State of the Steelers Roster: Linebackers: Part 1.
by Michael Bean on Feb 26, 2008 12:22 PM EST
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PrintOverview: This is a somewhat difficult group to assess. On the one hand, there's cause for concern. We struggled getting to the QB with our blitzing LBs in the second half of the season, and we also got humiliated in the running game on several occassions late. However, we saw very little of LaMarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons last year. If they arrive in Latrobe ready to contribute in '08, it's potentially a very good unit. I'm going to post this part in two posts because there's just too many LBs on the squad to do it all at once. Players like Marquis Cooper, Andre Frazier and Arnold Harrison shouldn't be dismissed just because they haven't played much yet for the Steelers other than on special teams.
James Harrison:
Age and '07 Statistics: 29 years old 5/4/78, 86 tackles, 8 sacks, 1 INT, 3 forced fumbles
Contract Status: 'Silverback' is signed through 2009 with cap hits of $1.446 in '07, $1.543 in '08, and $1.743 in '09
2007 Analysis: Harrison stormed out of the gates in the first half of 2007. After the first Baltimore game on Monday Night Football where Harrison took over the game with 3 sacks, an INT and a FF, I wrote that he might be the best value at LB in the NFL. Well, Harrison slowed down considerably in the second half of the season. He still figures into our plans prominently and really doesn't have that much wear and tear on his body for a soon to be 30 year old.
2008 Outlook: Harrison will perform for Pittsburgh in '08 and '09 at a bargain price. With Woodley on the opposite side attracting attention, Harrison might face fewer obstacles getting to the QB. Harrison might be a bit better in the next several years as he learns to play as a starter in a complex defense. He has been able to rely on his sheer will and athleticism on special teams and as a reserve, but now that he's been thrusted into a starting role and asked to do much more, Harrison will need to continue to improve on not being out of position out there.
James Farrior
Age and '07 Statistics: 33 years old (1/6/75), 94 tackles, 6 sacks, 1 INT
Contract Status: This may be the end of the line for Farrior in Pittsburgh, as he's only on the books through '08. The veteran is slated to earn $3.24 million in base salary, and he will constitute a $4.498 million cap hit.
2007 Analysis: At the end of the year, Farrior had racked up nearly 100 tackles and a respectable 6 sacks. With Timmons unable to get on the field much in '07, Farrior was asked to do lots and he performed admirably for the league's #1 ranked defense.
2008 Outlook: If this is the end of the line for Farrior in Pittsburgh, it will have been a great seven years. Perhaps the Steelers will be interested in something short term in '09 and/or '10, but I doubt it, unless the money's right for the organization. Farrior still has plenty of gas in the tank to be be a formidable ILB in Dick LeBeau's 3-4. If Timmons can play beside him and not expose the rest of the defense, I think we can reasonably expect Farrior to rack up another 80+ tackles, stay healthy, and continue to serve as a captain and on-field leader for the defense.
Clark Haggans
Age and '07 Statistics: 31 years old (1/10/77), 57 tackles, 3 sacks, 0 INTs
Contract Status:Haggans is an URFA. He won't be back in Pittsburgh next year. His agent has said as much on the record.
2007 Analysis: Not going to spend much time here because Haggas won't be around next year, but basically he started off the year on fire, prompting one reader I believe to comment at one point: 'who put spoiled milk in Clark Haggans' corn flakes?' He quickly regressed though and finished the year injured and in the doghouse of many Steelers fans.
2008 Outlook: At 31 years of age and with no outstanding qualities, Haggans will get signed somehwere, but probably not for more than a year or two and only modest money. We wish him the best of luck and thank him for his service here.
Arnold Harrison
Age and '07 Statistics: 25 years old (9/20/82), 13 tackles, 1 forced fumble
Contract Status: Harrison is an Exclusive Rights Free Agent, meaning basically he's 'owned' by the Steelers and isn't able to take his services to the open market. If the Steelers want him, Harrison will be paid and have a chance to compete. It's unclear if Harrison will make the team in '08 and what his contract status might be. Even the salary cap guru for the Steelers is unsure of his status.
