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James Harrison | Linebacker

Team: Cincinnati Bengals
Age / DOB:  (35) / 5/4/1978
Ht / Wt:  6'0' / 242
College: Kent State
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

James Harrison's two-year contract with the Bengals is worth a total of $4.45 million.
Harrison got a $1.2M signing bonus, a $100,000 workout bonus and per-game roster bonuses that could total $300,000 this season. It adds up to a maximum payout of $3 million in 2013, or $1.5 million less than he would have gotten from the Steelers if he accepted their original offer of a 30 percent pay cut. Pride didn't pay off for Harrison. Apr 24 - 12:15 PM
Source: Joe Reedy on Twitter

Highest Searched Players over the last 7 days


Player News

Date:
James Harrison - LB - Bengals

New Bengals SLB James Harrison downplayed his transition to a 4-3 scheme.

During his nine-year reign in Pittsburgh, Harrison was strictly a rush linebacker in their 3-4. In Cincy, he'll play the SAM spot in base packages and attack the quarterback from the edge on passing downs. "It's not really a concern," Harrison said. "Some of the defenses that we do are the same terminology. The coverages are the same its just you might switch from side to side. I'll be playing sometimes stack like a regular inside linebacker that would play a 3-4."
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer
Apr 24 - 8:34 AM
James Harrison - LB - Bengals

New Bengals SLB James Harrison feels like he has "three years left" in the league, and says physically he's as "close as he's ever been" to his 2008 Defensive Player of the Year campaign.

Going on 35, Harrison has grown increasingly injury prone in recent years, missing a combined eight games the past two seasons. This, after Harrison missed just one game between 2007-10. Harrison is never returning to his 2008 form, but he can still be a formidable presence on the edge if he can stay healthy.
Source: Joe Reedy on Twitter
Apr 23 - 1:36 PM
James Harrison - LB - Bengals

Bengals signed SLB James Harrison, formerly of the Steelers, to a two-year contract.

The 2008 Defensive Player of the Year, Harrison will bring pass rush to the strong-side linebacker position in Cincinnati that Marvin Lewis has long sought. Although he is 35 now with an increasingly fragile body and must play limited snaps, Harrison remains a highly effective edge presence. He racked up six sacks, two forced fumbles, and 70 tackles last season despite missing three games and large chunks of others. Cincinnati's defense is otherwise returning intact after last year's No. 6 finish. Harrison will add attitude on the second level.
Related: Steelers
Apr 19 - 4:58 PM
James Harrison - LB - Bengals

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports the Bengals' contract talks with free agent James Harrison "appear to be back on again."

Translation: Harrison lowered his contract demands. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that negotiations had broken off, but the supposed stalemate was an obvious ploy to get Harrison to drop his price tag. Talks between Harrison and the Bengals have been cordial since his April 11 club visit. Penny-pinching owner Mike Brown simply wants Harrison at Brown's price.
Related: Bengals
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer
Apr 19 - 3:21 PM
James Harrison - LB - Bengals

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport classifies talks between the Bengals and free agent James Harrison as "broken off."

It sounds like the ball is in Harrison's court to lower his price. That's something he was unwilling to do for the Steelers, so it's far from a guarantee he'll do it for the Bengals. Harrison has no other known active suitors. The one-time most feared player in the league turns 35 on May 4.
Related: Bengals
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Apr 17 - 1:28 PM
James Harrison - LB - Bengals

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports the Bengals "aren't in any rush" to sign free agent James Harrison with the draft approaching, and are skeptical he can transition to a 4-3 defense.

The Bengals are apparently content to fill their need for an outside linebacker through the draft if Harrison's price isn't right. Going on 35, Harrison has spent his entire career in the Steelers' 3-4 defense. One of the league's most prideful players is going to have to swallow his pride to find a new home.
Related: Bengals
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer
Apr 16 - 7:56 PM
James Harrison - LB - Bengals

The Bengals and free agent James Harrison have "hit a snag" in contract talks.

According to USA Today, the sides "haven't made much progress," and a deal is "anything" but a sure thing. A source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter it "does not look like the numbers will work." It sounds like Harrison is still overvaluing his services after getting cut loose by the Steelers and generating extremely little interest on the open market. He'll have to accept that he's viewed as a minimum salary (plus incentives) player going on age 35 before finally signing a new contract.
Related: Bengals
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Apr 16 - 3:40 PM
James Harrison - LB - Bengals

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports free agent James Harrison could sign with the Bengals as early as Monday.

The sides are "working on a deal for (Harrison) to join the team." It's essentially what ESPN and the Cincinnati Enquirer reported on Sunday. Harrison's circuitous route through free agency should be at an end.
Related: Bengals
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Apr 15 - 12:26 PM
James Harrison - LB - Bengals

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports the Bengals' contract talks with free agent James Harrison will resume on Monday.

The Enquirer's story is headlined "Closing in on Harrison," and states that "all indications" are the former longtime Steelers linebacker will become a Bengal in short order. Harrison visited the club facility Thursday and "left a favorable impression on everyone, not only in a workout but his demeanor." Harrison reportedly wants "revenge" on the Steelers and Ravens teams that have cut him in the past, and is determined to stay in the AFC North.
Related: Bengals
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer
Apr 14 - 4:49 PM
James Harrison - LB - Bengals

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Bengals and free agent OLB James Harrison will "try to complete a deal" this week.

The Bengals also have some interest in free agent MLB Karlos Dansby, but Harrison is believed to be "more signable" at this time. Now that CB Antoine Winfield has chosen a team, Harrison takes center stage in free agency. He shouldn't net much more than $3 million on a one-year deal. The Bengals would likely use Harrison at strong-side linebacker in the old Manny Lawson role.
Related: Bengals
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Apr 14 - 9:00 AM
James Harrison - LB - Bengals

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports there is a "high level of mutual interest" between the Bengals and free agent OLB James Harrison.

The two sides will meet again this weekend, and talks could "ramp up" then. Neither side has tried to hide its interest, so there's plenty of reason to suspect a deal will get hammered out. Harrison wants to stay in the AFC North.
Related: Bengals
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Apr 12 - 5:31 PM
James Harrison - LB - Bengals

Free agent OLB James Harrison says his visit with the Bengals went well.

The openly desperate Harrison hasn't left any room for mystery during his hunt for a new team. "Had a good visit with (owner Mike) Brown and (coach Marvin) Lewis," Harrison tweeted Thursday. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports the Bengals "liked what they heard," so they be the team to finally pull Harrison off the market.
Related: Bengals
Source: James Harrison on Twitter
Apr 12 - 8:17 AM
James Harrison - LB - Bengals

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports no deal is imminent between the Bengals and free agent OLB James Harrison.

The Bengals reportedly "liked what they heard," and the team views him as a strong-side linebacker and nickel rusher in their 4-3 scheme. Pro Football Focus gave Harrison positive grades in both coverage and as a pass rusher prior to 2012. There's no reason to think a deal can't be worked out.
Related: Bengals
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Apr 11 - 8:03 PM
James Harrison - LB - Bengals

Free agent OLB James Harrison is meeting with the Bengals Thursday.

Spurned by the Steelers after nine seasons, Harrison would jump at the chance to join a division rival. The question is if the Bengals want him. Harrison will turn 35 next month and has missed eight games over the last two seasons. He's been one of the coldest "big" names in free agency.
Related: Bengals
Source: USA Today
Apr 11 - 11:49 AM

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