Harrison becoming workhorse

CLEVELAND - The second question to ask Browns running back Jerome Harrison is how does his small body stand the pounding administered by NFL defenses?

The first question to ask is: "What took you so long?"

Harrison, now in his fourth season, hadn't done enough in his first three seasons to be selected in many fantasy league drafts. Through the first 13 games of this season he was largely ignored by coach Eric Mangini.

In the last two weeks, however, Harrison has rushed for a combined 434 yards and has scored four touchdowns. In the time span of one week, he's gone from being relatively unknown to a household name.

"I just line up and practice hard every week," said Harrison, who rushed for 148 yards in a 23-9 win over the Oakland Raiders. "If my number is called, I try to make the best of it. I try to put myself in a situation during the week where whatever happens, happens."

As Harrison was leaving the locker room for the media room, a voice could be heard yelling, "Harrison!" For the second straight week, Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown wanted to congratulate Harrison on his performance.

"He just said, 'I'm proud of you,' " Harrison said. "He talked to me a lot. I'm just going to say that he's proud of me. The rest of it we will keep between us.

"It's a blessing to have a guy like Jim Brown. Most guys who play running back in the NFL never have a chance to get close to guys like Barry Sanders and guys like that to tutor them. I've got one of the greatest, and I appreciate it and don't take it for granted."

Harrison is making a strong statement to be the featured back next season. There have always been doubts about his ability to stand up to the pounding at 5-9 and 205 pounds.

He set the team record for carries in a game with 39 against the Raiders. He broke the previous record of 38 attempts set by Lee Suggs in 2004.

"I've been small all my life," he said. "Not one day did I want to be six foot or 5-foot-11 and 220 or 230 pounds. God made me this way. 'He's too small.' I've heard that all my life, and I've been scoring touchdowns my whole life. So their opinions and thoughts don't define me. Just put in the tape and watch me. Then you can make your opinion."

GATORADE BATH: Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was showered with Gatorade after the game. Players knew how important the game was to Ryan, who was let go by the Raiders after last season.

"It meant a lot because he was there for a while," cornerback Eric Wright said. "It's always satisfying to beat your old team, no matter how it went down."

The only time anyone can remember a Browns coach being given a Gatorade bath was when interim coach Terry Robiskie led the Browns to a win over the Houston Texans in the 2004 season finale.

WHAT A LEG: Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski kicked a 61-yard field goal on the final play of the second quarter, making it the fourth longest field goal in NFL history. The record of 63 yards is shared by Tom Dempsey of the Saints and Jason Elam of the Broncos.

Janikowski was fortunate that there was virtually no wind blowing. He kicked the ball low, and it bounced off the padding on the stanchion and bounced back into play.

SACK ATTACK: The Browns defense has suddenly discovered its pass rush. The defense had eight sacks in a win over the Steelers. They added four more Sunday to increase their season total to 37.

GOOD SHOWING: Linebacker Matt Roth continues to make his presence felt. Roth, who was acquired off waivers recently, registered 1.5 sacks. He's had at least half a sack in four of the five games he's played in as a Brown.

INJURY REPORT: Tight end Michael Gaines suffered a shoulder injury in the first quarter. Receiver Brian Robiskie left in the second quarter with an ankle injury. Fullback Lawrence Vickers left in the first half with a hip injury, but he was able to return in the second half. Defensive end Kenyon Coleman was helped off the field with what appeared to be an injury to his right ankle.

SAFETY VALVE: Mike Furrey started at safety in place of Mike Adams, who started in place of Brandon McDonald at cornerback. Furrey, whose normal position is receiver, was forced to play offense after Robiskie was hurt.

INACTIVES: Out for the Browns were defensive backs Coye Francies and Gerard Lawson; linebacker David Veikune; defensive lineman Derreck Robinson; offensive lineman John St. Clair; tight end Greg Estandia; receiver Jake Allen and linebacker Arnold Harrison.

mmclain@tribtoday.com