OK, Pittsburgh Steelers fans (yes, I have waved my own Terrible Towel since the days of Terry Bradshaw). We just knew this was going to happen. What in the name of the team’s beloved and now deceased Steelers’ owners Art and Dan Rooney has just occurred? Why, oh, why would the AFC’s Black and Gold drop their all-time defensive sacks leader (80.5) and likely Hall-of-Famer, James Harrison, just prior to the playoffs? Didn’t they know that the (shudder) New England Patriots needed late-season help rushing the quarterback!???
In a headline which nearly everyone (except, apparently, Pittsburgh Steelers’ brass) saw coming, the 39-year old James Harrison has signed a one-year contract with, yes, the New England Patriots. Indeed, those same blasted Patriots whose Death Star is annually filled with retreads, misfits, and castoffs from other teams as they blend in their own unique and sometimes obscure draft picks into a yearly Super Bowl contender under the tutelage of that creative but sinister (well, at least to the rest of the league) coaching genius, Bill Belichick.
Even the dearly departed Pittsburgh Steelers’ broadcasting legend, Myron Cope, whose “Terrible Towel” became Steeler Nation’s rallying symbol, must be turning over in his black and gold grave with this horrific news!
On the surface, both teams’ actions seem quite logical. The Steelers needed to bring back their offensive tackle, Marcus Gilbert, from a four game suspension (performance enhancing drugs) to help block for running back, Le’veon Bell, and to provide pass protection for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. To make room for one player, you have to drop another. It is likely the Steelers’ kept fan favorite James Harrison primarily to help teach the ropes to rookie T.J. Watt (JJ’s younger brother) this season. Harrison was apparently regarded as an insurance policy. Until his release last week, that is.
For New England, James Harrison will get a chance to rev-up his defensive motor for one final playoff run. The Patriots already had two defensive ends (Caleb Kidder and rookie Derek Rivers) on the Injured Reserve list heading into the playoffs. Coach Bill Belichick will utilize the skills of James Harrison to help sack opposing quarterbacks, but he will likely pick the brain of Harrison in the event New England and the Pittsburgh Steelers should meet again in this season’s AFC title game.
For James Harrison, he will now get one final chance to show his stuff. Harrison fits the New England profile perfectly. He was undrafted coming out of Kent State University and spent his first two seasons on Pittsburgh’s practice squad. Once he hit the field, though, his defensive prowess and intensity became legendary and heartily appreciated by Steelers’ fans. Harrison is best known for a 100-yard pass interception for a touchdown in the Steelers’ 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl 33.
In this holiday season filled with yet another Star Wars movie, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive legend James Harrison has officially turned to the Dark Side to play for Emperor Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots in this year’s playoffs.
Beware “Ol’ Ben” Kenobi-Roethlisberger!