 3 quarterback hurries, 1 forced fumble, 6 solo tackles, and 8 stops in the run game, per Pro Football Focus.”

“Harrison is familiar with the Patriots potential playoff opponents and has racked up 4.5 sacks in his past 5 playoff games. If he can have a similarly impressive postseason run, then he’ll be able to help send the Patriots back to another championship game.”


James Harrison has already scouted the Patriots potential playoff opponents

 

[JJR4884]

You guys need to see a thread in the steelers forum over at thesteelersfans.com

I can't link it because I got banned last week after calmly explaining the JJ catch and why it was overturned lol, but there is a thread named "James Harrison NEVER Welcome Back" and it is the greatest melt session i've ever seen from a fan base. Someone please link it in here for everyone's enjoyment lol

 

[JJR4884]

Edit - here ya go, changed internet browsers lol

James Harrison NEVER Welcome Back

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Steeler fans are an odd bunch. I don’t think any of us hated welker when he left for the broncos. Certainly, I was upset at him and didn’t want him to succeed in denver but hate him? No. Same deal with vinatieri.

 

[Kontradiction]

They'll get over it. Same way Packers fans got over Favre playing in Minnesota.

 

[TomPatriot]

That Steeler Board makes the Patsfans’ GDT look like a rational discourse in theoretical physics.

 

[Kontradiction]

Reading through social media reactions to this is great. The Steelers and their overweight fans are absolute salt factories.

 

[GoBlue]

Well it wasn't Harrison that left Pittsburgh..
local Steeler fans here in Ohio/Mich are hysterical.
Harrison a bum, can't run, can't tackle, there's a reason he wasn't playing etc etc.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Gotta admit. He has really peaked my interest in this upcoming game.

Ofcourse I was already interested to see a win and home field but I am looking forward to his snap count, whether he starts, what he brings to the team, is he fresh, got something left in the tank?

It would really be something if he can go in there to have a solid performance aiding this team to a victory. Not to mention the chaotic meltdown it would create for those fans. Or should I say pile on more?