What is with Harrison?!

[kdog55]

As I was watching the Indy/Philthy game yesterday, I noticed that Marvin Harrison seemed to be just going through the motions. You could tell when every play was going to be a running play because when the huddle would break, he would kind of just sulk over to his spot on the line and then when the play would start he would just nonchalantly take a few steps off the line. His defender knew that he didn't have to cover him and would jump in for run support. For Christ's sake, at least FAKE IT! Then he dropped that one pass and went and sulked on the bench by himself. Although Madden says this is normal, it looked selfish to me.

 

Is there something going on here we don't know about? Is he P.O.'d that R. Wayne seems to be the go-to receiver anymore? I think you need to at least pretend to want to help your team and not just be cardboard cut-out out there!

 

Yes, I am a disgruntled Harrison owner, by the way!

[Bengal Mania]

+1

 

Oh yeah, when I traded to get Harrison a few weeks ago, I thought my tandem of Harrison + Holt would help me cruise to the playoffs.

[alexgaddis]

They couldn't stop Addai, no reason to throw the ball last night...

[junebugz]

They couldn't stop Addai, no reason to throw the ball last night...

except that 11 yard td to Wayne

[WorstCoachingEver]

They couldn't stop Addai, no reason to throw the ball last night...

True, but the OP is correct that Harrison didn't seem to give a damn all night long. In addition to the lackidasical (sic) blocking, there was the Sheppard INT that he took out of Marvin's hands. You could tell Peyton was like "What the hell" to Harrison on the way to the sideline.

Edited November 27, 2006 by WorstCoachingEver

[The Next Generation]

Theories:

 

1) Harrison is from Philly, so he thought he'd let someone else beat them (kidding)

2) Harrison and Manning don't really get along, so now that Wayne is finally getting to Harrison level of route running/experience with Manning, he's becoming his new "guy" (not kidding)

 

Although they were running all over the Eagles, I noticed the same thing you did. He was Randy Moss like in not even running his routes. And, he was sulking no matter if that was his normal spot on the bench or not.

[NAUgrad]

He has definitely come off my keeper list for next year. Especially as Romo is moving up the ladder quickly.

[The Next Generation]

Fron Benmaller.com:

 

Maybe it wasn't apparent to those who watched the Colts game on TV -- NBC dropped the ball on Marvin Harrison's pre-halftime disappearing act -- but Harrison put on a display that was as embarrassing as it was out of character. As the Colts lined up to try an Adam Vinatieri field goal just before halftime, Harrison casually made a beeline for the locker room, a move reminiscent of LeBron James. He hadn't been a big part of the offense, catching just one pass, but why fret? The Colts were poised to take a 24-7 lead. Who cares who's getting the love? But Harrison wasn't interested in staying involved. As the field-goal team lined up for the attempt, and the Colts' teammates stood on the sideline awaiting that final play, Harrison was disappearing into the tunnel, his back to the field of play. Then came the fourth quarter, the Colts leading comfortably, when Manning threw a rare pass to Harrison, who caught it, then had it stripped easily by Philadelphia's Lito Sheppard. That wasn't the issue, though. The issue was, Harrison just stood there, making no effort to chase down Sheppard as he returned the ball. When Dungy was asked later about Harrison's apparent hissy fit, he shrugged and said, "Once we saw how the game was going to go (with the Eagles consistently double-teaming the wide receivers), we knew we'd be running. He and I talked before the game and we were hoping to get him to 1,000 career catches (he came into the game with 987), but it'll happen.''

[slickvick]

Madden said last night that Wayne could be the #1 WR on half the teams in the NFL.What the heck is he talking about?Wayne is the #1 WR on the Colts for goodness sakes.Watching the Colts play it is apparent that Wayne has taken over that role.He runs absolutely great routes and he blocks.In all the years Marvin was getting his I don't recall Wayne sulking like Marvin is now.If Marvin is not involved his attitude goes in the toilet.There was a reason the Colts signed Wayne to a big deal and let Edge go.He is in the prime of his career and Marvin is hitting the down slope.Peyton has shown as of late that he is much more comfortable throwing the ball to Waynes' side of the field.Maybe Marvin should be a little less stubborn and come away from the right side once in a while.He never moves and IMO teams are getting a bead on him and what he does as a WR.Wayne is a more versatile player.He can move to the slot if need be and he has done it on several occasions this year.Yes I own Wayne this season but if you watch the Colts you can see these tendencies.

[kcmast]

Is this something new? I always thought he was a classy player.

[Azazello1313]

sadly, this sort of thing is not unprecedented with marvin.

