MAC standout a hit with Steelers

Ex-Kent State linebacker James Harrison has made the most of his chance.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers saw something in this former Mid-American Conference standout many others in the NFL did not, and it has led to one of the biggest surprise stories of their unexpectedly good season.
Guess what? He's not Ben Roethlisberger.
James Harrison, a linebacker cut three times previously by NFL teams -- twice by the Steelers -- is expected to start Saturday against the Giants and Dec. 26 against the Ravens for the injured Clark Haggans.
A year ago, Harrison couldn't find a job on an NFL practice squad; now he's filling a key role for one of the NFL's three 12-1 teams. He remains a little startled by the turn of events, even if his teammates do not.
It's about desire
Some Steelers still talk about him making five tackles and an assist Nov. 28 against the Redskins -- not for the whole game, but just on special teams. Asked how someone could make virtually every kicking play tackle, Harrison said, "Want-to."
It's the same attitude that's allowed him to play linebacker in the NFL, even though he is supposedly too short at 6 feet and a little too slow.
"He's proven himself each year he's been with us," linebacker Joey Porter said.
Harrison went undrafted in 2002 out of Kent State, a MAC rival of Roethlisberger's Miami (Ohio). He spent that season on the practice squad, then survived the final training camp cutdown in 2003, only to be cut three days later when the Steelers added a defensive back.
He played for Dusseldorf of NFL Europe last spring, only to be cut again by the Ravens. He couldn't wrangle even a training camp invite until two weeks before the Steelers' camp started, when Haggans broke a hand weightlifting.
Here to stay
This time, the Steelers didn't cut him following a strong training camp in which he established himself as one of their best special teams players.
"He's a hard worker, a good player," said Porter, who can't believe Harrison wasn't drafted. "The whole draft thing to me is overrated. There's guys who were first rounders when I came in [1999] but they don't play anymore. There's guys who came in the sixth or seventh round like [Patriots QB] Tom Brady who are Super Bowl MVPs. It's just a guy having a chance and opportunity to make the team."
No doubt Harrison won't have any trouble remembering his first NFL start Nov. 14 in Cleveland, near his Akron hometown with many of his friends and family members watching. Minutes earlier, coach Bill Cowher told the team Harrison would start in place of Porter, who had been ejected for fighting during warmups.
"I was so nervous I was shaking," Harrison said. "So I said, 'OK, you're starting, now don't go out and mess up.' "
Harrison's nervousness didn't prevent him from making the tackle on two of the first three plays, and he also had his first NFL sack that day. Two weeks later, he had his big day on special teams against the Redskins, and he had four tackles and two assists in a 17-6 win Sunday over the Jets after Haggans (groin) was injured during the first quarter.
"He's a force," Cowher said. "We need guys like that. It's contagious."