Ron Burgundy said:
I wonder who the Pats cut to sign Harrison?
a nobody
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Mike Reiss✔@MikeReiss
Patriots have released LB Trevor Reilly to make room for James Harrison. Reilly had been inactive Sunday.
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Michael Lombardi✔@mlombardiNFL
All Harrison has to give the Pats is three strong games---set the edge and rush. they need this.
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Josina Anderson✔@JosinaAnderson
James Harrison's agent, Bill Parise, told me that Bill Belichick's reputation amongst players & the organization's winning pedigree (similar to that of Pitt) both factored into Harrison's comfort in signing with New England. Parise affirmed Harrison had interest from other teams.
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then there's this
Why James Harrison joining Patriots could have as much to do with Chiefs as it does Steelers
“This also could be a signing with the Patriots' first playoff opponent in mind. If the Patriots can clinch the top spot in the AFC, there's a chance they could face the AFC West champion Kansas City Chiefs, the team that stunned them in Week 1. And though the 39-year-old Harrison hasn't played much this season, he has had a history of dominating Chiefs left tackle Eric Fisher.
Harrison's most extended action this season came in Week 7 against the Chiefs, when he logged 18 of his 38 snaps on defense this year. Harrison provided a late sack and a handful of pressures to help the Steelers win and prevent a late Chiefs comeback. And in January, Harrison also had a sack and later drew a key hold against Fisher with a strong pass-rush move at game's end as the Steelers held on for a postseason victory at Arrowhead Stadium.
Prior to the Week 7 game this season, Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler said he wanted to feature Harrison in an expanded role because “it’s always good to have James Harrison when you’re playing Kansas City and let the offensive tackle [Fisher] see him.”
Additionally, the Patriots' coaches took note of the Fisher hold and used that play — with the same officiating crew as the Chiefs-Steelers playoff game — to exploit Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews at the end of lwoB repuS LI. Surely, the Patriots know all about Harrison, who has faced the Patriots 10 times in the Belichick-Tom Brady era. But that matchup with Fisher had to be fresh in their minds.”