2007 Analysis: Harrison played in 13 games in '07, recording 2 tackles in four separate games. He's got decent size and speed for an OLB, but he's not been asked to do much more than spell the starters for a brief moment or two at this point in his career. Can you guys remind me if Harrison played much on special teams, and if so, did he play well?
2008 Outlook: As I mentioned, it's unclear whether Harrison will be retained by the Steelers, but if he does, he'll need to make an impression as a special teams ace. There's simply no room for him right now to compete for a starting job at the LB position unless there's significant injury(s) this offseason and next year. The one silver lining for Harrison is that his surname counterpart, James, also struggled to get on the field early on in his career, and now is on the fringe of becoming a Pro Bowl player. Silverback however, made a name for himself as a head hunter on ST. Arnold will have to do the same to stick around.
Needs: I'll save this section until I complete the LB review later today. Let's start with this. Specifically, what are your thoughts on Haggans' tenure in Pittsburgh? What will he get on the market? Will J. Harrison make another big step forward or have we just about seen the best of him? Farrior? Is he worth investing in beyond this year?
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James Harrison
by TheMostViolentTeam on Feb 26, 2008 12:49 PM EST reply actions
Farrior
I don't care what Haggans gets or where he goes. I forgot he even was playing for us unless he was covering Wes Welker. Not good for a 3-4 OLB, and mysterious considering Woodley looked so promising.
As for Harrison, I think he's hit his peak, but that's a pretty decent peak for an UDFA. He may be a slightly better version of Brett Keisel: fanstastic ST'er and role player, good starter who can wear down over a season.
I expect a few more good seasons out of him, but he's not a lock for more Pro Bowls unless we start playing Baltimore every week.
my two cents
Silverback - 98 tackles and 8.5 sacks will be hard to top but he'll have a better OLB on the other side so it's possible. At 29-30 though, we can probably only expect another couple years of play at this level.
Farrior - He's been one of the best free agent signing the Steelers have made that I can remember. I don't know that I'd touch him after this season though, unless it's a cheap one or two year deal. I'd doubt he'd do that but you never know.
LB
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC3xNSiRTDc
FARRIOR has been a leader on the D and a leading tackler every year. He almost won Defensive Player of the Year in 2004. I don't see them signing him again unless they have no replacement and he comes on the cheap and he will be missed.
HAAGANS was a teammate of Joe Porter at CO but never reached the level of play that Porter did. Haagans played exceptionally during the SB run to XL. He will not be missed.
ARNOLD has played well on special teams during his Steelers tenure. If he is to make the team that is where his contribution will be. I was next to him in an elevator in SD in 2006 and he was smallish to me for an NFL LB.
Farrior
by TheMostViolentTeam on Feb 26, 2008 2:11 PM EST reply actions
this is a good pt
by Michael Bean on Feb 26, 2008 2:28 PM EST up reply actions
yup
by TheMostViolentTeam on Feb 26, 2008 2:37 PM EST reply actions
Harrison
Considering this (along with the fact that Haggans will be gone and Farrior is probably in his last year), I hope that the Steelers continue to address their lb corps. Not only could they use an extra lb or two on ST, they need to continue grooming lb for starting positions. And as we can see from our first two picks last year, any drafted lb may not see the field right away.
datruth4life
I think Andre Frazier can be an important part of this defense as that 3rd OLB and special teams player. By having an entire training camp with this new staff, he'll have a better chance to contribute in the base defense as a backup for the two starters on the outside and be a team leader on special teams. I like his size, 6'5'', 255-lb., speed and tackling ability. We need to see if he can consistently turn the corner and hold up at the point of attack.
I think Arnold Harrison is just a guy at this point. I feel the same way about Marquis Cooper. I expect the Steelers to sign a veteran LB that can play inside and outside (someone like Rocky Boiman, who they came close to signing this past year) for depth and for special teams.
I think there could be two to 3 LBs that will make this team this year solely on the ability to bust heads. You can see that Cowher kind of differs in the type of players and LBs that he likes compared to Tomlin. Cowher likes big, sturdy thumpers while Tomlin likes smaller, quicker LBs that can run and strike.
Free agents who sign with this team after the draft have a legitimate shot to make this team on special teams.
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