James Harrison refusing paycut

It's a shame it took him so long to figure out how to play in the NFL.  If he was 4-5 years younger and continued to perform at the level he did in 2008-2009, an argument could be made for him to be the best Steelers OLB of all time.  

Why not?  I made this argument a few years ago.  Longevity counts, but whom since switching to a 3-4 have the Steelers really had play at a dominant level for very long?  In the 90's and early 00's, they simply parted ways with most top guys that wanted top dollar after a few years.

The level of play for Harrison from 07' - 10' you could EASILY argue is the best and most dominant of ANY STEELERS 3-4 OLB.  There has only been one other LB register 100+ tackles and 10+ sacks in consecutive seasons..................and his name was Lawrence Taylor.  Holding the edge and point of attack, causing general disruption, crashing down on inside dive plays, chasing down runners from the other side, turning plays back inside or outside away from where they're designed to flow, dropping into coverage, and of course rushing the passer..............all the things you look for in a great 3-4 OLB, in my opinion nobody has done it better for Pitt than James did during that stretch of time.  Not Lloyd, not Greene, not Gildon, or Porter, the guy he replaced.

Actually, the Ravens are currently #1 in the NFL Who gives a crap, we have the most Super Bowls in the league, plus why are you on the Steelers board? Post crap about how the Ravens are the #1 team in the NFL as of the 2012 season.

Black&GoldBad,

When I said that an argument could be made for Harrison to be the greatest Steelers OLB of all time if he'd had the chance to play a little longer, I'm not restricting that to the 3-4.  If we're talking 3-4 only, then you won't get any disagreement from me.  I haven't changed this avatar in 5 years for a reason.

Is he on the level of Jack Ham?  That's where the debate can begin but also where any case that could be made for Harrison against the greatness of Ham is weakened by his limited career playing time.  

FYI: Harrison's 100+ tackles/10+ sacks didn't occur in consecutive seasons, and he is the only OLB in NFL history to have accomplished it at all, let alone twice.  Lawrence Taylor missed the mark. 

Still waiting to hear James Harrison is going to make 4.6M somewhere in 2013. That's the number the Steelers wanted James to take (6.57M - 30%). I think James let his stubborness bite him in the ass cause now we couldn't give him 4.6M if we wanted to with his full cap acceleration on the books.

Hearing James Harrison is in negotiations with the Ravens.  That would suck!

Harrison's agent is fanning the Balt flames but Ozzie ain't paying James 4.6 million either. He would have to take half that.

Ravens just cut Pollard and there are reports they are talking to James.  If his knee and back check out well I am going to bet that he gets atleast what his origional contract with the Steelers was.

When players are under contract and out perform the currnet contract nearly all the time their team tells them you agreed to the contract show up and play out the contract you signed.  I don't blame James for telling the Steelers you signed the contract now honor what you signed.  

Even if he gets less money I can understand where he's coming from.  There is a double standard in regards to players out performing a contract and the options they have vs when a team decides the player isn't worth what they agreed to pay.   

6x,

If he refused just to make a point he's an idiot. If he refused because he thought he could get more money his agent is an idiot. One way or another someone was idiotic!  

Beach,  Nobody has ever accused James of being a rational. I still think he's going to get paid as much or more than the Steelers were going to pay him.

Not sure if it is true or not but I heard on one of the local talk shows that Harrison's agent advised him to take the pay cut the Steelers offered.

Harrison's agent is fanning the Balt flames but Ozzie ain't paying James 4.6 million either.

Part of me hopes they do pay him that much. It either means a very expensive backup that won't play special teams or it means they don't have faith in Upshaw.

Part of me hopes they do pay him that much. It either means a very expensive backup that won't play special teams or it means theydon't have faith in Upshaw.


Thumbs up here ...  


MoS 

I think the Steelers should offer Harrison a 2 year contract for $6 million with very little signing bonus

I think the Steelers should offer Harrison a 2 year contract for $6 million with very little signing bonus

And, smcndfan, it appears James is a very cold fish topic at current meetings, per article supplied.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/e
ye-on-football/21906022/report-jame
s-harrison-is-drawing-little-intere
st-in-free-agency


You and beach may very well be on to something here ... show me the team who wants to pay him 6+ million/yr ... no takers?  show me another year or two with the Steelers at the reduced rate you suggest... perhaps his black-n-gold career is not yet over ... at a far more reasonable and Cap worthy price.


MoS

Dear James,
Better make what money you can WHILE you can

Sincerely,
Common Sense (not your agent) 

Agents are like lawyers in that 1000 of them at the bottom of the ocean is a good start.

"Agents are lower than shark crap" - nybites