James Harrison just doesn't get it

Once again, Pittsburg linebacker James Harrison was in the news for a helmet to helmet hit on a Cleveland Browns player. This time it was quarterback Colt McCoy, who suffered a concussion after the hit. It comes as no surprise considering this is Harrison’s seventh time being disciplined by the league. This time, instead of fining Harrison, the NFL took a different approach and suspended Harrison for one game without pay. Harrison appealed the suspension and was immediately shot down.

What was surprising was the way Harrison and some of his teammates reacted to the situation. Harrison declined to speak to the media this week but said after last Thursday’s game that he did not believe the hit warranted any further action. He also had this to say on his Twitter account… “17 games, 1000+ snaps, 100+ tackles, 12+ sacks, and 2 forced fumbles since my last incident and I get a suspension for a football play!” Sorry James, it doesn’t matter how long it’s been, you still hit another player helmet to helmet and gave him a concussion.

Other teammates, such as safety Ryan Clark, believe that Harrison is being targeted by the league and being used as an example for other players around the league. Whether or not the league is targeting Harrison, he is the one giving them a reason to target him. You don’t see Clay Mathews, Ray Lewis or any other hard-hitting defensive player constantly being disciplined by the league. This is because they don’t lower their head and try to injure the opposing players.

While I am a strong believer that the quarterbacks are the fairies of the NFL, Harrison’s hit on McCoy crossed the line and very much warranted punishment. And for those who believe that quarterbacks are soft, I would like to see you put on pads and a helmet and let James Harrison run at you full speed with his head down. His hit on McCoy would have been a football play if he did not lead with his head. It’s as simple as that.

What I don’t understand is why Harrison and the rest of the Steelers believe that they do not have to follow the rules. I am sure that a lot of players in the NFL do not agree with the new rules. The difference is that the other players in the NFL follow the rules regardless, and Harrison does not. The Steelers have been a well-respected franchise with dignity for as long as football fans can remember. There is no question that James Harrison is a great defensive player as he won defensive player of the year for the 2008 season. But Harrison is giving the Steelers franchise a bad name by gaining the reputation as one of “dirtiest” players in the NFL.

The reality is that James Harrison just doesn’t get it, and he probably never will. The NFL must suspend Harrison for multiple games if another incident like this happens again. Or, the Steelers must consider what is really important, and cut him from their roster.