James Harrison Not So Healthy

[Doctor Who?]

[quote name='latenighthero' timestamp='1315183629' post='777244']
Do you think Ike Taylor will be ready for that game or is he ruled out? What's the latest on that?
[/quote]

He has a cast on his hand for his thumb, but if he thinks he can play, there is no way he is gonna miss it just because of his thumb

Pitt will come out of the game 1-0 and continue goin forward

only way his team misses the playoffs is injury, and nothing else

[mhead66]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1315171402' post='776934']
Anyone surprised he didn't land on PUP? I know his issues may not be bad but if it's back issues I thought for sure he would have landed on PUP to start the season.
[/quote]
Been reading Steeler forums. Harrison is their biggest health concern and an active topic of discussion.

The "official team statement" on his health is that his back injury - a herniated disc - was surgically repaired, and now it's a matter of rehab and conditioning, and that he will be ready on Sept. 11th... although probably not at 100%... but at close to 90%.

They stated that he had the problem all season last year, and was able to play through it and make the Pro Bowl, so this season should be no problem.

Of course, that's what they say... their not going to state that Harrison will be slow & gimpy...

Harrison's health is vital, 'cause if he's ineffective, teams can block him with only one blocker and double-team Woodley... and there goes the Steelers' pass rush, unless they consistently send 6 guys. Pittsburgh's passing defense is built to play a soft zone with cushion, relying on the pass rush to limit their CB's exposure. They play to keep everything in front of them, and try to make you earn yards one first down at a time, with no big plays.

That's why Harrison's health is vital. Worilds is [b]not [/b]ready to be the pass-rushing force that Harrison is - he's not even close. Their other backup OLB, rookie Chris Carter... looks really good, extremely fast off the corner. By next season, I'm thinking he passes Worilds on the depth chart.

[mhead66]

[quote name='Doctor Who?' timestamp='1315183975' post='777253']

He has a cast on his hand for his thumb, but if he thinks he can play, there is no way he is gonna miss it just because of his thumb

Pitt will come out of the game 1-0 and continue goin forward

only way his team misses the playoffs is injury, and nothing else
[/quote]

No offense, just clearing things up.

Are you a Steeler fan?

Like I said, no offense... we have several frequent Steeler posters here, Wardy and the Prophet, and they're able to clearly analyze both teams without being (blatant) homers. Just wondering if you're in their camp.

You seem to be very in-touch with what the status of the day-to-day Steelers' moves / status is. I'm on 2 Steelers forums myself, just to get the scoops.

[Doctor Who?]

[quote name='mhead66' timestamp='1315184402' post='777270']

No offense, just clearing things up.

Are you a Steeler fan?

Like I said, no offense... we have several frequent Steeler posters here, Wardy and the Prophet, and they're able to clearly analyze both teams without being (blatant) homers. Just wondering if you're in their camp.

You seem to be very in-touch with what the status of the day-to-day Steelers' moves / status is. I'm on 2 Steelers forums myself, just to get the scoops. [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/smile.png[/img]
[/quote]

yes i am a steelers fan

sometimes i might be homerish, but for the most part i try not to be. i might not be a ravens fan at all, but it doesnt mean that i dont respect the way they play the game, which is how it is supposed to be played. I might rag on certain players about things, but thats about it.

I hate goin to the steelers board

the main reason it sucks..its the cleveland browns of message boards

the other board i frequent a lot is the bengals board. there are a lot of steeler fans there, as well as just football fans in general

IF harrison is single teamed and woodley is double teamed, I will look for Timmons to have a big game, but thats just my opinion

[mhead66]

[quote name='Doctor Who?' timestamp='1315187352' post='777339']

yes i am a steelers fan

sometimes i might be homerish, but for the most part i try not to be. i might not be a ravens fan at all, but it doesnt mean that i dont respect the way they play the game, which is how it is supposed to be played. I might rag on certain players about things, but thats about it.

I hate goin to the steelers board

the main reason it sucks..its the cleveland browns of message boards

the other board i frequent a lot is the bengals board. there are a lot of steeler fans there, as well as just football fans in general

IF harrison is single teamed and woodley is double teamed, I will look for Timmons to have a big game, but thats just my opinion
[/quote]
Cool. And I agree with you, the two teams may dislike each other, but there's a LOT of respect, both ways. The two teams are so similar, in so many ways. They are the two most physical teams in the NFL, they enjoy smash-mouth running and emphasize defense over everything else. Also, they both build almost exclusively through the draft and both have excellent GMs and front offices.

Welcome aboard... It's nice to have the "other side's" perspective...

[Doctor Who?]

