鈥?James Harrison is headed back to the Super Bowl.And he says
the only thing he’s focused on is winning a third championship.Everything else
is secondary for the 39-year-old Patriots linebacker
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that was once his rival.“That’s the goal. To win the Lombardi (Trophy). There’s
only one winner,” Harrison said as he prepared to make his first trip to the
Super Bowl since the 2008 season, when he captured his second ring with
Pittsburgh.He’s done talking about his abrupt departure from the Steelers last
month and the suggestions from his former teammates that it was Harrison who
asked to be released after complaints about playing time.In a lengthy post on
Instagram days after joining the Patriots, Harrison responded directly to his
critics, writing: “If anybody thought I signed a two-year deal with a team in
the NFL at age 39 to sit on the bench and collect a check and a participation
trophy, they’re mistaken. I didn’t sign up to sit on the bench and be a
cheerleader.”What’s not in dispute is that Harrison’s playing time decreased
significantly this season with the Steelers.The Steelers’ sack leader with 80陆
in 14 seasons in Pittsburgh, Harrison appeared in just five games and played a
total of 38 snaps for them this season. He had only one sack. His five
appearances were his fewest since his first season in Pittsburgh in 2002.After
being released on Dec. 23, Harrison signed with New England in time to play in
the Patriots’ regular-season finale against the Jets. He had three tackles, two
sacks and a forced fumble in his debut.In one regular season and two playoffs
games with the Patriots, he’s already been on the field for 89 snaps.“I’m doing
whatever they ask me to do
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Jersey Youth ,” Harrison said. “I’m getting more snaps than I had
(in Pittsburgh), and I like that.”As to whether he has something to prove at
this point in his career, he said that has always been his mindset.“Anything
people say I can’t do, I want to prove them wrong,” Harrison said.He says it
would be impossible for him to feel truly acclimated after just three games, but
he has an appreciation for the way the Patriots approach things.Safety Devin
McCourty said Harrison’s work ethic has been noticeable.“I think younger guys, a
lot of younger guys on the team compared to him, can learn from him,” McCourty
said. “I think we all saw that from Day 1 when he came in here bright and early
getting whatever he needs done.”Coach Bill Belichick praised Harrison’s ability
to handle the different things they’ve asked of him.“This guy is a professional.
He’s into football. He’s into his job and wants to do it well,” Belichick said.
“I
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what you want from everybody.”Harrison started at outside linebacker in the AFC
title game against Jacksonville and is in line to start again alongside Kyle Van
Noy and Elandon Roberts against the Eagles.Whatever happens, Harrison is secure
in the decisions he’s made.“It feels good, but like I’ve said before, this is
all God’s plan,” he said. “This is all his doing. I’m just reaping the benefits
of it right now.” The Jets have locked down their shutdown cornerback.
Former Rams star Trumaine Johnson signed a five-year, $72.5 million contract
on Friday, boosting New York’s improved secondary.
The 28-year-old Johnson, arguably the top free agent at his position, spent
his first six seasons with the Rams and had 18 interceptions while establishing
himself as one of the best cover cornerbacks in the NFL.
His signing gives Todd Bowles’ defense an unquestioned No. 1 cornerback – and
he’ll certainly be paid like one of the league’s best. The deal, which Pro
Football Talk first reported included $34 million guaranteed at
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franchise history.
”It’s exciting. I was speechless when I finally gave my agent the green
light,” Johnson told the team’s website . ”It’s the Big Apple. New chapter, new
beginnings and I get to add to this already great defense.”
Morris Claiborne, who was the Jets’ top cornerback last season, hit free
agency but will return to New York on a one-year deal. The sides agreed to a
contract late Thursday night.
Johnson and Claiborne will combine with second-year safeties Jamal Adams and
Marcus Maye to form one of the most promising secondaries in the league. That
comes after New York finished a mediocre 21st in the NFL in pass defense.
Johnson was a third-round pick out of Montana in 2012 and established himself
as a solid starter in his second year in the NFL. His breakout season came in
2015, when he had a career-high seven interceptions.
The Rams used the franchise tag on Johnson the last two offseasons. He posted
a farewell to the Rams on his Instagram account Monday , signaling that he would
be leaving the team with which he had spent his entire NFL career.
”The last two years, I’ve been tagged,” Johnson told newyorkjets.com. ”It’s
my first time going through this process. It’s quite an experience. You lose
sleep and your agent is calling you every five minutes. But it worked out and
I’m happy to be a Jet.”
On Friday, he posted a note on Instagram signaling his arrival to the Big
Apple : ”Landing Soon NYC! (hash)JetWay.” The accompanying photo featured
Johnson with the left side of his body in a Rams uniform and the Los Angeles
skyline in the background Cheap
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New York City skyline behind him.
Johnson’s man-to-man coverage ability makes him a valuable addition to the
Jets, where he will again work with secondary coach Dennard Wilson – the Rams’
defensive quality control coach from 2012-14 and Johnson’s position coach from
2015-16.
”I was with him in St. Louis and two years ago in LA,” Johnson said. ”He’s
very passionate about his work and that’s what I love about him. Coach Bowles is
here, too, and I am familiar with him. Coast to coast, California to New York
and it’s going to be fun out here.”
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