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James Harrison Selected Steelers’ 2007 MVP (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Godsbrother
- Start date
ptsteelers
Footballguy
Wow
That is not what I read from that post.But I shall say ...No, it is not that Harrison is not deserving, but (from the outside looking in) Ben was certainly more deserving.But hey, they voted and he won, so there ya are. 
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Obviously they can vote for whomever they want but Harrison is nowhere near more valuable to the team than Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger has thrown for a team-record number of touchdowns, has the 2nd highest QB rating in the NFL behind Tom Brady and the highest in team history and all of this while getting sacked 46 times.I love James Harrison but Roethlisberger is the MVP and it not even close.
Copeman
Footballguy
B Maverick
Footballguy
Keep in mind that there are more then just stats involved in a team picking their MVP. Leadership off the field maybe? In the locker room? Good clubhouse guy? Picked up the defense when they were down?
To say that Big Ben is more deserving is based on your outsiders view of what happens on TV (or in recaps) NOT on what really happens in practices, team meetings and on game day before they hit the field.
How can you tell a team they are wrong for giving player A the team MVP and not player B?
To say that Big Ben is more deserving is based on your outsiders view of what happens on TV (or in recaps) NOT on what really happens in practices, team meetings and on game day before they hit the field.
How can you tell a team they are wrong for giving player A the team MVP and not player B?
Phurfur
Footballguy
Don't you think the players know more than you do? They are much closer to the situation.
Copeman
Footballguy
Harrison had a few big games, none bigger than the Monday night against Baltimore, but Ben has been much better throughout the entire season. Anyone watching all of their games knows this. I don't have to be in the locker room to figure that out. And to add to that, his teammates pretty much say Harrison is very quiet, in the locker room and on (and off) the field. So I have no idea what they are basing this off of.
ptsteelers
Footballguy
Guys, guys .. what are you missing here?
It is called MOST VALUABLE PLAYER.
NOT most popular
NOT best team mate
NOT hardest working player
Yes, yes .. the team voted him MVP, but there is no way he is more "valuable" than Ben.
It is called MOST VALUABLE PLAYER.
NOT most popular
NOT best team mate
NOT hardest working player
Yes, yes .. the team voted him MVP, but there is no way he is more "valuable" than Ben.
Ben deserves it more, if he throws just 1 td this week he'll have 33 or tied for #19 all time, 2 will give him 34 or tied for #1. He also has 104.1 qb rating. 65.1 completion pct, a td/int ratio of nearly 3-1. James Harrison had a nice season but it was just not as good as Ben's
Godsbrother
Footballguy
It doesn't take an insider to see which player is more valuable. Who do you think the Steelers could more afford to lose going into the playoffs -- James Harrison or Ben Roethlisberger?
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Harrsion has exceeded expectations and has cemented his olb spot but there is no reason why Timmons couldn't battle Lamarr Woodley for the other OLB spot which is currently held by UFA Clark Haggans.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Agreed. I am betting it is not that big of a deal to the players. It is still a snub though...
Jimmy James
Footballguy
Who won last year? The year before? If even the best Steelers only win a couple of times in their careers, maybe it's just too soon for Ben to win again. This is like complaining that the super cool art teacher at your high school who was selling everybody reefer on the side didn't win teacher of the year as selected by the students because they liked to make sure the award was spread around.
If it's not that big of deal, perhaps Ben thought it may be best to make sure someone else won. He just won it a year or two ago correct? Every year you could give a team MVP to Brady and Manning.
BoltBacker
Footballguy
That's the truly amazing part imo. And you know if Big Ben got sacked 46x then any other QB would have gotten sacked about 70. I don't think I've ever seen any other QB that difficult to bring down, not even pre-injury Culpepper. And it's not "just" he's nearly impossible for the first defender to sack... but he has great pocket presence and can evade the pass rush while still looking down field without the panic-factor most QB's have when the rush has gotten to him.Of the current young QB's out there I think Roeth is a shoo-in to eventually get into the HOF. I'm not sold on this PIT core getting them there but he'll keep them in the hunt until they build another SB team around him.
Slinger
Footballguy
Despite what ESPN wants you to believe it's not always about race. Non-story here.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
okay then what IS it about then?
