Malik Harrison spent the primary 5 years of his profession with the Ravens. Now for the primary time as a member of the Steelers, he’s going through them. In Baltimore, no much less, and he joins many different former Ravens who’re presently on the Steelers’ roster. DeShon Elliott is injured, however this isn’t his first rodeo. So, too, is Patrick Queen, although he has an opportunity to play. And he already performed them twice final 12 months.
For Harrison, although, that is the primary recreation in opposition to the Ravens, his former staff. And he isn’t about to fake that it’s simply one other recreation. “Yeah, positively”, this recreation means extra to him, he mentioned, through the Steelers’ web site. “I nonetheless love Baltimore. I’d been there for 5 years. I’ve nonetheless bought love for everyone there, bought a number of pals on the market. Nevertheless it’s going to be totally different, however I’m right here now”.
The Ravens chosen Malik Harrison within the third spherical of the 2020 NFL Draft. He by no means developed right into a full-time starter, however he developed a distinct segment as a run stuffer and particular groups ace. Signing with the Steelers in free company in March, he has fulfilled the identical function right here.
In reality, on a per-game foundation, Harrison has seen his highest snap share of his profession at 41 p.c. He missed six video games as a result of harm, however within the six video games during which he has performed, he has technically began 5, taking part in 172 snaps. He noticed a career-high 372 defensive snaps final season with the Ravens in 15 video games performed. Curiously, his particular groups function right here is down, solely logging a 52-percent snap share.
In six video games, Malik Harrison has recorded 24 tackles for the Steelers, together with one for loss. He had a season-high eight tackles this previous Sunday in opposition to the Payments, amongst them 4 run stops. Contemplating how poorly the protection performed the run in that recreation, one participant recording 4 run stops is commendable.
Harrison performed greater than he may in any other case have as a result of Patrick Queen went down throughout the recreation with a hip harm. He logged 52 snaps, only one fewer than Payton Wilson, who had 14 tackles. If Queen can’t go, this can be your linebacker group, together with Cole Holcomb, who performed 16 snaps.
After the Ravens ran down the Steelers’ throats final 12 months, they pursued larger our bodies on protection, a part of the explanation they signed Malik Harrison in free company. In fact, they already had a much bigger physique in Elandon Roberts, who was on report as wanting to complete his profession in Pittsburgh. In case you’re questioning, Roberts has 58 tackles in 449 snaps for the Raiders this 12 months.
Harrison has seen the AFC North from the Ravens’ perspective for half a decade. Now he has seen it from the Steelers’ viewpoint, however for the primary time, it’s directed in opposition to his former staff. I’m certain he’s had discussions with Queen and different former Ravens within the locker room about what that’s like. However as soon as the hitting begins, the pleasantries will fall by the wayside. That’s the secret. Smack the blokes who’re sporting totally different colours than you.
