James Harrison ‘Let Up’ on Mike Vick to Avoid Fines During Steelers Win

by abournenesn

Oct 8, 2012


James Harrison 'Let Up' on Mike Vick to Avoid Fines During Steelers WinJames Harrison
's return to the
football field helped propel the Steelers defense to a 16-14 win over the
Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. But at the same time that Harrison was concerned
with pulling out the win in Pittsburgh, it seems he was also worrying about his
wallet.

Harrison, who didn't record a sack
in his first action of the season, was able to get in on Mike Vick on a number
of occasions, even hitting him three times. But while the Steelers relentlessly pursued
Vick all afternoon long, Harrison admitted to 105.9 FM in Pittsburgh after the game that he did let up on
the Eagles quarterback on a few occasions.

"I was nervous," Harrison said. "I thought he might duck his head, and I might hit
him, and I can't take no fines."

After being fined nearly $200,000
over the past few seasons for devastating hits on opposing players, Harrison
seems to have finally learned his lesson.

"I was worried more about the
fine," Harrison added. "If at the last second he ducks his head,
ducks down and we make helmet-to-helmet contact, it's the fault of the
defender."

He may be learning to play a more
controlled style, much to his dismay, but Harrison didn't let that stop him and
his teammates from cutting down Vick. Even if it didn't mean any sacks for Harrison
personally, that didn't matter.

"You can't let him make plays
with his legs," Harrison said. "We had to keep him contained so he
couldn't get out of the pocket, and keep constant pressure on him. It wasn't
necessarily about sacks."

The sacks will come eventually, as
Harrison is still one of the most dangerous defensive players in the NFL. But
with more aggressive play will also come more chances to take offensive players'
heads off — something of a forte for Harrison — and that's when we'll see if
he's really a changed man.

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