Hard Hat Award (Game #9, vs. Clev.)
Stiller QB Ben Roethlisberger and LB James �Jamie� Harrison are the co-winners of the weekly Hard Hat Award, given to the Stiller player who best embodies the iron-tough, hard-as-steel attitude of the steel workers inside the blast furnace of a still mill.
Benji led the team to a come-from behind victory over the hated Brownies, twice putting the Stillers back in the lead in the 4Q with some extremely gritty, tough play. On a key 3d & 10, Ben faded back in the pocket, and upon seeing no one open, began to scramble up the gut. He soon spotted a nice open area and kept on chugging. There was a mass of bodies inside the 5-yard line, but Ben never slowed town, and literally barreled himself into the EZ for a 30-yard score. Then, on the next drive, Benji faced a 3d & 9 deep in Clev. territory, with the Stillers down by 4. The FG was not an option. Ben scrambled from pressure to his right , and then had some open room. Problem was, there were 2 Clev defenders bearing in toward the 1st down marker, meaning Ben could not slide for the 1st down. Throwing caution and timidity to the wind, Benji put his head down and plowed into the defenders, gaining 10 yards and the key 1D. Moments later, Ben coolly eluded the pass rush of Stiller nemesis Willie McGinest, and fired the winning TD to Heath Miller. This was Hard Hat football at its finest.
Jamie Harrison was no slouch, either. He took some punishment from Jamal Lewis early on, but rebounded by leading the defensive effort against the Brownies. He had 2 forced fumbles (FFs) of Jamal Lewis, one of which was recovered by the Stillers and led to a huge 3Q TD. On a day when most of the front 7 pawed and piddled, Harrison was hitting and playing with gusto. Harrison also impressed The Committee with a strong block take-on, blowing up the pulling guard and thus blowing up the running play on the 1st scrimmage play of the 3Q. Last, but certainly not least, Dirty Harry had 2 big stop on spec teams coverage in the 4Q on a day when the rest of the Stiller special teams couldn�t tackle a toddler at a preschool playground. He easily downed Cribbs with a crips tackle on the kickoff following the Miller TD catch. Then, with scant time remaining in the game, Cribbs took a low punt and a acre of room. He seemed to run for about 35 yards, before -- who else -- James Harrison dropped him with a crisp tackle at the Stiller 38. The gain was negated by a holding call, but nonetheless, Harrison spec teams work, although largely unnoticed by the local media and fan base, was greatly appreciated by The Committee. It is almost getting absurd, what with the number of times that Harrison has won the coveted Hard Hat this season, but the Hard Hat Committee ain�t about politics or feel-good, �fair share� bullshit. If a guy hits, and produces, then he earns consideration for The Award, and clearly Harrison has done that on a very consistent basis.
Kudos to Roethlisberger and Harrison for winning the Hard Hat Award. Wear the Hard Hat proudly, fellas!
Previous 2007 Hard Hat Awardees:
Game 1, @ Clev: Jamie Harrison and Danny Sepulveda
Game 2, vs. Buffalo: Jamie Harrison
Game 3, vs. San Fran: Willie Parker
Game 4, @ Arizona: Santonio Holmes
Game 5, vs. Seattle: Ben Roethlisberger, Najeh Davenport, and Aaron Smith
Game 6, @ Denver: Nobody
Game 7, @ Cinci: Jamie Harrison
Game 8, vs. Balt: Jamie Harrison