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Steelers' Harrison stands for change
PITTSBURGH - James Harrison is making a habit of coming up with game-changing plays.
In the Steelers' 11-10 victory over the San Diego Chargers Sunday at Heinz Field, Harrison not only came up with some of the game's biggest defensive plays, he put points on the board for a team that was struggling to score.
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Harrison beat two San Diego blockers and got to quarterback Phillip Rivers, stripping the ball from him in the end zone. When left tackle Marcus McNeil scooped the ball up in the back of the end zone, Harrison tackled him, recording a safety that cut San Diego's lead to 7-2.
It wasn't the seven points the Steelers had been looking for after driving deep inside San Diego territory, but it was a start. And it was Harrison's 12th sack, a career high.
"He's been making splash plays all season long," said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
Harrison wasn't finished.
With San Diego driving after a short punt late in the first half, Harrison picked off a Rivers pass at the Pittsburgh 10, returning it 33 yards to the 43.
That helped set up a 21-yard Jeff Reed field goal that turned what could have been a 10-2 deficit into a 7-5 one at the half.
"I didn't think he was going to throw it, considering I was already there and (Pro Bowl tight end Antonio) Gates wasn't too far away from me," said Harrison. "I thought he would throw it a little wider, but he threw it straight to me. I did what any of our linebackers would have done - catch it and take off."
Short-yardage woes
San Diego's stuff of Steelers running back Mewelde Moore on fourth-and-goal from the one in the first quarter was reminiscent of the Indianapolis' goal-line stand against the Steelers two weeks ago when the Colts stopped Moore on two attempts from the one.
That failed attempt left the Steelers just 4-for-14 in short-yardage rushing attempts on third and fourth downs this season, the worst in the league.
The rushing attempt was Moore's only one of the game and the Steelers went to Gary Russell in the second half on two short-yardage situations. Russell converted both.
"It is discouraging but we are not a finished product," said Tomlin of the short-yardage problems. "Maybe we found something with Gary Russell. We will see."
The Steelers did not use Willie Parker in that situation. Parker returned after sitting out last week with a shoulder injury and gained 115 yards on 25 carries. The Steelers did not want to test his shoulder in any short-yardage downs.
"That was the plan for my first game back," said Parker. "They just want to protect me. It's up to me if I want to make a change and I want to make a change."
Odds and end zones
Samuel Trapuzzano, the son of Ben and Shawn Trapuzzano of Washington, competed in the 10- and 11-year-old age group in the Punt, Pass and Kick competition prior to the game. Trapuzzano, a fifth-grade student at Trinity North Middle School, was honored at halftime for finishing in the top three in his age group. ... Steelers placekicker Jeff Reed missed his first field goal of the season, a 51-yard attempt in the first half. ... The Steelers had two sacks to give them 36 for the season, matching their total from 2007. ... Ben Roethlisberger had 308 yards passing, his sixth career 300-yard game, tying him with Tommy Maddox for first place on the team's career list.
samuel trapuzzano : 11/21/2008
he is awesome. a great athlete.
