The Cleveland Plain-Dealer reports Browns RB Jerome Harrison has been participating in OTA workouts this week despite not signing his one-year tender yet. He was absent Thursday, but coach Eric Mangini said Harrison's absence was unrelated to his contract situation. "I'm glad Jerome is here and I expect him to be here next week," Mangini said. The Browns have added two other running backs to compete with Harrison this season. Peyton Hillis was acquired in the trade with Denver for Brady Quinn, and the Browns traded up to draft Tennessee's Montario Hardesty in the second-round. Harrison skipped the first session of OTAs last week presumably because of his contract situation. Source: theredzone.org
So he obviously wants that contract, but maybe he realized that not being there gets him in the doghouse (no pun intended) with the coaches (add that to the many other RBs on the roster) moreso than it creates any leverage for his situation. The coach(es) should promise him enough of an opportunity to earn that deal for next offseason with Cleveland or without, and he should get over himself and try to ball out as hard as possible now that the right people are finally paying attention.
Yeah, he's got no choice. Might as well come in and make coaches/fans happy. Only way he's getting paid.
