Ed: ‘Never Say Never’ On James Harrison Returning

[Sword]

This is a great move...Are you guys forgetting his work ethic it is unmatched by almost no other player.
He will be more ready then most players week after week.

[steelsnis]

I'm guessing this is a bit of an insurance policy. Moats should start, with Harrison capable of filling in when needed. He certainly knows the defense better than anyone they could bring in off the street.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

I would go further. The Harrison of 2012 was STILL BETTER than ANYTHING we have see at OLBer since. The last game he played as a Steeler was better than a anything our current crew is capable of doing. In decline he was STILL the best run stopping 3/4 OLBer IN THE LEAGUE and far better than a one sack rookie as a pass rusher.

Don't see how a healthy Harrison can do anything but help the run defense...which, before this last game, we were crying about being the glaring weakness of this team.

[WindyCitySteel]

Don't see how a healthy Harrison can do anything but help the run defense...which, before this last game, we were crying about being the glaring weakness of this team.

Before he got hurt in 2011 in Houston, the Steelers were allowing 4.8 YPC.

The defense has been trying to get younger for years, but they panicked this season.

In a few weeks you could be seeing a defense starting Keisel, Harrison, Polamalu and Taylor, all several years past their primes.

[RobinCole]

Taylor is unlikely to be back in a few weeks and Harrison won't be starting unless he went to Romania and took the goat gland injections for eternal youth.

[RuthlessBurgher]

When Jones returns in November, who gets cut to make room, the 36-year old Harrison or a younger player?

That's two months from now. They'll be more injuries in the interim. Not a decision that needs to be made right now, because we have no idea what our roster will look like in 8 more weeks.

[Captain Lemming]

L

Nonsense. Worilds was better last year.

You guys fixate ONLY on sacks.
In 2012 Harrison missed the entire month of September and had more tackles than every 3/4 outside linebacker in the probowl save for ONE.

The defense was bottom half in the league during his September absence and ended up number one.

Sure Worilds in 2013 had 8 sacks to Harrison's 6 in 2012 (with no September).

Sacks are easier to get from the blind side. This is why MOST sack artists line up on that side.
Despite superior pass blockers on that side sacks are easier when the QB can't see you.

For his ENTIRE CAREER (including 1013) Worilds has been absolutely USELESS when he plays on Harrison's side.

[Captain Lemming]

When Jones returns in November, who gets cut to make room, the 36-year old Harrison or a younger player?

Depends on who the better player is. Why are people worried about this? If say Garvin is better than Harrison, James is obviously gone. He is only back due to injury.

Its almost like people are concerned "old" Harrison will play too well to cut.
Why is that a problem?

[fezziwig]

Harrison and Porter both chirping in these defensive players ears......... This might have all kind of positives flowing into this defense and team......... Go Steelers !

[WindyCitySteel]

Depends on who the better player is. Why are people worried about this? If say Garvin is better than Harrison, James is obviously gone. He is only back due to injury.

Its almost like people are concerned "old" Harrison will play too well to cut.
Why is that a problem?

That wouldn't be a problem, but he hasn't been the "old Harrison" since 2010.

This is stunting the development of young players.

Moats should start, HoJo should rotate in for a handful of snaps.

[phillyesq]

That wouldn't be a problem, but he hasn't been the "old Harrison" since 2010.

This is stunting the development of young players.

Moats should start, HoJo should rotate in for a handful of snaps.

There is not a single team in the NFL that believes that HoJo is worthy of a roster spot.

[phillyesq]

That's two months from now. They'll be more injuries in the interim. Not a decision that needs to be made right now, because we have no idea what our roster will look like in 8 more weeks.

Exactly. Worrying about who will be cut if Jones is able to return in 8 weeks is utterly absurd.

[feltdizz]

That wouldn't be a problem, but he hasn't been the "old Harrison" since 2010.

This is stunting the development of young players.

Moats should start, HoJo should rotate in for a handful of snaps.

who is he stunting? Ho Jo from the practice squad? C'mon... I think people are putting too much stock in late preseason games.

[Captain Lemming]

That wouldn't be a problem, but he hasn't been the "old Harrison" since 2010.

This is stunting the development of young players.

Moats should start, HoJo should rotate in for a handful of snaps.

I said "old" Harrison a reference to his age, not a reference to his prime.

"Old" Harrison (or might I say "aging" so as not to confuse you), during his last season here, a year remove from this season:

Had more tackles than Woodley has EVER had.
Had more tackles than Porter ever had save for ONCE in his entire 13 year career (2002).
Had more tackles than Clay Matthews has EVER had in a season.

This is a season when aging Harrison missed the entire month of September.

Yes I know all people care about is sacks.

Perhaps we should recall all the moaning about our run defense that began.....oh wait, since HARRISON has not been a Steeler.

[Captain Lemming]

who is he stunting? Ho Jo from the practice squad? C'mon... I think people are putting too much stock in late preseason games.

Agreed.
Hey I like Hojo. I WOULD pull him from the practice squad for fear of losing him (dump a receiver for the space). But not to contribute on defense.

Our polished 2013 1st round already played 3/4 outside linebacker from a power conference struggled as a rookie. He was confused and was a HUGE downgrade from Harrison the prior season.

I don't want to rely on "don't even know the position college DE played against teams that would lose to Texas high schools" raw Hojo so he can make bonehead mistakes giving up big plays just to get him experience.