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Parker won it last year. Ben has never won team MVP
AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
That's kind of the point. None of us know. You assuming it's race is a little odd, IMO.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
I am not assuming it is but what other explanation is there other than a lot of the team doesn't respect him enough to give him the team MVP, which he clearly was.ACP you are as big of a fan as I am, do you think Harrison was even close to Ben as the most valuable player?
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Frenchy Fuqua
Footballguy
A few thoughts on this one.
1) Clearly Ben is the most valuable Steeler this season. He's had arguably the best individual season from a statistical standpoint in Steelers history.
2) I'd bet it's a matter of players liking James Harrison alot and really enjoying his rise from obscurity. There are probably also a handful of guys that think Ben has a big head too. I'd be suprised if it was a racial thing.
3) Ben is about to become the richest Steeler in history, don't feel too badly for him. The Rooneys, Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin know who their MVP is and will soon award him accordingly.
1) Clearly Ben is the most valuable Steeler this season. He's had arguably the best individual season from a statistical standpoint in Steelers history.
2) I'd bet it's a matter of players liking James Harrison alot and really enjoying his rise from obscurity. There are probably also a handful of guys that think Ben has a big head too. I'd be suprised if it was a racial thing.
3) Ben is about to become the richest Steeler in history, don't feel too badly for him. The Rooneys, Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin know who their MVP is and will soon award him accordingly.
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AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
close? Yes. Harrison was HUGE for us this year in a position where a lot of people thought we'd be hurting for letting Joey Porter walk. I agree with you that Ben was more valuable than JH was for the Steelers, but JH was way more of an unknown coming in this year and did very well. That may somehow factor into it....May be more a case of taking Ben for granted. Who knows?Godsbrother said:
Godsbrother
Footballguy
I agree with all three. I just think it kinda makes the MVP award a joke if the players make it a popularity contest rather than who actually deserved the award.Frenchy Fuqua said:
Godsbrother
Footballguy
You are missing the point. My guess is that if the Steeler players had to choose between Roethlisberger or Harrison suiting up for the first playoff game they would choose Ben. Who do YOU think they would choose?
Kai's Hero
Footballguy
Why should we care 
Jimmy James
Footballguy
I think it's awfully presumptuous of someone in no way connected with the team to presume to tell us all what motivates the players in the locker room or what they might do in some bizarre hypothetical.
Sheriff66
Footballguy
Agreed, but he's right, Ben is the MVP.
Slinger
Footballguy
It's about...nothing. That's right. This show will be about nothing./George/
Phurfur
Footballguy
I couldn't put my finger on it but this says it all.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Agreed. Jenny IS prettier but Susie has bigger boobs and puts out...
Slinger
Footballguy
The starting QB is usually the most important player on any team. If a QB does well, the team does well and vice versa. While I would have voted for Big Ben, the team as a whole decided to give this relatively useless award to James Harrison. Big Ben is going to get his (attention, fame, money, endorsements, etc.), so why not give it to Harrison, who had a special year himself?
As ACP pointed out, Harrison did have a really good year at the LB spot, including that one game where he just went nuts.
Absolutely nothing here suggests that this has to do with race and to hint that it might is irresponsible at best.
As ACP pointed out, Harrison did have a really good year at the LB spot, including that one game where he just went nuts.
Absolutely nothing here suggests that this has to do with race and to hint that it might is irresponsible at best.
massraider
Footballguy
This is my thought as well. Team MVP's are often 'glue' guys.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
I think he's saying they'll vote for who they want to win the award, not necessarily who SHOULD win it. Harrison has been as good as I expected filling in for Porter, but really, he's had 1 monster game and a bunch of solid ones. No chance in hell that he's more valuable to that team than Roethlisberger. None.
massraider
Footballguy
Really, this topic is only really interesting if there IS some sort of divide there.Is Ben unpopular in the locker room? Is there anything to suggest this?I am not knocking Godsbrother for starting the thread, but who the teams vote as their MVP is really not important, unless it suggests something else, like Ben is disliked.
The rumors I've been hearing all season is that's Ben's not very popular in the locker room. This could be evidence of that.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
The MVP award isn't that big of a deal but in Pittsburgh everything the Steelers do is scrutinized and is usually the lead-in to the evening news. This is is a hot topic on the local sports talk shows.I was just throwing this out here on FBGs because I thought Ben was a slam-dunk and I wanted to hear the take of my fellow Steelers fans here on FBGs.
