He’s only been shelved in the midst of the schedule once

Betting that Marvin Harrison’s career is over is like gambling that the Yankees won’t make the playoffs: This could be the year that it happens, but it’s better to just see if the unlikely event actually takes place and keep your money pocketed. Talk that the Colts will place a cautious wage at the draft, namely by using an early pick on a wide receiver, overlooks the fact that a player who’s as quiet as laryngitic Tony Dungy nevertheless demands attention as a far-from-spent competitor.Harrison didn’t get to 1,042 receptions or into the 6 Sanchez Green Jersey
end zone 123 times while coasting on natural skill: His levels of fitness and preparation will serve as great assets on his way back to game action. While the fact remains that he turns 36 before 2008’s first game, players at his talent level are often renowned for enjoying extended careers as determination becomes an ingrained portion of their personalities.If his past had been checkered with frequent wounds and trips to injured reserve, Harrison’s current mysterious knee ailment would be more of a concern. But he didn’t miss much time up until this past campaign. He’s only been shelved in the midst of the schedule once, for the final four games of 1998 with a shoulder issue; in retrospect, adding him to the season-ending list last year would have been for the best, but his past history made it difficult to concede that it would have been prudent to shelve him permanently for 2007.Even factoring in last season, Harrison has played 175 out of a possible 192 career games, a fine record of sturdiness in addition to what he’s actually done with his time on the field.As for the feelings of the player himself, we can’t tell: Harrison has adhered to his monk-like refusal to speak, much less speak up. He isn’t, say, proclaiming that he’s on the path to a massive comeback during interviews on sports highlight programs or from a personal Web site; but, the refreshing lack of braggadocio aside, that also means that there aren’t first-person updates on his condition or reappearance status. More convincing than offseason words are his midseason actions since 1996.Plus, he just can’t leave like this. It’s hard to accept that Harrison would let his last significant moment on a football field remain having the ball jarred from his possession after finally getting back on the field during the playoffs against the Chargers. If nothing else, leaving the game on his terms has to appeal to a ceaselessly dominant player.Either way, drafting a prominent receiver with a high choice would be a luxurious waste. Even if Harrison has played his final NFL game, the Colts could get by without adding another wideout: With Reggie Wayne as the primary man, Anthony Gonzalez as his sidekick, and Dallas Clark re-signed to play in his tight end/slot hybrid role, the Colts would have a receiving corps that most fans and general managers would envy.Add a recuperated Harrison to that group, and opposing defensive coordinators will have to compose themselves to keep from weeping. It’s 2010 pro bowl Vikings 4 Brett Favre jersey
not a guarantee that he’ll return to being spectacular, much less return at all, but Harrison’s silent professionalism and drive mean that Indianapolis could address other needs with its initial picks. It’s of course a decision that’s up to him, and it’s possible that his body may finally be betraying him, but the evidence over time suggests that believing Harrison will come back is a worthwhile risk.