[quote name='mhead66' timestamp='1315187626' post='777344']
Cool. And I agree with you, the two teams may dislike each other, but there's a LOT of respect, both ways. The two teams are so similar, in so many ways. They are the two most physical teams in the NFL, they enjoy smash-mouth running and emphasize defense over everything else. Also, they both build almost exclusively through the draft and both have excellent GMs and front offices.

Welcome aboard... It's nice to have the "other side's" perspective... [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/smile.png[/img]
[/quote]

thanks

i get homerish every now and then (and honestly, who doesnt?), but i try to stay objective for the most part.

Harrison might have been sluggish, but I would think that would be more to the fact that he didnt want to risk an injury durin a meaningless preseason game, and will be using this time before the 11th to get back in as good of shape as possible, to make sure he makes flacco run for his life like he usually does

is it the 11th yet?

[mhead66]

[quote name='Doctor Who?' timestamp='1315188370' post='777366']

thanks

i get homerish every now and then (and honestly, who doesnt?), but i try to stay objective for the most part.

Harrison might have been sluggish, but I would think that would be more to the fact that he didnt want to risk an injury durin a meaningless preseason game, and will be using this time before the 11th to get back in as good of shape as possible, to make sure he makes flacco run for his life like he usually does [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/tongue.png[/img]

[size=5][b]is it the 11th yet?[/b][/size]
[/quote]
One more week!

I saw on one website, a blog that Harrison was actually writing his thoughts in. He had pictures of dozens of acupuncture needles in both thighs and his lower back, and he had a photo of a huge ice bath he was getting ready to dunk himself into...

But the key element is (of course) Roethlisberger. If we can stop him, we'll win. If not...

[Doctor Who?]

[quote name='mhead66' timestamp='1315188822' post='777380']
One more week! [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/smile.png[/img]

I saw on one website, a blog that Harrison was actually writing his thoughts in. He had pictures of dozens of acupuncture needles in both thighs and his lower back, and he had a photo of a huge ice bath he was getting ready to dunk himself into...

But the key element is (of course) Roethlisberger. If we can stop him, we'll win. If not...
[/quote]

Harrison has always been getting acupuncture...maybe moreso this off season, due to the 2 injuries though, but I still have no doubt he will be healthy and fired up and ready to kick some [profanity deleted] come the 11th

Roethlisberger (and yeah, i know it was preseason) but he looked on point, sharp, and just plain focused. This year, instead of the defense carrying the team, I envision the offense carrying the team, and putting up some really good numbers this year. He just looks like a man on a mission, wallace will continue being the beast he was last year, Ward is always money, Miller is gonna be great like he always is, Cotchery was a very sound pick up, and Sanders and Brown will show why they are called the "Young Money Crew"

If our pass rush can be back to 2008 form, that will help disguise our terrible secondary (although im hoping that the new DB coach will inject new life into the secondary, like the new O-line coach did for the line last year). If that can happen, I think Pitt will be unstoppable, and if that actually happens, i will look forward to October 30, when New England comes into the Burgh.

[mhead66]

[quote name='Doctor Who?' timestamp='1315189207' post='777392']

Harrison has always been getting acupuncture...maybe moreso this off season, due to the 2 injuries though, but I still have no doubt he will be healthy and fired up and ready to kick some [profanity deleted] come the 11th

Roethlisberger (and yeah, i know it was preseason) but he looked on point, sharp, and just plain focused. This year, instead of the defense carrying the team, I envision the offense carrying the team, and putting up some really good numbers this year. He just looks like a man on a mission, wallace will continue being the beast he was last year, Ward is always money, Miller is gonna be great like he always is, Cotchery was a very sound pick up, and Sanders and Brown will show why they are called the "Young Money Crew"

If our pass rush can be back to 2008 form, that will help disguise our terrible secondary (although im hoping that the new DB coach will inject new life into the secondary, like the new O-line coach did for the line last year). If that can happen, I think Pitt will be unstoppable, and if that actually happens, i will look forward to October 30, when New England comes into the Burgh.
[/quote]
I believe that the same two issues the Steelers had problems with will possibly crop up again. Not to bring up painful memories, but the Packers exposed your secondary, like you mentioned above. If the pass rush can get to Flacco, it will help negate that weakness, but Ike's broken thumb and McFadden's hamstring has kept both of them from playing the entire preseason. Coaching can only take you so far... and if the Ravens can get our TE - Ed Dickson - into the 2nd level, William Gay could have some problems. The same thing with our 3rd WR, Tandon Doss. I'm not sold on a healthy McFadden, so if he's gimpy with the hamstring, you guys may give up some yardage. It will all come down to our OLine...