Personally I don't believe it is a black/white issue but local sports radio host Mark Madden brought it up so I thought I would mention it. I have also heard rumors that Ben is not the most popular guy in the lockerroom. Roethlisberger always seems to say the right thing to the media (giving credit to others when they win and taking blaming when they lose) so if this is true it just might be a clash in personalities. I also think the possibility of a split vote for Ben & FWP on the offensive side may have been a factor.
In any case it is all all speculation and we'll never know the reason why Ben wasn't named the MVP. However there is no doubt in my mind as to which player was more important to the Steelers this season. Both Harrison and Roethlisberger are signed through 2009. I have a feeling I know which one the Steelers organization considers the higher priority to sign to an extension.
ceisenhower66
Footballguy
Here's one take from two Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writers. As a Steelers 
, this is an interesting story to me. Ben is no doubt the team MVP. Without him, the Steelers are 5-10 instead of the opposite. Harrison is having one helluva season. I can't say I'm surprised because I've always thought he was great and just needed the opportunity. But the facts are the facts and Ben is the reason this team is 10-5, hands down. Any other QB with the Steelers rag-tag offensive line would throw up more David Carr-esque performances.
Ben has always come off as aloof and full of himself. He's a fine QB; however, I don't think a lot of him as a person. Yeah, I know he says the right things and praises God every time he scores, but I wonder how much of that is for show. My opinion is based on stories I've heard and things I have seen at training camp and games. He just doesn't seem like a team guy and often keeps to himself.
Harrison on the other hand is a good dude who busts his butt. I remember seeing him at his very first training camp and knowing he was going to be something special. The guy dominated and had a motor that was unrivaled. His play fired up his teammates. I also remember watching him be the first and last Steeler out signing autographs. Nice guy - very funny and likeable. Maybe the players see this the same way.
Oh, and about race, it is definitely not that. Ben has gone from country boy when he was drafted to hip-hop as a pro. Based on what I've read, his best friends have been Plax Burress, Verron Haynes, and Alan Faneca...
Steelers point/counterpoint: Harrison is MVP
By Scott Brown and John Harris
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Steelers columnist John Harris and beat writer Scott Brown trade insight and the occasional insult as they discuss all things Steelers. This week: The Steelers select an MVP.
Brown: John, I thought we'd be discussing how much, if it all, Ben Roethlisberger should play Sunday against the Ravens since the Steelers have already clinched the AFC North title.
Then his teammates voted James Harrison, not Roethlisberger, as the Steelers' MVP this season. Look, Harrison is having a very good season but the one Roethlisberger is having warrants MVP consideration and I'm talking about in the National Football League!
What should we read into this perceived snub of Roethlisberger? Is there that much of a disconnect between the franchise quarterback and his Steelers' teammates?
Harris: There are two sides to this story: the public's side and the players' side. The public (media) believes Ben is the Steelers MVP, hands-down, because the quarterback is universally acknowledged as the team leader. Ben has already set the franchise single-season record for touchdown passes and there's still one game remaining. He has increased his passer rating and cut his interceptions in half from last season. He was voted to the Pro Bowl for the first time. Obviously, Ben's teammates -- the people he works with every day -- see things differently. They know his strengths and weaknesses, how he interacts with players on both side of the ball. The fact that Ben's teammates selected Harrison -- an undrafted, first-year starter who pulled himself up by his bootstraps just to make the roster -- speaks volumes as to how Ben is perceived in his own locker room. Just because the media considers Ben to be a league MVP candidate doesn't mean his teammates consider him to be their MVP.
Brown: With all due respect to Harrison, whose mere stare has enough force to stop a moving train, ask yourself this: Where would the Steelers be without Roethlisberger and where would they be without Harrison?
Harrison, I agree, is a great story but the doesn't make him the MVP of the Steelers. Roethlisberger is clearly that as well as the team's best player, and, yes, there is a difference between the two.
He has carried the offense, and his ability to improvise and make plays when everything has broken down around him has made him the best quarterback in 2007 this side of Tom Brady.
He is also the reason why the Steelers have any hope of going deep into the playoffs. Can the same thing be said about Harrison, who doesn't even have a sack in December?
