Steelers Cannot Let James Harrison Get Revenge

This Just Doesn't Look Right...

The Pittsburgh Steelers have undergone change this season.  Everything from letting experienced veterans to walk away from the team, releasing former captains, and even having rookies play a significant role on the team (something that has RARELY happened in the past).  Change has been happening for years now if you think about it.  From Dan Rooney essentially stepping down and allowing his son Art Rooney II take over as President of the Steelers.  Even Todd Haley taking over as the offensive coordinator has triggered massive change on the offensive side of the football.  During all of this change, there has always been one thing that has never changed, and that is the "bookend" outside linebackers in the vaunted 3-4 Steelers defense.  Whether it was Greg Lloyd and Kevin Greene, Jason Gildon and Joey Porter, Clark Haggans and Joey Porter, Lamarr Woodley and now Jarvis Jones, but there was a name I left off the list for good reason.  The player left off should be no secret, he nearly singularly won Super Bowl 43 for the Steelers, is a perennial Pro Bowler, a Defensive Player of the Year, and one of the more intimidating players of recent memory in the NFL...yes...I'm talking about James Harrison.

James Harrison's departure was strange to say the least.  The Steelers were cash strapped and had to make a decision on the aging, and all of a sudden injury prone, Harrison.  They decided to give him his walking papers, but don't think for a second bringing the veteran OLB back at a cheaper rate wasn't in the back of their mind, and was probably discussed upon his departure.  James Harrison is a proud man, and decided that he was going to prove the Steelers wrong by not agreeing to rejoin the "Black and Gold", but to test the Free Agent market.  He drew interest from several teams (including the Baltimore Ravens), but none were biting.  What Harrison didn't know is that when he decided to test the waters, he burnt the bridge back to the Steelers.  After the Ravens were able to snag Elvis Dumervil, James Harrison was without a home, and without suitors.  He came back to the Steelers and asked if their "low ball" offer was still on the table.  Kevin Colbert told him that they had moved on, and James Harrison was again left without a home...until Marvin Lewis picked up the phone.  Next thing you know, Steelers fans are seeing a Super Bowl hero wearing the most disgusting uniforms in the NFL...the Bengals. 

It isn't like the Steelers haven't let players walk before (Joey Porter, Alan Faneca, Chad Brown), but never to a division rival.  Never to a defender going to face the Steelers twice every season!  I remember when Joey Porter left and the Bengals and Browns both said they wanted him to sign.  He said that no matter what he is always a Pittsburgh Steeler and could never play them twice a year.  I always respected that about Joey Porter.  However, the Steelers will now be faced with handling #92 the way opponents used to have to deal with Harrison when he was in the Steel City.  The Steelers offensive line certainly has their hands full after their dismal performance against the Titans last Sunday.  Nonetheless, it is imperative that they don't let Harrison get the best of them.  Will he make his plays?  I'm sure he will, but the Steelers must avoid letting him be a game changer.  They cannot let him get into his groove where he takes over the game.  Why is this so important?  The Steelers, as an organization, need to prove to themselves, to the players, and to their fans that letting Harrison walk was actually the right decision.  Nothing would make that more evident by the Steelers not only shutting down #92, but also winning the football game.  Both are realistic goals and ones that are desperately needed on multiple levels.  James Harrison...the Cincinnati Bengal...it just doesn't sound right, but its the reality that we live in.  Time for the Steelers to prove they made the right call in letting him walk away.