Jul 17, 2011 3 min read

If Steelers linebacker James Harrison thought he was unfairly targeted for questionable hits last season, he ain’t seen nothing yet.

After his no-holds-barred attack of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in the current edition of a magazine, Harrison might as well wear a target on his back instead of No. 92. The league might dispatch a flunky with a video camera to every Steelers game this season and have him trained on Harrision’s every move. On and off the field. Wouldn’t you?

Here’s to hoping Harrison spent his time locked out working on his tackling techniques. He will be watched more closely than any single player in the league.

Trouble is, Harrison’s verbal assault of Goodell wasn’t the most troubling part of his testosterone-laced little tirade. Nor were his childish attempts to rip his teammates.

Actually, aside for his unprovoked rip job on the commissioner, most of what he said was dead-on true.

Yes, Rashard Mendenhall is a fumbling machine and, yes, Ben Roethlisberger believes he is Peyton Manning’s equal in more than pay stubs. Yes, too, Roethlisberger makes ill-advised throws and did so at least twice in the Super Bowl loss to Green Bay.

And, really, the stuff about Goodell? Were you really surprised to hear what Harrison thinks of the man who took $100,000 from him last year? Not to blame the reporter, but why ask Harrison what he thinks of Goodell when the answer is obvious and predictable?

The part that should earn him a return trip to Goodell’s office (once labor peace is restored, of course) is what he intimated about New England’s AFC championship game win over the Steelers during the Spygate episode.

What Harrison said, that the Patriots had videotaped the Steelers defensive signals during a regular-season Pittsburgh win and that the Patriots were fined half a million for doing so, is true.

What he implied, however, crossed the line. He made it sound as though Goodell was aware of the infraction when, maybe even before, it happened. Those kinds of comments make the league’s lawyers and security people take notice.

Even the inkling of a thought that the game, any NFL game, was fixed is something the league cannot live with and cannot sweep under some imaginary carpet.

No, that’s the kind of stuff that earns you a one-on-one with the commissioner, which likely would follow a similar meeting with Steelers president Art Rooney II.

Harrison’s response to all of the news coverage the article generated was rather typical and expected, too. It was labeled as an apology, but the only group he apologized to was the gay community. I’m guessing the response was his agent’s idea, but the agent should have counseled Harrison a little bit better.

The response should have addressed his comments regarding the New England game. Harrison basically attacked the integrity of the game, whether he intended to do so or not. The perception is there and it needed to be addressed.

Now, it’s kind of hanging out there and it’s up to Rooney and Goodell to address it with Harrison.

Sports editor Mike Ciarochi may be reached at mciarochi@heraldstandard.com