James Harrison Just Doesn't Get It

[CloakNNNdagger]

Nor, after reading this, is it likely he ever will.


James Harrison: I’ve lowered my target, now I hit guys in the knees

Unfortunately for the Steelers’ opponents, that message isn’t necessarily one that’s going to make them any safer. Harrison said on Mike and Mike in the Morning that now instead of trying to hit players in the head, he’ll hit them in the knees.

“I’ve really lowered my target area to where it’s down around the knees,” Harrison said. “Situations come along where you could tackle the guy high. I don’t do that anymore. I tackle the guy low.”

Harrison said, however, that he doesn’t think that makes life any easier on opposing players. Harrison referenced his hit to the knee of Broncos receiver Eric Decker in last year’s playoffs, a hit that caused Decker to suffer a sprained MCL, as the kind of hit he makes now that he wouldn’t have made before he was suspended last season — and a hit that Harrison doesn’t think makes the game any safer.

“I could have tackled him high, but if I had hit him high, I probably would have gotten a helmet-to-helmet or something and gotten fined,” Harrison said. “So I hit him low and strained his MCL. . . . They’re saying it’s a life-threatening injury to hit a guy in the head and he gets a concussion and so on and so forth, but I think a life-threatening injury is to go low on a guy and blow out his ACL or whatever, and he’s not able to come back the way he was before. Now he can’t make a living, he can’t feed his family, he can’t do what he does. That’s life-threatening to me.”

[Dread-Head]

He WAS aiming for the body and a-holes like Colt McCoy were lowering their heads into him...he can't win for losing.

[Say Watt]

Originally Posted by Dread-Head

He WAS aiming for the body and a-holes like Colt McCoy were lowering their heads into him...he can't win for losing.

Seriously?!? You are actually defending this dumbass? Last I checked, the area between the thighs and neck is a bigger target than the head or knees.

It sure seems like someone else has taken over your account because the amount of wtf comments you have made over the last few months far exceeds anything you said over the previous 6-7 years I have been on here.

[eriadoc]

Originally Posted by Say Watt

Seriously?!? You are actually defending this dumbass? Last I checked, the area between the thighs and neck is a bigger target than the head or knees.

It sure seems like someone else has taken over your account because the amount of wtf comments you have made over the last few months far exceeds anything you said over the previous 6-7 years I have been on here.

I'm not defending Harrison or speaking for Dread, but I'll say your bolded comment isn't really true. When the ball carrier gets low in anticipation of a hit, the squared up area to hit the guy is pretty close to knees and head. Harrison's been dinged on that BS before, and it's a constant topic of complaint among the fans. Defensive players shouldn't be fined for aiming at the torso and catching the guy's head when the guy lowers his head. But it happens all the time now. So while I don't condone what Harrison is saying, I do understand it. That's not to say that Harrison hasn't earned his rep. He's done plenty of headhunting.

The person to be pissed off at is Goodell, not Harrison.

[eriadoc]

Here's an exaple that illustrates both why Harrison has the rep he has and the failure of the application of the rule at the same time:



Ignore for a minute where Harrison actually hit Massaquoi and look at Massaquoi. Where would you hit him? It's easy to say that 6-inch sliver right around his belt line, but A.) do that at full speed when both of you are moving, and B.) get that low int he first place. It's not easy.

The zero tolerance fines are just as much BS as Harrison's MO.

[Double Barrel]

A guy with Harrison's reputation and history should just keep his mouth shut. He's asking for extra scrutiny with these type of comments.

[NitroGSXR]

GOOD FOR HIM for speaking up. He's RIGHT!

[Say Watt]

Originally Posted by eriadoc

I'm not defending Harrison or speaking for Dread, but I'll say your bolded comment isn't really true. When the ball carrier gets low in anticipation of a hit, the squared up area to hit the guy is pretty close to knees and head. Harrison's been dinged on that BS before, and it's a constant topic of complaint among the fans. Defensive players shouldn't be fined for aiming at the torso and catching the guy's head when the guy lowers his head. But it happens all the time now. So while I don't condone what Harrison is saying, I do understand it. That's not to say that Harrison hasn't earned his rep. He's done plenty of headhunting.

