James Harrison talks about reunion game vs Pittsburgh Steelers

Aug 17, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker James Harrison (92) on the sidelines in the third quarter of a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

For the first time in his NFL career, Cincinnati Bengals linebacker James Harrison will see the Pittsburgh Steelers on the opposing sideline after spending the first nine years in the Steel City. The 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year signed a six-year, $51.174 million contract in 2009, and with two years remaining on that deal, the Steelers felt it was time to cut him.

"“I knew when we first started talking and negotiating that things didn’t look like I was going to end up there,” Harrison said Thursday during a conference call with Pittsburgh reporters. “We couldn’t come to an agreement that was comfortable to them or comfortable to me so we parted ways.”"

Harrison is still adjusting to playing in a 4-3 defense after thriving in the Steelers’ 3-4 scheme under Dick LeBeau. He notched only a single tackle during last week’s collapse vs the Chicago Bears, and he’ll be looking to make a significant impact on his former team to help his current team avoid an 0-2 start.

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