Harrison seemed to let up on one play early in the second quarter. (US Presswire)

During an interview on Monday with 105.9 in Pittsburgh, Steelers linebacker James Harrison admitted he was wary of hitting Eagles quarterback Michael Vick.

“I was nervous," he said. "I thought [Vick] might duck his head, and I might hit him, and I can’t take no fines. I was worried more about the fine. … If at the last second he ducks his head, ducks down and we make helmet-to-helmet contact, it’s the fault of the defender.”

These words must warm Roger Goodell's heart.

Harrison, at the bottom, slows up before hitting Vick.

The play in question happened early in the second quarter of a scoreless game. Philly was facing first-and-10 from its 47-yard line, and Vick was looking for DeSean Jackson deep downfield. The play was broken up by cornerback Ike Taylor.

As for Harrison's overall performance, he's a tough grader.

"I would assess my play as C-minus," he said. "It's a lot that needs to be corrected. I need more endurance. I don't think I had any pop. But when it's all said and done, we came out with a win and that's what really matters."

Oh, and the Steelers won on a last-second field goal, 16-14.

Harrison started against the Eagles on Sunday in his first action of the season. He had been sidelined for most of the offseason, training camp and preseason with a bum knee, and after missing the team's first three games, he finally made his debut in Week 5.

Harrison admitted he's not close to his Defensive-Player-of-the-Year form, but that's to be expected. He played all 57 defensive snaps but registered just two tackles. Part of that had to do with conditioning and strength, but it also might be a function of the NFL's crackdown on protecting the quarterback, something that has landed Harrison in trouble in the past.

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