The person to be pissed off at is Goodell, not Harrison.

Originally Posted by eriadoc

Here's an exaple that illustrates both why Harrison has the rep he has and the failure of the application of the rule at the same time:



Ignore for a minute where Harrison actually hit Massaquoi and look at Massaquoi. Where would you hit him? It's easy to say that 6-inch sliver right around his belt line, but A.) do that at full speed when both of you are moving, and B.) get that low int he first place. It's not easy.

The zero tolerance fines are just as much BS as Harrison's MO.

Good, fair points made. In cases like the image above, you are correct. This is why if the NFL is going to continue going down this road, they have got to begin making a distinction between a player intentionally going for the head and a player ducking his own head into a hit. But going for a guy's knees simply is not the answer.

Harrison is a piece of ****, and I would have zero problems if the guy got his own knees taken out and had to be carried off on a stretcher. Like DB stated, you can't intentionally take out a guy's knees when you are already admitting that hitting a guy in the knees is an easy way to end a career.

I hate Goodell as much as the next guy, but Harrison is a punk.

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by eriadoc

I'm not defending Harrison or speaking for Dread, but I'll say your bolded comment isn't really true. When the ball carrier gets low in anticipation of a hit, the squared up area to hit the guy is pretty close to knees and head. Harrison's been dinged on that BS before, and it's a constant topic of complaint among the fans. Defensive players shouldn't be fined for aiming at the torso and catching the guy's head when the guy lowers his head. But it happens all the time now. So while I don't condone what Harrison is saying, I do understand it. That's not to say that Harrison hasn't earned his rep. He's done plenty of headhunting.

Yeah the bolded is true in the great majority of tackles. Harrison's statement is stupid. People get form tackled all the time, the vast majority of the time (well in the target area although form has been lost). Yes there are examples like yours where the target area shrinks.

I am not sure how to craft the rule but I think there should be some consideration for (a) people lowering their heads and creating the contact and (b) people having initial contact which whips someones head into helmet to helmet contact.

I will say I think the NFL has discussed a good distinction on the issue (they f'd it up on Watt) - form tackling v. trying to play lawn dart.

[Say Watt]

Originally Posted by infantrycak

Yeah the bolded is true in the great majority of tackles. Harrison's statement is stupid. People get form tackled all the time, the vast majority of the time (well in the target area although form has been lost). Yes there are examples like yours where the target area shrinks.

I am not sure how to craft the rule but I think there should be some consideration for (a) people lowering their heads and creating the contact and (b) people having initial contact which whips someones head into helmet to helmet contact.

I will say I think the NFL has discussed a good distinction on the issue (they f'd it up on Watt) - form tackling v. trying to play lawn dart.

Yes, they certainly f'd it up royally with Watt, but James Harrison is no JJ Watt.

[Rey]

Harrison is not that big of a guy...height wise...What is he like 5'11" maybe 6"??

I'm not surprised he aims for legs not.

[Texecutioner]

Originally Posted by Say Watt

Seriously?!? You are actually defending this dumbass? Last I checked, the area between the thighs and neck is a bigger target than the head or knees.

It sure seems like someone else has taken over your account because the amount of wtf comments you have made over the last few months far exceeds anything you said over the previous 6-7 years I have been on here.

Harrison is one of the dirtiest scumbag players in the league, and even more so as a person. Total scumbag. I won't give him any benefit of the doubt and I have no doubts what so ever that he tries to hurt players. I wouldn't even be surprised if he has tried to hurt his own teammates in practice out of his own desires.

The OP is right. He just doesn't get it. But that's because he's stupid, and some people's brain dysfunction can't be fixed. Harrison is one of them.

[Rey]

Originally Posted by infantrycak

It is obvious the great majority of tackles are not made at knee level other than lunges. Hell you are even clearly wrong on people aiming below the waist.

