James Harrison mega merged bed wetting thread.

[Legacy User]

The more I think about it, I think McCullers is going to be a huge factor in the playoff run.

Secret weapon. Like that fat guy in Wildcats.

[jeemie]

The more I think about it, I think McCullers is going to be a huge factor in the playoff run.

Secret weapon. Like that fat guy in Wildcats.

OK- this was funny.

"SEARCH HIS JOCK!!!!"

[swissvale72]

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2017/12/former-steelers-lineman-says-harrison-info-swap-fears-drastically-overblown/

i think that's absolutely true. harrison's only value will be on the field. let's hope there's not much there.

[jeemie]

I thought guys that helped us win super bowls got special exemptions. You hope they toil in obscurity the rest of their careers but don't wish injury on them?

Probably that exemption is null and void if they go and sign with the Patriots.

And rightfully so.

Doubly null and void because Deebo posed for a selfie with Brady.

[Kodiak]

Harrison: "Tom, I don't know what's in those milk shakes your trainer makes, but they are AMAZING. I dumped all my pills"

Brady: "I know, right?"

[jeemie]

Harrison: "Tom, I don't know what's in those milk shakes your trainer makes, but they are AMAZING. I dumped all my pills"

Brady: "I know, right?"

Shit- forgot about the Brady milkshakes.

Wonder how fast-acting they are...

[Legacy User]

I find it very embarrassing bordering on humiliating that Tomlin would release a Steeler legend that is still a damn good situational pass rusmher, during the Christmas holidays and to have him shack up with the hated fucken pats, way to go Tomlin!

This is a weird thing to be embarrassed about.

I don't think its a good look for one of the greatest Steelers of all time, and that's exactly what James Harrison is, to be cut (during the holidays no less) only to have sign with the dreaded pats. Awful awful optics.

[Legacy User]

