Linebacker, Pittsburgh
Steelers
Age: 30
6th
season in pro football & with Steelers
College: Kent
State
Height: 6’0” Weight: 242
Prelude:
Joining the
Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2002, Harrison spent most of his time on
the practice squad and was briefly signed by the Ravens in 2003, who sent him
to the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe. Cut by Baltimore, Harrison returned to
Pittsburgh and finally caught on for good in 2004 as he showed great
improvement and started four games. Versatile and a good special teams
performer, he got his chance to start full-time at outside linebacker in 2007
after Joey Porter was released and had a breakout year. He recorded 8.5 sacks
and was named team MVP as well as to the Pro Bowl. Showing great strength and
toughness, he was good against the run as well as rushing opposing
quarterbacks.
2008 Season Summary
Appeared in 15
of 16 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Sacks – 16
[4]
Most sacks,
game – 3 vs. Houston 9/7
Multi-sack games
(2 or more) – 4
Interceptions
– 1
Int. yards – 33
Int. TDs – 0
Fumble
recoveries – 0
Forced fumbles
– 7
Tackles – 59
Assists – 34
Scoring
Safeties – 1
Points – 2
Postseason: 3 G
Sacks – 1
Interceptions
– 1
Int. return
yards – 100
Tackles – 10
Assists – 4
TDs – 2
Awards &
Honors:
NFL Defensive
Player of the Year: AP
1st
team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Sporting News
Pro Bowl
Steelers went
12-4 to finish first in the AFC North while leading the NFL in fewest yards
allowed (3795), fewest passing yards allowed (2511), and fewest points (223)
and the AFC in sacks (51) and fewest rushing yards allowed (1284). Won AFC
Divisional playoff over San Diego Chargers (35-24), AFC Championship over
Baltimore Ravens (23-14), and Super Bowl over Arizona Cardinals (27-23).
Aftermath:
Harrison’s
sack total dropped to 10 in 2009 as he was also receiving more attention from
opposing blockers, but he still played well in tandem with LaMarr Woodley. He
was selected to a third straight Pro Bowl. Harrison made it five straight in
2010 and ’11, and was again a consensus first-team All-NFL selection in 2010
although his aggressive play often had him targeted by the league for illegal
hits that led to multiple fines and a one-game suspension in 2011. Following a
lesser year at age 34 in 2012, Harrison was released by the Steelers and joined
the Cincinnati Bengals for 2013, converting to outside linebacker in a 4-3
defense. Through 2012, he had accumulated a total of 64 sacks, 29 forced
fumbles, and five interceptions. Harrison has been chosen to the Pro Bowl a
total of five times and received at least some first- or second-team All-NFL
honors in four seasons.
--
MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or
Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or
USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football
Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press
International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league
itself). Also includes Associated Press NFL Offensive and Defensive Players of
the Year.