Harris: The Steelers will go as far as their defense takes them. I've been writing about it all year, and I'll continue to do so. The Steelers invest most of their big money on the defensive side of the ball. The Steelers' defense is still ranked No. 1 in the league -- No. 3 against the run, No. 3 against the pass. The Steelers' offense is ranked No. 17 -- No. 3 in the run, No. 25 in the pass. Ben plays offense, Harrison plays defense. When you look at it that way, Harrison being voted team MVP doesn't seem so crazy. Clearly, the Steelers don't value Ben the way the Patriots respect Brady. I can't tell you why. You'll have to ask Ben's teammates.
Brown: What does the fact that the Steelers spend more on the defensive side of the ball have anything to do with who is the team's MVP this season? What, the players crunched the numbers on calculators before the vote and said, "Oh, this is where more money is spent so a defensive player has to be our MVP?"
C'mon, how much eggnog did you drink Christmas day?
You say the Steelers will go only as far as the defense will take them. I say they will go only as far as Roethlisberger takes them.
The quarterback is the most important position on any team, and when one has played as well to warrant NFL MVP consideration as Roethlisberger has, he at least should be the MVP on his own team.
It's not like we're talking about the Steelers sitting Harrison Sunday so he doesn't get hurt.
Harris: Scott, do me a favor. I want you to go into the Steelers' locker room -- better still, go to Harrison's locker -- and tell them what you're telling me. No matter what you or I think about the Steelers' surprising MVP choice, the players had the final say. For whatever reason -- good or bad, personal or professional -- a majority of Steelers players didn't vote for Ben. An even bigger story than Ben not being voted MVP is why he wasn't his teammates' first choice.
Brown: Harrison himself said he voted for Roethlisberger for MVP. If you want me to tell him he should give the award to Roethlisberger you have a better chance of seeing me on the Steelers' sideline calling plays Sunday.
I'm not trying to slight Harrison in any way. He has been the best player on the defense that is ranked first in the NFL, but the Steelers could overcome his loss much easier than they could the loss of Roethlisberger.
I think you should go to Roethlisberger and tell the player that is having the best season by any quarterback in Steelers history that he didn't win the team MVP award because the Steelers spend more on the defensive side of the ball. I'd pay money to see that.
Harris: How much are you willing to pay? Better still, I'd like for Ben to poll his teammates why they didn't vote for him. That I'd pay to see. That along with you explaining how Ben throwing the most touchdown passes in a season equates to the best season ever for a Steelers QB.
I repeat, the heart of this story is why Ben's teammates didn't vote him for MVP. We'll probably never get to the bottom of that one.
Brown: Guess we better get to that "other" Roethlisberger question. How much does he play Sunday?
Harris: Way to change the subject. First two quarters.
, this is an interesting story to me. Ben is no doubt the team MVP. Without him, the Steelers are 5-10 instead of the opposite. Harrison is having one helluva season. I can't say I'm surprised because I've always thought he was great and just needed the opportunity. But the facts are the facts and Ben is the reason this team is 10-5, hands down. Any other QB with the Steelers rag-tag offensive line would throw up more David Carr-esque performances.Ben has always come off as aloof and full of himself. He's a fine QB; however, I don't think a lot of him as a person. Yeah, I know he says the right things and praises God every time he scores, but I wonder how much of that is for show. My opinion is based on stories I've heard and things I have seen at training camp and games. He just doesn't seem like a team guy and often keeps to himself.
Harrison on the other hand is a good dude who busts his butt. I remember seeing him at his very first training camp and knowing he was going to be something special. The guy dominated and had a motor that was unrivaled. His play fired up his teammates. I also remember watching him be the first and last Steeler out signing autographs. Nice guy - very funny and likeable. Maybe the players see this the same way.
Oh, and about race, it is definitely not that. Ben has gone from country boy when he was drafted to hip-hop as a pro. Based on what I've read, his best friends have been Plax Burress, Verron Haynes, and Alan Faneca...
Steelers point/counterpoint: Harrison is MVP
By Scott Brown and John Harris
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Steelers columnist John Harris and beat writer Scott Brown trade insight and the occasional insult as they discuss all things Steelers. This week: The Steelers select an MVP.
Brown: John, I thought we'd be discussing how much, if it all, Ben Roethlisberger should play Sunday against the Ravens since the Steelers have already clinched the AFC North title.
Then his teammates voted James Harrison, not Roethlisberger, as the Steelers' MVP this season. Look, Harrison is having a very good season but the one Roethlisberger is having warrants MVP consideration and I'm talking about in the National Football League!
