The Steelers’ salary cap woes claimed its first victim today in long-time Steeler James Harrison. Harrison was cut by the Steelers after he and the team were unable to reach a deal to free up money for the salary cap.

“We could not get together financially at all,” said Bill Parise, Harrison’s agent who lives in Beaver County. “We certainly had agreed to take a paycut but apparently there was a difference in how much of a paycut we would take and how we would take it.

“It simply came down to money. It’s all about the salary cap.”

The Steelers cut him, and this is crazy. But he’s a free agent, so call him maybe.

Harrison, a former Defensive Player of the Year, was still a formidable presence in the Steelers’ defensive unit. That is, when he could play. Harrison has been hampered by injuries and the looming shadow of Commissioner Goddell over the past few seasons.

Cutting fan-favorite veterans in the name of the salary cap is, unfortunately, the Steeler way. Last season the Steelers cut Hines Ward, James Farrior, and Aaron Smith to make room under the salary cap. Harrison managed to make a name for himself after the Steelers cut Joey Porter. It’s the circle of life, or something.

Best of luck to James Harrison!

• Retiring a Steelers seems to be a fad recently. Hines Ward did it. Kordell Stewart did as well. And now Aaron Smith, “Fast” Willie Parker, Joey Porter, and Marvel Smith will “retire” as Steelers. These retirements are purely ceremonial, as no contracts are involved. It is nice to know these players want to end their career on a Steelers note.
• Talk about your fixer-upper. Jimmy Haslam III, a minority owner of the Steelers, will buy a majority in the Cleveland Browns for reportedly $1 billion. That seems like a lot of money for something that needs a lot of work, but then again I wouldn’t spend $1.00 on anything Cleveland Browns, let alone the team. The deal isn’t finalized yet, as Haslam still needs to get approval from the league and those other tiny details. Good luck with that, Jimmy. » Continue reading “Steelers News Blitz: The “Everyone Retires A Steeler” Edition”