Porter's presence won't fuel Steelers' Harrison

By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, November 26, 2007



Steve McNair #9 of the Baltimore Ravens tries to throw under pressure from James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 5, 2007 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

James Harrison served as Joey Porter's understudy for the five seasons before this one.

That doesn't mean Harrison will have extra motivation when he and the Steelers play Porter and the Miami Dolphins tonight at Heinz Field.

"I want to play well because I don't want to let my teammates down. I want to play well because I don't want to let my coaches down," said Harrison, who backed up Porter at right outside linebacker from 2002-06. "I want to play well for my mom and dad when they're watching. As far as anyone else, I could really care less."

The Steelers want to play well, period.

They are coming off their worst performance of the season, and a 19-16 overtime loss to the Jets in New York on Nov. 18 didn't sit well with the Steelers.
"Watching those guys jump up and down like they won the Super Bowl, that's the standards that we set around here," Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward said. "The best way to get over a game like that is to play again, try to beat up on the Dolphins."

Harrison has done a good job of beating up on the opposition in his first full season as a starter.

The sixth-year veteran leads the Steelers in sacks (7.5), forced fumbles (5) and fumble recoveries (2), and he is second only to James Farrior in tackles (56).

The last time the Steelers played on a Monday night, Harrison had a game for the ages.

In the Steelers' 38-7 mauling of the Ravens on Nov. 5, Harrison had 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception.

As for what he can do for an encore, well, good luck.

The 6-foot, 242-pounder, however, has been anything but a one-game wonder.

Harrison has arguably been the best player on the No. 1- ranked defense in the NFL, and he gives the Steelers the same intimidating presence that Porter did before the team released him in March.

His style, however, is decidedly different than that of the trash-talking Porter.

"I don't really talk," Harrison said, "unless I'm talked to."

He'll take that same approach tonight, as Harrison said he won't get caught up in trying to show Porter just how far he has come.

As for which Porter he and the Steelers will see, Harrison said, "If he's still the same Joey, he's going to be (talking) a lot."


Scott Brown can be reached at sbrown@tribweb.com or 412-481-5432.