 

the guy is obviously a great WR, and i know a lot of people think the guy epitomizes "class" because he doesn't talk trash or dance when he scores. but he's definitely prone to acting like a whiny little bisch when he's not getting the ball. and when he's sulking and chit ON the field, he's definitely not helping his team.

[Ursa Majoris]

See this thread also for more Harrison discussion

[Chadman]

Didn't this come up earlier in the year, and then he exploded for the 2 TD game right after that? I confess, I don't know, but seem to remember that. Could Stokely being out have a strong negative effect on Harrison, with him drawing more doubles now?

 

I traded for him before my deadline to get a dependable wideout for the stretch run, but not sure I did the right thing. I think he'll still get his, but I can't afford no production in the playoffs.

[Bill Swerski]

Theories:

 

2) Harrison and Manning don't really get along, so now that Wayne is finally getting to Harrison level of route running/experience with Manning, he's becoming his new "guy" (not kidding)

 

Although they were running all over the Eagles, I noticed the same thing you did. He was Randy Moss like in not even running his routes. And, he was sulking no matter if that was his normal spot on the bench or not.

 

You're dead wrong about Manning and Harrison not getting along. Peyton pushed hard for them to re-sign him and the two have been known to hang out off the field occasionally.

 

That said, I agree that his body language last night was unprofessional. He made a comment a couple of years ago about not being involved in the passing game as much as before, so it's understood that two balls thrown his way in a game isn't going to make him happy. But I'd take an unprofessional game every other year from Marvin over having to deal with Moss, T.O., Keyshawn, CJ, or some of the other big-ego WRs in the league.

 

And those who think that Marvin is over the hill and/or has fallen out of favor with Manning need to look closer at how defenses cover Marvin and Reggie. (Hint: Marvin almost always draws the double-coverage and/or the better CB).

[The Next Generation]

You're dead wrong about Manning and Harrison not getting along. Peyton pushed hard for them to re-sign him and the two have been known to hang out off the field occasionally.

 

 

Am I now. It doesn't really matter and you won't believe me anyway, but I have it on very good authority and it's more of a Harrison doesn't really care for Manning thing than the other way around. I've known this for a few years now and maybe, just maybe, Manning pushed hard for him to be re-signed because he's an awesome WR, works as hard as Manning at perfecting his craft, and is the best route runner ever?

 

Remember McNabb pushed hard for Owens to be brought to Philly...they didn't exactly part the best of friends now did they? It happens.

[Bill Swerski]

Am I now. It doesn't really matter and you won't believe me anyway, but I have it on very good authority and it's more of a Harrison doesn't really care for Manning thing than the other way around.

 

Oh, really? Care to share your source?

[The Next Generation]

Oh, really? Care to share your source?

 

 

Why, so I can get ridiculed. You won't believe me anyway.

[Bill Swerski]

Why, so I can get ridiculed. You won't believe me anyway.

 

 

No, so you can back up your remarks. That's what people are typically asked to do when they make controversial statements.

 

I actually would believe you, given that Marvin's generally pretty anti-social (rarely hangs out with teammates off the field, sits by himself at the end of the bench, and got into an altercation with some kids hounding him for an autograph at the Pro Bowl a couple of years ago). It seems to me that Marvin doesn't like people in general. But if he really specifically dislikes Peyton that much, I find it odd that he would re-sign to play with him for the rest of his career and most likely not get a ring because Dungy has failed miserably in his attempt to produce a SB-caliber defense.

Edited November 27, 2006 by Bill Swerski

[The Next Generation]

No, so you can back up your remarks. That's what people are typically asked to do when they make controversial statements.

 

I actually would believe you, given that Marvin's generally pretty anti-social (rarely hangs out with teammates off the field, sits by himself at the end of the bench, and got into an altercation with some kids hounding him for an autograph at the Pro Bowl a couple of years ago). But if he really dislikes Peyton that much, I find it odd that he would re-sign to play with him for the rest of his career and most likely not get a ring because they have yet to put together an physical defense.

 

 

Eh...OK. Someone who has hung-out with Marvin, has had business dealings with him and is married to his best friend's (from childhood) sister. They always go to one game a year as a family and hang-out with him. One year he played catch with them during pre-game warm-ups much to the astonishment of the RCA Dome crowd. We're all from Roxborough in Philly, though my friend and I are a few years older and I have never met him personally.

[Bill Swerski]

Eh...OK. Someone who has hung-out with Marvin, has had business dealings with him and is married to his best friend's (from childhood) sister. They always go to one game a year as a family and hang-out with him. One year he played catch with them during pre-game warm-ups much to the astonishment of the RCA Dome crowd. We're all from Roxborough in Philly, though my friend and I are a few years older and I have never met him personally.

