One of the true legends in Pittsburgh Steelers lore is former outside linebacker James Harrison. The only undrafted free agent to ever win Defensive Player of the Year, Harrison ws one of the most feared players in the NFL. Harrison was also one of the hardest workers in the NFL. In fact, Harrison still trains harder than most NFL players even at 47 years old.
Harrison is also one of those guys who never demanded any special treatment. But during his 10 years under head coach Mike Tomlin, he saw plenty of players who did. Harrison went on Nightcap with Shannon Sharpe and he said out loud what every fan has been aware of for a very long time.
“With Mike, the biggest thing I guess that I like about him is he is a player’s coach,” Harrison said. “And the thing that I dislike about him is he is a players’ coach to a point of, sometimes it can disrupt because it goes maybe a little too far with allowing certain things with certain players. And then it becomes an issue with that player. With Mike, the biggest thing I guess that I like about him is he is a player’s coach,” Harrison said. “And the thing that I dislike about him is he is a players’ coach to a point of, sometimes it can disrupt because it goes maybe a little too far with allowing certain things with certain players. And then it becomes an issue with that player.”
Harrison was diplomatic when he talked about Tomlin. To be more honest, Tomlin has always had his favorites and he caters to them. Almost to the point of breaking his own rules to appease their fragile egos. The best example was during Steelers training camp, when the bulk of the team was staying in dorms at Saint Vincent College, former wide receiver Antonio Brown rented a huge home near campus and even brought his private chef.
Tomlin preaches that the standard is the standard but historically hasn’t held his own players to it and this is why this team finds itself on the wrong end of the playoffs for nearly a decade.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Former Steeler James Harrison says what we all know about HC Mike Tomlin