And your OLine. I know you got Willie Colon back, but Jonathan Scott had LOTS of trouble with Suggs in the playoff game last year. That, to me, is the other big issue. The only way around it is keeping Heath Miller in for protection, which limits your Offense to either 3 WRs or Mendenhall / Melwede Moore + 2 WRs.

Our OLine keeping Flacco upright vs. your OLine keeping Ben upright. That's where the game will be won. I know Antonio Brown has looked great, and you throw in Wallace, Ward + Sanders... but Ben will be forced to throw 5 yard patterns, if you can't protect him.

Also, the Ravens have gotten significantly more pass pressure this preseason. Kruger at LB (vice DE), Pernell McPhee and Sergio Kindle have all exerted LOTS of pressure in the last 4 games...

Like I said, it will come down to OLInes, IMO.

[harfordravenfan]

[quote name='mhead66' timestamp='1315190123' post='777415']

I believe that the same two issues the Steelers had problems with will possibly crop up again. Not to bring up painful memories, but the Packers exposed your secondary, like you mentioned above. If the pass rush can get to Flacco, it will help negate that weakness, but Ike's broken thumb and McFadden's hamstring has kept both of them from playing the entire preseason. Coaching can only take you so far... and if the Ravens can get our TE - Ed Dickson - into the 2nd level, William Gay could have some problems. The same thing with our 3rd WR, Tandon Doss. I'm not sold on a healthy McFadden, so if he's gimpy with the hamstring, you guys may give up some yardage. It will all come down to our OLine...

And your OLine. I know you got Willie Colon back, but Jonathan Scott had LOTS of trouble with Suggs in the playoff game last year. That, to me, is the other big issue. The only way around it is keeping Heath Miller in for protection, which limits your Offense to either 3 WRs or Mendenhall / Melwede Moore + 2 WRs.

Our OLine keeping Flacco upright vs. your OLine keeping Ben upright. That's where the game will be won. I know Antonio Brown has looked great, and you throw in Wallace, Ward + Sanders... but Ben will be forced to throw 5 yard patterns, if you can't protect him.

Also, the Ravens have gotten significantly more pass pressure this preseason. Kruger at LB (vice DE), Pernell McPhee and Sergio Kindle have all exerted LOTS of pressure in the last 4 games...

Like I said, it will come down to OLInes, IMO.
[/quote]

Summed it up very well, only thing you left out is the question of how well our new cbs perform. If Williams & smith can press at the line and limit mistakes our pass rush reaches a higher level.
Other than that, the team winning the turnover battle will win this game.

[mhead66]

[quote name='harfordravenfan' timestamp='1315247971' post='777906']
Summed it up very well, only thing you left out is the question of how well our new cbs perform. If Williams & smith can press at the line and limit mistakes our pass rush reaches a higher level.
Other than that, the team winning the turnover battle will win this game.
[/quote]
agreed - however, the Steelers didn't have one turnover in 4 preseason games.

We have to contain Ben and sack Ben, and protect Flacco. I think this game is won or lost in the OLines.

Of course - like in last year's playoff game, if RR doesn't fumble, Flacco doesn't throw the pick to Ryan Clark, Birk + Flacco don't lose that snap, and Webb stops Brown on the 3rd & 19.. the outcome could have been different.

Lots of "ifs" but it shows you that one play - and like you said, 3 of those 4 plays were turnovers - can decide the outcome.

[H8R]

It's gonna be wonderful come Sunday night when the Steelers fans will be nonexistent in this board! It's gonna be schweet!

[Doctor Who?]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1315249017' post='777923']
It's gonna be wonderful come Sunday night when the Steelers fans will be nonexistent in this board! It's gonna be schweet!
[/quote]

Is that because we will all be out celebrating?

[1/28/01]

[quote name='Doctor Who?' timestamp='1315251193' post='777967']


Is that because we will all be out celebrating?
[/quote]
Negative

[mhead66]

I just watched a live interview on Steelers.com by the Steeler announcers, discussing Week 1's game. They said that, if Harrison's health would keep him out, they were pretty sure the Steelers would slide Lawrence Timmons to Harrison's spot and use Larry Foote in Timmon's spot. It would take their run D down a little, but Timmons is even faster than Harrison - just not as strong.

Interesting, though.

[Doctor Who?]

Timmons will be in the Pro Bowl this year

Pitt and Balt are LB factories, so if we had to have a player be slowed by an injury, i would rather have it be a linebacker, because both teams can usually just plug the next guy in and not worry bout losing too much steam because of it

[RavensAllTheWay]

Honestly, I don't see either line holding up. Regardless of who has a talented O line and who doesn't, there won't be many running lanes for either side, and the pass rush will always be a factor. It's Steelers-Ravens.

