Scary good

Sporting News, The, Dec 13, 1999 by Paul Attner

"I couldn't handle the eating ritual," says McCoy. "I had to change roommates."

Until this season, Harrison has been what television commentators love to describe as one of the NFL's best-kept secrets. He was the 19th pick in the 1996 draft, taken after three other receivers mainly because scouts wished he was 6-2 and 210. But he quickly became a rare bright spot the past three seasons on an otherwise mediocre team. He led the Colts in catches (64 and 73) his first two years and was pushing Marshall Faulk for No. 1 in 1998 before missing the final four games with a separated shoulder. Still, his 196 receptions entering this season compare favorably with those players taken ahead of him: Keyshawn Johnson (216), Terry Glenn (167) and Eddie Kennison (96).

"It's been a long time coming for Marvin," says Chiefs cornerback Carlton Gray, a former Colts teammate. "He's always been a good receiver. He's always been fast He's always been great at running routes. He just never got the ball (more)."

Harrison has suffered silently--don't expect him to raise a ruckus about anything--regarding his lack of recognition. He feels he was underappreciated at Syracuse, too. "I always felt I have been in the shadows, both in college and the pros," he says. "I have finally proved that I shouldn't have been drafted so low in the first round. Now I have the chance to be the best. I have all the ammunition I need as a receiver, starting with the quarterback. I just never could understand why my name wasn't mentioned with the best (NFL) receivers."

But that has changed. He meshes wonderfully with Manning and James, providing the receiving stability--and big-play speed--that gives the Colts as fine an offensive balance as any team m the league. Opponents who choose to double-team Harrison--that happens routinely now, for the first time in his career--leave themselves vulnerable to the running of James. And Manning's intelligent calling of audibles and dissecting of defenses keeps everything in sync. With these three stars improving noticeably as the season progresses, it is an offense that could be especially formidable in the playoffs.

The results already have been stunning. Harrison is a legitimate 4.3 sprinter capable of game-day breakaway bursts. "I live for the big plays; that is what turns me on," he says. But his improved ability to read coverages has made him a more complete receiver; now he leads the league in yards (1,239, 103.3 a game) and is second in receptions (82). Both numbers already are career marks, and he'll likely break all of the Colts' single-season major receiving records, including some still held by Hall of Famer Raymond Berry.

He has caught an NFL-high (for receivers) 12 touchdown passes, including stunners of 57, 56 and 42 yards, plus a 40-yard burst against Deion Sanders, the first scoring pass surrendered by the cornerback in five years as a Cowboy. He had 13 receptions (for 196 yards) against the Chargers, tying a club record for catches that previously had belonged to running backs (Lydell Mitchell, Joe Washington). His lO0-yard-plus efforts in the opening three games brought about the double-teaming; his consistency and speed have helped make Manning's play-action fakes perhaps the most dangerous move in the NFL.