IDP Spotlight: OLB James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers

  Posted 8/13 by Jene Bramel - Exclusive to Footballguys.com

With two consecutive seasons of LB1 caliber production, James Harrison continues to challenge the conventional wisdom that 3-4 outside linebackers make poor IDP values. Harkening back to big all-around seasons from former Steelers OLBs like Chad Brown (an amazing 90 solos and 8.5 sacks in 1994), Jason Gildon and Joey Porter, who regularly put up 60 solos and near double digit sacks, Harrison has finished as the top scoring OLB in FBG standard scoring. On the strength of his consistency since becoming a starter in Pittsburgh, Harrison was the consensus 7th overall linebacker among our FBG staff in late July.

Clearly, however, there remains some risk in rostering Harrison as your LB1. Two seasons of consistency aside, the number of players who have displayed such a high level of production over an extended period is very slim and includes some very strong NFL talent. Harrison's tackle numbers dropped from 77 to 67 last season, albeit in one fewer game, despite his nearly double sack output. It's a sobering reminder of the plateaus needed for an OLB to hold value in a balanced scoring system. Without the well above-average sack finish last year, Harrison would have finished well back in the pack by year's end. To finish as a viable every-week starter, a pass rushing OLB like Harrison needs to approach 65 solos and near double digit sacks.

Harrison has the skill set and opportunity to be a relatively safe bet to reach those numbers. He's always been an effective pass rusher. As a situational player in 2004 and 2005, he had four sacks before his 24.5 sack explosion over 31 games during the past two seasons. Dick LeBeau's zone blitz scheme makes it difficult for teams to focus their blocking schemes solely on Harrison and often puts him in favorable pass rushing situations. Harrison may not have the edge speed that DeMarcus Ware has, but he's very sudden in the pocket as evidenced by his seven forced fumbles in both 2007 and 2008. He's also played well enough in run support and zone coverage to be the highest tackling rush OLB in the league as a starter.

Harrison should continue to benefit from a strong supporting cast, with Lamarr Woodley, James Farrior. Lawrence Timmons, Troy Polamalu and Aaron Smith all capable pass rushers. It's reassuring that his fine production over the past two seasons came in years with the usual poor overall tackle opportunity the Steelers defense affords itself. If you're in a big play scoring system, it's very difficult to see Harrison finishing outside the top ten this season, and his upside makes him a strong consideration to be the first linebacker drafted. If your league doesn't award big points for sacks relative to tackles, Harrison carries more risk.

Positives

• Unusually consistent for a 3-4 rush OLB
• Zone blitz scheme provides plenty of big play opportunity
• Surrounding cast makes it difficult for opponents to double and triple team

Negatives

• 60-65 solos and double digit sacks (LB1 value) is still a tall order
• Age and big new contract could lead to durability and complacency issues
• Carries much higher risk in tackle-heavy leagues
  

Final Thoughts

Harrison has been the most consistent rush 3-4 OLB in recent memory. His tackle numbers have generally been well above-average and he's averaged one sack every 0.8 games as a starter. The zone blitz scheme affords him more consistent opportunity, making him a relatively safe bet to carry that consistency into 2009. He's clearly a stud in big play weighted scoring systems. In leagues with balanced or tackle-heavy scoring, Harrison carries more risk. If you choose to make him your LB1 in those leagues, strongly consider hedging your bets with some consistent tackle producers behind him.

Quotes from the IDP Spotlight Message Thread

To view the entire thread, click here.

Larry Thomas:
"I have to admit I wasn't on the Harrison bandwagon coming into last year. Though Harrison is only entering his 6th season, he is 31 years old. He's a great fit in LeBeau's defense and has proved to be one of the best pass-rushing LBs in the game today. I see no reason he won't continue to be a strong presence for the Steelers for several more years, however, I doubt he'll see more than 3-4 years of his six year contract extension he signed last April.

It was a long road to stardom for the Kent State product, was cut by Steelers several times, signed by Baltimore and sent to NFL Europe before landing a permanent spot in Pittsburgh. Had it not been for a Clark Haggans injury in 2004, Harrison may have retired at the ripe age of 26 to become a veterinarian."

kethnaab:
"James Harrison, yee-haw! The Steelers have improved their pass rush with Timmons playing every down now. Evander Hood will help in various pass rushing formations, and Lamarr Woodley is only going to get better. Teams are going to be hard-pressed to focus their pass-rush blocking efforts solely on Harrison so this is going to be a good year for him. I think his solo tackles will go down a bit because he won't be on special teams coverage as much anymore. Steelers face a much easier schedule this season, so they'll be ahead more often and the Steelers D will face more passing situations, so Harrison will get more glory stats as a result."

Aaron Rudnicki:
"Even though 3-4 OLBs tend to be inconsistent from week to week and year to year, Harrison has proven to be the exception by putting up two incredible seasons in a row. He still has some games with low tackle numbers (7 games with 3 or fewer solo tackles in 2008), but the sacks and big plays he's capable of make the risk well worth the reward. I don't think we'll see another 16 sack season from him this year, but he's clearly established himself as one of the most dominant defensive players in the league and he plays in a scheme that is perfectly designed for him. Another season with 60+ solo tackles and double digit sacks should keep him just outside the range of the truly elite fantasy LBs in most scoring systems."

Projections

IDP Scoring System

• 1.5 pts per Solo Tackle
• 0.75 pts per Assisted Tackle
• 4 pts per Sack
• 4 pts per Forced Fumble
• 4 pts per Fumble Recovery
• 5 pts per Interception
• 1.5 pts per Pass Defensed
• 6 pts per Touchdown
• 2 pts per Safety