PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The City of Las Vegas has embraced the Raiders, but the Steelers rookie tailback knows them as the Oakland Raiders. Referred to them as that way not as a slip up. Najee Harris grew up in the Bay Area. They will probably forever be the Oakland Raiders to him.
"Those games were rough," Harris said Friday. "Not the games, outside of the games were rough."
Anyone who's been to a game at the Oakland Coliseum seems to have stories about the atmosphere. I guess depending on who you rooted for slanted your opinion. Harris was about silver and black.
"I'm from California," Harris said. "I love those fans. They are my people. I see it as the Oakland Raiders because I'm a Bay Area boy."
Harris says he will have a lot of family in Pittsburgh Sunday, not just for his first home game. Because it's the Raiders.
"I'm excited to play against a team that I watched. Actually went to a couple of games. I'm excited."
2nd game improvements
Najee Harris rushed for five yards in his first college game. A night game at Florida State. As great as he was in college, there was an adjustment from high school. He has that again in his career.
"It's part of the sport," Harris said. "Nothing is going to be how you want it the first game. If you start anything, it's not going to be perfect the first time. All that matters if you are improving & keep getting better."
Harris said it just happened that he played every snap against Buffalo. He didn't realize he did. He does believe it helped him adjust quicker to the NFL game.
"The way holes are there and then not there anymore," Harris said. "Take what you can. Understanding the whole X's and O's of the game. What to expect on certain downs. Just getting a feeling for the game and slowing everything down."
Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada says everyone slowed down after the first half on Sunday. He believes it will be at a higher level against Las Vegas.
Harris rebounded from his first game at Alabama to rush for 70 yards on 13 carries in his second. He, and Steelers fans, excited to see what becomes of game two of his pro career.
