Cincinnati Bengals
Harrison Steels away to Who Dey welcome 

It's hard to tell who is more excited about the two-year deal the Bengals reached Friday with James Harrison. 

Head coach Marvin Lewis or his locker room. 

Both have watched Harrison define the Steelers defensive dominance over the AFC North while pushing the Bengals around during the past decade. Now in one of those moves you just never thought would happen and still seems a little surreal, he's expected to bring his 64 career sacks and winning intimidation to Cincinnati's sixth-ranked defense as the starting SAM backer.

"I think it's an awesome signing," defensive tackle Domata Peko said in a text. "You know we have a great defense here already, so to add a person like that to our defense is awesome. He brings a lot of toughness, experience and swagger. We just got better as a team today." 

Left tackle Andrew Whitworth, who has gone head-to-head against Harrison twice a year for the past four seasons, thinks it's as big an addition in the locker room as it is on the field. 

"It's always exciting to add a guy that has been a great leader and great player in this league," Whitworth said. "He's a guy that plays the game with intensity it takes to win and has done it all." 

It certainly doesn't qualify as your typical Bengals signing. Not with Harrison turning 35 in 15 days and a high-profile player in their division, two traits the Bengals usually stay away from. 

But Lewis is convinced the Bengals have upgraded immensely at SAM and gives defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer another pressure option in a league that continues to rely more and more on the pass. As Pro Bowl defensive tackle Geno Atkins said earlier this week, "You can never have enough pass rushers." 

"You can't let the offense dictate to you. You need to keep getting the edge for the defense and James helps us do that" Lewis said. "He's been a productive player for so long and he brings so much to the table for us." 

Harrison also adds another deep layer to the emotional cauldron that is the Bengals-Steelers rivalry. Feeling snubbed when the Steelers asked him to take a 30 percent pay cut last month instead of approaching other aging defenders, Harrison took his 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year trophy and went looking for a job. 

Harrison's tweet hit just the right note. 

"Whodey!!!!!!!!!!! Hello Cincinnati!!!!” 

When he got cut, Harrison reached out to Lewis but the deal took some time to take shape as the Bengals focused on re-signing their own… 

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