By Mark Kaboly 54 minutes ago
It sure has the feeling of a scorned lover, now doesn't it?
The Steelers unceremoniously dumped James Harrison two days before Christmas, after misleading him for months, just for him to instantly hook up with someone he knew darn well would hurt them the most.
Enter the New England Patriots.
Harrison — the Steelers' franchise leaders in sacks and a folk hero around these parts — signed with the Patriots on Tuesday, a day after Harrison cleared waivers. It ended a 14-year relationship between a player and a fan base that rarely has been seen before.
Sure, Joe Greene and Jack Lambert are loved and revered now and Troy Polamalu was as popular as any player ever to pull on a Steelers helmet during his playing days, but they all pale in comparison to the relationship Steelers fans had with Harrison.
Was there ever a city and a person more fit for one another?
And now, that's gone, and there's nobody to blame other than Harrison.
Harrison is a proud man and that's one of the big reasons why he was such a fan favorite — well, that and his no-nonsense, knock-your-head-off, bad-ass Deebo persona that he was more than happy to wear on his sleeve in the form of intimidation.
But being a proud man is something, unfortunately, he might look back on in the near future and regret. Now, knowing Harrison, he would never admit that, but that doesn't mean that isn't true.
There's only one reason why Harrison signed with the Patriots …
-It had nothing to do with having another chance to raise a Lombardi because if the Patriots go on and win the Super Bowl this year, you think that would be gratifying for a guy who was signed Week 17? It's the journey not the destination, right?
-It had nothing to do with money. By signing a one-year deal for likely the veteran minimum, he will be paid $59,000 for next week's game against the Jets and could get another $210,000 if the Patriots win the Super Bowl. For a guy who has made in excess of $43 million over his career, you can classify that as chump change.
-It had nothing to do with playing time. There's no guarantee that Harrison is going to get significant playing time with the Patriots. Surely, Bill Belichick has a role in mind for Harrison or he wouldn't have signed him, but what can the Genius glean from the 40 snaps he saw on tape from this year?
This all had to do with pride.
Mike Tomlin doesn't think that Harrison is good enough to warrant playing time over T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree, which he's right. Harrison's not better than those two.
Tomlin doesn't think Harrison's better than Arthur Moats or Anthony Chickillo (both free agents at the end of the year), which is debatable. He doesn't even think he's worth a niche role of being a third-down pass rusher on occasion.
Now, to be honest, I don't really understand how the Steelers came to that conclusion. The last time we saw Harrison in a role was during the second half of last year when he was the catalyst of the defensive turnaround.
Since then, Harrison didn't take part in any spring practices, maybe dressed for two training camp sessions while in Latrobe and took part in 48 preseason snaps.
The whole dynamic was just weird the entire season, I'm not denying that.
From Joey Porter coming out and saying that Harrison was going to be used as a reliever to Harrison not getting on the field early in the season to becoming a game day inactive to seemingly faux injuries popping up weekly that would explain why he wasn't being dressed. It was strange and the Steelers did him wrong by releasing him when they did.
“We make the decisions that we feel give us the very best chance to win,” Tomlin said on Tuesday. “We needed the people we kept. We needed to activate Marcus Gilbert. Really its nothing more to it than that.”
We aren't stupid. We see Daniel McCullers there being inactive week in and week out and it being highly unlikely that he will be with the Steelers next year. So, McCullers is more valuable than Harrison? Seems so, and maybe depth wise, he is.
So, when you think of it like that, then you have to say good for Harrison. If you have a chance to stick it to your former employee who you thought did you wrong, I say go for it.
In this instance, I would've said DON'T go for it.
Harrison is 39 and there's a reason why there's only been two other linebackers in the history of this league that's played the position in their 40s — Junior Seau and Clay Matthews Jr. It's a tough position on the body.
Regardless of what happens the rest of this year, Harrison may have another year left in him, but surely at another greatly reduced role. No team may want him after this year, who knows? He may be the catalyst for another Patriots' Super Bowl victory, who knows?
But is it worth the risk if you are Harrison? Is it worth damaging your legacy with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and trust me, there's a substantial legacy.
Harrison's popularity in this city rivaled that of Sidney Crosby and Andrew McCutchen and that was as little as six months ago — that's no exaggeration. And that's nothing to take for granted. That's a big thing.
Franco Harris went to Seattle and Mike Webster to Kansas City. That seemed wrong at the time and it proved to be such, but that was a different scenario and different circumstances.
This feels more like Hines Ward following the 2011 season. The Steelers were phasing him out during the season and decided to move from him after the season. But Ward thought he could still play and had some offers.
Ward decided to retire instead because he felt his legacy would be compromised by playing a final year in Jacksonville. That was a big deal to Ward.
Maybe a legacy is just not a big deal to Harrison, because he surely compromised it by trying to exact some prideful revenge. Some will point the finger at the Steelers being the catalyst to this all, but it is all Harrison.
I hope it's worth it, but likely it won't be anywhere near worth it regardless of what happens the rest of the season and that's a shame — a damn shame.

Kaboly has got it right. Harrison's name is mud in Pittsburgh. Fuck that guy.

Harrisons name is mud in Pittsburgh? I dunno Swiss, guys a Steelers legend, I just don't see why it needed to come to this, there is no way you cant tell me Tomlin couldn't have found a role other than bench warmer, there were at least half a dozen guys you could have cut before Harrison, and most of all why allow the pats to strengthen a position of weakness at our expense, I have zero doubt part of this is to gather intel on the Steelers defense and to embarrass the Steelers org.

[Legacy User]

1. I think we can all agree that 43 is a dick.

2. Tomlin is an idiot. Biggest rival in the AFC lacked pass rushing. Based on all available evidence, Deebo could still get after the passer. So, what do we do? Cut him because he spoke to the media about Tomlin's screw job?

3. With all of that said, need to get Bell lined up on Deebo for passing plays.

When Harrison is in the game, I go no huddle and run and pass right at him...don't give the Pats a chance to sub him out.

ya because hes that much of a weakness, gimme a break Jeemie. And besides all that you forget, how long it takes Haley to get plays in to Ben.