Here's the deal with Joe Flacco. Regardless of how much we've rightfully defended him from uneducated criticism this offseason, he will have to silence his critics. If we lose, regardless of how, Flacco will end up taking the blame, whether it's his fault or not. But he will have to improvise and make Ben-type plays.

As for winning the game, it will come down to turnovers and who finishes. It's very generic and dull, I know, but when I look at previous games in this series, even the ones we won, it almost always comes down to one team making the play. One play is all it takes.

[H8R]

[quote name='Doctor Who?' timestamp='1315257420' post='778117']
Timmons will be in the Pro Bowl this year

Pitt and Balt are LB factories, so if we had to have a player be slowed by an injury, i would rather have it be a linebacker, because both teams can usually just plug the next guy in and not worry bout losing too much steam because of it
[/quote]

Is there a player on the Steelers roster that isn't a PROBOWLER in your eyes?

[H8R]

[quote name='Doctor Who?' timestamp='1315251193' post='777967']


Is that because we will all be out celebrating?
[/quote]

SO, this site must have grown on you/converted you to a Ravens fan. I mean, celebrating a Baltimore win and all . MAYBE you're a better man than I thought.
Doubtful though.

[Raveman]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1315259366' post='778154']
Is there a player on the Steelers roster that isn't a PROBOWLER in your eyes?
[/quote]

Former Probowlers- Farrior, Hampton, Smith,

Probowlers- Timmons, Polamalu, Harrison, Woodley

That's how i see it. In his defense i will say Timmons along with Patrick Willis and Jon Beason will become the top 3 MLB's in the league

[Doctor Who?]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1315259366' post='778154']
Is there a player on the Steelers roster that isn't a PROBOWLER in your eyes?
[/quote]

our kicker obviously isnt

[BloodRaven]

I'm surprised he can fit his head in a helmet looking like Barry Bonds, they must get prescriptions from the same doctor.

[Juviebest]

Per Rotoworld..James Harrison said he's at 75-80%. so that's straight from the steroid injected horse's mouth. And yes, I know for a fact he is on steroids. A buddy of mine from high school helped train him, same company that trained Maybin. How do you get cut 4 times then all of a sudden you're a pro bowler? Kind of like in baseball a guy hits 20 HR max in his first 6 seasons then all of a sudden hits 50.

[Doctor Who?]

[quote name='Juviebest' timestamp='1315312692' post='778682']
Per Rotoworld..James Harrison said he's at 75-80%. so that's straight from the steroid injected horse's mouth. And yes, I know for a fact he is on steroids. A buddy of mine from high school helped train him, same company that trained Maybin. How do you get cut 4 times then all of a sudden you're a pro bowler? Kind of like in baseball a guy hits 20 HR max in his first 6 seasons then all of a sudden hits 50.
[/quote]

A buddy of yours eh? cool story

[Juviebest]

[quote name='Doctor Who?' timestamp='1315313880' post='778693']


A buddy of yours eh? cool story
[/quote]

Hey how about an actual response or don't respond at all...or you can just take that BS back to the Pitt forums.

Power Train Sports is the company my friend worked for during college.

[Doctor Who?]

[quote name='Juviebest' timestamp='1315316665' post='778717']
Hey how about an actual response or don't respond at all...or you can just take that BS back to the Pitt forums.

Power Train Sports is the company my friend worked for during college.
[/quote]

And that pertains to him "being on roids" how?

so because he got cut 3 times and finally got recognition in 2008 as DPOY it means he was on roids? I guess it has to be, why bother chalking it up to hard work or determination. Pretty sure you would be singing a different tune if the Ravens had kept him instead of cutting him

[Juviebest]

[quote name='Doctor Who?' timestamp='1315316944' post='778721']


And that pertains to him "being on roids" how?

so because he got cut 3 times and finally got recognition in 2008 as DPOY it means he was on roids? I guess it has to be, why bother chalking it up to hard work or determination. Pretty sure you would be singing a different tune if the Ravens had kept him instead of cutting him
[/quote]

Noooo...my friend KNOWS he took/takes steroids. Thus the performance enhancement. He worked hard...when on Roids. During his PS years with the Steelers (first go round) he was drastically underweight and couldn't compete so he would take himself out of plays in practice.

And Harrison got cut 4 times...not 3.

[Doctor Who?]

Or he took himself out because he didnt know the plays and didnt know what he was doing (as current steelers have said he did that early on)

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

[quote name='Doctor Who?' timestamp='1315259960' post='778165']

our kicker obviously isnt
[/quote]
or your O-line obviously isn't

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

[quote name='Doctor Who?' timestamp='1315317932' post='778738']
Or he took himself out because he didnt know the plays and didnt know what he was doing (as current steelers have said he did that early on)
[/quote]

If you think he hasnt taken roids you are naive.