Fanhouse reports that James Harrison will skip the Steelers’ visit to the White House next week.

Over the years it became White House tradition to invite the championship NFL/MLB/NBA/NHL winning team for a visit. I’m not sure when this all started, but President Nixon was known for at least calling the champion after victory was secured.

More from Fanhouse: [...] But unlike last year’s Giants, who were spurred more by their 18-0 opponent than a chance to spend an afternoon with the most unpopular president in a half-century, some players [...] are using the opportunity to stand with Barack Obama on the South Lawn as motivation to win the Super Bowl, according to NFL.com’s Adam Schefter.

So Harrison wants to skip the visit. What’s the big deal? Sure, many would consider such a visit an honor under most circumstances. Obviously, Mr. Harrison is not among that group. Perhaps he’d rather avoid the pomp and circumstance. Perhaps he values his privacy. Perhaps he’s allergic to politicians. Who knows? In the end, who cares? Enjoy your day off, James Harrison, you earned it.

Update: According to Ed Bouchette of the Post Gazette, Mr. Harrison’s avoidance of the White House is a secondary effect of his fear of flying. With only eight regular season road games per year, Harrison certainly picked the right sport of the big four. Maybe John Madden can swing by in his cruiser? Yeah, that’s the ticket!

Linebacker Released

Former Steelers Linebacker Larry Foote

The question regarding linebacker Larry Foote’s future was partially answered on Monday when he was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Foote had been seeking either a release or trade and finally got his wish. The Steelers got almost $3M in cap space for the 2009 season.

Sweed Impresses in Mini Camp

Sweed Impresses in Mini Camp

If I had to pick one player I was most impressed with (outside of the obvious), I would have to say second-year receiver Limas Sweed. Everyone is aware of his struggles last season. But during this three-day camp, Sweed received a lot of reps and made a lot of plays. The 2008 second-round pick will be relied upon this season and it looks like he’s making significant strides.
- AFC North Blog, James Walker

Parker Wants to Remain with Steelers

Willie Parker enters the last year of his contract in the 2009 season. Did he consider a hold out?

“That will take care of itself,” he said of his contract situation. “The Steelers gave me a chance and I am proud and happy to be a Steeler. That’s all I can say about that. Whatever happens, happens. As of right now, I am just getting ready for this season and have to make the best of it.”
- Post Gazette

Victory Parade Banners Stolen

Eleven Superbowl banners were nicked. Had to be an inside job, right? Wait a few days and check EBay, it’s almost a certainty.

Double Superbowl Winner Andre Frazier Resigned

He was a UDFA signing in 2005 who managed to stick around. Kudos to Frazier, the Steelers need their role players.

Frazier sacks Gradkowski

James Harrison Will Seek Free Agency After ’09 Season

He will if he wants. You gonna change his mind? The pending contract extension for Mr. Harrison has generated nervous anticipation among the Steeler faithful. Will he resign? How much will he demand? Will the Steelers let him walk?

James Harrison wants you to shut up

Three Fifths of Superbowl Winning Offensive Line Extended

Steeler Nation is overjoyed. Two contract extensions and one franchise tag later insure the same five men will return to stand next to each other again. How would you describe it? Oh, I have it … will return to break the sacks allowed record, but in a bad way.

Have a chuckle with Rotoworlds’ Offensive Line Ranking.


2006: 6
2007: 13
2008: 19

Pittsburgh's line gets somewhat unfairly criticized for yielding sacks because no QB hangs in the pocket (often with success) like Ben Roethlisberger. Rashard Mendenhall's addition should make the group look better because he'll likely be a better inside runner than Willie Parker and will pick up the blitz.

Steelers Tag Starks Again

For the second year in a row the Steelers slap Max Starks with a tag. Last season it was a transitional tag which required that he be paid the average ($6.9M) of the league top 10 offensive lineman salaries. If he were to sign with another team, the Steelers could match the offer or receive a first rounder (thereabouts) in compensation.

This year Starks was designated the franchise player. As a result he will be paid the average ($8.45M) of the top 5 and the Steelers, should he sign elsewhere, would receive two first rounders.

The line might be looking thin, but I say, sign away, Max!

Bigfoot to the Buccaneers?

Derek Anderson could be shipped to the Buccaneers. The Browns need to move that large contract and Quinn wouldn’t have another QB waiting to trip him as he walks by the stairs.

Cowboys Targeting Charlie?

Announcers on the Dallas ESPN radio affiliate speculated that Charlie Batch would make a nice backup for Tony Romo. Good luck prying him away from the Steelers, Jerry. Sorry, no link but I heard it and you can trust me.

Albert Haynesworth Will Seek Free Agent Offers

More power to him. Here’s to hoping he ends up in the NFC.

Frozen Field Forces Practice Indoors

But the indoor practice was not warm and toasty as Coach Tomlin opened the doors and let the cold inside.

It was a TD!

Tampa Fires Coach and GM

Gruden’s teams missed the playoffs four of the last six seasons after winning the Super Bowl during his first year at the helm.  The ‘Bucs started strong at 9-3 but lost their last four, including two at home to miss the playoffs.  Gruden was shocked at the news.

Cowboys Fire Brian Stewart

Looks like the scapegoating continues as the Cowboys fire their defensive coordinator.

Wild Cards:  Road Warriors Poised To Upset

Can you believe it?  All four wildcard teams are favored.  That’s each pair in each conference.

“I’ve never seen anything like that,” said Mike Seba, a senior oddsmaker for Las Vegas Sports Consultants.

Vegas Likes the Titans and Giants for Super Bowl XLIII

The favored Giants are 2-1 to win with the Titans at 4-1.  Steelers are at 9-1 odds to take the big game.  Other notables are New England at 2-1 and Dallas at 7-1:  both failed to make the playoffs.

Pro Bowl Before the Super Bowl?

The Pro Bowl will be played one week before the Super Bowl in 2010 and both games will be staged in Dolphin Stadium, a person directly involved in the decision told The Associated Press on Monday.

Prediction:  All Pro Bowl selections from both Super Bowl teams will decline their invitations. Can you imagine the outcry were a player on a Super Bowl team to be injured in the Pro Bowl!?

Cowher Just Says “No” to Browns, Jets

Cowher … told the team he would not be a candidate because he would like to bring in his own personnel director.

Can you blame the man? Look at the rosters for the Browns and Jets. What a mess! Cowher would be a fool to accept such a job. A coach can only do so much if he can’t pick his own players.

Do the Steelers really want home field?

Everyone in the NFL wants to be home for the playoffs, but there’s one AFC team where the home-field factor actually has been a disadvantage … and you’re looking at it.

Four times in the past 16 years, the Steelers had home-field advantage entering the playoffs — 1992, 1994, 2001 and 2004 — and four times they failed to make it to the Super Bowl. Three times they lost the conference championship game, and once they were bounced in the divisional round.

James Harrison for league MVP:

“If I had to vote right now, I’d vote for James Harrison,” Dungy said on Sirius radio. “He’s just been phenomenal in anchoring a defense that’s playing as well as anyone in the league and he does so many things for them. … He’s like a Randy Moss or Dwight Freeney. You have to set everything to block him first before you set up any other plays.”

Keisel may play against Titans:

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that he is hopeful starting defensive end Brett Keisel will be able to play in Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans. Keisel has missed the past three games with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

Walker admits spitting on Berger by accident

“It was just a slobber moment,” Walker said.