James Harrison ...

[Ernie]

I think the decision to "Sit him" all year was on Tomlin and crew. Looking back at it... it certainly does look foolish.

[Captain Lemming]

I think there may have been a grudge there going back to Porter's time playing with the Steelers. Who made him expendable? Harrison. It's after Porter came on staff in 2016 that Deebo got squeezed into a diminished role, but later in the season, because of injuries and circumstances, they had to turn to 92, and he produced. This season, because Dud and Watt stayed healthy, Porter was able to keep Harrison on the bench.

Some speculation there, but I think there may be something to it. (BTW, possible old grudges might be a good reason not to bring ex-players on as coaches until they have been away from the team a bit longer.)

I said this two years ago THE FIRST TIME Porter made his announcement he was limiting JH for no reason.
JH essentially made people forget Porter and was a MUCH better player. Does Porter resent that?
Secondly, "coach" Porter would get no credit for "developing" the veteran. He gets credit developing young talent.

Sorry Joey but because you kept JH out.......you FAILURE as a coach is made apparent by this loss.

[NorthCoast]

Why it matters is that in order to win championships, you need to field the best team possible. 3 other teams finished 13-3 in the regular season. I don't know that you get a trophy for that. You need some semblance of defense to have a real shot at the Super Bowl; our defense was beaten soundly in our playoff game -- gashed on the ground and at times, pummeled through the air. Our OLBs were all but invisible.

JAX gained more yds rushing up the middle than either end. Can't see how JH would have stopped that. The DL fell way short of expectations as did the MLBs.

[Ernie]

He's not stopping all of it himself, but he certainly would have made positive contributions (had they used him this year).

[Captain Lemming]

He is a pass rush specialist who only plays in certain situations, what more evidence do I need.

Evidence?
What happens when he DOES play on running downs.

He was FAR BETTER run defender than ANY current Steeler at his position the last time he started.
THAT-FACT-JACK

Due to age it is wise to manage his snaps.
The Pats have chosen to use him as a designated rusher.
WE could have done just the opposite.

He was our best OLBer in run defense the last time he played run downs regularly.

[Captain Lemming]

JAX gained more yds rushing up the middle than either end. Can't see how JH would have stopped that. The DL fell way short of expectations as did the MLBs.

When JH had 10 tackles versus the Fins last year, he had 6 run tackles.
3 went left of center and 3 right of center.
Great tacklers at OLBer line JH and Lloyd produce even when plays are run away from them.

[Captain Lemming]

He is a pass rush specialist who only plays in certain situations, what more evidence do I need.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/952351949029978112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fpatriotswire.usatoday.com%2F2018%2F01%2F13%2Fwatch-james-harrison-make-beastly-tackle-on-derrick-henry%2F

Tackles while being blocked reaching out one hand pushing the 250 pound runner henryt to the ground as he attempted to pass him

[Steel Maniac]

I was just watching James Harrison on the nfl network.

Deion Sanders has a segment called, “ if you ball, you get a call”. So sanders called Harrison and Deion asked Harrison , “ What do they do at New England that keeps them winning?”

Harrison said, “ They practice the fundamentals over here.. over and over again. Like it’s the army or something. “

[Buzz]

I was just watching James Harrison on the nfl network.

Deion Sanders has a segment called, “ if you ball, you get a call”. So sanders called Harrison and Deion asked Harrison , “ What do they do at New England that keeps them winning?”

Harrison said, “ They practice the fundamentals over here.. over and over again. Like it’s the army or something. “

Backhanded slap at Tomlin?

[pittpete]

Tackling and blocking.

[squidkid]

just makes tomlin look even stupider

[Sword]

Coaching fail and proven.....JH should have been in 50% of the time for every game...the fact that they didn't use him makes our Coaching even more
pathetic... everyone I'm around who have different NFL teams says the same thing...Tomlin is not a good Coach....... Because, it all starts with him...

[feltdizz]

I was just watching James Harrison on the nfl network.

Deion Sanders has a segment called, “ if you ball, you get a call”. So sanders called Harrison and Deion asked Harrison , “ What do they do at New England that keeps them winning?”

Harrison said, “ They practice the fundamentals over here.. over and over again. Like it’s the army or something. “

dude has been there for 3 weeks. LOL

[phillyesq]

First, I can't believe that there is a debate over whether Harrison can still play the run. Against the Titans, he set the edge, stood up the RT, and stopped the back for no gain. He can play the run better than any OLB on the current roster outside of maybe Watt.

You want an OLB to rush the passer, set the edge, and play coverage. He can do 2 of those 3 things. Good coaches find a way to utilize a player's strengths while masking his weaknesses. Conversely, Bud Dupree can't rush the passer, can't set the edge, but is ok in coverage. Sure, there is more uncertainty whether he will rush or drop, but you don't care if he rushes since he can't get home.

The decision not to utilize Harrison was moronic. I understand playing Watt and not wearing Harrison down. But he was clearly able to contribute down the stretch. The fact that Tomlin/Butler/Porter couldn't find a way to use him in a limited role is an indictment of their abilities as coaches.

Harrison certainly shoulders a lot of blame for how he acted, but the coaching staff had an asset that they failed to utilize.

[Iron Shiek]

Granted it was self-perpetuated by not letting him play, but his antics in meetings and the like are insubordination, so they did something about it. People harp on the coaches all the time, but they DID something about it. Now its time to act on Bell next...probably by giving him a $100 trillion contract.

Yeah...this whole situation is effed up and my opinion is Butler and Porter should see a door as well. Harrison most certainly could have made an impact in that Jag-offs game.