 

 

So, what exactly did Marvin say about Peyton?

[keggerz]

Fron Benmaller.com:

 

Maybe it wasn't apparent to those who watched the Colts game on TV -- NBC dropped the ball on Marvin Harrison's pre-halftime disappearing act -- but Harrison put on a display that was as embarrassing as it was out of character. As the Colts lined up to try an Adam Vinatieri field goal just before halftime, Harrison casually made a beeline for the locker room, a move reminiscent of LeBron James. He hadn't been a big part of the offense, catching just one pass, but why fret? The Colts were poised to take a 24-7 lead. Who cares who's getting the love? But Harrison wasn't interested in staying involved. As the field-goal team lined up for the attempt, and the Colts' teammates stood on the sideline awaiting that final play, Harrison was disappearing into the tunnel, his back to the field of play. Then came the fourth quarter, the Colts leading comfortably, when Manning threw a rare pass to Harrison, who caught it, then had it stripped easily by Philadelphia's Lito Sheppard. That wasn't the issue, though. The issue was, Harrison just stood there, making no effort to chase down Sheppard as he returned the ball. When Dungy was asked later about Harrison's apparent hissy fit, he shrugged and said, "Once we saw how the game was going to go (with the Eagles consistently double-teaming the wide receivers), we knew we'd be running. He and I talked before the game and we were hoping to get him to 1,000 career catches (he came into the game with 987), but it'll happen.''

 

could it be he was pissed he wasnt gonna get the chance to reach 1000 in his hometown?

[The Next Generation]

So, what exactly did Marvin say about Peyton?

 

 

He just told me that he really doesn't care for him that much. I don't press him about it because he married into the family that is extremely close and loyal to Marvin (apparently he spent a lot of his childhood at their house, in their words, he was there all the time). I don't think Marvin ever said anything directly to my friend about the subject and my friend would never ask him point blank (like you said, he's a pretty private guy). But, that's what the brother told him. And, the brother talks to Marvin a lot.

 

I, too, was skeptical of that since they play so well together. But, then, when they broke the TD combo record and they had that little you-take it, no you take it thing I bought into it.

[Bill Swerski]

He just told me that he really doesn't care for him that much. I don't press him about it because he married into the family that is extremely close and loyal to Marvin (apparently he spent a lot of his childhood at their house, in their words, he was there all the time). I don't think Marvin ever said anything directly to my friend about the subject and my friend would never ask him point blank (like you said, he's a pretty private guy). But, that's what the brother told him. And, the brother talks to Marvin a lot.

 

I, too, was skeptical of that since they play so well together. But, then, when they broke the TD combo record and they had that little you-take it, no you take it thing I bought into it.

 

 

I'll buy that. Marvin's sort of an anti-social weirdo (at least, with regard to his teammates... I'm sure that he has several close friends). He's also the only pro athlete I know of whose diet consists of Tasty Cakes and candy.

 

Then again, "not caring" for somebody is different than flat-out disliking them. I don't care for some of my co-workers, but I get along with them and don't dislike coming to work because of them. My feeling is that Marvin probably has the same attitude I do towards some of his co-workers. It's also well-known that Peyton can be a real drill seargeant-type on the field, which I'm sure doesn't endear him to his teammates at times. I'm sure that you remember Reggie Wayne shoving Peyton on the sideline two years ago.

 

IMO, actions speak louder than words, and the fact that Marvin chose to re-sign with the Colts a year and a half ago and was caught on camera with Peyton at a Pacers game just before that suggests that their relationship probably isn't that bad.

[The Next Generation]

I'll buy that. Marvin's sort of an anti-social weirdo (at least, with regard to his teammates... I'm sure that he has several close friends). He's also the only pro athlete I know of whose diet consists of Tasty Cakes and candy.

 

Then again, "not caring" for somebody is different than flat-out disliking them. I don't care for some of my co-workers, but I get along with them and don't dislike coming to work because of them. My feeling is that Marvin probably has the same attitude I do towards some of his co-workers. It's also well-known that Peyton can be a real drill seargeant-type on the field, which I'm sure doesn't endear him to his teammates at times. I'm sure that you remember Reggie Wayne shoving Peyton on the sideline two years ago.

 

IMO, actions speak louder than words, and the fact that Marvin chose to re-sign with the Colts a year and a half ago and was caught on camera with Peyton at a Pacers game just before that suggests that their relationship probably isn't that bad.

 

 

So, it is possible that I'm not dead wrong. Agreed? I never said they hated each other.

[Bill Swerski]

So, it is possible that I'm not dead wrong. Agreed? I never said they hated each other.

 

 

I thought that's what you were implying. But since that's not the case, we can definitely agree.