Steelers linebacker James Harrison cashed in on his incredible 2008 season by agreeing to a new contract that is worth $51.175 million over the next six seasons, according to a source.
almost 3 years ago
Joel Thorman
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ridiculously great news
The monetary amount means nothing, I can’t wait to see the meat of the deal. Incentives and how the deal is structured mean way more than the dollar amount. All I care about is that the deal was done. I trust that the steelers did not mortgage the future.
The rest of the steelers off-season begins now. Lets see who they can restructure, and who else they can extend. I assume we’ll hear news about Ward and/or Starks restructuring soon, because the steelers don’t have enough cap room for a big payday this year as it stands.
Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.
Wow,
that compares pretty favorably to Bart Scott’s contract, who isn’t close to the player we have in Harrison. He was the biggest bargain in the NFl last year, and now he’s pretty close to a steal again.
Yippie
We get to hold Harrison every time he rushes for 6 more years!
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Apr 13, 2009 12:02 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Thank ya, Thank Ya
I’ll be here all night folks……
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Also,
I get the shakes whenever I think of a linebacking corps consisting of Farrior and Timmons inside with Harrison and Woodley coming off the edge. That’s a pretty vicious group – you could probably stock the rest of your D with replacement-level players and still come out above average in the end.
by Desroko on Apr 13, 2009 12:07 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
It all starts up front. Without the warriors we have on our Dline even 4 guys of Harrison’s caliber wouldn’t be able to hold down the fort.
Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.
I'm not knocking the big guys.
But if those four stay healthy, I feel confident that the age of our D-line won’t catch up with us this season.
If, if.
by Desroko on Apr 13, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That’s only because a 33 year old A. Smith is one of the best 3-4 DEs in the league. I’d rather have any of our LBs go down than A. Smith.
Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.
That's my point.
when healthy, Aaron Smith is one of the best DEs in the league. However, we have to get used to the idea that Aaron Smith (and Casey Hampton) aren’t going to be very healthy very often going forward.
The D-line, and not the O-line, is our biggest weakness right now, and it’s because of health, and not skill. When these guys are on the field, they’re very good. But guys closer to 35 than 30 and have to be rotated off the field quite a bit – and that’s when they’re not dealing with injuries that keep them out of the game altogether.
Luckily, our linebackers and secondary are mostly young, mostly healthy, and on average, very good. But the number-one most likely cause of a defensive decline (and at this point, I realize that merely becoming human would be a decline for this D) is up front.
That’s your point, but I don’t agree with it at all. If our DL suffers this year a healthy LB corps may salvage our defense and make it OK, but it will not be great. Basically I believe
Injured LB/Healthy DL > Injured DL/Healthy LB
No way to prove that with the current roster, and hopefully we won’t get to find out either way.
Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.
totally agree desroko while still acknowleding fair point by steelguy
That LB corps is dope. As good as it gets. Like your point even if hyperbolic just for emphasis. Those dudes do provide nice margin of error, no two ways about it.
PS – good to see you back. Been awhile.
by Michael Bean on Apr 16, 2009 7:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Time to Restock both lines
Desroko, I think its time to use this draft to restock both lines. As Kevin Colbert says, “Let’s get’em good or get’em gone.”
I haven't had nearly enough time
to check the prospects as I’d like, so i’m not gonna pretend to know who we should be looking at it. who do you like?
(I also don’t think that CB is as much of a need as a fat guy on either side, but that’s just me.)
There are quite a few good 3-4 DL prospects. Check out my DL post from a while back. I really like Evander Hood, but he could be gone. Some (including datruth, IIRC) like Jarron Gilbert in the first.
charity standing orders
Good deal for all parties
Deebo finally gets a real contract and has decent security, while the Steelers keep their OLB’s around for a while without an absurdly large contract. $20M in bonuses is a lot for a guy as old as Harrison, but 4 more good years is a reasonable expectation for a guy with as minimal an injury history as he has. No matter what happens, the last 2 years won’t be a huge issue to work around.
As long as him and Woodley are together, the defense should be fun to watch. At least we’re not paying a 34 year old Ray Lewis $45M.
charity standing orders
Like I said upthread,
the Jets got fleeced. I don’t know what the real terms are yet, but so far we’re basically paying Harrison, DPOY, the same as they are Scott, a pretty good role-player.
I wonder if any details will emerge regarding the “hiccup” that kept this deal from taking place sooner.
Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.
