Pittsburgh Steelers: Linebacker James Harrison's Suspension Is BS

Yet again, Steelers linebacker James Harrison is at the center of the NFL's recent crackdown on illegal helmet-to-helmet hits. Harrison was the first to be fined for illegal hits and racked up $125,000 in fines last year. 

But as Darren Rovell tweets, that is not even a game's pay for the former Defensive Player of the Year. So the NFL decided to once again scapegoat Harrison and make him the first player suspended for a helmet-to-helmet hit. 

Adam Schefter is also reporting that Harrison will be appealing the suspension, which can be done within the next three business days. 

Harrison, who at one point said he was not planning on being suspended, now has a different take on things and his Twitter reaction leaves all wondering how "The Baddest Dude in the NFL" feels. 

I will not debate that Harrison's hit was "illegal" by NFL definitions. The NFL is cracking down on helmet-to-helmet hits and at any point the two collide, the NFL will throw a flag.

I will debate that this hit was "suspension worthy." After watching this hit for the millionth time, it is very clear that once Colt McCoy tucked the ball under his arm, he was on a collision course with James Harrison. 

In the split second that the hit happens, it looks as if Harrison leads with his upper body, not the helmet as a weapon. He attempts to hit McCoy in the midsection and not the head; however, with McCoy's throw, his body was opened up and susceptible to a dangerous hit. 

Once slowed down, it is apparent that the hit was a textbook illegal hit, but Harrison is already crouching his 6'0 frame and trying to avoid hitting the helmet of the 6'1 McCoy. 

Essentially, unless Harrison dove for McCoy's knees, a much riskier tackle for both players, Harrison was doomed to collide with McCoy and hit him on the helmet. The two are so similar in size that a normal "bear-hug" tackle would have also resulted in the helmets clashing. 

The NFL will argue that this suspension was because of Harrison's history, not just the hit itself. This is Harrison's fifth violation in three seasons.

But this hit on McCoy was inevitable. This was a play doomed to end badly for McCoy. How can the NFL eliminate those scenarios?