In a struggling economy where finding the best deal has become a daily obsession, the Steelers have uncovered a blue-light special with double coupons.

His name is James Harrison, and he's the best value in the NFL.

In two years as a starter at right outside linebacker, Harrison has already been selected to two Pro Bowls, was named to the All-Pro first team and selected as the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year after setting a club record for sacks on the NFL's No. 1 defense.

And he's doing it while playing on a four-year, $5.5 million contract he signed in 2006 when he was a backup to Joey Porter, a deal that will pay him $1.2 million this season and $1.4 million in 2009. Modest, if not cheap, numbers for one of the dominating defensive players in the league.

Especially when two other linebackers in the AFC championship game -- Baltimore's Terrell Suggs ($8 million) and Ray Lewis ($7.8 million) -- will make more than six times the amount Harrison will be paid this season.

"Ain't that a shame?" inside linebacker Larry Foote said when told of the disparity. "But [the money] will be there."

Harrison has one year left on his contract, and extending his deal will be a priority in the offseason. Sunday, he will be a top priority for the Ravens, too, but for another reason:

They haven't found a way to stop him in two years.

"He plays well against everyone, but he's had some huge games against Baltimore," defensive end Brett Keisel said.

In the past two home games against the Ravens, Harrison has 6 sacks, 17 tackles, 4 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery and 1 interception.

Ravens left tackle Jared Gaither gets to rediscover what he and the rest of the NFL already know: Blocking Harrison is like trying to block the tropical sun with SPF 15 lotion.

"I think it's because they cut him," Foote said. "They didn't give him a shot. But that's probably why he's so crazy and hard on people around here. We cut him three or four times. He's mad at the world."

The Ravens likely aren't laughing. They signed Harrison in 2002, allocated him to the Rhein Fire in NFL Europe, then cut him six months later without giving him a look in training camp.

The Steelers were more fortunate. After cutting him three times, they re-signed Harrison in July 2004 when Clark Haggans broke his hand lifting weights before training camp. Harrison never left, and the return on the Steelers' investment has been incalculable.

"I don't really think that has anything to do with it," said inside linebacker James Farrior. "I know that would make for a good story -- he got cut by them and now he's trying to pay them back -- but I don't even think that enters his mind. He was only there a couple weeks. Maybe it's just the circumstances that it's just been happening that way."

Whatever the circumstance, Harrison turned in one of the greatest defensive performances in Steelers history last year against the Ravens at Heinz Field. He had 3Â 1/2 sacks, 9 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery and 1 interception in a lopsided 35-7 victory.

This year, in a 23-20 overtime victory Sept. 29 at home, Harrison had 2 1/2 sacks, eight tackles and forced a fumble against the Ravens. Sunday, the stage, the stakes, are even bigger.

Revenge?

"Nah," Harrison said. "I try to do that every time, every game."