By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com
Linebacker James Harrison has continued to wreak havoc on opposing offenses so far this season, picking up right where he left off last year when he won the NFL's defensive player of the year.
Harrison's efforts early on this year have earned him AFC defensive player of the month honors for October.
In four games in October Harrison has seven sacks, 25 tackles, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Harrison opened the month by sacking San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers twice, while adding three quarterback pressures. Harrison sacked Rivers in the fourth quarter, forcing a fumble which James Farrior recovered.
His flurry of sacks continued against Detroit, taking down Lions quarterback Dante Culpepper three times. Harrison forced Culpepper to fumble early on, but the Steelers didn't come up with the recovery.
Harrison also was a thorn in the side of Vikings quarterback Brett Favre with two sacks and three quarterback hurries, while adding seven tackles.
This is Harrison's second player of the month award, winning it previously in November of 2007.
