I never thought it would happen, but clearly it needed to: Marvin Harrison won’t be back with Indianapolis Colts. The 36-year-old wide out, who refused to take a pay cut, has agreed with the team to be released.
It’s really the end of an era. Ever since I can remember, the Colts consisted of the Peyton Manning-Marvin Harrison hookup, the most productive in NFL history. Both were all pros and absolute forces on the field. But now, Harrison has lost a step and with that, his job.
I’m not even sure how much the Colts will miss Harrison on the field. Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez have both emerged as more than capable to fill his shoes. The team will never admit that they thought he lost a step, but I think that was a certainty this past season.
Harrison’s next move is still uncertain, but if the rumours are true and Philly is the preferred destination, I don’t see any way that he won’t bring that offence up a notch. Improving at wideout from Jason Avant to (even at 36) Marvin Harrison is a huge leap.
And, lucky for all of us, this is only the first of many intriguing story lines that will entertain us when free agency starts on Friday morning. I already have my fingers crossed that Ray Lewis comes to Dallas — if only for him to put T.O. in line and keep the team functional in the locker room.