What should we read into this perceived snub of Roethlisberger? Is there that much of a disconnect between the franchise quarterback and his Steelers' teammates?
Harris: There are two sides to this story: the public's side and the players' side. The public (media) believes Ben is the Steelers MVP, hands-down, because the quarterback is universally acknowledged as the team leader. Ben has already set the franchise single-season record for touchdown passes and there's still one game remaining. He has increased his passer rating and cut his interceptions in half from last season. He was voted to the Pro Bowl for the first time. Obviously, Ben's teammates -- the people he works with every day -- see things differently. They know his strengths and weaknesses, how he interacts with players on both side of the ball. The fact that Ben's teammates selected Harrison -- an undrafted, first-year starter who pulled himself up by his bootstraps just to make the roster -- speaks volumes as to how Ben is perceived in his own locker room. Just because the media considers Ben to be a league MVP candidate doesn't mean his teammates consider him to be their MVP.
Brown: With all due respect to Harrison, whose mere stare has enough force to stop a moving train, ask yourself this: Where would the Steelers be without Roethlisberger and where would they be without Harrison?
Harrison, I agree, is a great story but the doesn't make him the MVP of the Steelers. Roethlisberger is clearly that as well as the team's best player, and, yes, there is a difference between the two.
He has carried the offense, and his ability to improvise and make plays when everything has broken down around him has made him the best quarterback in 2007 this side of Tom Brady.
He is also the reason why the Steelers have any hope of going deep into the playoffs. Can the same thing be said about Harrison, who doesn't even have a sack in December?
Harris: The Steelers will go as far as their defense takes them. I've been writing about it all year, and I'll continue to do so. The Steelers invest most of their big money on the defensive side of the ball. The Steelers' defense is still ranked No. 1 in the league -- No. 3 against the run, No. 3 against the pass. The Steelers' offense is ranked No. 17 -- No. 3 in the run, No. 25 in the pass. Ben plays offense, Harrison plays defense. When you look at it that way, Harrison being voted team MVP doesn't seem so crazy. Clearly, the Steelers don't value Ben the way the Patriots respect Brady. I can't tell you why. You'll have to ask Ben's teammates.
Brown: What does the fact that the Steelers spend more on the defensive side of the ball have anything to do with who is the team's MVP this season? What, the players crunched the numbers on calculators before the vote and said, "Oh, this is where more money is spent so a defensive player has to be our MVP?"
C'mon, how much eggnog did you drink Christmas day?
You say the Steelers will go only as far as the defense will take them. I say they will go only as far as Roethlisberger takes them.
The quarterback is the most important position on any team, and when one has played as well to warrant NFL MVP consideration as Roethlisberger has, he at least should be the MVP on his own team.
It's not like we're talking about the Steelers sitting Harrison Sunday so he doesn't get hurt.
Harris: Scott, do me a favor. I want you to go into the Steelers' locker room -- better still, go to Harrison's locker -- and tell them what you're telling me. No matter what you or I think about the Steelers' surprising MVP choice, the players had the final say. For whatever reason -- good or bad, personal or professional -- a majority of Steelers players didn't vote for Ben. An even bigger story than Ben not being voted MVP is why he wasn't his teammates' first choice.
Brown: Harrison himself said he voted for Roethlisberger for MVP. If you want me to tell him he should give the award to Roethlisberger you have a better chance of seeing me on the Steelers' sideline calling plays Sunday.
I'm not trying to slight Harrison in any way. He has been the best player on the defense that is ranked first in the NFL, but the Steelers could overcome his loss much easier than they could the loss of Roethlisberger.
I think you should go to Roethlisberger and tell the player that is having the best season by any quarterback in Steelers history that he didn't win the team MVP award because the Steelers spend more on the defensive side of the ball. I'd pay money to see that.
Harris: How much are you willing to pay? Better still, I'd like for Ben to poll his teammates why they didn't vote for him. That I'd pay to see. That along with you explaining how Ben throwing the most touchdown passes in a season equates to the best season ever for a Steelers QB.
I repeat, the heart of this story is why Ben's teammates didn't vote him for MVP. We'll probably never get to the bottom of that one.
Brown: Guess we better get to that "other" Roethlisberger question. How much does he play Sunday?
Harris: Way to change the subject. First two quarters.
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