Deebo wanted a bonus clause that if he physically caused any opposing QBs to spontaneous combust out of pure fear he gets 5 million extra. The Steelers FO was fairly sure that would put them over the cap. The deal was altered to have a smaller payout for OTs crapping their pants in fear.
by Chicago Steeler on Apr 13, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I bought the new Irish ambassador a Guinness.
The details are hazy though as apparently that little man can drink and I woke up alone being kicked out of the bar at closing time. Tullamore Dew is never a good idea.
by Chicago Steeler on Apr 13, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions
A good day for Steeler Nation
Deebo deserves the money. It’s nice too know that over the next couple of years he will be making almost as much as Max Starks.
Overpaid?
It’s important to read the article: $31 mil in base salary. $20 mil in bonuses.
If you read “$50 mil contract”, you might think that we overpaid, but really, it’s $5 mil / season for 6 years, with $20 mil tied to bonuses.
Exactly what he is worth.
Great deal
Like Morel said, we are paying 5mi per year and the rest on bonuses, I am sure he will be paid way more in the first 2-3 years, but then on the last days, will be way less, based on his performance
I am sure if he tested free agency, he would get a 5year 58 mi with 25- guaranteed or more!
Two different versions of this story are going around
In one version he has 20 million garunteed and 31 million in bonuses
In the other he has 31 million gauranteed and 20 million in bonuses
Although both are good deals there is a big difference between the two. My sense is that the first is correct, which would mean that the Steelers have structured a low risk (for them) high potential reward (for both sides) deal.
There’s also the version that it’s 20 million in bonuses and 31 million in salaries. I’d be a lot happier if that 20 million in bonuses was $10mil in signing and $10mil in incentives, but who knows at this point?
Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.
Yeah hard to tell
Base salary is not actually guaranteed (if you cut a player) while signing bonuses are – so it’s hard to know, but if the Trib article is right and we only have to pay 20 million guaranteed money, then it’s actually a serious steel, considering the Ravens are paying 22 million for Ray Lewis at the age of 34.
by SteelerBuddha on Apr 13, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Was not
He will still play at a high level for at least 3 more years and be the best MLB in the game till he retires. This contract set up our future so that when WANTS to leave, it will not be as big of a salary cap hit. Having a contract set for like 3 years or so would put added pressure on Ray when it expires. He has been through enough with this team and city and the whole league that he should have the right to be able to walk away from football when he feels is right.
And that is not happening for a while, unless when we win the superbowl next year, then he can go ahead and retire, his job is done.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
I’m feeling contrarian today. Why should Ray Ray remain the best MLB till he retires? I’ll agree he’s one of the best of this generation of players. But he’s not the force he was 5 years ago and he will continue to decline.
Jerry Rice is the best receiver ever, but I think everyone acknowledges he didn’t remain the best receiver in football till the end.
by Chicago Steeler on Apr 13, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Ray does more then tackling
No one will ever be what they were 5-7 years ago, but the fact is that he is still in on every tackle in each game and in the top 10 in tackles every year. His leadership and role in our team is what makes him the best MLB in the game. They only guy who can be up there with him is Patrick Willis.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Patrick Willis?
Why? Because they share the same number? I know how beastly Patrick Willis is but comparing a 3 yr pro to your beloved Ray Lewis…? Sounds like a bit of a downgrade. But then again Willis’ 174 and 141 tackles beat all of Lewis’ sums save for three years. So maybe you’re implying that Patrick Willis is better than RayRay?
This is Pittsburgh Steeler Troy Polamalu getting knocked around by the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii yesterday...
Minutes later, Troy caught the ocean going over the middle and smacked it right in the mouth. The ocean fumbled, Troy recovered and ran it into the endzone. The ocean never messed with Troy again.
Athletic wise
Right now, Willis is the most athletic MLB in the game. He is freak physically and I do compare him to Ray Lewis when Ray was his age. I do not think that all around, Willis is better then Ray, but Willis is going to most likely put up better numbers then basically anyone else in the league for a while.
Would I choose Willis over Ray right now, no way. I am just implying that IMO, the only other MLB in the NFL today that is close to the level of impacting a game from this position is Willis.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Ah
Ok, I gotcha.
This is Pittsburgh Steeler Troy Polamalu getting knocked around by the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii yesterday...
Minutes later, Troy caught the ocean going over the middle and smacked it right in the mouth. The ocean fumbled, Troy recovered and ran it into the endzone. The ocean never messed with Troy again.
