James Harrison - LB Pitt - Dirty player?

[Living the Dream]

I watched this guy yesterday and he looks like a very dirty player. Then I read this off ESPN.com

 

 

 

 

PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison states his objective matter-of-factly: He's out to hurt any opposing player who roams into his vicinity.

 

If he sees players down on the turf -- as he did Sunday when he sidelined Browns wide receivers Josh Cribbs and Mohamed Massaquoi with concussion-causing hits only minutes apart -- he knows he has done his job.

 

 

“

"If I get fined for that, it's going to be a travesty. They didn't call [a penalty] on that. There's no way I could be fined for that. It was a good, clean legit hit. ... I didn't hit that hard, to be honest with you.

 

”

-- James Harrison, speaking about his concussion-causing hits Sunday

 

"I don't want to injure anybody," Harrison said following Pittsburgh's 28-10 victory. "There's a big difference between being hurt and being injured. You get hurt, you shake it off and come back the next series or the next game. I try to hurt people."

 

Harrison's reputation as being one of the NFL's nastiest players was enhanced when his leading-with-the-helmet hits on Cribbs and Massaquoi left the Browns with just two healthy wide receivers for more than a half. Neither hit was penalized, although the NFL said Monday it is reviewing the hit on Massaquoi. The league determined the tackle on Cribbs was legal.

 

Harrison defended his hits after the game.

 

"If I get fined for that, it's going to be a travesty," Harrison said. "They didn't call [a penalty] on that. There's no way I could be fined for that. It was a good, clean, legit hit. ... I didn't hit that hard, to be honest with you. When you get a guy on the ground, it's a perfect tackle."

 

Harrison's style of play is raising questions about whether it's possible to stay within the rules, yet also play dirty. While the Browns weren't especially critical of the hits following the game, tight end Benjamin Watson was more outspoken Monday.

 

"I hope the NFL does the max, whatever the max is, I hope they give it to him," Watson said.

 

NFL vice president of football operations Ray Anderson told The Associated Press that the league could soon start suspending players for dangerous helmet-to-helmet hits. The NFL is emphasizing a reduction in football concussions, which can lead to dementia and brain disease.

 

 

 

 

The crown of Harrison's helmet slammed into the left side of Cribbs' helmet as the receiver was running a Wildcat formation play, causing Cribbs to crumple face-first into the turf. He appeared to be momentarily knocked out. Because Cribbs was a runner, such helmet-to-helmet contact is permissible.

 

"I thought Cribbs was asleep," Harrison said. "A hit like that geeks you up, especially when you find out the guy is not really hurt, he's just sleeping. He's knocked out but he's going to be OK."

 

Harrison struck Massaquoi with his helmet as he rammed his right forearm and shoulder into the receiver to break up a pass. NFL rules now require a defender to give a receiver time to defend himself before he absorbs such a hit.

 

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin also said it was a legal hit. However, the outside linebacker has drawn fines in the past for his aggressive style of play.

 

He drew a $5,000 penalty for slamming Tennessee quarterback Vince Young to the turf Sept. 19, a play that also wasn't penalized. Harrison also was fined $5,000 last season for unnecessary roughness following a late hit on Bengals tackle Andrew Whitworth. In 2008, he drew a $20,000 fine for criticizing a roughing-the-passer penalty against him.

 

The Steelers haven't publicly discouraged Harrison from playing with an edge, believing it enhances their image as one of the NFL's toughest, physical and most intimidating defenses. Following Sunday's game, safety Ryan Clark called Harrison "an animal" and wide receiver Hines Ward termed him "a beast" -- and both were being complimentary.

 

"You see a guy like that, knocking guys out like that ... he's a man on a mission," Ward said. "He sets the tempo for everybody."

 

Harrison said he doesn't want to put any player out of a game or jeopardize his career. Still, the former AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year realizes it can be difficult to draw a line between merely hurting a player and badly injuring him as hits are being delivered so quickly, there's no time to consider the consequences.

 

Tomlin appeared to suggest that younger players looking for a role model to copy for physical play might find him in Harrison, who was chosen as an AFC Pro Bowl starter the past three seasons.

 

"James is always ready to deliver for his teammates," Tomlin said. "That's why they have so much respect for him. He's a good football player, man. He always delivers timely performances when you need them. Talking to a lot of young players, they want to know the recipe for being a dominant, great player. It's not only delivering plays, but delivering plays at a timely manner -- significant plays. And he does that for the most part."

[piratesownninjas]

Yes.

[Shorttynaz]

Concussions are not hurting people.. It's injuring the brain! But I guess Harrison has to have one the understand that...

