Harrison and Ravens talking

[lloydroid]

[url]http://sports.yahoo.com/news/enemy-lines-lb-harrison-ravens-191013914--nfl.html[/url]

That would kind of suck if he ended up there. But with losing 3 LBs already, they could sure use him.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

All this talk about Harrison's "pride" getting in the way of his coming back to the B&G, even if the $$ are the same:

The Ratbirds fired him (at least once), and from reading the article he might not even be their feature back.

Can't see that he would have to swallow more "pride" coming back here than playing there, all else being equal.

[supersteeler]

I can't see how the Ravens could afford to pay Harrison what he wants when they couldn't sign their own Dannell Ellerbe, when he went to the Dolphins. Ellerbe was a vital component of that defense so I don't think Harrison goes there.

[Slapstick]

Well, it's safe to go back to Baltimore now that the NFL Europa is defunct...

[BradshawsHairdresser]

I can't see how the Ravens could afford to pay Harrison what he wants when they couldn't sign their own Dannell Ellerbe, when he went to the Dolphins. Ellerbe was a vital component of that defense so I don't think Harrison goes there.

Maybe the Ravens recognize Harrison's value, and are willing to pay him accordingly.

[Slapstick]

Maybe the Ravens recognize Harrison's value, and are willing to pay him accordingly.

Maybe the Steelers recognized Harrison's value and were willing to pay him accordingly...

[Oviedo]

Maybe the Steelers recognized Harrison's value and were willing to pay him accordingly...

This I agree with. THey see a fading star with injury risks. They know more about these players than anyone. Harrison could've stayed but he chose not to by not accepting a new contract value.

[supersteeler]

Maybe the Ravens recognize Harrison's value, and are willing to pay him accordingly.

You could be right, but his value won't be $6.75 mill, Ozzie is too smart to pay that kind of money that James wants. Why would JH take less from another team if he could of got a similar deal hear and remain a Steeler?

[phillyesq]

They know more about these players than anyone.

Oh really? This seems pretty inconsistent with your diatribes about how the Steelers needlessly hold back young players. Could it be that they actually know more about the young players on their bench, too?

[flippy]

If Harrison goes to Baltimore, he'll probably be DMVP based on his stats in 2 games vs Pittsburgh. Even if he was 65 and in a walker, he gets to matchup against Gilby. That's a disaster waiting to happen.

Plus we all know defenders are allowed to take cheap shots on Ben. So Ben is likely to get hurt in this matchup. Although Goddell and the refs may be confused what to do when Harrison knocks out Ben with a helmet to helmet hit. Maybe they'll suspend Ben for getting knocked out?

[Sugar]

Apparently, the Ravens are also interested in Elvis Dumervil as well (according to nfl.com). I don't know if they can pay the man...

[hawaiiansteel]

James Harrison Could Still Reunite with the Pittsburgh Steelers

by Steelblitz

The Pittsburgh Steelers were forced to cut James Harrison a little over a week ago due to his salary cap number. Harrison was unwilling to take a pay cut from the Steelers that would have cut his salary number down to a little over $4 million and would have saved the Steelers over $3 million against the cap. Had Harrison agreed to the pay cut the Steelers would have been able to keep him around for another season, but instead both parties are left looking for a fix.

Harrison isn’t getting much interest in free agency. There have been some minor rumors, but the biggest suitor for Harrison was considered to be the Baltimore Ravens. However, the Ravens are now looking to sign Elvis Dumervil who was recently cut by the Denver Broncos. Dumervil is younger than Harrison by almost six years. Last season Dumervil was much more productive than Harrison and if a team is looking for an outside linebacker they will likely target the younger and more productive player.

The other team with the most interest in Harrison was the Cleveland Browns, but they already signed ex-Raven Paul Kruger to a big contract to be their newest pass rusher. Right now the only team with any rumored interest in Harrison is the Philadelphia Eagles who are rebuilding under new head coach Chip Kelly and are turning from their 4-3 defense to a 3-4 defense. The Eagles outside linebackers aren’t set at this time and they could look to a player like Harrison to add experience and a leader to their defense.

There is also a good chance that the Eagles could look at a pass rusher in the draft. One of the top outside linebackers in the draft is Oregon’s Dion Jordan. Jordan played for Eagle’s coach Chip Kelly at Oregon and he is now considered a top five pick. The Eagles hold the number four pick in the 2013 NFL Draft and they may be more willing to draft a top outside linebacker than sign an aging linebacker like Harrison.

If the Ravens go out and sign Dumervil than their may not be any suitors left for Harrison. Or at least any that are willing to sign him to a contract to his liking. In that situation Harrison may be forced to sign a minimum contract with playing time and stat incentives. If he is willing to take a contract like that it’s possible that the Steelers would be willing to give it to him. They were willing to give him over $4 million for the 2012 season so if he agrees to play for around $1 million there is no reason to think he couldn’t be back with the Steelers in 2013.

Right now the Steelers best replacement for Harrison is Jason Worilds. Worilds filled in nicely as a back-up for LaMarr Woodley on the left side of the defense. However, when filling in for Harrison on the right side of the defense he has struggled so he may not be the best option. I have argued for moving Woodley to the right side so that Worilds can continue to play on the left side where he has played well. Therefore, if they aren’t willing to play Worilds on the left side they could look into bringing back Harrison for one more season.

The biggest issue with starting Worilds on the right side in place of Harrison is not his ability to get to the quarterback. Instead Worilds has struggled to hold the edge in the run game when playing on the right side. Woodley has shown a strong ability to hold the edge in the run game and should be able to play well against the run and pass no matter which side he is playing on; especially if he can stay healthy.

However, if brought back Harrison could start or also pair with Worilds on the right side for the season as a sort of platoon as Worilds grows into the role. The Steelers will also be looking to draft another outside linebacker in the 2013 NFL Draft. That player will than be groomed with the hope that they can one day start. It will also give the Steelers four young players in hopes that one can take over as a full-time starter in 2014. Those players are Worilds, Chris Carter, Adrian Robinson and whoever the Steelers choose to draft this April.

There is also the chance that Harrison will sign elsewhere and that the Steelers will go with a draft pick or Worilds as Harrison’s replacement. In that case the Steelers should truly consider switching Woodley to the right side of the defense. It may be the best option they have at this point to replace Harrison with as little loss as possible.

[URL]http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/james_harrison_could_still_reunite_with_the_pittsb urgh_steelers/13164961[/URL]

[Eddie Spaghetti]

I fear harrisons pride may be the biggest factor hindering his return.

he made a mistake not taking the previous offer.

[hawaiiansteel]

No interest in free agent James Harrison

Sports Illustrated

03.18 | James Harrison has spent his free agency period talking about the teams he'd like to play for in 2013. Unfortunately for Harrison, no one is reciprocating the interest in his services, as Sports Illustrated's Peter King labels the linebacker as the "coldest name" on the market right now. King says he can't find anyone admitting to being interested in signing Harrison. The 34-year-old was released by the Steelers due to his steep contract for the coming season. He won't be playing for that same price again, as King notes.

[URL]http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/373733-no-interest-in-free-agent-james-harrison?eref=sircrc&eref=fromSI[/URL]

[Northern_Blitz]

I wonder if Harrison's history of fines and remarks re: Goodell are hurting him here.