After spending most of his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, James Harrison is now a member of the team’s fierce rivals, the New England Patriots. Harrison initially said that the reason for his departure is lack of playing time, something he didn’t expect from the organization. But now, multiple Steelers players have come forward, saying that the 39-year-old linebacker forced his exit from the team.

“If you didn’t want to be here, come out and say it,” said Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey. “Don’t make it look like it’s the team’s fault… You think the team and the organization wanted to get rid of James Harrison? Come on, now. If I wanted out, I wouldn’t let the team take the blame for it.“

Linebacker Bud Dupree also added that Harrison in fact “choose to leave” the Steelers.

“I don’t want the media to portray that we’re the reason he left.” – said Dupree. “That ain’t the reason. He chose to leave. He made certain decisions, and his actions got him to this circumstance.“

According to team’s sources, Harrison did ש lot more to get from Pittsburgh than just complain about the lack of playing time. He was reportedly sleeping during position meetings or skipping them. Harrison also sometimes skipped the practices or would leave the stadiums when he was inactive before the game ended. He even told his teammates that he is looking to be traded or released.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach didn’t want to make any comments about releasing Harrison, only saying that the team required a roster spot after Marcus Gilbert returned from suspension.

James Harrison played a reduced role for the Steelers this season, getting only 40 snaps in 14 games. Shortly after being released, he joined the New England Patriots on December 26, signing a one year deal and is expected to play a more prominent role for the team.

The post Players Say James Harrison Forced his Exit from the Pittsburgh Steelers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

ESPN reports that after he cleared his waivers on Monday, former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison signed with the New England Patriots. The 39-year-old visited the Patriots facilities on Tuesday, where he signed a one year deal. The team released LB Trevor Reilly in order to create a roster spot on the team. Harrison previously posted a picture of himself alongside the Patriots 40-year-old QB Tom Brady on Instagram, writing “Finally… A teammate that’s older than me!“

James Harrison is the Pittsburgh Steelers all-time leader in sacks with 80.5, but the franchise released him on Saturday, gaining a roster spot for tackle Marcus Gilbert, who returned from suspension. Harrison already played a smaller role with the Steelers in the last three seasons, but that didn’t stop him from posting at least five sacks in each of them. This season, giving more opportunities to Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt, the Steelers reduced Harrison to only 40 snaps in 14 games. In the last season, he participated in 587 snaps.

James Harrison went undrafted in 2002 NFL Draft, and spend a short time with the Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and Rhein Fire, before returning to the Steelers in 2004. He stayed with the team until 2013, when he joined Cincinnati Bengals. Only a year after, he returned to the Steelers for the third time. Besides 82.5 career sacks, Harrison’s NFL stats include 788 tackles, 33 forced fumbles, one interception and one defensive touchdown. He won two Super Bowls during his career, alongside being five times Pro Bowler and getting the NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2008.

The New England Patriots have struggled with the outside linebacker position for the better part of the 2017 season, using numerous players to fill in the role. Harrison might just be the right man to serve as a short-term for their problems.

The post Former Steelers LB James Harrison Signs With New England Patriots appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After spending most of his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, James Harrison is now a member of the team’s fierce rivals, the New England Patriots. Harrison initially said that the reason for his departure is lack of playing time, something he didn’t expect from the organization. But now, multiple Steelers players have come forward, saying that the 39-year-old linebacker forced his exit from the team.

“If you didn’t want to be here, come out and say it,” said Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey. “Don’t make it look like it’s the team’s fault… You think the team and the organization wanted to get rid of James Harrison? Come on, now. If I wanted out, I wouldn’t let the team take the blame for it.“

Linebacker Bud Dupree also added that Harrison in fact “choose to leave” the Steelers.

“I don’t want the media to portray that we’re the reason he left.” – said Dupree. “That ain’t the reason. He chose to leave. He made certain decisions, and his actions got him to this circumstance.“

According to team’s sources, Harrison did ש lot more to get from Pittsburgh than just complain about the lack of playing time. He was reportedly sleeping during position meetings or skipping them. Harrison also sometimes skipped the practices or would leave the stadiums when he was inactive before the game ended. He even told his teammates that he is looking to be traded or released.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach didn’t want to make any comments about releasing Harrison, only saying that the team required a roster spot after Marcus Gilbert returned from suspension.

James Harrison played a reduced role for the Steelers this season, getting only 40 snaps in 14 games. Shortly after being released, he joined the New England Patriots on December 26, signing a one year deal and is expected to play a more prominent role for the team.

The post Players Say James Harrison Forced his Exit from the Pittsburgh Steelers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

ESPN reports that after he cleared his waivers on Monday, former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison signed with the New England Patriots. The 39-year-old visited the Patriots facilities on Tuesday, where he signed a one year deal. The team released LB Trevor Reilly in order to create a roster spot on the team. Harrison previously posted a picture of himself alongside the Patriots 40-year-old QB Tom Brady on Instagram, writing “Finally… A teammate that’s older than me!“

James Harrison is the Pittsburgh Steelers all-time leader in sacks with 80.5, but the franchise released him on Saturday, gaining a roster spot for tackle Marcus Gilbert, who returned from suspension. Harrison already played a smaller role with the Steelers in the last three seasons, but that didn’t stop him from posting at least five sacks in each of them. This season, giving more opportunities to Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt, the Steelers reduced Harrison to only 40 snaps in 14 games. In the last season, he participated in 587 snaps.

James Harrison went undrafted in 2002 NFL Draft, and spend a short time with the Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and Rhein Fire, before returning to the Steelers in 2004. He stayed with the team until 2013, when he joined Cincinnati Bengals. Only a year after, he returned to the Steelers for the third time. Besides 82.5 career sacks, Harrison’s NFL stats include 788 tackles, 33 forced fumbles, one interception and one defensive touchdown. He won two Super Bowls during his career, alongside being five times Pro Bowler and getting the NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2008.

The New England Patriots have struggled with the outside linebacker position for the better part of the 2017 season, using numerous players to fill in the role. Harrison might just be the right man to serve as a short-term for their problems.

The post Former Steelers LB James Harrison Signs With New England Patriots appeared first on SportzBonanza.