Jarvis Jones and Ryan Shazier, a pair of former No. 1 draft picks, have heard the stories and watched the videos of James Harrison’s incredible workout regimen.
But, after spending nearly a month training with Harrison in North Scottsdale, Ariz., the two young linebackers gained an greater appreciation — and a huge sense of awe — for the former NFL defensive player of the year who turned 37 earlier this month.
“Man, it’s unbelievable,” said Jones, who enters his third season after being the Steelers’ top pick in the 2013 draft. “He’s in a league of his own. I do what I can do to push myself, and it’s definitely motivation just watching him and seeing the things he does. But, as far as doing the things he does, he’s in a league of his own.”
“It’s very impressive,” said Shazier, the No. 1 pick last year who added eight pounds working out with Harrison and changing his diet. “We do the workouts, but it’s like his weight is on a whole different level. We all learn from him and do what we can, but we will never be able to lift what he’s lifting.”
Harrison spent the offseason serving as a mentor to the Steelers’ young crop of linebackers. He spent four weeks in Arizona training and spending time with Jones, Shazier, Vince Williams and Sean Spence, hoping his regimen with trainer Ian Danney at Performance Enhancement Professionals will have a positive and lasting impact on them.
Harrison said he has already noticed a difference in the players. And he hopes to make that difference more noticeable when he takes them back to the desert at the end of organized training activities and minicamp.
The Steelers held their third day of OTAs Thursday and will not hold another session until Tuesday.
“Right now, they’re stronger, they’re faster; even Shazier put on a little weight,” Harrison said. “I’m just leading them to the water, it’s up to them to drink.
“It’s like God is driving the bus for me right now. I’m almost 40 years old out here playing a game with young men. I’m extremely blessed and fortunate to be able to do that.”
Because of his age, the Steelers have told Harrison they don’t want him playing more than 25 snaps a game in 2015. Part of that, though, is because they also want Jones to get enough playing time to continue his development. Harrison, though, said he was told the same thing last year when he came out of retirement after Jones injured his wrist and was placed on short-term injured reserve. So what happened?
Harrison started the final four games, including the playoff loss against the Baltimore Ravens. In each of those games, he never played fewer than 52 snaps. He was off the field for only 19 plays in those four games.
Conversely, Jones played only 16 snaps in the final three games after returning from a wrist injury.
“We’ll get into the season and see how things roll out,” said Harrison, who had 5½ sacks in 11 games in 2014. “Initially when I came last year, I was supposed to be a 15-to-20 snap guy, and things rolled out a different way. We’ll see.”
Jones likely will be the starter at outside right linebacker once the regular season begins Sept. 10 at New England. But he would not commit to that when asked if he is the starter on the right side, saying it’s way too early to make that determination.
“[Harrison] is going to do his thing, and I’ll do mine,” Jones said. “We’re going to get a good rotation and take it from there.”
Gerry Dulac: gdulac@post-gazette.com; twitter: @gerrydulac.
First Published: May 29, 2015, 4:00 a.m.