[steeljersey]

Stupid thing is, Steelers held all the cards here and they blew it. Even if the story is true that Deebo wanted his release, Tomlin was under no obligation to do so. The drama of releasing him, when they would have to know NE would pick him up just to get our playbook for the playoffs was just so naive. Keep him on the roster, disgruntled as he may be, until the end of the season and then release him. Drop McCullers instead to make roster space. Deebo will probably suit up for the rest of the season with NE and then be gone. He may or may nor help them game plan for the Steelers, but will be very unlikely to actually be on the field and help them any. And he will destroy his legacy with Steeler fans. A couple of years ago, I bought a new #99 Kiesel jersey and the first time I wore it was the day he got his career ending injury. I almost bought a #92 Harrison jersey instead, since that was the year he came back from retirement. Glad I didn't. Both sides f'd up here but it's like Brett Favre in a Vikings uniform for me. It will be a long time before I get over Deebo in a Pats outfit.

[Kodiak]

If Harrison has any impact in the AFCC, or in helping the Pats get there, this could be one of the dumbest moves in history.

"Hey, NE could really use a LBer....why don't we cut that freak over there we've been too dumb to get on the field"

[Steelraptor]

Was reading the Patriot forum and saw this post:

"LOL, now they have to change all of their defensive calls!

BB: James tell me everything Tomlin knows about football.

JH: That will only take a few minutes."

HAHA thought that was funny.

[drmalba]

I just want to say...

What the goddamn motherfucking hell??

[cop1211]

Entire situation on both sides is just disappointing.

[Legacy User]

He will be the most rested LB in the Pats defense. He's about to bring everything he's got because he's pissed. Maybe it's no big deal, but I remember the last time Steelers released a player and the Pats picked him up...he ran through our defense like butter. He smiled a lot that game and now has a ring.

[Legacy User]

Interesting article but also doesn't mention how many veterans used to skip practices or training camp sessions. Pants a picture like Harrison didn't want to play? Makes no sense. He trains and conditions like a freak and clearly wants to play or he wouldn't have signed with the Pats.

This is 100% on the Steelers. If you fire me from a job, I'm looking for the next one about 30 seconds later. Harrison did not fire himself. He voiced frustration on not playing? Sound like a certain wide receiver that we now rely on. Yes, and imagine if we released Bryant as well.

This blows and I do think whatever edge we might have needed going to Foxboro (assuming) is gone. You've got the rally point of one of the weak links in the Pats defense. Unreal. I can just see Ben getting flattened by James to end the comeback.

I've never voiced frustration over the coaching, I have no basis as a fan to second guess what they know, but this is/was stupid.

[COR-TEN]

I just wanted to add that even though scouts and the Pats organization have studied steeler schemes and tendencies, it would be disingenuous to say Harrison has nothing to offer. He's an inside guy, knows personalities and coaching strategies. What you see on the field is one thing, but how it is developed and crafted is another. It's not like individual players don't talk amongst themselves about individual performance during the game. Harrison and BR know each other, and Harrison has watched his own team's o line/ practiced against. I'd want to know how your opponent practices and strategizes against you. Every single edge counts, and Belichick is famous for it.

It might not be huge in game planning against the steelers, but in game time situations, it could be vital. It's called intuition. Intangibles. Even though he might not be playing more than 10-12 snaps. Especially if Harrison wants to win just to fuck with Tomlin.

[Stosh-67]

I just wanted to add that even though scouts and the Pats organization have studied steeler schemes and tendencies, it would be disingenuous to say Harrison has nothing to offer. He's an inside guy, knows personalities and coaching strategies. What you see on the field is one thing, but how it is developed and crafted is another. It's not like individual players don't talk amongst themselves about individual performance during the game. Harrison and BR know each other, and Harrison has watched his own team's o line/ practiced against. I'd want to know how your opponent practices and strategizes against you. Every single edge counts, and Belichick is famous for it.

