Harrison getting Cut by the Colts?

As we might speculate, Marvin Harrison’s days in Indy might be over. Yes, Marvin Harrison might be cut from the Indianapolis Colts by next week. Why? Well cutting Harrison would save some cap room for the Colts salary cap. Yesterday (2/18/09) the Colts signed CB Kelvin Hayden to a 5 year deal worth $45 million. There is a chance he might come back, but it seems very unlikely with the resigning of Hayden and even Colts head coach Jim Caldwell wasn’t too sure either, “We certainly hope so,” Caldwell said, but the 36-year-old's time in Indianapolis could be drawing to an end because of salary concerns. If the Colts do decide to keep Harrison, his salary cap for next season will be around $13 million.

I can see why the Colts would be cutting Harrison. I don’t think it’s a bad move. The guy is in his mid-thirties now, and he’s not the receiver he used to be. He is still a good receiver, but age is now becoming a factor for him. Last season, Harrison only had 60 receptions for 636 yards and 5 touchdowns. In the 2006, the season where he was injured; Harrison had 20 receptions for 247 yards and only 1 TD. Those stats are his lowest since his rookie year through the 1998 season in the NFL. We can see his numbers are declining and cutting him wouldn’t be a bad move for the Colts to develop other receivers on the roster. I think though the move might hurt the offense’s chemistry with Harrison and Manning. In my opinion, it’s time for Manning to focus using Gonzalez into the offense (if Harrison is gone) as Reggie Wayne is already a big part of the offense. The question now will be is who will fill in the slot at WR? Maybe they can find someone in free agency or use someone already on the roster. The Colts can also draft a WR. Maybe they won’t get Crabtree or Maclin, but they sure can draft a WR in the 3rd round or 4th in a Quan Cosby, Juaquin Iglesias, or Hakeem Nicks and build them into the program.

If Harrison is cut, where will he go? He could retire or he could be reunited with a fellow Syracuse classmate from his college playing days. Harrison was a three year starter at SU, playing with McNabb as his QB. I know Philly needs a WR and I think the fit will be good as McNabb is close to getting an extension with the Eagles. If Harrison keeps himself healthy, he can play 2 to 3 more seasons. I would love to see Harrison going to the Eagles catching TD’s from his old college QB. That would be a cool sight. Imagine, Kevin Curtis, DeSean Jackson, and Marvin Harrison.