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Steelers Sign Harrison, Where’s Joey Porter?

By Craig Gottschalk

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It was touch and go for the Steelers for about 18 to 20 hours.

Veteran linebacker James Harrison voiced via social media (Instagram) that he was going to decide to continue playing for the Steelers or following Dick LeBeau to the Titans.

That’s assuming that both teams a) voiced interest in signing the 13 year vet and b) Harrison didn’t care about the money and would accept veteran minimums.

The situation was quickly resolved and had very little time for debate between the pundits (thank, God). The Steelers signed Harrison to a new two-year $2.75 million deal.

I won’t even try to get into whether or not Tennessee (or even Dick LeBeau for that matter) really wanted Harrison and if it was just all a pipe dream concocted by Deebo. I’m not even going to try and speculate what it all means if DLB really wanted Harrison and he stayed with the Steelers anyways.

What I will comment on is why Harrison is back on contract.

The obvious reason would be that they are paper thin at outside linebacker after losing Jason Worilds to free agency (then to retirement) and the front office having no interest in signing one of the few free agent pass rushers available.

Jarvis Jones and Arthur Moats on the outside are currently not the most fearsome duo in the NFL.

Harrison will bring strength, hard work, and his bad ass attitude to the sidelines and field. He has an affinity for lighting up Joe Flacco and Cleveland’s QB (fill in the blank).

What about the not so obvious?

Steelers GM Kevin Colbert stated that he was happy to have Harrison back and….

Colbert also used the word “mentoring” as one of the reasons why he wanted Harrison back.

Mentoring.  Mentoring?

While that might seem great having at one time one of the most feared pass rushers in the NFL contribute and act as a mentor, it makes me ask one question… Where the hell is Joey Porter?

After the departure of DLB and the hiring of Keith Butler as the new defensive coordinator, Joey Porter was promoted to co-linebackers coach along with Jerry Olsavsky. Porter is the outside specialist, Olsavsky is the inside specialist.

Aug 16, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive assistant coach Joey Porter on the sidelines against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Isn’t Porter supposed to be the mentor to the linebackers? Doesn’t he have enough bad boy attitude in him? After all, he ranks up there too as being a fierce SOB.

One might argue that coaching and ‘mentoring’ as a player are two different things. I think that’s true the higher up the chain you go in the coaching staff. But, J-Peezy is the OLB coach!  He’s coaching/mentoring them everyday and every game.

Hear hear, Suck Meter.

Look, I’m happy to have Harrison back. He’ll be good insurance. I have a strange feeling the Steelers are going to need him throughout the year (sorry I’m still not that hot on Jarvis Jones).

What I’m utterly confused about is why would Colbert even mention the mentoring as a reason to bring him back? Maybe he should have rephrased things a bit and said ‘veteran presence’? Quite honestly, how much hand holding does Jones need at this point?

If Porter can’t get him to the next level, I doubt Harrison will.

If JJ can’t have his own veteran and leadership presence soon enough, that side of the defense is all but sunk.

Next: 2015 NFL Draft Big Board 2.0

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