It might not be huge in game planning against the steelers, but in game time situations, it could be vital. It's called intuition. Intangibles. Even though he might not be playing more than 10-12 snaps. Especially if Harrison wants to win just to fuck with Tomlin.

Absolutely. Point on.

[bradshaw2ben]

I think Harrison and Tomlin are cool... tight, even. I don't know how Joey Porter skates on this... he's had it out for Harrison from the beginning. Tomlin might decide whether to make Harrison active or not (largely based on Special Teams needs), but Porter is the one who has most of the control of usage. Yes, the HC or Butler can come to Porter and say they want this guy in this situation or what have you, but Porter has the keys to the car.

IF Harrison can still play, then it's more on Porter and Butler that they couldn't incorporate him enough to keep him happy. I think they are really convinced that he can't play much, and that he can't play two weeks in a row.

[jeemie]

I think Harrison and Tomlin are cool... tight, even. I don't know how Joey Porter skates on this... he's had it out for Harrison from the beginning. Tomlin might decide whether to make Harrison active or not (largely based on Special Teams needs), but Porter is the one who has most of the control of usage. Yes, the HC or Butler can come to Porter and say they want this guy in this situation or what have you, but Porter has the keys to the car.

IF Harrison can still play, then it's more on Porter and Butler that they couldn't incorporate him enough to keep him happy. I think they are really convinced that he can't play much, and that he can't play two weeks in a row.

Source for all this inside information?

[Legacy User]

Ever wake up and think to yourself, maybe I just had a bad dream?

Of course it’s unfathomably worse if he ends up contributing for the Patriots and helps them defeat the Steelers. All this debate about whether or not he can still play...for me, at this point, it’s still about James Harrison in a patriots uniform and little else.

[Legacy User]

I find it very embarrassing bordering on humiliating that Tomlin would release a Steeler legend that is still a damn good situational pass rusmher, during the Christmas holidays and to have him shack up with the hated fucken pats, way to go Tomlin!

This is a weird thing to be embarrassed about.

I don't think its a good look for one of the greatest Steelers of all time, and that's exactly what James Harrison is, to be cut (during the holidays no less) only to have sign with the dreaded pats. Awful awful optics.

Steelers have 50 sacks as a team, 1 and only 1 belongs to Harrison. When was he missed?

[swissvale72]

I think Harrison and Tomlin are cool... tight, even. I don't know how Joey Porter skates on this... he's had it out for Harrison from the beginning. Tomlin might decide whether to make Harrison active or not (largely based on Special Teams needs), but Porter is the one who has most of the control of usage. Yes, the HC or Butler can come to Porter and say they want this guy in this situation or what have you, but Porter has the keys to the car.

IF Harrison can still play, then it's more on Porter and Butler that they couldn't incorporate him enough to keep him happy. I think they are really convinced that he can't play much, and that he can't play two weeks in a row.

B2B....please!! FWIW (and not much if any, I realize), I'm willing to give Tomlin the benefit of the doubt on this, that not only did Harrison not figure in the Steelers plans, but that his skills have diminished to the extent that he's of limited usefulness to the Patriots as well....BUT...for Chrissakes, Tomlin is the guy in charge...not Keith Butler, not Todd Haley, and certainly not Joey Porter!! You mean Tomlin, if he's convinced Harrison can still bring it, wouldn't go to Butler/Porter and say, What the FUCK...put #92 in???

C'mon Man!!

[jeemie]

He will be the most rested LB in the Pats defense. He's about to bring everything he's got because he's pissed. Maybe it's no big deal, but I remember the last time Steelers released a player and the Pats picked him up...he ran through our defense like butter. He smiled a lot that game and now has a ring.

Two, actually...but so what?

Patriots live rent free in all your guys’ heads.