That's a highlight video so I'm guessing a lot of those tackle attempts are unsuccessful. Can't watch the video right now. What I said was that tackling a guy low is easier to bring him down than tackling him around his waist.

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by Rey

That's a highlight video so I'm guessing a lot of those tackle attempts are unsuccessful.

Which totally misses the point - where NFL players actually attempt to tackle RB's or AP in comparison to your assertion. You show me a bunch of non-lunging knee tackles and we can talk.

[thunderkyss]

I think the rule is about as good as you can get it. Guys like Harrison are just making it harder for the game to evolve. The refs & the comp committee need to get better on how it's called/enforced, but no hits to the head of the QB.... makes sense. No hits to the heads of defenseless receivers, makes sense to me.

They made a bunch of bad calls last weekend.... Kj's hit to Wayne was not to his helmet. Joseph's hit to Wayne was. Antonio got fined for a hit to the head of Luck. He didn't try to hit him in the head, but he did. Antonio got the sack, the game went on, fine was levied the next day.

I think I like that approach much better than giving the other team 15 yards for a questionable hit. I know it's hard to tell at full speed, but I thin they should mark every questionable hit, review them later, then levy fines.

They should also have a representative randomly spend a week with each team to see what kind of program they have instructing players not to hit the heads of QBs & defenseless receivers. What kind of drills they run. Is it really being taught.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Many of us may have some serious questions and strong criticisms as to where Goodell and the NFL are taking the game........and for what motivations. However, our opinions are usually tethered by a semblance of maturity.

In a 2011 MEN'S JOURNAL article entitled Confessions of an NFL Hitman, Harrison was quoted as using the terms "crook," "devil," "stupid," "puppet" and "dictator" to describe Goodell. He also said: "If that man was on fire and I had to (urinate) to put him out, I wouldn't do it. I hate him and will never respect him."

If you have never read the interview and/or you have any doubts of Harrison's pathologic character, you might read the article in its entirety. The title article picture hints to what lies beneath.

[ensign_lee]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

Many of us may have some serious questions and strong criticisms as to where Goodell and the NFL are taking the game........and for what motivations. However, our opinions are usually tethered by a semblance of maturity.

In a 2011 MEN'S JOURNAL article entitled Confessions of an NFL Hitman, Harrison was quoted as using the terms "crook," "devil," "stupid," "puppet" and "dictator" to describe Goodell. He also said: "If that man was on fire and I had to (urinate) to put him out, I wouldn't do it. I hate him and will never respect him."

If you have never read the interview and/or you have any doubts of Harrison's pathologic character, you might read the article in its entirety. The title article picture hints to what lies beneath.

except that Harrison is totally right... Goodell *is* ruining the NFL. I've called and thought much worse of him.

[Norg]

ok if i was a Defensive player i would be hamming for the kness all day long they pretty much have no choice these days

[Rey]

Originally Posted by infantrycak

Watched it as I do every Texans game and the vast, vast majority of tackles were aimed shoulders to thigh pads even by guys like Quin who are not as big as him. Going for the knees is crap both from reality of what happens and sportsmanship. In doing so, while unsuccessful in the game, the Texans broke Peterson's streak of hundred yard games, probably ended his hopes of breaking the yardage record and held him to his season lowest 3.4 ypc.

Is the thigh not a part of the leg?

I said there weren't going to be a bunch of people going for his waist.

My quote was accurate.

And I watched the Harrison hit. He didn't have to hit that wr like that. The guy didn't even see him. Not what I'd call a good, clean hit. Looked like he was trying to injure the guy.

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by Rey

Is the thigh not a part of the leg?

I said there weren't going to be a bunch of people going for his waist.

My quote was accurate.

Are you trying to crawfish your statement into "exactly at the waist?"

Your quote was not accurate. Fine if you want to try to use the waist as some dividing line - the great majority of tackles were at or above the waist.

To return to the original discussion it is stupid to act like or say if you can't hit them in the head you have to hit them in the knees.