James Harrison's Dismissal Does NOT Spell DOOM for Steelers

Au Revoir Mr. Harrison

If you are a social networking guru like me, you found out immediately on Twitter (Follow me on Twitter - @BnGBlitz) the moment that James Harrison announced he was no longer a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  I wasn't surprised in the least when I heard the news, but you would think that the man died if you saw some of the posts on Twitter.  Look, I understand that James Harrison has been a huge part of the Steelers' successes the past decade or so.  Who can forget the memorable plays?  Harrison's INT that resulted in him jumping over an unexpected Ladanian Tomlinson in San Diego?  The numerous strip/sack/fumbles that came at just the right time in huge games.  Of course, the 99yd INT return for a TD in Superbowl 43 is considered one of, if not the, greatest plays in Superbowl history.  Alot of good memories, but the Steelers had a tough decision to make, and they made it.  Harrison is a proud man that wasn't going to restructure his contract and lose money.  The Steelers let the 35 yr old OLB walk.

There are more tough decisions awaiting the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason as Free Agency is set to begin.  Look, the Steelers are NEVER players in the free agency market, and quite frankly, the constant "restructuring" that the Steelers do is starting to catch up with them.  Other big names could be on the chopping block to free up more salary cap space and give the organization more flexibility.  Casey Hampton, Willie Colon, and Ryan Clark just to name a few.  If all of these players get their dismissal from the most successful organization in NFL history, the Steelers are going to be faced with the fact that they are going through a transition period...especially on defense.  However, even if they are going through a transition it doesn't mean that they can't be successful.  James Harrison leaving doesn't spell DOOM for the black n' gold.  It may just be the start of something new in the Steel City.  Let me explain.

The Steelers are unbelievably thin at the LB position.  With Harrison now gone, it leaves them in an even worse situation.  I've been saying something for the past 2 years, and with Deebo gone, its time to bring it up again...just with more validity this time.  What is that "something"?  I believe its time for Mike Tomlin to step in and change the vaunted 3-4 defense for the 4-3.  After all, Tomlin coached in a 4-3 in Tampa Bay and as the Defensive Coordinator in Minnesota before taking the job with the Steelers.  Aside from coaching, just look at the Steelers' personnel.  Do they still have the LBs to run a 3-4 the way its supposed to be run?  In my opinion, they don't have the Defensive Line OR the LBs to run a 3-4 anymore.  Aaron Smith isn't coming back, and Casey Hampton is far from what he used to be.  Neither of those 2 players have someone waiting in the wings to take over and be dominant.  The LBs without Harrison are as follows: Woodley, Timmons, Foote (maybe), Worilds, Carter.  I would include Sean Spence but there are rumors as to whether or not he will ever be able to play again after his horrific knee injury last pre-season.  If they were to switch from a 3-4 to a 4-3 it would ease the loss of Harrison and would allow the LBs to have a LESSER role in the offense.  Timmons could be an exceptional ILB and you could put Carter on the outside.  Woodley could move to the DE position with Hood, Heyward, and/or Keisel in between with Jason Worilds on the other DE position.  That would leave one OLB position to fill.  The Steelers have made quality moves before, and maybe this is the place to make a move for a LB that would fill that role.

I know there will be people that will say "We can't get rid of the 3-4...thats what the Steelers are all about!". I get that, but at the same time the defense HAS to change.  You can't get rid of so many players and expect to have the same result.  In all seriousness, the Steelers front 7 wasn't effective last year (with the exception of Timmons and Keisel at the end of the year).  Its time for a change.  Change is inevitable, and the release of James Harrison could be the catalyst for that change.