Pats sign veteran linebacker Harrison
The Patriots added an enforcer for the playoffs.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison signed a contract yesterday. According to a source, it is a one-year deal. Harrison will practice tomorrow and be with the Pats for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the New York Jets and the playoffs.
This could significantly intensify the hype for a potential AFC Championship rematch between the Patriots and Steelers.
Harrison, 39, had one sack in five games this season with the Steelers, as his role was largely reduced. He played just 40 snaps and has been on the field for one only game since Week 8. Pittsburgh released him last week, and he became a free agent.
Harrison has 82.5 career sacks, including three against the Pats, and all but two have come in 14 seasons with the Steelers. He spent 2013 with the Cincinnati Bengals.
In 18 playoff games, Harrison has 11 sacks, and he was in contention for the Super Bowl XLIII MVP when the Steelers beat the Arizona Cardinals.
The Patriots could use some help on the edge, especially in terms of postseason experience. Trey Flowers has been outstanding this season with the most sacks (6.5), quarterback hits (20) and pressures (18) on the team, and rookie Deatrich Wise is coming off a career-best 1.5 sacks against the Buffalo Bills. Eric Lee, picked up in late November from Buffalo’s practice squad, has been a nice surprise but is also inexperienced.
The Pats could use a little more depth until Kyle Van Noy returns, though he has spent most of his time as an inside linebacker.
Harrison also has some experience in coverage due to the Steelers’ system, so he should be able to handle the variety of assignments that coach Bill Belichick demands of his edge defenders.
The extent of Harrison’s usage remains undetermined, but he should be fresh enough to handle however many snaps Belichick sees fit.