Ray Lewis isn't even the best middle linebacker in the AFC North anymore
That title goes to a different old guy by the name of James Farrior. Very quietly, without shouting, fanfare, ridiculous contract demands or chest thumping – Farrior has become the best MLB in the AFC north.
Since he joined the Steelers in 2002 he has more sacks, tackles, forced fumbles than Ray. He has also been tougher and more durable. During those 7 years he missed a total of 4 games. During the same time ray has missed 26 game.
Farrior has been the Capitan and play caller for the best defense in the league and won two super-bowls.
While Ray has shown definite signs of slowing down, Farrior seems to be getting better with age, having played his best Football in the past 4 years.
But I am glad that nobody else in Football wanted Ray Lewis and that he came crawling back to the Ravens. It makes for good fun in the rivalry.
by SteelerBuddha on Apr 13, 2009 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions
You make a couple good points. He HAS captained the best D in the NFL for a few years, and he might be better than Ray Lewis today.
Still, don’t get too high on Farrior. This will be his last season with us.
Biased opinion
Wayyyyyyyyyyyyy more people out there will say Ray Lewis is the best MLB in the game before they even mention Farrior in the same sentence. I take it Ryan Clark is better then Ed Reed to?
Your response: “Yea he is, just ask McGahee.”
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
When you crunch the numbers, Farrior is a better player…
Lewis is more recognized because he has a bigger mouth and is a more “emotional leader” than Farrior.
In other words, Farrior is underrated and Lewis might be a bit overrated.
by steelersfan86 on Apr 14, 2009 1:12 AM EDT up reply actions
and you said it best
Wayyyyyyyyyyyyy more people out there will SAYRay Lewis is the best MLB in the game before they even mention Farrior in the same sentence.
by steelersfan86 on Apr 14, 2009 1:14 AM EDT up reply actions
No
You can ask Wes Welker too. But see that’s an entirely different argument, about Ryan Clark & Ed Reed that is. Ryan Clark trumps him in tackles but Ed Reed dominates with INTs. They have entirely different styles of play. However you can’t say the same about Farrior and Lewis. Technically all they have to is stop the run and occasionally get into coverage, therefore you should mention them in the same sentence. We’re biased towards Farrior, I know we are, but you simply can’t shun him just because he doesn’t get the media Ray does. Oh and Farrior did make it to the pro bowl, twice in fact, thats gotta show something right? Now I know he’s not close to Ray’s 10 appearances but you’ve gotta give Farrior some credit.
This is Pittsburgh Steeler Troy Polamalu getting knocked around by the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii yesterday...
Minutes later, Troy caught the ocean going over the middle and smacked it right in the mouth. The ocean fumbled, Troy recovered and ran it into the endzone. The ocean never messed with Troy again.
Only Steelers I will ever give credit to
Are the ones who leave your team for other teams.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
That
makes absolutely no sense.
This is Pittsburgh Steeler Troy Polamalu getting knocked around by the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii yesterday...
Minutes later, Troy caught the ocean going over the middle and smacked it right in the mouth. The ocean fumbled, Troy recovered and ran it into the endzone. The ocean never messed with Troy again.
Ed Reed is better than Ryan Clark
But Ed Reed is not better than Poluamulu and Farrior (for the past 5 years or so) is better and more reliable than Lewis. Lewis has a better overall career, he was a monster when he was younger and Farrior played on the Jets where he wasn’t properly utilized. But in recent memory it’s hard to argue with Farrior’s level of play and those two heavy rings he wears on this fingers.
by SteelerBuddha on Apr 14, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
"Ray does more then tackling"
yeah like dancing around and running his mouth
"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."
I just love how the whole thing went down.
Hey hey, I’m ray-ray, who wants me to play awesome MLB for them? I’m big, bad, oh yeah.
crickets
Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.
Didn’t you hear? He never wanted to play for anybody but the ravens. He was just talkin’.
by Chicago Steeler on Apr 13, 2009 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Think about how good this might look in 2010
When salaries have the potential of going whacky. Awesome news.
awesome! BUT
6 years! Shit, we could sign him for 3, then trade him to some damsel in distress for a good package. Ah, hell. He;s a great player. Congrats to the Steelers, him, and us
When we hit you, you don't get up. When you hit us, we get up laughing.
It's probably only a 4yr deal, with extra tacked on
And we should take a default position of not trading anyone, ever, unless they’re a locker room problem because it kills team chemistry, morale, and other players hate it. I don’t get the trade FWP / Foote / Harrison talk.
by syrsteelerfan on Apr 13, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Most important is that...
