Sep 27, 2014 5 min read

The excitement among Steelers fans regarding the re-signing of former All-Pro linebacker James Harrison has been similar to that of a month ago surrounding the return of defensive end Brett Keisel.

But you have to wonder if, unlike Keisel, Harrison’s heart is really in it?

Keisel always wanted to return, feeling he had another season of football remaining. Harrison had to be coaxed out of retirement, which he announced a few weeks ago.

Harrison was clearly at peace with his decision to call it a career.

“I really didn’t miss it,” Harrison said.”The only thing I really missed was the teammates, the camaraderie, being with the guys. The game itself, I really didn’t miss.”

For Harrison, the decision to return to football was a difficult one, made only after speaking with Keisel, Ike Taylor, Troy Polamalu, head coach Mike Tomlin and his family.

That’s a lot of convincing.

“To be honest with you, it was a real difficult decision,” Harrison said. “If my kids had said no and stuck with it, it wouldn’t have mattered how much I talked to Keisel, Ike and Troy.”

As former Steelers head coach Chuck Noll used to say, if you’re thinking about retirement, you probably should. Harrison was more than thinking about it, he had actually gone through with it and was OK with that decision.

Harrison was a great player for a long time for the Steelers. But he’s not that player any longer.

Maybe the fire will ignite in him when he steps into a stadium again, but he certainly didn’t sound like a player who was passionate about playing.

• Today will mark a major step for inside linebacker Sean Spence.

Spence will make his first career start for the Steelers, replacing injured Ryan Shazier.

Three years ago, during his rookie season. Spence had his knee wrecked in a preseason game. The damage was so bad that doctors told him he might never walk again. The Steelers gave Spence a chance to hang around the team while rehabbing and never gave up on him, though they weren’t counting on him ever returning to the field.

Spence is completely recovered and some in the organization feel the Steelers might be better off with him in the lineup at this point than Shazier, the team’s top draft pick last spring who is still learning the nuances of defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau’s defense.

It also raises the question, if the Steelers had been sure that Spence was fully recovered, would they have used the 15th pick in this year’s draft on Shazier or would they have selected a player at another position?

• Running back Le’Veon Bell is getting plenty of praise both locally and nationally in what some are calling a breakout season.

But really, it’s not just this season that Bell has been effective.

He missed the Steelers’ first three games last year with a Lis Franc injury, so last week’s win over Carolina marked his 16th career game. He has ammassed 1,175 rushing yards with nine touchdowns, and 58 receptions for another 545 yards.

That’s a special running back.

Bell, who currently leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage, took some heat early last season because he was struggling to average three yards per carry. But coming off a Lis Franc injury – which has ended many football careers – that was to be expected.

Bell looks quicker this season, but that’s not because he lost any weight. He’s playing at 225 pounds, which is what he weighed at the end of last season. He’s now a year removed from that foot injury and it shows.

• Coming off their impressive victory over Carolina last week, the Steelers are in prime position to improve to 4-1 with a home game today against Tampa Bay and a road game next Sunday at Jacksonville, two winless opponents who were outscored 100-30 last week.

Tampa Bay has fumbled nine times in three games and hasn’t scored more than 17 points in any of them.

The Steelers are 7½-point favorites to beat the Buccaneers. They should cover that number.

Take Pittsburgh, 31-16

The Raiders went from a game at New England to London, where this one is being played. Miami went over Thursday, just as the Steelers did last year.

Take Oakland, 24-20

The Packers should be a desperate team.

Take Green Bay, 27-24

This should be a shootout. And we all know what happens to Tony Romo at the end of close games.

Take New Orleans, 34-30

Minnesota rookie Teddy Bridgewater will be making his first career start. Always go against the rookie QB in his first start.

Take Atlanta, 31-17

Houston’s run defense is awful despite the presence of J.J. Watt. Buffalo can exploit that.

Take Buffalo, 24-20

After their 0-2 start, the Colts are righting the ship.

Take Indianapolis, 30-17

Another rookie quarterback, Blake Bortles, making his first career start for Jacksonville.

Take San Diego, 30-14

The 49ers are stumbling but should be good enough at home.

Take San Francisco, 30-24

The Patriots didn’t play well last week but won against Oakland. They’ll play better this week.

Take New England, 27-17

Carolina’s run defense was exposed last week by the Steelers.

Take Baltimore, 23-17

The Lions throw the ball well. The Jets don’t defend the pass well.

Take Detroit, 24-20

Last week: 7-7-1 ATS; 11-4 Straight up

Overall: 18-26-1 ATS; 26-19 Straight up

F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.