Indy Writer Wonders if Marvin Harrison Is Just 'Going Through Motions'

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The Colts won arguably their biggest game of an up-and-down season Sunday, defeating the Steelers 24-20 in Pittsburgh. Peyton Manning looked as sharp as ever, the offensive line kept him well-protected, and Reggie Wayne was his usual productive self.

Marvin Harrison ended the day with three catches for 37 yards, but he dropped two potentially big passes -- including a likely touchdown -- and his performance has the Indianapolis Star's Bob Kravitz pretty worked up.

In addition to suggesting that Harrison, the 36-year-old, 13-year vet, "either ... can't play anymore or he has lost interest in playing," Kravitz also offers this very frank assessment:

Let's be blunt: [Harrison] looked like he was going through the motions Sunday. He made a halfhearted effort on a mildly overthrown deep ball that was just beyond reach. And on a sure touchdown pass later in the game, he developed a bad case of gator arms, dropped the ball and fell to the ground in apparent pain.

Then it got downright farcical. The Colts, who are notoriously slow and imprecise with in-game injury reports, quickly ruled Harrison's return "questionable'' after he suffered what they termed a concussion. Minutes later, on the Colts' next possession, Harrison was back on the field.

Listen, the Colts would never, ever, ever let a concussed player back onto the football field. The whole thing was a ruse to protect Harrison and give him an alibi. It's one thing to lose a step; it's another to lose desire.

I have no idea if Harrison was half-assing it, but he is old and recovering from some lingering knee troubles. And let's be honest: he'll never be mistaken for Hines Ward; Marvin routinely does the ol' catch-and-duck whenever he finds himself in the middle of the field and about to get smacked by a linebacker or safety. That he short-armed a pass down the sidelines with Steelers safety/Chuck Norris disciple Tyrone Carter bearing down on him isn't altogether shocking, either. In fact, it's sorta expected.

Maybe he's done -- just doesn't have anything left. Which probably means he'll be gone after the season. But in the meantime, Manning still has Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez and Dallas Clark. Put differently, it could be a lot worse.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-11-2008 @ 5:02PM

Elsquare said...

Marvin Harrison has suffered several serious injuries while playing for the Colts. He has been well compensated for playing, and he seems to me to be trying to do what he can reasonably do to help his team at this late juncture in his career. When the time comes that he can no longer produce in his former way, then he should be allowed the benefit of the doubt, and allowed to retire. Marvin Harrison has been a player of style, grace, dignity and class. The person who wrote that article has (in my opinion) none of those attributes. Thanks for the good times, Marvin.

11-27-2008 @ 4:33PM

troy said...

i agree,theres alot of dummies out there that think they know football..marvin is still the top reciever out there,he just has to get back in stride due to injury and inactivity...gonzo is ok..just ok man..he gets open because of coverage on wayne and harrison..but he will never make the catches marvin has or can and ive been watching .harrison has done some strange things but manning has thrown some really crappy passes to him to...people say hes done....WHAT !! every game he gets behind the corners and safety..no other reciever in the leauge does that every single game...when the colts use harrison they win...no harrison,no manning...no manning ,no harrison . no super bowl.....remember that

11-11-2008 @ 9:21PM

Roger said...

Bob Kravits you listen up, your boss may be asking for some strong opinioned article to draw up some steam among the public, but you picked the wrong person. It is unprofessional to write articles putting down future Hall of Famers the way you did. I don't remember ever seeing an article published who knocked on such an accomplished player as what you had the balls to say about Marvin. He's 36 and still plays extremely well, however he obviously is concerned about his health. Football in this case is a job, a career, it is not his life. Marvin is smart enough not to put his well-being on the line in order to catch a touchdown pass. I grew up knowing Marvin as my sports idol, you will never see him on the news with a negative press conference like you see many other players in the league. Yet you still have the nerve to put up a negative article regarding a few bad plays. You can not count the number of plays in his career where he had a whole city screaming and cheering in celebration of a touchdown, or a victory. Even after having a non-productive season, teams still play defense on him like they used to because they know what he is capable of. His number of games are obviously numbered at this point - so I just appreciate every chance I get to see him on the field.

11-12-2008 @ 9:50AM

nick said...

what ever played out with the suspicious allegations that MH was involved with about a year ago... somebody being shot to death with MH's gun, after MH had been in an altercation with the victim?

That story kind of came and went, quietly. I don't know if there was any thorough explanation or closure to the story.

I don't like MH. I don't think of him as classy, more like shady. He's not very entertaining to watch. When he's retired i'll forget he was really ever on the field. There's nothing exciting about him. and this mediocre year of his will speed the process of forgetting all about him. so long MH.

11-14-2008 @ 11:54AM

indianapolis said...

Nick,

Clearly you've not given much attention to Marvin's full body of work, and the way he's conducted himself on the field. He's been a HOF player—you only need to look at his stats and game-changing plays to see this. As for the entertainment factor, if you assess this by how much attention he draws to himself through ridiculous end zone celebrations a la T.O., Randy Moss or Ocho Stinko, then your right. He's failed miserably to entertain us. But I once heard him say—after a come back victory against the Bucs where he torched Tampa Bay and made Keshawn Johnson look like a fool for talking smack—that he didn't celebrate because he just acted as though he had been there (the end zone) before. I'd much rather have the results on the field and ring on the finger than some ridiculous dance. So go on and forget about him if you'd like. Just don't pay any visits to Canton, as you'll see his likeness there along with the all the records he holds.

11-16-2008 @ 6:54AM

Leon said...

Just you wait. Marvin will prove Kravitz and all the nay sayers wrong in these last games of the season. He's my favorite player and he will finish this season strong. He's a pro.

12-02-2008 @ 1:50AM

Triple B said...

You can say what you will but what all the extra time to prepare for the game(s)? What about the fact that the receivers that he has mentored and trained? The WR's (save Gonzalos) have all taken the time to learn what he knows and does. Let's face it...the Colts and Manning would have worked that much harder to get that ring!!! Before you right another article like you did, please refer to his records and playing time over the years. Marvin has been a class act and has never caused trouble for the Colts or the league!!! God bless Marvin Harrison and God bless the Colts!!!