Marvin Harrison / Photo: Newscom

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Marvin Harrison Plans to Play in 2009

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Marvin Harrison can’t find common ground with the Indianapolis Colts, so he wants to be released by the team. The two sides were “trying” to restructure a deal, but there is no agreement — except to disagree. Colts president Bill Polian acknowledged yesterday that it’s a tricky situation, but I disagree. And Mr. Polian is probably just being respectful to one of the game’s all-time great receivers. I don’t think it’s tricky at all. As important as Marvin has been to the Colts over his 13 years there, his numbers have been declining (only 20 catches in an injury-plagued 2007 and 60 catches last season), he’s 36-years-old and he’s no longer a player they can afford to keep around — the Colts are looking at a $13.4 million salary cap hit if they keep him on the roster. Be serious. Plus his recent legal issues (and violent, psychotic behavior?) have certainly tarnished an otherwise exemplary image.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Marvin Harrison Finished in Indy

There’s a rather disturbing story about Marvin Harrison in the new ESPN Magazine (01.26.09). I’ve always admired Marvin for his stellar play and the way he performed his job. Who hasn’t? He and Peyton Manning hold the record for most receptions between a quarterback and receiver with 956. All the while, Marvin has seemed like a good guy — quiet and unassuming. He’s a lunch pail kind of player. He comes to work, does his job (well, I might add) and goes home. In this era of overpaid, high maintenance, loud mouth, prima donna receivers, he’s been a breath of fresh air.

That was on the field. Off the field, I guess like most people, I didn’t know much about Marvin. And I still don’t. And I don’t need to. I respect the guy’s right to have his privacy. I know I wouldn’t want the media meddling in my life if I were in his position. The only thing I can remember about him (from a Monday Night Football interview many moons ago) is that he likes junk food — which seems strange for a professional athlete. Anyway, after last April’s shooting incident left three people wounded in Marvin’s hometown of Philadelphia (two witnesses are pointing at Marvin as the shooter), it brought to light an entirely different side of Peyton Manning’s favorite target — the great Marvin Harrison, a future Hall of Famer, was something of a thug. As it turns out, he showed a violent side before this shooting. Now in his late 30s with steadily declining numbers and these off the field problems, his National Football League playing days appear to be numbered.

Source: ESPN.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Who is the Real Marvin Harrison?

Indianapolis Colts WR Marvin Harrison is being investigated by police for a shooting that took place outside his North Philadelphia bar, Playmakers, earlier this week. Before the media blows this all out of proportion, let’s keep in mind that Marvin has not been arrested nor charged. He was merely interviewed. Marvin’s agent Tom Condon said:

“I’ve spoken with Marvin and I’ve spoken with his attorney, and they say the reports are erroneous. Marvin was not involved in any shooting, and he is not the subject of this investigation.”

Here’s where things get troubling, though. An unidentified source close to the investigation said that ballistic tests showed the gun that had fired the shots was a custom-made Belgian weapon. Apparently Marvin owns such a gun. Police went to a Philadelphia car wash (also owned by Marvin) to question him about the gun. He admitted to owning such a weapon, but claimed it never left his suburban Philadelphia home. The source, however, said the gun was discovered in a bucket at the car wash, and tests showed that it had fired seven bullets that matched those found at the scene.

The NFL’s gun policy says a player may not possess a gun or other weapon while performing any service for his team or the NFL. In Marvin’s case, he was not involved in any NFL-related function. He merely owns a bar and a car wash. But weapons laws are different in each state and in Pennsylvania, the owner of a weapon involved in the shooting can be charged in the crime. If police legally determine this handgun belongs to Marvin, he could be charged with at least a misdemeanor, which could result in a suspension. We’ll have to keep our eyes on how this investigation progresses.

Source: ESPN.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Marvin Harrison Investigated in Shooting

The San Diego Chargers had no business beating the defending Super Bowl Champs on their own turf, but that’s exactly what happened this afternoon as the Chargers went into Indianapolis and beat Peyton Manning and the Colts 28-24 to advance to the AFC Championship game. This was my lock of the weekend. Of all four Divisional Playoff games, this one I was most certain of. The rested and now healthy Colts would be ready. But, I failed to look at the success of San Diego in this building. It really did mean something. If any team was going to come into the RCA Dome for the Colts’ last game here and leave with a win, it would be these San Diego Chargers.

The Bolts won this game with depth. But they did it by substituting for their best players. Quarterback Phillip Rivers and running back LaDainian Tomlinson were out — Billy Volek and Michael Turner (and Darren Sproles) were in. Phillip played most of the game and played well (14 of 19 for 264 yards and three TDs). But late in the game, he left with a leg injury which allowed backup Billy Volek to finish the game. LT was not as fortunate. He left in the first half with a bruised knee after just seven carries for 28 yards. Led by those subs, though, San Diego went 78 yards on eight plays, with Billy V. sneaking in from the one with 4:50 remaining for the lead.

Outside of their opening drive, Indianapolis was a big disappointment today. Ironically, one of the best players in Colts history, WR Marvin Harrison, committed an unlikely turnover that, in my opinion, was the turning point of the football game. This was Marvin’s first game back from a knee injury since October, but with the Colts up 7-0 and driving (and looking dominant), Marvin fumbled after a catch, the Chargers took over, and Indy could never really get their groove back. Marvin would later leave the game and not return. He had two catches for 27 yards. But, Marvin didn’t lose this game. Without specifying blame (bad passes, dropped passes), the Colts turned the ball over three times in the red zone. And that’s certainly not a recipe for success.

San Diego has quietly won eight straight games. Sure, it’s not 17 straight like the team they’re playing next week, but it’s a major accomplishment in the NFL and the New England Patriots know this. The Chargers will absolutely need to get key players healthy if they’re going to have any chance against the Pats, though. Phillip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates will not only need to play, they’ll need to play the best football of their lives if they’re going to do what no other team has done this year.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Chargers Shock Colts to Advance in AFC, San Diego Subs Key Win Over Indianapolis