New York ? Kent State once sent a linebacker to the Pittsburgh Steelers who epitomized everything the Steel Curtain was about.

That was Jack Lambert.

The current version of the hard-hitting, versatile and dynamic former Kent Stater in Steel City is James Harrison, The Associated Press 2008 Defensive Player of the Year.

The linebacker, who had a career-high 16 sacks to set a team record and led the NFL with a career-high seven forced fumbles, beat Dallas’ DeMarcus Ware in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters announced Monday.

Pittsburgh was the league’s stingiest team in total defense, pass defense and points allowed this season.

Harrison was the team’s main hammer.

“That’s something that everybody in the league would love to have, to be voted the top player in the league for that year,” Harrison said. “In my mind, I think I do — and it’s going to sound boring — what the defense allows me to do and what my teammates allow me to do.”

Harrison earned 22 votes to 13 for Ware.

Baltimore safety Ed Reed, the 2004 winner, got eight votes. Tennessee defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth had five and Harrison’s teammate, safety Troy Polamalu, got two.

Harrison credited defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau’s schemes with allowing him, an undrafted free agent who was cut several times by Pittsburgh and once by Baltimore, to eventually become a star.

“The defense is built to play with 11 guys, and if all 11 guys are on the same page, playing the same defense on the same play, there’s nothing that can go wrong and that’s just how we feel about it,” Harrison said.

“We’ve got good players on this team, and every team has good players, but he seems to be — this year and last year — making the plays that made the difference in the game,” fellow linebacker James Farrior said.

Harrison is the fifth Steelers player to win the award, including three Hall of Famers from the original Steel Curtain: Joe Greene (1974), Mel Blount (1975) and Lambert (1976). In 1993, Rod Woodson was AP Defensive Player of the Year, and he’s eligible for the Hall for the first time this year.

The Steelers didn’t allow a 100-yard rusher or 300-yard passer in 2008.

Pro Football

Chiefs talking with Pioli

Kansas City, Mo. — Scott Pioli, who helped build the New England Patriots’ dynasty, may have a second suitor among teams looking for general managers.

Pioli, 43, was scheduled to meet with Kansas City Chiefs owner and board chairman Clark Hunt, possibly Monday, persons with knowledge of the meeting told The Associated Press. They requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak for Pioli.

Pioli is close to Patriots coach Bill Belichick and has been with the Patriots for nine years. He’s also been courted by the Cleveland Browns for their GM vacancy and met with Browns owner Randy Lerner last week in New York.

Patriots to franchise Cassel

Foxborough, Mass. — The New England Patriots plan to put the franchise tag on quarterback Matt Cassel, according to a published report.

Cassel’s future hinges heavily on Tom Brady’s recovery from a season-ending knee injury in the first game this season.

Franchising Cassel would keep him from becoming an unrestricted free agent and give the Patriots an option if they feel Brady might not be ready for the start of the 2009 season. Cassel completed 327 passes for 516 yards with 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. His 3,693 yards passing were fourth-most in the AFC, and his 63.4 completion percentage was third-best in Patriots history.

Packers fire 6 coaches

Green Bay, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers have cleaned house, releasing defensive coordinator Bob Sanders and five other assistant coaches.

Also let go Monday were: defensive ends coach Carl Hairston, defensive tackles coach Robert Nunn, secondary coach Kurt Schottenheimer, nickel package/cornerbacks coach Lionel Washington and strength and conditioning coordinator Rock Gullickson.

Linebackers coach Winston Moss is the only major defensive coach to keep his job.

Boldin has sore hamstring

Tempe, Ariz. — Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin has a strained left hamstring and his status is uncertain for Saturday night’s NFC divisional playoff game at Carolina.

Boldin was injured on a 71-yard TD pass from Kurt Warner in the second quarter of Arizona’s 30-24 wild-card playoff victory over the Atlanta Falcons last Saturday. He returned to play one more series, then limped off the field for good.

Pro Baseball

Burrell agrees with Rays

St. Petersburg, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays added a big bat for the middle of their batting order, agreeing to a $16 million, two-year contract with Pat Burrell.

The 32-year-old spent the past nine seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, who defeated the Rays in the World Series two months ago.

Bradley to join Cubs

Chicago — The Chicago Cubs and free agent Milton Bradley reached a preliminary agreement Monday on a $30 million, three-year contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

The deal is subject to a physical scheduled for Thursday, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized.

Adding Bradley was one of the top priorities this offseason for the Cubs.

A switch-hitter Bradley, batted .321 with 22 homers for Texas while leading the American League with a .436 on-base percentage.

Pro Basketball

Walton sidelined

El Segundo, Calif. — Los Angeles Lakers forward Luke Walton will be sidelined for at least two weeks by a foot injury.

College Basketball

Pitt moves to No. 1

Pittsburgh made it to the top of The Associated Press’ college basketball poll for the first time and it wasn’t even close.

The Panthers (14-0) took advantage of losses by season-long unanimous No. 1 North Carolina and No. 2 Connecticut to make the jump from third to first Monday, receiving all but two of the first-place votes from the national media panel.

Pitt had been ranked second nine times since 1987-88 but had never reached No. 1 until this week.

Duke (12-1) jumped from fifth to second to start a run of three straight teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference. North Carolina (13-1), which lost 85-78 at home to Boston College on Sunday, was third and Wake Forest (13-0) fourth.

UConn still on top of poll

Connecticut remained the unanimous No. 1 choice for the sixth straight week and North Carolina was second in The Associated Press women’s poll Monday. But the Big 12 controls the rest of the top 10. Texas A&M is third, Oklahoma fourth, Baylor sixth and Texas eighth.

“This is an amazing league where every game is a challenge,” Oklahoma coach Sherri Coale said.

This marked the sixth straight week that the Big 12 put four teams in the top 10.