 

It's comments like Harrison's "I like to hurt people" why people dislike the Steelers (along with their obnoxious fans)..

[ttwarrior4]

he's 30 and never hurt anyone before this

[Menudo]

Harrison should keep his mouth shut and not be so "honest". However, I have to question if some of you commenting have played football. Trust me, Ray Lewis, Dick Butkus, Ronnie Lott and every other defensive player out there weren't trying to gently tackle someone. Each time the ball was snapped, they were hoping for that big hit. Big hits cause turnovers. Big hits get the team and crowd fired up and change momentum. Big hits help lead to victories. Trust me, on defense, you want your hits to hurt. You want that offensive player to think twice when he comes your way again. Harrison should shut-up and say the politically correct thing, but, EVERY defensive player would love to hurt, not injure someone on every single tackle.

[osu1322]

I watched a good part of the Browns Steelers game (I was deliverying pizza so catch bits and pieces) I did see the Massaquai hit and honestly it looks like hard in ur face football. He had both of his arms up and he really hit him with his body more than anything else.

 

The browns are more banged up after taht game then when they went into it. I think every main talent that touches the football is injuryed except Hillis. They need a bye week bad

[Skippy]

I wish that Harrison was not on my favorite team so that I would be able to comment and not look biased. I like what Menudo posted up there. I just really have to wonder if anyone that thinks he is dirty has played even one snap of football. He sounds dirty when he talks that is for sure but this guy can not figure out how to sugar coat a comment to save his life.

 

Now go back and read Menudo's post because it is 100% the truth from the perspective of anyone that I have played football with and anyone that I am close to that has ever played the game. This isn't a sissy sport kids.

[ajfalcone]

Harrison should keep his mouth shut and not be so "honest". However, I have to question if some of you commenting have played football. Trust me, Ray Lewis, Dick Butkus, Ronnie Lott and every other defensive player out there weren't trying to gently tackle someone. Each time the ball was snapped, they were hoping for that big hit. Big hits cause turnovers. Big hits get the team and crowd fired up and change momentum. Big hits help lead to victories. Trust me, on defense, you want your hits to hurt. You want that offensive player to think twice when he comes your way again. Harrison should shut-up and say the politically correct thing, but, EVERY defensive player would love to hurt, not injure someone on every single tackle.

 

 

yes. Harrison should keep his yap closed and play the political game. Too much reporting is the problem. Players should never talk to reporters. thats not their job and not what they get payed for. the coaches get instructed on how to speak on the record and even they keep it tight liped. You can almost blame the players for this because stupid comments forces the commish to do something to save face. Example if you get pulled over by a cop after a night out of having a few beers. Do you admit yes officer I had 1 shot 2 beers 1 glass of wine, almost forcing him to give a breath alyzer. My point is dont force the commish to give a breath alyzer. He knows what the games about, he played it.

Edited October 19, 2010 by ajfalcone

[Balzac]

Harrison should keep his mouth shut and not be so "honest". However, I have to question if some of you commenting have played football. Trust me, Ray Lewis, Dick Butkus, Ronnie Lott and every other defensive player out there weren't trying to gently tackle someone. Each time the ball was snapped, they were hoping for that big hit. Big hits cause turnovers. Big hits get the team and crowd fired up and change momentum. Big hits help lead to victories. Trust me, on defense, you want your hits to hurt. You want that offensive player to think twice when he comes your way again. Harrison should shut-up and say the politically correct thing, but, EVERY defensive player would love to hurt, not injure someone on every single tackle.

 

You can make a "big hit" without leading with your helmet. I don't think anyone is saying that you can't hit guys hard (though it's pretty f'd up if a guy's intention is to injure the other player) - leading with the helmet is the issue here.

 

My favorite thing about Harrison's ignorant-ass quotes is his reference to a guy "sleeping". Does he really think that being knocked unconscious is the same thing as sleeping? It's not like we're talking about narcoleptic WRs who fall asleep when getting hit . . . he can't be that stupid, can he?

[Grimm74]

I honestly thought Harrison's hit was clean. Refs thought so too....His shoulders made first impact but with most tackles your body shifts and the head will have contact. Harrison does not have a history of this. He just hit Massaqoui pretty hard...

 

The hit on Todd Heap and D Jackson were bad. Heaps was awful

[tbimm]

There will be new rules in place that will further water down the game as we knew it. It's only a matter of time now before they start handing the belts out with velcro flags on them before every game.

