James Harrison Agrees Steelers Defense Is 'Soft'
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - A day after head coach Mike Tomlin downplayed the comments from former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher and receiver Hines Ward about the team being "soft" and finesse," a current Steeler said he agreed with those words.
"I would give the same opinion, that's what it looked like," linebacker James Harrison said. "They did what they wanted to do. They passed the ball, they ran the ball and they did both effectively. They're getting people where they want them in the run game, and they're making plays in the pass game. I have no problems with what they said. It would be a correct assumption."
Harrison played for Cowher and also was a teammate of Ward. Harrison returned from retirement just a few weeks ago following Jarvis Jones' injury.
"You don't want to hear yourself associated with anything that's considered soft," Harrison added. "It's nothing you can do about it until the next week and go out there and put something else on tape that says otherwise."
Bell Waives Right
The defense attorney for Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell says he expects his client will be accepted into a probation program for first time offenders on marijuana possession and driving under the influence charges.
If that happens, the attorney says the 22-year-old Bell will likely serve a year probation and could have his arrest record expunged. Defense attorney Robert Del Greco says Bell regrets the incident. He waived a preliminary hearing on the charges Wednesday.
Bell addressed the situation briefly with reporters after practice.
"Obviously, I made a mistake, it's something I definitely regret doing," Bell said. "I already apologized to my teammates for it. It's a mistake I can't do again."
Injury News
While the Steelers didn't release an injury report, linebacker Ryan Shazier confirmed he practiced on Wednesday saying he went through limited reps with the first and second team, along with some chances with the scout team.
Shazier said he won't push it and will continue to listen to the trainers.
"Felt good for my first day and just have to keep building on it," Shazier said. "There's still a few things in there I can feel. It's probably some scar tissue or something. I know there is a lot going on down there with my knee."
The first year pro from Ohio State admits it's frustrating having to watch.
"You always feel like you can help the team no matter what. Especially the way I got hurt on a freak accident," he said.
Safety Shamarko Thomas said it's up to the coaches if he plays Monday or not as he recovers from a hamstring injury, but told 93-7 the Fan's Eric Hagman that he didn't get any snaps with the first team.
Thomas told the Fan it's been tough following the Cleveland loss.
"Definitely disheartening, you see the vets and they're telling us every day that they never lost this bad to the Browns. It makes us work harder and be humble," he said.
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