[Legacy User]

I think Harrison and Tomlin are cool... tight, even. I don't know how Joey Porter skates on this... he's had it out for Harrison from the beginning. Tomlin might decide whether to make Harrison active or not (largely based on Special Teams needs), but Porter is the one who has most of the control of usage. Yes, the HC or Butler can come to Porter and say they want this guy in this situation or what have you, but Porter has the keys to the car.

IF Harrison can still play, then it's more on Porter and Butler that they couldn't incorporate him enough to keep him happy. I think they are really convinced that he can't play much, and that he can't play two weeks in a row.

And here I thought this was the one time people wouldn't be able to excuse the HC if things turned sour. Silly me.

I do agree that Porter has been largely ignored in all this...his usage of Harrison has lead me in the past to think, it's almost as though Porter resents Harrison as his immediate and successful replacement in Pittsburgh. But your post sounds like nothing more than laying the groundwork for absolving the Head Coach IF his move backfires.

I suggest reading the MMQB today....not much insight, but King suggests that there is something very odd about all this and how it went down. (I know, f Peter king).

[bradshaw2ben]

I think Harrison and Tomlin are cool... tight, even. I don't know how Joey Porter skates on this... he's had it out for Harrison from the beginning. Tomlin might decide whether to make Harrison active or not (largely based on Special Teams needs), but Porter is the one who has most of the control of usage. Yes, the HC or Butler can come to Porter and say they want this guy in this situation or what have you, but Porter has the keys to the car.

IF Harrison can still play, then it's more on Porter and Butler that they couldn't incorporate him enough to keep him happy. I think they are really convinced that he can't play much, and that he can't play two weeks in a row.

Source for all this inside information?

Harrison walked off the field with Tomlin for the last two years-- including end of Cincy playoff game, where he specifically came back out to make sure MT got safely into locker room. Porter with the Harrison is too old, might not make the team, starting Jarvis over him, limit his snaps...

There were some other things said and done... but I wouldn't assume Harrison's issues are primarily with Tomlin.

There have also been article written about how the assistant coaches determine the rotations of backups. That is not only typical in the NFL, it's typical for the Steelers, especially at position groups where there is a regular flow of backups getting snaps.

[jeemie]

I think Harrison and Tomlin are cool... tight, even. I don't know how Joey Porter skates on this... he's had it out for Harrison from the beginning. Tomlin might decide whether to make Harrison active or not (largely based on Special Teams needs), but Porter is the one who has most of the control of usage. Yes, the HC or Butler can come to Porter and say they want this guy in this situation or what have you, but Porter has the keys to the car.

IF Harrison can still play, then it's more on Porter and Butler that they couldn't incorporate him enough to keep him happy. I think they are really convinced that he can't play much, and that he can't play two weeks in a row.

And here I thought this was the one time people wouldn't be able to excuse the HC if things turned sour. Silly me.

I do agree that Porter has been largely ignored in all this...his usage of Harrison has lead me" in the past to think, it's almost as though Porter resents Harrison as his immediate and successful replacement in Pittsburgh. But your post sounds like nothing more than laying the groundwork for absolving the Head Coach IF his move backfires.

I suggest reading the MMQB today....not much insight, but King suggests that there is something very odd about all this and how it went down. (I know, f Peter king).

FWIW, B2B has some pathological need to defend Mike Tomlin’s moves at every step. He’s got a great football mind and is usually pretty objective...but this constant defense of Tomlin is just...weird. It doesn’t help Tomlin to paint him as someone who’s not accountable for anything. It makes him look like a weak figurehead.

But even though I think ultimately this will be no big deal, how it went down does speak to some kind of behind the scenes conflict, and if Harrison does have a monster game against Pittsburgh in the playoffs, Tomlin indeed owns it if there was a ways settle the conflict and he did not do so.

But right now I think it’s a case of the Pats living rent-free in many Steeler fans’ heads.

[bradshaw2ben]

I think Harrison and Tomlin are cool... tight, even. I don't know how Joey Porter skates on this... he's had it out for Harrison from the beginning. Tomlin might decide whether to make Harrison active or not (largely based on Special Teams needs), but Porter is the one who has most of the control of usage. Yes, the HC or Butler can come to Porter and say they want this guy in this situation or what have you, but Porter has the keys to the car.

IF Harrison can still play, then it's more on Porter and Butler that they couldn't incorporate him enough to keep him happy. I think they are really convinced that he can't play much, and that he can't play two weeks in a row.

And here I thought this was the one time people wouldn't be able to excuse the HC if things turned sour. Silly me.

I do agree that Porter has been largely ignored in all this...his usage of Harrison has lead me in the past to think, it's almost as though Porter resents Harrison as his immediate and successful replacement in Pittsburgh. But your post sounds like nothing more than laying the groundwork for absolving the Head Coach IF his move backfires.

I suggest reading the MMQB today....not much insight, but King suggests that there is something very odd about all this and how it went down. (I know, f Peter king).

I think it's pretty simple: Harrison didn't want to be here and the HC/GM accomodated him. If he were a nobody, they might have kept him around and said fuck him... since he was James Harrison, they let him see if there was an opportunity to catch on.

I'm mostly upset that he might help the Pats-- way more upset about that than I am about losing him of the Steelers' roster. If he doesn't do anything that helps them get the #1 seed or advance in the playoffs, then I'll be a little sad that he'll miss his 3rd ring but that's about it.

The players seem unaffected by it, other than maybe some half-hearted shock from Ben-- that tells me they have no major issues with the coach's decision.

[StillerInCT]

He will be the most rested LB in the Pats defense. He's about to bring everything he's got because he's pissed. Maybe it's no big deal, but I remember the last time Steelers released a player and the Pats picked him up...he ran through our defense like butter. He smiled a lot that game and now has a ring.

Two, actually...but so what?

Patriots live rent free in all your guys’ heads.

Now picture this in Mike Tomlin's voice

[bradshaw2ben]

I think Harrison and Tomlin are cool... tight, even. I don't know how Joey Porter skates on this... he's had it out for Harrison from the beginning. Tomlin might decide whether to make Harrison active or not (largely based on Special Teams needs), but Porter is the one who has most of the control of usage. Yes, the HC or Butler can come to Porter and say they want this guy in this situation or what have you, but Porter has the keys to the car.

IF Harrison can still play, then it's more on Porter and Butler that they couldn't incorporate him enough to keep him happy. I think they are really convinced that he can't play much, and that he can't play two weeks in a row.

And here I thought this was the one time people wouldn't be able to excuse the HC if things turned sour. Silly me.

I do agree that Porter has been largely ignored in all this...his usage of Harrison has lead me" in the past to think, it's almost as though Porter resents Harrison as his immediate and successful replacement in Pittsburgh. But your post sounds like nothing more than laying the groundwork for absolving the Head Coach IF his move backfires.

I suggest reading the MMQB today....not much insight, but King suggests that there is something very odd about all this and how it went down. (I know, f Peter king).

FWIW, B2B has some pathological need to defend Mike Tomlin’s moves at every step. He’s got a great football mind and is usually pretty objective...but this constant defense of Tomlin is just...weird. It doesn’t help Tomlin to paint him as someone who’s not accountable for anything. It makes him look like a weak figurehead.

But even though I think ultimately this will be no big deal, how it went down does speak to some kind of behind the scenes conflict, and if Harrison does have a monster game against Pittsburgh in the playoffs, Tomlin indeed owns it if there was a ways settle the conflict and he did not do so.

But right now I think it’s a case of the Pats living rent-free in many Steeler fans’ heads.

In the world outside of this board, you all are a bunch of ungrateful, blind AF nuttering nabobs of negativism. I'm calling it like I see it: scoreboard. The dude is a top 10 coach of the Super Bowl era and you guys act like he can't coach! Get a grip.

You trust my football acumen and thoughts, then start thinking about what you're missing and where your internal contradictions are in your thinking. Chances are it's not about me.