鈥?James Harrison is happy to be with Patriots. He’s done talking about his departure from the Steelers.The 39-year-old linebacker would not say what factored into his decision to leave and would not address the critical comments by some former teammates since his release by Pittsburgh last week.“I like to compete
Byron Jones Jersey Womens ,” he said Friday. “That’s my main reason to go out and play the game.”Harrison said he didn’t receive any other offers after he was released, and he’s ready to contribute as needed with the Patriots. New England hosts the Jets on Sunday, needing a win or Steelers loss to clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.“I’m going to go out there whenever they ask,” Harrison said.Earlier this week several Steelers voiced displeasure with the circumstances surrounding his exit, with a few noting the decision to leave was hastened by him and not the team.“He erased himself; he erased his own legacy here. Let’s be serious,” Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey said Wednesday. “It’s crazy. He wanted that. It wasn’t like the team said, ‘We want to let go of James Harrison.’ James Harrison wanted that.”In a long post on Instagram before practice Friday, Harrison wrote: “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.”He was in no mood to discuss the matter further following practice Friday. Asked about the post or what his former teammates said, Harrison brushed it aside with a quick “Next question.”After about two minutes that included a few more attempts by reporters to ask about the Steelers, Harrison ended the interview.“No Jets questions, huh? All right, see you later
Cheap DJ Chark Jersey ,” he said.In the Instagram post, Harrison said Pittsburgh coaches denied him reps during training camp despite him asking for them.“I know what my body needs in order to be in shape to compete and I said so. But still zero reps,” he wrote.Whatever the reason, Harrison’s playing time was cut dramatically this season.The Steelers’ all-time sack leader with 80 1/2 in 14 seasons in Pittsburgh, Harrison appeared in just five games and played a total of 38 snaps this season. He had only one sack.Though he acknowledged it’s been “a little bit” overwhelming trying to learn the Patriots’ playbook in a handful of days, he’s ready to play.“I’m going to go out whenever Coach (Bill) Belichick puts me out there,” Harrison said.He already has at least one fan in New England.“I told him I liked him much better in our color jerseys,” quarterback Tom Brady said. A new offseason workout plan has rejuvenated Pittsburgh Steelers‘ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
The 36-year-old indicated that he’s in the best shape of his career Thursday following the team’s first training camp practice at St. Vincent College.
A leaner, trimmer Roethlisberger hopes the additional offseason work can play a part in helping the Steelers to another championship.
”Anything you can do to lighten the load on your knees and ankles, I think is important,” said Roethlisberger, who worked with a personal trainer and nutritionist to cut sugar and carbohydrates from his diet to get him ready for his 15th season.
”The knees, the ankles
Cheap Breeland Speaks Jersey , being lighter … those are all positives when it comes to this age, playing football and a sport where you’re pounding on your knees and you’ve had a couple knee surgeries.”
It could be his last chance to win a championship with two-time All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell.
Bell is away from the team after he and the Steelers failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension earlier this month, meaning he will play under the $14.5 million franchise tag for the second straight year.
Bell skipped training camp last year and signed his franchise tender less than a week before the start of the season. He is expected to follow the same plan and then play what could be his final season in Pittsburgh.
”I don’t know what’s going on with his agents and how this whole thing works, so I’m not sure what’s going to happen,” Roethlisberger said.
Nobody’s sure when Bell will show up either. Until then, former Pitt star running back James Conner, rookie fifth-round pick Jaylen Samuels and veterans Stevan Ridley and Fitzgerald Toussaint will carry the load.
”Le’Veon is one of the best, if not the best in the business,” Roethlisberger said. ”We miss him as a teammate, but I look at it as an awesome opportunity for the other guys.”
Roethlisberger, whose contract expires in the spring of 2020, is excited about the offensive line in front of him and the Steelers’ skill players at running back and wide receiver, led by Bell and four-time All-Pro Antonio Brown.
”I really like where this team is at
Marcedes Lewis Packers Jersey ,” Roethlisberger said. ”If I didn’t have a good feeling about this team, it probably wouldn’t be as exciting, but I am excited about this group.”
He led the team to a 13-3 regular season last season, which included a second straight AFC North title and third in four years. But the Steelers were upset by Jacksonville at home during the divisional round in the playoffs.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said it’s reasonable to expect another big season from Roethlisberger after his renewed offseason conditioning focus.
”Regardless of position, we always say physical conditioning precedes anything else,” Tomlin said. ”When a guy shows up in great shape, that’s oftentimes a springboard for big-time play.”
While Roethlisberger hopes the additional work can prolong his career, he also reiterated that he’s only focused on this season.
”I think the biggest key is physical health,” Roethlisberger said. ”When you get done with the season, how do you feel physically? Do you feel physically able to go back another season or not? We’ll address that when the season is over and that’s a long ways away.”
Roethlisberger established career highs in completions, attempts, completion percentage, yards and touchdowns under Todd Haley
Courtland Sutton Broncos Jersey , but shared an at-times contentious relationship with the Steelers’ former offensive coordinator.
This season, he will work with former quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner, who has taken over the play-calling duties after Haley’s deal wasn’t renewed in January. Roethlisberger said Fichtner hasn’t changed much offensively.
”He’s not going to change who he is,” Roethlisberger said. ”He’s not going to change his approach to the game and be a different person.”
As long as it leads to a Super Bowl title, that’s all that matters to Roethlisberger.
”If you win more than you lose, that’s important, but winning those games can lead to Super Bowl opportunities, so that’s always our ultimate goal,” Roethlisberger said. ”There’s 31 other teams doing the same thing. That needs to be our singular focus.”
—
.