…we now know how much the Steelers are paying for the most important piece of the puzzle, and that means we have a solid dollar figure on how much is left under the cap for free agents and draft choices.
For cap management, what has happened is critical. The Steelers can even dip their World Champion toes in the free agent market.
free agent market?
What free agent market? Free agency is basically over. The signing of Leftwich was the closing bell. There’s nobody left out there who is even worth acquiring (insert exception here)
Don't know his name....
…so I can’t insert exception there.
Of course, I didn’t know Keyaron Fox’s name until he was signed, and have no idea who all those UDFA’s might be. I’ll have a better idea about that on April 26th, right after we find out who Mr Irrelevant is. I believe there may be a couple of undrafted free agents who have contributed to the Steelers who are on the roster now….even as I type away.
Once you know how much you’ve gotta spend on your “must haves” for this year, you’re in much better shape to know how much you will be able to spend on the mortar that helps hold it all together.
Draft
I hope we get depth on the D Line and beef up our O Line. I love Mack with the first overall pick, this is Hartwigs last year on his contract and there are lots of free agents to re sign next year (Heath, Big Hamp etc) You think of all the great centers the Steelers have had over the years (Webster, Dawson, Hartings) and he would be a great centerpiece for the line.
by BlackandGoldSSgt on Apr 13, 2009 5:08 PM EDT reply actions
Reconsidering
I was listening to Atlanta sports talk radio and a particularly insightful commentator made me rethink my views on this deal. The Steelers abiltiy to draft OLBs may be better than any team’s ability to draft any other position. Look at all the non first round talent: Porter, Gildon, Harrison, Woodley, Haggans, Lloyd, etc.. Even free agents seem to play better as an OLB for the Steelers (see Kevin Greene).
I don’t think it’s a bad move, but maybe not the best move. Why give the second biggest contract in franchise history to a 30 yr old OLB when the Steelers are so good at drafting OLBs (with A. Harrison being the possible exception)? Especially when we could get him for two more years w/ the last year of his old contract and the franchise tag. By that time, he’ll likely be the second best OLB on the team next to the Wookie. Glad to see James stay and get paid, but the opportunity cost may be a lot when other players start walking after next season.
by CarlWeathersMustache on Apr 13, 2009 5:13 PM EDT reply actions
Valid point.
Why give the second biggest contract in franchise history to a 30 yr old OLB when the Steelers are so good at drafting OLBs ?
That is a real hard question to answer. There are lots of arguments claiming that " he can still play because he only started for two years" and maybe that’s why we resigned him? But still it must be about something other than skill. What makes James Harrison worthy enough to keep when we let Porter go? Right now I’m thinking that Deebo’s been showing a lot more potential than we’ve seen. Or maybe the duo with Woodley won’t work so well with our other linebackers? I also am happy about the fact that he got paid but when we have the possibility of other players walking, it doesn’t seem to fit what we’re used to and that has led me to believe that there’s even more to James that we haven’t seen. Does that possibility exist? Maybe or maybe not we’ll find out next year. I like the fact that we have so many veterans with experience, but I hate it because it’s also a liability.
This is Pittsburgh Steeler Troy Polamalu getting knocked around by the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii yesterday...
Minutes later, Troy caught the ocean going over the middle and smacked it right in the mouth. The ocean fumbled, Troy recovered and ran it into the endzone. The ocean never messed with Troy again.
Depending on the way the deal was structured
It’s not a very expensive deal. Yes we could probably find somebody to take over for Deebo, but this guy has been an inspiration for his team. He plays hungry and he’s one of the few OLB that I’ve watched just take over a game on multiple occasions.
I think it’s worth holding on to him and letting the young guys grow behind him. He is one of the faces of this team.
by SteelerBuddha on Apr 13, 2009 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with this
I think the brass looked at a guy who was back in the weight room a few short days after SB XLIII working his tail off, and said, “we need this guy around growling angrily at anyone who’s slacking”…
It's Really not a Huge Contract
Only $31 million in salary. That’s $5 mil/year plus bonuses. The top line is huge, but unimportant. There’s no way that he makes $51 million off this contract, and sports news networks only report that number because it sounds big. It gets people to stay tuned in.
Also, Porter was 32 when we let him go. There’s no way he was worth the money he was seeking in a long term deal. Deebo has at least 3 years left in him, and the Steelers can cut him at any time.