[Rovers]

These players just keep getting bigger and faster. I believe that is a big part of what is happening in the NFL now. I played the game but not with 300 pounders who run a 40 in 4.8. These players are still leading with the crown of their helmets, and that is fundamentally unsafe for the ball carrier and the tackler. I know I used my helmet as a weapon when I carried the ball, and yes, it made defenders a little shy for the next play. It's a fine line. I also got my share of undiagnosed concussions. I got woozy at least once every game.

 

I don't think one has to have a desire to hurt people when they play the game, but there are a lot of NFL players who play that way.

 

The Aussie football league doesn't use helmets at all, hitting the head is illegal, and it's still a pretty tough game to play. They also aren't allowed to go after the knees. I'm not implying the NFL should go anywhere near as far as that, but I think they can protect these players better than they do, especially if they go to 18 games.

 

There is no doubt in my mind Harrison had intent to "hurt" on both hits. I never liked players like that. For those of you who do like to see players get injured or knocked out cold, I'm sure there will still be plenty of that. The kid from Rutgers got paralyzed this week. The game can be played without intent to injure.

 

PS: I was taught to put the helmet on the ball, not on the opponemt's helmet. You want turnovers, tackle that way. It's more effective and much safer.

Edited October 19, 2010 by Rovers

[Menudo]

There is no doubt in my mind Harrison had intent to "hurt" on both hits. I never liked players like that.

 

Then I don't believe you can truly like any defensive NFL Player. They all want their hits to hurt, some are just better at accomplishing it than others. What NFL defensive player can you name that runs full tilt up to the ball carrier or QB, and then stops to gently place them on the ground ? The game is played at a fast speed, it is a violent game, and defensive players want to hit......hard. It is their job.

 

I'm assuming you didn't or don't like Ronnie Lott, Dick Butkus, Ray Nitschke, Lawrence Taylor, Ray Lewis, Reggie White, Bruce Smith, Junior Seau, Deacon Jones, Jack Lambert, Mike Singletary, or Joe Greene, as I have seen them all lay on hugh hits that definitely were intended to hurt. In fact many of them became legendary due to their ability to lay the lick on the player holding the ball. There are shows on the NFL Network that highlight these great players and their big hits. We can agree to disagree, and I certainly don't want to get in a pi$$ing match with you, but, what NFL defensive players do you actually like ?

Edited October 19, 2010 by Menudo

[HowboutthemCowboys]

Then I don't believe you can truly like any defensive NFL Player. They all want their hits to hurt, some are just better at accomplishing it than others. What NFL defensive player can you name that runs full tilt up to the ball carrier or QB, and then stops to gently place them on the ground ? The game is played at a fast speed, it is a violent game, and defensive players want to hit......hard. It is their job.

 

I'm assuming you didn't or don't like Ronnie Lott, Dick Butkus, Ray Nitschke, Lawrence Taylor, Ray Lewis, Reggie White, Bruce Smith, Junior Seau, Deacon Jones, Jack Lambert, Mike Singletary, or Joe Greene, as I have seen them all lay on hugh hits that definitely were intended to hurt. In fact many of them became legendary due to their ability to lay the lick on the player holding the ball. There are shows on the NFL Network that highlight these great players and their big hits. We can agree to disagree, and I certainly don't want to get in a pi$$ing match with you, but, what NFL defensive players do you actually like ?

Lott, Taylor, White, Smith, Seau and Singletary did'nt run around the field looking at the ground earholing guys with the crown of their helmet that I remember. The others listed I don't remember watching too much. I love hard hitting football as much as anyone and understand that there will always be violent unintentional hits. Harrison's becoming known for them.

Fined $ 75,000 today.

my 2 cents

[flemingd]

I honestly thought Harrison's hit was clean. Refs thought so too....His shoulders made first impact but with most tackles your body shifts and the head will have contact. Harrison does not have a history of this. He just hit Massaqoui pretty hard...

 

The hit on Todd Heap and D Jackson were bad. Heaps was awful

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxNchGcD85Y

 

There's no way you can even pretend that's clean. His hands are at his waiist, he actully drops them to get a better extension of the helmet. He looks like a flying erection.

[Grimm74]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxNchGcD85Y

 

There's no way you can even pretend that's clean. His hands are at his waiist, he actully drops them to get a better extension of the helmet. He looks like a flying erection.

 

Wrong hit... That was on Cribbs which Harrison could not be flagged. A RB gets different treatment then a WR by the rules of the NFL. Harrison was fined for a later hit which I still hold looked clean. Take a look at the right video and get back with me.

[Tripleshot]

If I didn't already see who was quoted in the original post, I'd guess it was Jack Tatum. What's that tell you?

