Dunlap: Harrison Will Provide Depth, Leadership
James Harrison is apparently coming back to the Steelers.
But a word of caution --- don't expect the old James Harrison.
Instead, expect an old James Harrison.
But, hey --- that ain't half bad. He sure as heck is worth taking a risk on, that's for sure.
On Monday night, multiple outlets reported the Steelers were close to making Harrison, who played for the club from 2002-12, a Steeler once again.
I'm not seeing much of a downside. Actually, I'm not seeing a downside at all.
Certainly no one will dispute --- nor can they --- that Harrison is 36 and will never match the 2008 and 2010 seasons that he had when he had a combined 26.5 sacks in a combined 31 games.
That was the stuff of legend. That was vintage Silverback.
He has since aged, lost a step (maybe more) and had a dismal 2013 season as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Harrison also recently held a retirement news conference at the team's South Side facility, calling it quits in his straight-ahead, no nonsense form.
Well, scratch those plan apparently.
But how can this guy not help right now, with the Steelers depleted by injury and lacking veteran presence among the linebackers?
Even if Harrison plays only in sub-packages or contributes on the field very minimally, there's no other way to look at this --- especially for the small sum they will have to pay him --- than as a win-win.
There are many more unquestionable positives with Harrison coming marching back into town and taking up a role in the Steelers' defense than any negatives that could be found.
Time and time again (and then some more) we are told just how intricate the defense commanded by coordinator Dick LeBeau is to pick up. So often --- at least we are told this --- young men on the defense struggle with the complexities and tricky nature of LeBeau's defensive structure.
For Harrison, there will be virtually no curve. He will jump onto the practice field, jump into that huddle and need practically no (re)introduction. Signing a veteran is a positive; signing one who understands your system is a home run.
There is also no denying Harrison will be able to help Arthur Moats along, as Moats' playing time will see an exponential spike in the coming weeks with the loss of Jarvis Jones at outside linebacker due to a wrist injury.
Then there is Harrison's leadership.
That is the stuff we remember just as much as the devastating tackles and slamming a fan to the ground in Cleveland; we remember James Harrison's boisterous and animated way of directing others.
Guys like Harrison never lose that quality.
With a gruesome arm injury sustained on Sunday night by cornerback Ike Taylor, it would appear --- outside of Troy Polamalu, Brett Keisel and, maybe, William Gay --- the defense is devoid of the veteran leadership needed for cohesion.
At the very least, it can be clearly asked: Who is the leader of the linebackers?
Perhaps up until now it was Lawrence Timmons, but he doesn't come across as a raucous and loud personality, comfortable with such a role.
All that said, Harrison's presence in the linebacker meetings and around that group in practice will indisputably be something looked at as a positive.
When Harrison does make his way back out on that field for the Steelers --- and it looks like it will be sooner rather than later --- don't expect an All-Pro.
You can, and should, expect a leader in that locker room and on the practice field and someone who will go all out through the whistle every snap he's on the field.
The crazy part is that a 36-year-old James Harrison might also be better than a healthy Jarvis Jones.
However you look at it, at this point in time, bringing back The Silverback will be a wise move --- with little risk --- for these Steelers.
You May Also Be Interested In These Latest Colin Dunlap Columns
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter
