The Cincinnati Bengals have finally found their veteran linebacker. After going back and forth on their interest in veteran James Harrison, the two have finally agreed on a contract. Harrison signed a two-year deal with the AFC North-rival of his former team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pittsburgh originally released Harrison to free up cap space. Harrison refused to take a pay cut with the team and quickly found himself on the free agent market. After briefly discussing a return to the team he became a defensive star on, Harrison cut all ties with Pittsburgh and will now head to their rival team.
The NFL schedule will have Harrison meeting up with his former team on Sept. 16 as the Bengals will open their season as home against the Steelers. They knocked the Steelers out of playoff contention in 2012. Now, the team will hope that Harrison can bring them their first postseason victory since 1990.
Harrison will bring a lot of experience to the Bengals defensive unit. As a former Defensive Player of the Year, Harrison has Super Bowl victories under his belt and he helped carry the Steelers defense to finish ranked No.1 overall four straight years. Harrison will move into the Bengals' 3-4 alignment next to middle linebacker Rey Maualuga.
Harrison and fellow veteran Karlos Dansby were both in consideration for the Bengals. The team essentially bluffed with their interest in Dansby, using it as leverage to sign Harrison to a cheaper deal. Now the former Miami Dolphins linebacker is still without a team. There has not been a strong market for veterans this offseason and Dansby is no exception. The only other team in consideration for him are the Baltimore Ravens.
The Ravens have been looking to add a veteran pass rusher ever since the departure of Ray Lewis. Dansby could be what they need. Dansby racked up 25.5 sacks and 10 interceptions between 2004-2010 when he was with the Arizona Cardinals. He then signed a large contract with the Dolphins, which he failed to live up to.
If the Ravens are going to make a pull at Dansby, it will not be until after the draft. Baltimore has been linked to several defensive players in mock drafts. If they do not like what they come away with, Dansby will be the likely best option.