There are things about football I just don't know.

[AirPo]

How do the Pats sign a former Steeler in week 17?

 

[Saucy]

The Steelers released him 4 days ago, so he's free to sign with any team at any time.

James Harrison released by Steelers

 

[Almost there]

Why is the ball made of pigskin and not leather?

 

[Humble me Lord]

I liked football alot more without free agents. When guys stayed on a team most of their careers. All about the money now. Money ruins everything

 

[Saucy]

Why is the ball made of pigskin and not leather?

It's actually made of cowskin leather.

What materials are footballs made out of?

 

[Almost there]

I liked football alot more without free agents. When guys stayed on a team most of their careers. All about the money now. Money ruins everything

Without the profit motive, there would be no pro-football.

 

[Almost there]

It's actually made of cowskin leather.

What materials are footballs made out of?

Another thing I hate about football: They LIED to me!!!

 

[Humble me Lord]

The term pigskin got started because the first footballs were inflated animal bladders, sometimes from pigs.
Wow, you learn something new every day

 

[AirPo]

Why is the ball made of pigskin and not leather?

Pig sequel, cows moo.

 

[AirPo]

The Steelers released him 4 days ago, so he's free to sign with any team at any time.

James Harrison released by Steelers

That I get, but in week 17 that's allowed?

 

[AirPo]

I liked football alot more without free agents. When guys stayed on a team most of their careers. All about the money now. Money ruins everything

That's one of the things admire about Brady. He was willing to take less so the team could keep/recruite other players.

Of course being married to a super model who makes more than him doesn't hurt.

 

[Saucy]

That I get, but in week 17 that's allowed?

Yes. You can pick up any unsigned player at any time throughout the season. You just can't make a trade after week 8. So, the Patriots wouldn't have been able to trade for Harrison if he was with the Steelers, but since he was released and not claimed by any team, any team could've signed him.

 

[Humble me Lord]

Yes, thats nice to see.
Off topic, who will win the superbowl this year?

 

[bhsmte]

That I get, but in week 17 that's allowed?

A player can be given an outright release, at anytime.

 

[AirPo]

A player can be given an outright release, at anytime.

The release part I get, but a team picking up a player in the last week just doesn't seem right.

 

[bhsmte]

The release part I get, but a team picking up a player in the last week just doesn't seem right.

Not unusual for any sport. When a player gets released, the unions want them to have a chance to be picked up. Only limit would be, during playoffs.

 

[AirPo]

Not unusual for any sport. When a player gets released, the unions want them to have a chance to be picked up. Only limit would be, during playoffs.

Yeah, but a week before the playoffs, after both teams in question have made the playoffs, just doesn't seem right to me.

 

[bhsmte]

Yeah, but a week before the playoffs, after both teams in question have made the playoffs, just doesn't seem right to me.

It does to the players union though, so players have a chance to hook up with another team.

 

[keith99]

That I get, but in week 17 that's allowed?

If it wasn't think what it would mean if a team got their punter or place kicker hurt in week 17!