Harrison named NFL D.P of the Year
Posted: Mon Jan 5, 2009 10:42 pm
http://news.steelers.com/article/101627/
Linebacker James Harrison capped off an impressive 2008 season when he was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press on Monday.
“It’s a tremendous honor,” said Harrison. I feel good. I don’t know if I have the words to express it, I am not going to show you the emotions, but it feels good.”
Harrison, who was voted MVP by his teammates for a second straight year, set a Steelers single-season record with 16 sacks this year, bypassing the old record set by linebacker Mike Merriweather in 1984.
“When I saw him up close, I knew it would be broken this year,” said Merriweather. “I knew the pace he was going he would do it. Having the chance to watch him personally at a Steelers game I knew this was going to be the year, despite all of the great linebackers who have come through there – guys like Kevin Greene, Greg Lloyd and Chad Brown.”
Harrison was voted a Pro Bowl starter for the second consecutive year while recording a career-high 100 tackles and 68 solo stops. Harrison was a menace to opponents all season, leading the NFL with seven forced fumbles.
Linebacker James Harrison capped off an impressive 2008 season when he was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press on Monday.
“It’s a tremendous honor,” said Harrison. I feel good. I don’t know if I have the words to express it, I am not going to show you the emotions, but it feels good.”
Harrison, who was voted MVP by his teammates for a second straight year, set a Steelers single-season record with 16 sacks this year, bypassing the old record set by linebacker Mike Merriweather in 1984.
“When I saw him up close, I knew it would be broken this year,” said Merriweather. “I knew the pace he was going he would do it. Having the chance to watch him personally at a Steelers game I knew this was going to be the year, despite all of the great linebackers who have come through there – guys like Kevin Greene, Greg Lloyd and Chad Brown.”
Harrison was voted a Pro Bowl starter for the second consecutive year while recording a career-high 100 tackles and 68 solo stops. Harrison was a menace to opponents all season, leading the NFL with seven forced fumbles.