Also, Porter had Deebo behind him. Who is behind Deebo?
Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.
B. Davis
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on Apr 14, 2009 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions
But he is VERY un-proven
So that is why this signing made sense.
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on Apr 14, 2009 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions
I hate to take a non-football strategy viewpoint
and you make some good points. But to answer your question:
Why give the second biggest contract in franchise history to a 30 yr old OLB when the Steelers are so good at drafting OLBs
- the guy has made legendary plays. The front office doesn’t play to the fans that much, but people would be pissed if he was allowed to walk.
- if he left after his contract was up, he’d probably go to cleveland just to spite us, and then the Silverback would be unleashed against Ben. Remember the Miami game last year? Imagine that twice a year.
That and he’s the best player at his position in the league.
I don’t know. Before today’s news I consoled myself with the fact that we’d have him for two years for a cost of what, $9 or so total. I could live with that. But 5-6 years could be even better if he holds up.
"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."
Here's the other thing
Extending a 30 year old with such a huge contract is so out of character for the Steelers that it really makes me think that Hines and Hampton are gone. They are both still playing well enough that it will take more than a 2 year contract to keep either. They definitely won’t both be extended or else the team will be burdened with contracts on aging players a couple years down the road. That is not the Steelers style.
by CarlWeathersMustache on Apr 13, 2009 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I just can't imagine Ward playing for another team
maybe I’m still too new to this game, but I just can’t see it. The way he wept on the field after SBXLIII, I don’t think he wants too much more out of his career than to contribute to Steeler victories.
And Hampton, I love him, but he can’t hold up forever. That said who the heck can replace him?
"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."
Hoke did a fine job a few years ago, and that was before Hampton started slowing down (Hoke has inevitably slowed down a bit more as well). Hoke can replace him for a year and rotate with hopefully, a stud NT. As long as A. Smith is healthy Hoke can hold the point.
Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.
awesome news
i don’t get why people are saying this is so unusual for the Steelers to do, reasonable deal for a monster off the edge, in his prime, better than Joey was in his prime, frankly. what was the last OLB that we have seen that is better than Harrison? I have a difficult time coming up with a list, and they have developed tons of great ones in Pittsburgh.
Some corrections, explainations and ideas
First, this was a good signing. Harrison is a player. The salary as I see it is doable for 4 years, like some of you have already said. I am guestimating the figures, but the 20 mil in bonus is likely a signing bonus with 31 million in salaries. Based on my assumption and the Pitt Tribune I believe saying his salary cap hit this year was 5.5 mil or so, I see it breaking down as such:
Year Bonus Salary Cap Hit
2009 $3.33 mil $2,450,000 $5,780,000
2010 $3.33 mil $3,185,000 $6,515,000
2011 $3.33 mil $4,140,500 $7,470,500
2012 $3.33 mil $5,382,650 $8,712,650
2013 $3.34 mil $6,997,445 $10,337,445
2014 $3.34 mil $9,096,679 $12,436,679
Total $20 million $31,252,275 $51,252,274
My bottom line is $75,000 high but it is probably close. I used the 2.45 mil salary to start and used a 30% flat increase year to year. That being said, he will in my opinion see everything up to 2012 (although that year may see a restructuring). Contrary to what PaulMorel said, we cannot cut him after three years. That would not make any financial sense. If you cut him you own him the remainder of the bonus in that year, so instead of having him as a player at $8.712 million we would have to pay him $10.1 million to not play. Cutting him in 2013 would reduce his cap hit from $10.337 mil to $6.68 mil, savings of $3.657 mil, that would actually make much more sense.
As for resigning Big Snack, we will see. If Sammie Lee Hill from Stillman is drafted by us (we are bringing him in) then Hapton is as good as gone. This kid is big (6’5’’, 339 pounds and from scouting reports it is mostly muscle and he could carry another 15 or 20 without having a weight issue). He is a hard worker, humble kid, and with Mitchell Coaching him, could be an Albert Haynesworth type impact player. Add a new DE to replace Keisel and our front seven will be monstrous for the next 5 years. (I am hoping we take a late round flyer on Khalif Mitchell DT/DE East Carolina (6’5’’ 318 lbs) Go on draftguys.com and watch his profile (go to the draft by simon and look for him).
deffinsion of a steeler fan
a druken fan that can only squeel becasue they cant win a game we beat you twice but u paid te refs and we would got a bye and you would lose to the titans again and we went abeat the cards but hell your team is worse than the detroit lions
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