Harrison thriving in his new role
FOXBOROUGH, MASS. » James Harrison is headed back to the Super Bowl.
And he says the only thing he’s focused on is winning a third championship.
Everything else is secondary for the 39-year-old Patriots linebacker, who is thriving in his new role with the team that was once his rival.
“That’s the goal. To win the Lombardi (Trophy). There’s only one winner,” Harrison said as he prepared to make his first trip to the Super Bowl since the 2008 season, when he captured his second ring with Pittsburgh.
He’s done talking about his abrupt departure from the Steelers last month and the suggestions from his former teammates that it was Harrison who asked to be released after complaints about playing time.
In a lengthy post on Instagram days after joining the Patriots, Harrison responded directly to his critics, writing: “If anybody thought I signed a two-year deal with a team in the NFL at age 39 to sit on the bench and collect a check and a participation trophy, they’re mistaken. I didn’t sign up to sit on the bench and be a cheerleader.”
What’s not in dispute is that Harrison’s playing time decreased significantly this season with the Steelers.
The Steelers’ sack leader with 80½ in 14 seasons in Pittsburgh, Harrison appeared in just five games and played 38 snaps for them this season. He had only one sack.
After being released on Dec. 23, Harrison signed with New England in time to play in the Patriots’ regular-season finale against the Jets. He had three tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble FOXBOROUGH, MASS. » Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski sat out practice Thursday with a concussion and quarterback Tom Brady was limited with his right-hand injury as New England returned to the practice field in preparation.
Gronkowski suffered his concussion after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit early in the Patriots’ AFC championship game win over Jacksonville. Brady got several stitches in his hand after getting hurt in practice leading up to that game.
Defensive lineman Deatrich Wise (concussion) and Malcolm Brown (foot) also did not participate in practice. Safety Devin McCourty (shoulder), running back Mike Gillislee (knee) and offensive lineman LaAdrian Waddle (knee) were all limited participants.
in his debut.
In one regular season and two playoffs games with the Patriots, he’s already been on the field for 89 snaps.
“I’m doing whatever they ask me to do,” Harrison said. “I’m getting more snaps than I had (in Pittsburgh), and I like that.”
As to whether he has something to prove at this point in his career, he said that has always been his mindset. “Anything people say I can’t do, I want to prove them wrong,” Harrison said.