James Harrison Trade?
by belvalle55 on Mar 19, 2009 11:01 PM EDT
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PrintThis may sound like treason, but look at the facts.
We have 5, potentially 6 starters at LB; Lamarr Woodley, James Farrior, Larry Foote, Lawrence Timmons, James Harrison, and Bruce Davis. The Steelers have even been looking at Cody Brown, LB from Connecticut. They have resigned two of their back up LBs. It looks like they might be getting themselves ready to make a big move.
James Harrison is in his prime, was named defensive player of the year, but he will turn 31 in May. He will never be worth more and the Steelers seldom pay big money to a player over 30. Harrison will want to be paid like a defensive player of the year.
The Steelers did talk to Jason Smith OT from Baylor at the Combine. In an earlier post, I said they would have no chance at Smith. He may go number one in the draft. But trading Harrison could bring us great protection for our franchise QB.
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hard to fathom trading away the guy who maybe saved the SB
But, love the thought process. I’d endorse it if the price was right and it meant we could get a truly legitimate franchise type OL for the next decade.
Steep Price
I would make a deal for a 1 and a 3, maybe. If the Lions took Jason Smith and traded their 2nd rounder and that, I might think about it. Or maybe the 20th overall and the 33rd overall. I would probably do that too, but it would have to be a great gain, because Harrison is a great player who will be a great linebacker for years to come and could be the difference between SB and playoff appearances in the next few years
by Michael Uhlhorn on Mar 19, 2009 11:33 PM EDT reply actions
true
Time is now to be dominant on defense.
by Michael Bean on Mar 19, 2009 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions
No way
I would never trade a proven player, defensive MVP of the whole league, a guy that embodies the Steelers, for a player with “potential”. Remember, no matter how great those top tier OT’s are projected to be, they are still only "projections’. Who the hell knows what type of pro those guys will be? I’m not will to trade the defensive MVP to try and find out.
And yes, we have some LB talent…but we play the 3-4, we better be stocked at LB. Who would replace Harrison’s production? Bruce Davis? I haven’t even seen the guy play special teams yet! Timmons? What a talent that kid is…I really like him. But, I contend that Harrison makes plays, given his freakish strength and amazing leverage, that no one else could duplicate, no one. That’s why he’s the MVP.
I know it’s fun to speculate. And I’m not saying we shouldn’t do it. I’m just offering my take on it…no freakin way. Btw, I look for a deal to get done before camp.
Buyer Beware
How long did Harrison take to become great in the Steelers D? I effing love the guy but moving him to a new team might set him back a year or two in terms of production. By his own admission Harrison is a slow learner. But the Steelers had the proper patience and the results speak for themselves. It would be sad if he were traded to detroit and subsequently bounced from team to team.
Besides it would just be unsettling to see one of my favorite players leave- I hope we can keep him.
I don't see that happening
The reason is, it would have a ripple effect on the entire defense. Everything starts with the pass rush. Because they can consistently get pressure with Harrison and Woodly, that opens up everything else for the rest of the defense. Both of those guys rarely get stopped one on one so it’s pick your poison with them.
If Harrison is out of the pic, and his replacement doesn’t do the same job, the rest of the defense has to adjust and take more risk in order to get pressure on the QB. That in turn causes break downs by the other LB’s as well as the secondary. I do understand the financial side of it, but to break up the chemistry that got them the SB would be foolish.
by Bobby W on Mar 20, 2009 1:55 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
No
For all the reasons mentioned by Bobby W and one more … I do not ever want to see James Harrison lining up against Max Starks, even for one snap. If you think No. 52 has a bad disposition now, wait till the ultimate undrafted player lines up against the team that gave him up for … a draft pick?
Trades? Yes. Harrison? No. Unless it’s to a cricket team in Pakistan.
er... No. 92
Just the thought of seeing Harrison line up against Starks caused my brain to seize up in panic.
Wouldn't he just hold him...
worked for the rest of the league?
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on Mar 20, 2009 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
On the plus side
they’d finally call holding when Deebo rushes the QB.
by betelgeuse on Mar 20, 2009 3:28 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
No Trade
This will never happen! Even to entertain this thought would be a betrayal to what is the cornerstone of the team from last year and going forward. All blocking would be shifted toward Woodley and we would suffer getting to the QB. No same person in the FO would think of this…not happening, end of discussion!!
Perhaps ...
re-signing JH will start to move more quickly once the additional investors come on board.
This is an option
that has never crossed my mind. I can’t think of a time the Steelers ever traded away a starter. To be honest I can’t remember a player other than Mahan they traded for draft pick.
Interesting thoughts
Would love to see us get O-line talent this way, but hard to see it happening. I imagine that its more likely that they keep Deebo this year and let him walk when his contract is done.
I see ...
no scenario other than lack of bread causing us to lose JH. We have a great defense because he is part of the team. I can’t see reducing the defense’s effectiveness to shore up a Super Bowl winning offense—stress Super Bowl winning.
Who says it shores up the O?
Theoretically if we got draft picks and or a lineman we could still use what we get in return to build up the D.
I would love to see us trade him for a young stud at LDE, and get maybe a 2nd rounder in there also. Basically any solid player on either line, and a 2nd rounder and I would deem it a done deal.
I like it!
Not that I dislike Harrison, but he is a prime example of successful Steeler talent acquisition. They groom up no-name talent nicely and are always looking for opportunities to develop more. It is a shame that when old hands become superstars, the Steelers methodology makes it difficult to retain them. However, this is just how the superbowl was won. No one thought that a team with a seemingly crappy (and cheap) offensive line could win the big one, but a cheap OL made it possible to develop talent and proficiency all over the field. Besides, just imagine what we could get for Harrison. Lots of opportunity knocking.
Who knew?
I don't
And it really doesn’t fit the Steelers personality. Can’t remember when they last traded someone of that talent level. Plus it makes no sense. Let’s remember ladies and gentlemen, the Steelers are the World Champs, not Dallas, Philly or some other team contemplating desperate moves to get over the friggin’ hump. And besides, I want more than a first round draft pick for the defensive player of the year. I want several players, your wife/girlfriend AND your dreams!!
by Ivan Cole (RickVa) on Mar 21, 2009 8:34 PM EDT reply actions
But its not a desperate move
Its anything BUT desperate. We already won the title. But you now starting thinking forward and you realize Deebocles is probably not going to be this godlike for that much longer. And just like fertility, all it takes is one, one sucker team that is to bite the bait and give us cookies!
In addition
to all those great points for keeping Deebo, is the fact that he’s a work horse. That is something sometimes money cant buy. A true leader on the field.
We shoudl trade him
for a lifetime supply of Chick-fil-a. That stuff is good.
"The team that scores the most points wins."
John Madden
(Master of the obvious)
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