As part of the normal Wednesday press conferences, we always get a teleconference with an opposing player in addition to the opposing coach. Today's player was Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison.
At the end of the call, I asked him what he thought about the so-called "Hines Ward rule" about blocks on defensive players. He had an interesting response:
"To be honest with you, I really think they should get rid of that rule, because I believe you put a lot of guys at risk of being hurt. For me, honestly, if a lineman or receiver or whatever it may be, was going to crack back on me, I'd want him to hit me in the heads, shoulder area. It may knock me out for a play, it may knock me out for a game, but if he does the same thing and cracks back on the waist down at the knees, that's still a legal hit, but that could end your career. I think that's one of the craziest rules they've ever implemented."
Harrison also said this: "I'm very cognizant of that. I had a play last week where I hit a tight end and I could have hit him high, but chances were had I hit him high, considering he'd just caught the ball and turned around, had I hit him high -- from his shoulders to his head -- I would have gotten fined, so I decided to hit him low and I ended up hurting his knee. He called me a cheap player, but I don't really care. It keeps money in my pocket. I'm not trying to get fined.
"I'm not trying to end people's career. ... How do I walk that line? I keep money in my pocket, it's a business when it all comes down to it, it's all about making money and I'm trying to make the most I can. It sounds shrewd and mean, but I'd rather go and play by the rules than get fined."
At the end of the call, I asked him what he thought about the so-called "Hines Ward rule" about blocks on defensive players. He had an interesting response:
"To be honest with you, I really think they should get rid of that rule, because I believe you put a lot of guys at risk of being hurt. For me, honestly, if a lineman or receiver or whatever it may be, was going to crack back on me, I'd want him to hit me in the heads, shoulder area. It may knock me out for a play, it may knock me out for a game, but if he does the same thing and cracks back on the waist down at the knees, that's still a legal hit, but that could end your career. I think that's one of the craziest rules they've ever implemented."
Harrison also said this: "I'm very cognizant of that. I had a play last week where I hit a tight end and I could have hit him high, but chances were had I hit him high, considering he'd just caught the ball and turned around, had I hit him high -- from his shoulders to his head -- I would have gotten fined, so I decided to hit him low and I ended up hurting his knee. He called me a cheap player, but I don't really care. It keeps money in my pocket. I'm not trying to get fined.
"I'm not trying to end people's career. ... How do I walk that line? I keep money in my pocket, it's a business when it all comes down to it, it's all about making money and I'm trying to make the most I can. It sounds shrewd and mean, but I'd rather go and play by the rules than get fined."
That may be the most intelligent thing to come from James Harrison.
I think he makes a fantastic point too.