Shurmur: Getting Back at James Harrison, and Hardesty's Reduction in Playing Time

I’ve decided this actually sounds quite good, I’ll start playing about 4pm Sunday.

I have it written down. basically drink whenever a character exhibits a mannerism (Gob, Failed experiment or “come on”, Tobias acting gay/gay innuendo, lucille drinking/being critical, etc…)

You know you’ve struck a nerve when someone’s only retaliation is swearing like a sailor. At least be a man and take the asterisks out. I get the feeling you aren’t saving anyone’s eyes/ears on here.

Goodell himself had said Harrison had cleaned his game up from Week 10 last season through Week 13 this season – that’s why he rescinded part of his fine. No other fines, no penalties for shots to the head for 16 games (including the playoffs).

One hit which I’ve never said was clean merits a suspension when other “repeat” offenders had multiple penalties for that kind of action? Brandon Merriweather? Dunta Robinson? Ray Lewis? No one said anything about suspension, yet, they have done the same thing Harrison has many times.

Tell me that has nothing to do with Harrison’s comments to Men’s Journal.

I’ve seen plenty of Ray Lewis hits get flagged and fined. The difference is he didn’t spout off in a magazine about his thoughts of the commissioner (which I’m sure he agrees with).

London Fletcher of the Redskins gooned two Vikings players last week, he’s a repeat offender, yet, no one’s talking about suspension for him. Why is that? Because Goodell’s got an ax to grind with Harrison.

Anyone who’s played even pee wee football has been shown how to tackle and been taught that you do not lead with your head.

And anyone who’s played football AND taken physics/human anatomy knows your head heads above everything if you are lowering your shoulder (which is what you’re taught to do).

Poor technique? Yes. He’s absolutely THE ONLY player in the league accused of poor form. I know he’s one of two players to get suspended for something that happened between the whistles, and he’s the only one to pop off about the thin-skinned commissioner in the media.

Goodell can’t handle criticism, someone speaks out against the direction of the league, and he holds a grudge clear through 3/4s of the year before exacting his revenge. The owners get to keep boat-rockers in line by letting Goodell have the power to decide on his own to enforce certain rules, set new precedent on whatever whim on which he chooses to act and do everything he can to keep them in line.

one does not have to do with the other.

It is completely ludicrous and, to be honest, flat out dumb to say or even imply that the enforcement of helmet to helmet hits, a clear danger to long term mental health of players, is why Drew Brees broke marino’s record.

I really think you need more hyperbole in here. Is it plain-and-simple idiotic too?

What I don’t understand is how you can completely dismiss what I’m saying – a lack of physicality and an over-enforcement of regulation on defensive players – as a reason why offense has increased dramatically, and a long-standing record held by one of the best ever to play was broken in 15 games.

But, then you say:

If you want to blame anything, blame the NFL for seriously cracking down on ANY contact on the WR past 5 yards and giving the refs so much leeway to make some ridiculous PI calls. One of the hardest jobs in the NFL has become the CB position because of this.

You are saying over-regulation on the defensive side of the ball at least has a factor in it. That’s the same thing I said. You just hate the fact Harrison is being used as an example.

These guys are warriors, but it is unfair to force them to deal with a maniac who doesn’t care if he gives them debilitating brain damage.

Again, this is more in-the-box thinking by Harrison Haters. I don’t suppose you’re aware of why Harrison missed four games from a broken orbital bone in his eye…he was hit by the crown of OT Duane Brown’s helmet.

That’s ok though, right? Cuz it’s Harrison, and he’s the only one playing dirty. Your argument is so one-sided and pathetic I’m not even sure why I’m continuing it.

Fact of the matter is Harrison has been successfully painted by the NFL as the only player who’s outside the rules. If you’re so concerned with the safety of players, why aren’t you upset over the fact the rulebook says helmet-to-helmet hits are only illegal when a defensive player strikes an offensive player? They’re both wearing helmets, but players on the offensive side are allowed to use them, and defensive players are not.

And don’t give me the “leading with his head” garbage. Tell me Peyton Hillis doesn’t run with his head aimed at the defensive player coming at him. Or Adrian Peterson. Or any running back inside the tackles. When an offensive player does it, he’s “lowering his shoulder.”

Brown pulled out to his left, lowered his head and smashed it into Harrison’s after he got a seven-yard running start. That play is completely legal, and it’s the EXACT SAME THING as what Harrison did to McCoy, but Brown is twice Harrison’s size and had a full head of steam.

Totally legal play. No flag, certainly no fine. But Harrison’s the bad guy, Brown is just a good lineman making a good play.

Don’t preach about safety if you aren’t looking at everything that’s going on. You clearly don’t understand the issue, nor do you want to. Keep following the path Goodell wants you to follow; he’s concerned with safety, Harrison is the one bad apple in an otherwise cleanly played game managed evenly by competent leaders.