The Sports Monitor

James Harrison's game might have slipped, but his mouth sure hasn't. Harrison told reporters Monday that HBO's "Hard Knocks" shouldn't be at Bengals training camp. "I don't feel they deserve to be here. They did nothing to be here other than they want to be here. They didn't put no blood, sweat and tears into of this." Gotta hand it to Harrison, he still knows how to create a stir. It remains to be seen how much of a stir he can cause on the field. It also remains to be seen how he'll adapt to playing for the Bengals. He probably should worry more about that. But he sure is entertaining.

Steelers linebacker James Harrison is now former Steelers linebacker James Harrison. Harrison tweeted his goodbye to fans Saturday. I have plenty of memories of Steelers' Super Bowls, including Lynn Swann's catches, John Stallworth in Super Bowl XIV and Santonio Holmes' game-winner against the Cardinals. Harrison's interception return is probably my favorite. His slam of a Browns fan running on the field was a classic. Any hit of a Cleveland player ranks up there, too. Thanks for all the memories and living up to the Steelers' hard-hitting tradition at linebacker.

Who says baseball players aren't tough? Newly acquired Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett broke the orbital bone when a bunt bounced off his face. He'll miss up to three months. When Steelers linebacker James Harrison suffered the same injury, he missed four games. You decide.

The Cleveland Browns can't win on the field. They apparently don't know how to keep players healthy off the field. The Browns didn't conduct a concussion text on Colt McCoy after he was hit by Steelers linebacker James Harrison last Thursday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported. A few years ago a mysterious staph infection plagued the team. It was so bad, former player LeCharles Bentley sued the team in 2010. Maybe there's more to the losing than just the performance of the players. Just one more reason I'm glad I'm not a Browns fan.

We knew it a year ago when it happened, but ESPN confirmed it today: James Harrison's 100-yard interception return for a touchdown is the greatest play in Super Bowl history. I guess when ESPN says it, it must be true. Check out ESPN's page on the play, Inside a Moment in Time . It's a pretty cool page. There are quotes from players involved and a photo gallery of Harrison's game-changing play.

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of hearing about a Super Bowl hangover. And judging by the way the Steelers played Sunday against the Chargers, I think they are, too. The Steelers disposed of the Chargers 38-28 Sunday, putting them just a game behind the Bengals and Ravens in the AFC North Division. For 30 minutes, the Steelers played at a very high level. In fact, it would be hard to think they could play better than they did. So, it was natural for them to hit a lull against the Chargers. Compliment San Diego for not folding in the second half. A lesser team would have taken their medicine and made plans to their flight back home after trailing 28-0. The Chargers fought back. But the Steelers responded. Just like giving props to San Diego, give Pittsburgh credit for staying composed and icing the game at the end. A lesser team easily could have collapsed after all that went San Diego's way in the fourth quarter. Jeff Reed's game-clinching kick was nice, showing ...

Random thoughts after the Steelers' 23-20 loss to the Bengals on Sunday: The Steelers need to line up linebacker James Harrison back on the outside. I don't understand why they're moving Harrison away from his strength. I don't know about you, but I got tired of hearing the announcers talk about how close the Bengals are from being undefeated, referencing the fluke play against the Broncos. If they want to play that game, give me a fourth-down stop against the Bears or Bengals and the Steelers would be 2-1. Of course, the Steelers easily could be 0-3 heading into the Chargers game Sunday. If they beat the Chargers, and it won't be easy, the Steelers will get games against the Lions and Browns. In case you were wondering, the Vikings, Broncos and Bengals follow. Willie Parker looked good in the first half, but didn't find as much room in the second half. The last time Parker faced the Bengals, he rushed for only 37 yards. I know he's still young and has talen...

Thoughts from Week 1's 13-10 win over the Tennessee Titans: The Steelers running game was atrocious. I won't go into much detail, but Gene Collier sums it up nicely. Watching Rashard Mendenhall run, there seems to be a disturbing trend; he turns his back to the defense way too much. If Troy Polamalu is out the 3 to 6 weeks, it won't be a loss that derails any thoughts of a Super Bowl championship. Polamalu was a beast in the first half. It's a shame he didn't get to play a full game. He seemed poised for a monster year. Did you get to see America's Game on NFL Network? The Pittsburgh Steelers' season was featured the other night. It was worth watching. My favorite quote from Thursday's win came from James Harrison, talking to Sirius Radio about his thoughts after the Steelers won the coin toss to start overtime: "I took off my tape." Meaning he knew the game was over. Why did the Titans drop men into coverage late into the game? It gave B...