If the NFL decides to suspend Steelers OLB James Harrison for his hit on Browns QB Colt McCoy in Thursday night’s 14-3 win in Pittsburgh, it will not be a decision that the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year agrees with.
“I don’t think a suspension is worthy,” Harrison said Monday. “I don’t think it’s worthy of anything, but that’s just my own personal thoughts.”
Harrison should find out soon if he’ll get suspended and/or fined for his helmet-to-helmet roughing the passer hit, one that sent the QB to the bench with what now is being called a concussion in the Steelers 11-point win.
Harrison says rightly so that McCoy left the pocket, rendering him fair game as a ballcarrier. McCoy actually stopped to pass the ball on the play.
“Well, he took off running with it, and at the last second he, like, chucked and ducked,” Harrison said.
McCoy briefly left the game, a controversy in itself as his father felt the Browns neglected to properly assess him for a concussion. The team said symptoms didn’t manifest themselves until the game was over.
As for Harrison, he’s use to seeing his pocket book get slapped for hits. Last season he drew $100,000 worth of fines for hits during the regular season.
“I feel like he’s trying to put people out of the game,” Browns WR/KR Josh Cribbs, a teammate of Harrison’s at Kent State, said Monday. “As a linebacker, that’s what his job is. That’s how he’s been in college, he tried to put me out of the game when I was on his team, with a red jersey on. That’s why he’s been so successful in this league. That’s also why he’s been highly fined in this league as well, but also successful.”
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Thomas Crowley
December 13, 2011 at 2:37 am
The Steelers need to keep winning if they are going to find a way to overcome the Ravens to take the AFC North.
I couldn’t resist.
I
Peter
December 13, 2011 at 9:31 am
6 Lombardi trophies.
I hope he is not suspended but i think he is going to be. Whether we like it or not, hitting the QB is a 50/50 proposition as it relates to getting a 15 yard penalty. Its actually probably worse than a coin flip. Its frustrating but that is the reality of the NFL. Hats off to Colt McCoy for having the presence of mind to tell the trainers it was his hand that was hurt so he could go back in the game. Kids a gamer. Players are going to do everything they can to get back in the game up to and including lying to the trainers and coaching staff. These guys know the risks and are not thinking about the long term ramifications of blunt head trauma. The players are more cognizant of it but i still think they are willing to trade the long term risks for short term gratification.
DrGeorge
December 13, 2011 at 10:57 am
Harrison’s hit on McCoy was a cheap shot. He will probably be fined, and with his public insults of Goodell in mind, a suspension seems likely too.
Having said that, this incident illustrates once again the difficulty of the overly-legalistic approach Goodell has taken to promote player safety. Harrison argues, rightly, that McCoy was out of the pocket, running up the field, and had become in effect a running back. Helmet to helmet contact with a running back is not an offense. Goodell claims McCoy was still within the protection of the rule (citing the 4th subparagraph of the applicable rule). To expect any player to parse the intricacies of the the playbook in the middle of a tackle is absurd. Goodell has chosen to address the problem of concussions in the NFL piecemeal, by protecting only selected, high-profile players. Instead, he should be taking steps to eliminate the underlying problem for all players, including defensive players and linebackers. All players risk concussions, not just RBs and QBs, and the long-term effects are just as concerning for a lineman as a QB.
Before all this rule-making, Harrison’s hit on McCoy would still have been a violation of the rules. Not for helmet-to-helmet contact, but because for McCoy the play ended when he passed the ball, and Harrison had time to pull up or veer aside. In the old days, Harrison’s tackle of McCoy would have been a late hit, pure and simple. That’s how it should be regarded on this occasion, too. But it won’t be.
Even though this is Harrison’s first offense of the year, politics will enter into Goodell’s assessment of his culpability. There are old scores to settle between these two. And to expect reason and fairness out of the NFL front office on this occasion is to expect too much.
jay
December 13, 2011 at 4:21 pm
In the stands from now on the fans should just form big “V”‘s when cheering to signify what a VAGINA league the NFL is becoming. The pink during October should be litigated throughout the year on ALL player apparel (because I think it a SIN to resign a horrendous color like pink to something as awesome as tits exclusively!). Also, let’s put a statue of Jack Lambert somewhere; no, not because of his on field play throughout his career but because of his highly prophetic remark about skirts and quarterbacks! (the irony being the one and only quarterback who SHOULDN’T wear one is Big Ben- playing for Lambert’s old team–and yes, Crowley, even your cocksuckin’ Delaware Blue Chicken or whatever he was gets one too!). Also, let’s have timeouts where the players huddle in a sewing circle and gossip about the other team for one minute, you have to be sure to put on the eye black with a pinky raised, new endzone celebrations include a day at the mall and pillow fighting—but you’re not allowed to use your purse as an accessory! Vince Lombardi is probably turning over in his grave saying, “What the Hell’s goin’ on out there…(extremely gay lisp), everyone’s just grabbing, no one’s tackling mmm-hmmm-hmmm-hmmm!” I play a lot of Madden and there’s a new update where players actually giggle as they run out onto the field. All of these new litigated changes mind you, to be replaced by unadulterated and irrational violence and mood swings once a month…BUT ONLY ONCE A MONTH!!!!
Really, NFL, I mean really, could you make me feel more like a homo watching my favorite sport?!? I don’t care if anyone’s offended by my overly misogynistic or troglodytic allegory! In trying to procure its longevity, they’re fucking up what it is!!!!
Thomas Crowley
December 13, 2011 at 8:40 pm
Flacco is tougher then ben. He doesn’t rape women.
Sad Face
December 13, 2011 at 9:33 pm
Flacco only $ucks donkey 6ick
The Tony
December 13, 2011 at 10:55 pm
Than* Use proper grammar idiot
George H
December 13, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Looks like Harrison gets 1 game suspension
Mark
December 13, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Deebo is appealing his 1 game off. With that said, even noted Steeler hater Chris Collinsworth said the league should stay out of this one and that McCoy was a RB at that point and not subject to the same protections that QB get, like it or not.Steelers remain a target for GODdell discipline. I disagree with DrGeorge and do NOT consider it a cheap shot. Harrison’s reputation as a missile brought this on. Any other player is NOT being suspended today.
Peter
December 13, 2011 at 3:00 pm
Seems about right. The rules are the rules. You just can’t hit QB’s in the head. 92 knows this. He could have still blown up McCoy by hitting him lower. He is a repeat offender which is why he is getting the penalty. Agree with it or not the rules are now pretty clear about what you can do and can not do when tackling the QB.
Peter
December 13, 2011 at 5:41 pm
Very reasonable and well thought out opinion Jay.
jay
December 13, 2011 at 11:43 pm
It’s okay to go to the store and buy a spine and actually speak out and be passionate about something, Pete! The jeers only hurt for a little while.