By WILL GRAVES, AP

Wed Dec 21, 4:07 PM EST

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison understands his helmet-to-helmet hit on Cleveland quarterback Colt McCoy was illegal by the letter of the law.

He can also understand, grudgingly, why the NFL suspended him one game as punishment for a series of similar hits over the last three seasons.

What Harrison doesn't quite understand, however, is why the Browns haven't also been disciplined by the league for allowing McCoy to return to the game so quickly if the quarterback was in such bad shape.

``If he was hurt so bad I don't know why they let him back in ... two plays later,'' Harrison said. ``Something should be done to them, I would think. I don't know. I got a game, what should they get?''

McCoy was escaping pressure late in the fourth quarter when he tucked the ball as if to run. Harrison, who had been in coverage, approached ready to strike. McCoy pulled up at the last second and flipped the ball to running back Montario Hardesty right before Harrison mashed McCoy with his facemask.

Harrison contended after the game that McCoy ducked. Looking at the tape he's not so sure.

``I guess he's a little shorter, who knows? I don't know,'' Harrison said. ``When it came down to it, my helmet hit his. Oh well.''

The quarterback was down on the field for several moments but was cleared by the Browns to return a few plays later - just in time to throw a clinching end zone interception in a 14-3 Pittsburgh win.

McCoy developed concussion-like symptoms following the game and hasn't practiced since while the Browns have come under scrutiny for the way they handled the situation.

Cleveland's failure to check McCoy for a concussion led the NFL to put a certified trainer in the press box at each game to help monitor head injuries.

Harrison practiced Wednesday for the first time since the suspension. The 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year doesn't think he needs to change the way he plays to avoid further disciplinary action.

``I'm doing everything they ask me to do,'' Harrison said. ``I've lowered my target area, that's it.''

Harrison, who has lashed out at league officials in the past for their crackdown on what is considered dangerous hits, seemed more nonplussed about the suspension than previous fines.

``I'm not worried about anything,'' he said. ``I can't forsee the future. I'm not a fortune-teller. I'm going to deal with it as it comes.''

The Associated Press

What a loser this guy is.

His hit on McCoy was practically on purpose. He pulled his arms in at the last moment so his helmet would hit first. He's the reason the league is forced to make blanket rules that affect good, hard hitting.

And now he's pointing fingers.

I used to think that he was just a dumb guy who played with reckless abandon, but I always respected his ability.

Now I know he's just a loser.

His team mates should be embarassed by his stupidity.

To quote an idiot: "oh well"

The league has it out for him.

+1

Harrison --- ``I guess he's a little shorter, who knows? I don't know,'' Harrison said. ``When it came down to it, my helmet hit his. Oh well.''

Oh well indeed.

Soon, "NFL" is going to stand for --- National Flag-football League.

You watch... Harrison will get another fine in the next game. Probably get suspended for the first playoff game, if they make it.

You know, like you actually want to grab the guy.

And you don't lower your head at the last moment to hit the guy with the top front of your helmet unless your intent is to injure.

Watch the McCoy hit.

Harrison does both.

Whether on purpose, or by some malfunction in his pea brain, the guy wants to gets fines/suspended.

His arms begin in the normal tackle mode. Then they become alligator limbs so his helmut can hit first. Then he lowers the helmet just prior to impact.

This isn't opinion.

This is fact. Watch the clip.

I understand what y'all are saying. There are so many rules that curb the intensity of some players. But the Harrison's of the world are the problem. If not for cheap shots like he is famous for, there would be no need to over-react by the league and make these rules.

And with that said, it's a far leap from "flag football". The hits are much harder today then they were 30 years ago and the increased emphasis on passing makes the big hits more common.

Like you, I hate the BS calls such as the so-called "Brady Rule" where the QB can't be tackled below the knees. But these were never the big hits that make you long for yesteryear.

Its ok, Tailgater just has a huge hatred for all things Pittsburgh

That's a given.

Yea an "escape goat".LMMFAO

You really believe that Harrison is not a POS who goes out of his way to hurt players.Get a fugging clue there my friend.

Ron

Were talking about the most violent sport in America.

C'mon.

Now trying to "injure" someone that's another story. And should be the reason behind the rule but it's not. OLine can cut the knees of a defender, there's no penalty for helmet to helmet BLOCKING.

this is the NFL making the league into Madden style video game football.

Welcome to corporate sports.

Here's a friggin' clue for you my friend:

NFL likely to discuss expanding bans on launching, helmet hits (Dec 18)

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82526af5/article/nfl-likely-to-discuss-expanding-bans-on-launching-helmet-hits 

"Flagrant helmet hits have been a high-profile topic all season since the league banned launching in March. A 15-yard penalty is enforced for anyone who leaves both feet before contact to spring forward and upward into an opponent and delivers a blow to the helmet with any part of his helmet.

Harrison became the first player suspended for such a hit under the NFL's new guidelines,"

Did Harrison leave both feet before contact to spring forward and upward into McCoy... not from what I saw. Was there incidental helmet contact... yes, just as there is on the majority of plays. If there wasn't they wouldn't wear the sophisticated helmets they do and would still be playing with leather hats. As comparison Ben Roethlesberger suffered a broken nose as a result of helmet contact and there was no penalty or fine. McCoy mearly had the wind knocked out of him.

From what I can research Harrison was the 4th player this season to be fined $40K (the highest amount and 2nd Steeler), and the first player to be suspended. With the loss of pay from the game this makes him one of the most fined players this season. Coincidentaly he was also one of the most fined players in 2010.

Will the fines continue to get worse across the league throughout this season and next... you betcha. Don't be surprised if the lawsuits by retired players are also influencing the expanding bans and fines on helmet contact:

Another group of retired players sue NFL over head injuries (Aug 30)

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d821d254a/article/another-group-of-retired-players-sue-nfl-over-head-injuries 

There will be another fine issued from tonight's Texans Colts game when it was clearly unintentual but coincidental contact.

So what does the NFL do with the monies collected from fines?? And why doesn't the NFL publish a comprehensive list for the season?

I've wondered that too...:-k

I thought it was all contributed to charity???? Or NFL sponsored programs???

Untrue. The arms when drawn back, just like a pitcher winding up or a guy lining up a slapshot, can be shot out with tremendous force both to impart to the intended prey's body and to shoot through arms that might otherwise block a tackle attempt. Also, running with your arms outstretched makes you run slower. You might just want to admit that you don't like Harrison rather than make arguments of this caliber. 🙄

incidental contact helmet-to-helmet penalties now..:-k

If the funds where donated to charity or used for NFL sponsored programs, you would think this would be advertised???

IMO the funds are used towards the pending lawsuits from retired players, and are put aside for future lawsuits. Therefore it is to the NFL's benefit to impose more fines.

James Harrison is an unintelligent punk.

If he wants to play dirty, fine. But to call out the other team?

I'm surprised that people like you are so willing to enable him, just because he's a talented player.

Fair enough.

But if the tacklers arms are not outstretched, then they would typically be used to ram the player (hit versus tackle).

Or the shoulders would be used.

Harrison did neither. He PULLED his arms inward and lowered the crown of his helmet at the last moment.

If you need a link to a youtube video, let me know.