Steelers Free Agency 2013: James Harrison talking to Ravens
By Matt Shetler
It has been difficult for some Pittsburgh Steelers fans to come with the terms that linebacker James Harrison won’t be in a Steelers uniform next year, but if that is the case, things could get much stranger for Steelers fans as there is a good chance they could see the five-time Pro-Bowler twice a season donning the purple-and-black colors of the hated Baltimore Ravens.
Dec 16, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison (92) during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
NFL.com’s Kevin Patra notes that there is mutual interest between the two parties, but also notes that the two sides have not talked contract as of yet.
Harrison’s agent Bill Parise confirmed his client’s interest in playing for the defending Super Bowl champions.
“I’ve talked to Ozzie (Newsome) and we’re going to talk again Saturday,” Parise told The Baltimore Sun on Thursday. “Their timeline is a little slower at this point, but Ozzie’s going to have to sign at least a couple of linebackers. I know where we stand. He’s made it clear that there’s interest from the Ravens, and we have an interest. We would like that very much for James to wind up with great organization like the Ravens. So, we’ll wait and see where it goes.”
The Ravens make sense for the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year. Coming off their Super Bowl championship Baltimore lost outside linebacker Paul Kruger to the Cleveland Browns and inside linebacker Dannelle Ellerbe to the Miami Dolphins along with the retirement of Ray Lewis.
Harrison could form a nice tandem with Terrell Suggs and spell Courtney Upshaw in passing situations.
Parise also notes that there are six teams interested in Harrison.
Check back often to City of Champions Sports for continual updates on all of the wheelings and dealings of Steelers free agency.