[flemingd]

Wrong hit... That was on Cribbs which Harrison could not be flagged. A RB gets different treatment then a WR by the rules of the NFL. Harrison was fined for a later hit which I still hold looked clean. Take a look at the right video and get back with me.

The point is he's headhunting. He's not tackling, he's using his helmet as a weapon. The Massoquoi hit as the exact same thing, his hands were down around his belly at the hit.

[HowboutthemCowboys]

If I didn't already see who was quoted in the original post, I'd guess it was Jack Tatum. What's that tell you?

That Jack Tatum liked to earhole unsuspecting players that were already wrapped up by a teammate?

[Skippy]

I just can't help but go back to wondering how many played this game? When I played on the defensive side of the ball I did my job to make the person carrying the ball act like a little girl when he came my way. Was I trying to cause injury? No! I was trying very much to hurt the person. There is a difference and it is part of the game. I can only guess how much more an NFL player is trying to "hurt" the ball carrier.

 

Now that is not political correct to put out there and that is exactly what gets Harrison into trouble. He is willing to say what he should not.

[MTSuper7]

Makes me think of

.

 

"Hit the tight end so hard his girlfriend dies."

[HowboutthemCowboys]

I just can't help but go back to wondering how many played this game? When I played on the defensive side of the ball I did my job to make the person carrying the ball act like a little girl when he came my way. Was I trying to cause injury? No! I was trying very much to hurt the person. There is a difference and it is part of the game. I can only guess how much more an NFL player is trying to "hurt" the ball carrier.

 

Now that is not political correct to put out there and that is exactly what gets Harrison into trouble. He is willing to say what he should not.

I think I understand what you're saying Skip. And Harrison would obviously be better off keeping his mouth shut.

What'd you think of his hit on Cribbs on Sunday?

[piratesownninjas]

Harrison should keep his mouth shut and not be so "honest". However, I have to question if some of you commenting have played football. Trust me, Ray Lewis, Dick Butkus, Ronnie Lott and every other defensive player out there weren't trying to gently tackle someone. Each time the ball was snapped, they were hoping for that big hit. Big hits cause turnovers. Big hits get the team and crowd fired up and change momentum. Big hits help lead to victories. Trust me, on defense, you want your hits to hurt. You want that offensive player to think twice when he comes your way again. Harrison should shut-up and say the politically correct thing, but, EVERY defensive player would love to hurt, not injure someone on every single tackle.

I don't see Ray Lewis doing this at all. He seems to want to have a lot of big body shots, not head shots. Ray Lewis has never gently tackled anything and has never been accused as a headhunter... On the field.... Clay Matthews doesn't headhunt. Jared Allen doesn't headhunt. Pat Willis doesnt headhunt.

 

I just can't help but go back to wondering how many played this game? When I played on the defensive side of the ball I did my job to make the person carrying the ball act like a little girl when he came my way. Was I trying to cause injury? No! I was trying very much to hurt the person. There is a difference and it is part of the game. I can only guess how much more an NFL player is trying to "hurt" the ball carrier.

Zero, including you. You didn't play against 11 guys with this size and speed. Tom Jackson was talking about going to the hospital and seeing 20 something year old kids with neck and spine injuries because of hits like this. Point being is that you need to remember these players are human beings, not some gladiator who is there only to please you. Harrison could have avoided ear holing a guy who was already wrapped up, but chose not to. The league thought so to, or they wouldn't have popped him for a $75k fine. Step away from him being a steeler and I think your opinion changes. If Ray Lewis does this to Mike Wallace I think your opinioin changes.

[piratesownninjas]

I honestly thought Harrison's hit was clean. Refs thought so too....His shoulders made first impact but with most tackles your body shifts and the head will have contact. Harrison does not have a history of this. He just hit Massaqoui pretty hard...

Regardless of which side you're on with the topic, this bullet point has no merit. A play like that happens in seconds... But the tape doesn't lie.

[Grimm74]

The point is he's headhunting. He's not tackling, he's using his helmet as a weapon. The Massoquoi hit as the exact same thing, his hands were down around his belly at the hit.

 

Headhunting is not the word Id use. Harrison goes after whoever has the ball. He does not attack a specific QB or player he does not like. I think there is a difference you are missing. I do not like helmet hits at all!!! I just thought of all the one's on Sunday Harrison's seem to be within the rules. Obviously the league does not agree with me. but we cannot be certain the league wasn't just playing politics. A lot all NFL players get their extremedys out of the way on tackles/hit so that they do not break, pull or injure them. In fact this has been discussed in the media this week.

 

I think Harrison plays very close to line on the matter without crossing and the league wants to pull the ropes a bit.