New England Patriots: James Harrison a great fit for team
James Harrison should add veteran experience and depth to the New England Patriots linebacking corps heading into the playoffs.
The New England Patriots picked up depth at the linebacker position Tuesday, signing a name that is familiar to Patriots fans. The team signed former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison to a one-year deal on Tuesday per multiple reports.
Harrison visited the Patriots on Tuesday after clearing waivers on Monday. ESPN NFL reporter Field Yates reported earlier in the day that Harrison was at Gillette Stadium, leading to speculation that he might be signed by the team.
Harrison was released by the Steelers on Saturday to make room for right tackle Marcus Gilbert. The former has played for the Steelers in 14 out of his 15 seasons. He has never left the AFC North, as he played for Cincinnati for one year in 2013.
In five games for Pittsburgh this season, the veteran has recorded three tackles and a sack. For his career, he has recorded 570 total tackles, 82.5 sacks and eight interceptions. Perhaps his most famous one was against the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, when he intercepted a pass intended for Anquan Boldin and ran it back 108 yards to the one-yard line.
At age 39, the Patriots should not be expecting him to do that again. However, he can still be very serviceable to the team. This could be a strategic move as Harrison may be able to provide the Patriots with tips as far as what the Steelers do schematically on the defensive side of the football.
New England has done this many times with other players. Whether or not they actually offer insight is unknown, but that line of thinking makes sense. The Steelers and Patriots are poised to meet each other down the road as both have a strong chance of going to the AFC Championship Game.
This move will also help the Patriots with depth. Trey Flowers is at the top of the New England depth chart at the end of the line with Deatrich Wise and Eric Lee backing him up. New England has struggled with linebacker depth over the last year or so and this year has been no different.
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Ever since Dont’a Hightower was announced out for the season in the middle of October, the Patriots have been plugging in guys at the position. Kyle Van Noy and Marquis Flowers are other names that have helped man the position but beyond that, the depth is scarce.
Harrison should be able to get snaps for New England. I don’t think this is the type of signing in which a team signs a player just because it looks good. There is playing time to be had and if there is one team that can make the most of what he has left in the tank, it’s the Patriots.