Gameday: The Genius of James Harrison; Steelers Caddy, plus live chat tonight
Among the things to keep an eye on in tonight's Steelers-Colts game, as laid out by CBS Sports' Chris Adamski, include the continued development of Chris Carter -- the potential week one starter at right outside linebacker for the Steelers if James Harrison's knee and Jason Worilds' wrist are not healed.
On Friday, Carter gushed about what he's learned from watching Harrison:
"I really look at is the way he drops. The way he plays, the way he reads the defenses – you’ve got to make a lot of adjustments that don’t have to do with calls from the DB’s sometimes – its not all in the playbook, those adjusments. You’ve just got to figure it all out on the run. ... He’s a master at it. At lot of times we have things set up in the playbook a certain way but James is such a consummate pro he just knows how to adjust and do things on the fly because he knows – maybe its not in the playbook – but its best for the situation right now, best for the defense. He makes responsible decisions and very unselfish decisions."
"Coming in you think he’s just a physical freak but man, the more I get to watch him, this dude is a genius. He knows a lot about the game. He knows a lot about coverages, he knows a lot about offenses, and his technique is probably one of the best I’ve seen of any outside backer I’ve watched in the league – I’m very blessed to be in a position where, I’m in house with the guy, so I get to watch him every day, I get to talk to him everyday. If I’ve got any questions, he’s there to answer them for me right away. He’s a very unselfish player and he’s willing to help me out at anytime."
Most famously, Harrison's ability to adjust and think on the fly was responsible for one of the single greatest plays in Super Bowl history:
If you're going to the game tonight, be on the lookout for this ridiculous and conspicuous "Terrible" ride:
That would be 'Steelers Caddy' -- an expertly pimped out 1973 Cadillac El Dorado that will follow the Steelers this season; its said to be driven by a Mr. Gorilla McBeam, some distant, furry relative of much-maligned mascot Steely.
It has already been sighted around Pittsburgh twice this weekend by friends of the show Matt Logue in Mt. Washington and Mark Herleman in Fox Chapel:
Finally, if you're at home watching, join the Post-Gazette's live game chat starting at 7:45 p.m. -- all form of Steelers, football, and game discussion welcome, moderated by yours truly.
But, if any wiseguys post spoilers from tonight's Breaking Bad, you'll be banished forever.