One of the reasons why linebacker James Harrison parted ways with the Pittsburgh Steelers last December was because of his dismay over the lack of playing time. Now with the New England Patriots, Harrison has found what the Steelers failed to give him with the Pats deploying his skills into the field more than Pittsburgh did this season.
In fact, Harrison has already played in twice as many snaps in New England as he had with the Steelers, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.
Harrison played 32 of 74 snaps in Sunday’s victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Championship Game. Since signing with New England on Dec. 26, he has been on the field for 89 of a possible 200 defensive snaps (44.5 percent). In 14 games with the Steelers earlier this season, he had played a total of 40 snaps.
During the Patriots’ 24-20 AFC Championship Game win at Gillette Stadium last Sunday over the Jacksonville Jaguars, James Harrison was instrumental in containing the Jaguars’ offense, as he made three tackles and recorded a quarterback hit. Overall, the 39-year-old outside linebacker has racked up 11 tackles in only three games with the defending Super Bowl champions. On the flipside, he only had three total tackles in five game appearances for the Steelers back in the regular season.
Harrison, who is playing on a one-year contract worth $1 million with New England, has career totals of 573 tackles, 84.5 sacks, eight interceptions, and nine fumble recoveries. While he has not stated any plans to retire, it would be a good time for the veteran to hang up his cleats should the Patriots successfully win another Vince Lombardi Trophy this season.
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