James Harrison refusing paycut

Its being reported that JH is refusing a paycut, would that be similar to refusing a restructure of his contract?

Calling Beachbum......

Yes it would.

I can understand Harrison's thinking. He's been cut so many times and finally made it. He got this big deal after overperforming on his previous contract and the end of his career is closer than the beginning. He wants to maximize his pay right now.

The problem is that the cap is a cruel mistress and the Steelers are up against it. Harrison might be in a situation where he accepts a pay cut or gets cut.

He'd then find out whether another team would be willing to match his current salary. My guess is that probably would not happen unless it was a one-year deal.

I love James Harrison as a player. Loved him when he played special teams. Couldn't understand why they weren't getting him on the field more. When he got the defense and they turned him loose, he was amazing to watch. His 100-yard pick six against the Cardinals in SBXLIII is the greatest play in Super Bowl history IMHO.

I would hate to see him wear another uniform, but I understand the business aspect of the NFL. 

He said that he would restructure, but he wouldn't take a pay cut. Of course Beachbum is much more knowledgable about this, I believe that would take money from the base salary and convert it to a bonus...but if i remember correctly, wasn't the base salary already fairly cap friendly? or was that just the first two years of the contract?

According to Steeler Depot if the Steelers restuctured 5.57 million of the 6.57 million Harrison is owed this year it would lower Harrison's cap charge by 2.785 million for 2013 if no years were added to his contract and have the potential of 2.785 million in dead money if Harrison was released for the 2014 season.

If Harrison is cut the Steelers cap savings would be 5.105 million with no dead money in 2014. Colbert and Tomlin have a tough decision here if Harrison would be healthy this year at least this year he would not have a injury to rehab from last year could he a least resemble the Harrison of 2010.

Harrison's agent said they are very willing to restructure James's contract in order to help the team, problem is, in order for it to help the Steelers at all, he would have to see his salary drop down to around $3 million . . . see article below

[http://www.steelersdepot.com/2013/0
2/report-steelers-lb-james-harrison
-not-interested-in-taking-a-pay-cut
-to-stay/]

If he is not willing to take a pay CUT I think the Steelers will release him.

All restructing does is basically move around salary cap numbers.  The player doesn't lose a dime of money on that which is why he has no problem restructering.  Now taking a paycut would be losing money which is what Harrison is refusing.  I think he's actually restructured this contract once before already

I think James is probably done in Pittsburgh.  Sucks!

If I understand his cap charge this season he's going to cost about 5 million if they cut him.  If they keep him he'll count over 10 million against the cap. 

James was looking pretty good late in the season. Probably the best he's looked over the past two seasons.  I bet he gets 5 million or more next season from another team if the Steelers cut him.  

I don't blame him. James has played his heart out for the Steelers. Harrison is the one that will go because of his age but fat boy Woodley has been much less reliable the last two seasons!  

Ravens R #2...Where is Kruger going to be playing next season? 

Will Woodley take a paycut?

 

Ravens R #2...

Actually, the Ravens are currently #1 in the NFL

Where is Kruger going to be playing next season?

The Colts or however makes the highest bid.  I doubt he's in Baltimore unless he takes a serious pay cut
   


  

I agree with RR#1......Kruger goes to the Colts unless the Ravens can get him to take a discount of Flacco loosen up on his $20,000,000 desire. <br /><br />Woodley is vurrently in hiding after having to eat crow over his comments about Flacco never leading the Ravens to the Super bowl....He is currently dining at the Golden Corral Buffet. I heard he likes the desert cart.....the entire catr that is.  

$14,000,000 is alot to overcome. They will do it but it will cause the tema to suffer. Some might not agree but is Troy Polamalu really worth $9,000,000 to sit most of the season on the bench as he has for most part of the last 2 years?

Where is Kruger going to be playing next season?

The Colts or however makes the highest bid.  I doubt he's in Baltimore unless he takes a serious pay cut

RR#1, who do they have behind Kruger if he doesnt resign?

 

Steelers should go to Ben and Troy first see if they can get the two of them to take pay cuts along with a restructure then try and get James to do the same if he doesnt as much as I hate to say it let him go.

 

RavensManiac, No Troy is not worth 9,000,000 sitting on the bench for the most part the last 2 years, he'll definitely restructure, but also the difference is the depth right now. We don't have anyone behind Troy, at least we have Worilds behind Harrison, if Jarvis falls to 17, there's no way the Steelers pass on him.

Steelroc74.....until he does he still has a $9,000,000 salary...and to restructure means the Steelers are going to have to commit a few more years to him which could prove fatal next year or the year after. I see the Steelers keeping him through this year and next year he goes via FA or retires. His health is not the best and the Steelers won't want to guarantee money to an oft injured 33 year old safety. I can see them allowing Harrison to walk as Worilds is up and coming or can be replaced via the draft.

I was waiting for this to come up and I'd like to make a couple of points...

1. James hasn't said anything. His agent, Bill Parise made a comment but he didn't say James would refuse to take a paycut. He left a little wiggle room. Here was his exact quote:

“Can we help the Steelers by restructuring James' contract? We're certainly willing to do that,” agent Bill Parise told the site. “Do we need to take less money? I don't think so. Personally, I think he's a bargain.”

He's not doing his job if he doesn't fight for every penny for James but he's also not stupid. If they cut his base salary in half (3.3M) that's probably more than he's going to get in guaranteed money elsewhere with the knee and back surgeries (plus being 35). And he gets to stay in the city he's lived in for the last 7 years.

Maybe James will be here, maybe he won't but it won't be because he's not willing to take any kind of paycut IMO. It will be because he and the Steelers couldn't agree on the amount. Casey was due 5.9M and settled for 2.8M last year. Hopefully James and the Steelers can work out something similar.

2. Troy hasn't missed as many games as people are making out. Yes he has missed some time but he actually played nearly all of the previous two years. Only three guys played more snaps than Polamalu in '10-'11 ...

Ike Taylor 2008
Ryan Clark 2000
Lawrence Timmons 1953
Troy Polamalu 1782
James Harrison 1703
James Farrior 1646
Ziggy Hood 1482
LaMarr Woodley 1476
Brett Keisel 1232

I admit it was frustrating watching Troy sit so much last year and I'm well aware he wasn't 100% in 2011 but like most things around here it's getting blown a tad out of proportion. He finished the year healthier than he's been in two years and could come back next year and be the best safety in football again - it's just as possible.

Polamalu's only 32 years old (in April) - or 1/6th the combined age of Burghball and Lyman.

Who is going to pay him that kind of money at the age of 35? That is what i have to ask him. He isn't going to get that on the open market.

Beach...how many snaps he played only shows that the defense was on the filed alot.....not howe mnay games he played. for them to restructure Troy would mean they would extend his contract for ____ years. Sometime during that time his salary is gonna catch up to them and cost them greatly. There is going to have to be guaranteed money somewhere to make it desirable for him to sign....and according to NFL.com he only played and started 7 games last year.....missed over half the season.....in 10 years he only played 16 games 3 times and has missed over 1 full year collectively in the last 4 years. This is of major concern or should be when it comes time to renegotiate.