Harrison Believes Ravens' Guard May Have Targeted Him
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) — This season, Steelers linebacker James Harrison has been fined four times, totaling $125,000, for dangerous hits. Now, he thinks an offensive player may have tried to target him.
Harrison says he believes Baltimore Ravens guard Chris Chester may have deliberately went after him while being called for a false-start penalty during an extra-point attempt Sunday.
Earlier in the Ravens' touchdown drive, Harrison acknowledges that he ran over Chester, but the linebacker said it was a legal hit.
Chester came off the line of scrimmage and drove at Harrison, an unusual blocking technique because offensive linemen generally try to remain packed to avoid potential blocked kicks.
"It was uncalled for and cheap," Harrison said Thursday.
Harrison's teammate James Farrior witnessed the play in question. He said it was anything but clean.
Farrior said, "I think it was definitely planned and just one of the dirty things that they did in the game."
Harrison, a three-time Pro Bowl linebacker, said it was the perfect time to target him because such an infraction draws only a 5-yard penalty. He also believes Chester may have been trying to hurt him.
On Wednesday, Ravens safety Ed Reed accused Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward of a "cheap-shot" during the first play of Sunday's game.
Reed told the media that he wants offensive players held to the same standards as defensive players and fined for similar plays.
