Colts Expected to cut Harrison

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Colts expected to release veteran Marvin Harrison
Posted: February 19, 2009, 1:06 PM by Noah Love
Football, NFL

Marvin Harrison's days in Indianapolis appear to be numbered.

The Colts are expected to release Harrison before free agency begins next week, according to a report by the NFL Network on Thursday.

If the report is true, the move would end one of the most prolific passing combinations in NFL history.


He has become expendable with the emergence of third-year wideout Anthony Gonzalez, who caught 57 passes for 664 yards and four TDs last season.

PA SportsTicker

Looks like Gonzalez will crack the starting lineup as either the Flanker or Split-End. This will be good news. I smell a 1,000 yard season in sight soon!

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Here's the link to the full article. The article was linked by Draftdaddy.com:

[url]http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/postedsports/archiv e/2009/02/19/colts-expected-to-release-veteran-marvin-harris on.aspx[/url]

 

[dwid]

Its about time, Harrison shouldnt have played last season imo

 

[Don Wassall]

Its about time, Harrison shouldnt have played last season imo

He declined dramatically physically last season following his injury problems in '07. But what was really disgusting to watch was how he would make no effort to try and catch a pass unless it was perfectly thrown.


It's quite a testimony as to just how good Peyton Manning is that the Colts did as well as they did in 2008 after Manning had two surgeries in the summer, Jeff Saturday was injured much of the season and replaced by a rookie at center, Jake Scott signed with Tennessee and was replaced by a rookie at guard, Harrison was pretty much useless, and Joseph Addai ran like a girl. And as usual the Colts'run defense was poor.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Some clips from a breaking news article:

Colts agree to release WR Marvin Harrison

By MICHAEL MAROT, AP Sports Writer 5 hours, 11 minutes ago

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)â€â€￾Marvin Harrison refused to take a pay cut. The Indianapolis Colts couldn't afford to keep him without one.

On Monday, the two sides reached agreement on one thing: Harrison will be a free agent.

Agent Tom Condon told The Associated Press that Indianapolis has agreed to release the franchise's all-time leading receiver, although an official announcement is not expected until Tuesday or Wednesday.

The decision comes one day after team president Bill Polian said he hoped to cut a deal that would keep Harrison in Indy. When Harrison said no, the Colts said farewell.

"Basically, we were not able to come to any kind of agreement, it was not contentious and the Colts have agreed to release him," Condon said in a phone interview.

Team officials declined comment and a message was left by The Associated Press at the office of team owner Jim Irsay.

It's not a surprising move because the Colts would save about $6 million, based on Harrison's base salary. They would still be charged for prorated bonuses from the $66 million deal he signed in December 2004.
ADVERTISEMENT

The Colts found it too expensive for a 36-year-old receiver coming off one of the least productive seasons of his career.

<snip> On the field, Manning has looked more frequently for three-time Pro Bowl selection Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez, a first-round pick in 2007. <snip>

My take: This is good news for Anthony Gonzalez. Harrison hasn't been the same since his injury plagued year in '07 and last years accusations his gun was used in a shooting. Unfortunately the article says there is speculation he might go play for his hometown Eagles. That could really hurt Curtis; unless they move DeSean Jackson to Slot.

 

[Don Wassall]

Harrison couldn't be bothered to attend the news conference announcing his release. (Was he back in Philly polishing his guns?) But that didn't stop the requisite weeping of white men. From AP:


"Team officials turned the news conference in Indianapolis to announce Harrison's release -- the receiver didn't attend -- into an emotional tribute to one of the most identifiable plaers in the franchise's Indianapolis era. They took turns recounting stories that stretched back more than a decade. [Team owner Jim] Irsay's halting words at the start and team president Bill Polian's reddened eyes at the end were indicative of how hard it was to let go of one of the best receivers in NFL history. . ."

 

[Thrashen]

Weeping for a millionare who plays a sport for a living and is about to get a new NFL contract (even though he doesnt deserve one)...sheesh.


Harrison did nothing to prove his worth the past two seasons...I have no clue why the Eagles supposedly want to sign him. If Marvin had been playing with any other QB, he'd have been released long ago.

 

[GiovaniMarcon]

Goodbye Colts, heLLO Dancing With the Stars, greetings Arena football, hurray $3.99 Denny's grand slam on Sunday for has-beens.

 

[whiteCB]

Goodbye Colts, heLLO Dancing With the Stars, greetings Arena football, hurray $3.99 Denny's grand slam on Sunday for has-beens.

Hey Giovanni don't forget...Just For Men commericals, ESPN NFL Countdown appearances, and a cushy TV analyst job