For the last two years, the offensive combination of Manning-to-Harrison has been lethal to defensive backfields. That is one of the main reasons why the Indianapolis Colts are in the driver's seat this season in the AFC East race with a 10-2 record.

	Marvin Harrison leads the AFC in receiving yards and TD receptions.

Marvin Harrison, a recent guest of Gary Miller on ESPN's Up Close, says he clicked with quarterback Peyton Manning right from the beginning.

"When he first got there, we would call plays and right off the bat we would just hit plays, play after play and play after play and we never looked back," Harrison says.

Harrison also discussed his thoughts on who should be the NFL's MVP this season. An edited transcript of Harrison's comments follows.

Miller: How did you have such an explosive start to this year?

Harrison: Well last year, when I got hurt, Peyton (Manning) was coming into his own. He was playing his best ball that he had played all season long, and I got hurt. So when, in April, the off-season came around I said, "Peyton, I can't wait to get back out there." I was excited about just getting back out there playing. We roomed next to each other during training camp and we just talked every day about the first game of the season and the rest of the season. I think that once the season got started, I just had a lot built up in me and just said, "We have got to go out there flying and not look back on anything," and it's been fun so far.

Miller: You guys are non-stop, aren't you? If there is a pause in the action, you guys sit there and start scheming, don't you?

Harrison: Yeah, we never relax, that's the thing about it. We are always talking about football, always talking about what we can do better, and what we can improve on. I think that's the key to our success right now, we are just always looking to get better and the work ethic that we bring to this team, and the team as a whole is just tremendous.

Miller: What was it like when you and Peyton first met at the mini-camp last year?

Harrison: He got in the huddle and he barked, "Huddle Up!" I was like, okay, this guy, he's serious. He came and took control of the huddle and control of our offense from the very start and he never looked back. He just had that intensity with him that he wants to be a winner. He is a winner, he's a good quarterback, he wants to be great. So I think he had all the intangibles of helping this team get to where he wants to be.

Miller: So nobody said, "Who is this rookie acting like he owns the place"?

Harrison: No, we all wanted to win. I think the attitude was that we wanted to come out here and win football games and he is the type of guy that is going to get us where we need to be in the long run.

Miller: What is it about the chemistry between you two, is there something extra-special about the combination of you two?

Harrison: I would think so. When he first got there, we would call plays and right off the bat we would just hit plays, play after play and play after play and we never looked back. I think it was fun to him, it was fun to me and the offensive coordinator Tom Moore. He likes to throw the ball deep and with the three of us together we just were all on the same mark, on the same page, we just never look back for it, and it just all turned to be fun.

Miller: As a team, you were very emotional after the win against the Dolphins. But Jim Mora really keeps his composure no matter what, doesn't he?

Harrison: He tries. He's just a great guy. A guy like him, if you give him 100 percent on the field he'll give you 100 percent right back. So I think that coach relationship, that's what you need from a guy who is going to be behind you 100 percent.

Miller: Does he have a sense of humor?

Harrison: Oh yeah, definitely he'll crack a few, but he is usually serious. But he'll squeak one in there once in awhile.

Miller: Let's show his serious side. (Shows a clip of Sunday's game) Jason Belser jumps on his back after the win vs. Miami&.

Harrison: (laughing) I don't think he liked that too much.

Miller: Now would you say for Jason, that was ill-advised?

Harrison: Yeah, I would think so. Coach, you know, he is an excited guy, but tackling him and throwing Gatorade on him, I don't think he's one for that. I'll be sure not to do anything of that nature.

Miller: What was he like in the locker room after that win?

Harrison: He was calm. That's one thing about coach, he knew it was a big win, but he didn't want to get overjoyed about it and get stuck on just this big win. He was calm and said we did a great job. We still can improve, but he said, "Enjoy it, it was fun, but we still have a lot more games to play. Just keep your composure." Which is good.

Miller: What did you think when Marshall Faulk, the centerpiece of this team, was traded. What was your initial reaction?

Harrison: I was surprised. I got off the plane in Philadelphia (Harrison's hometown), and someone said, Marshall Faulk got traded. I said, "No he didn't." Then when I found out, I was just surprised, but who am I to question what goes on. So I said, "Okay, you know, we must be doing it for the best." And then when we drafted Edgerrin (James) on that Saturday, I was like, "We must have something really big planned for this team here, to get rid of Marshall and bring in Edgerrin." Edgerrin has looked nothing but great since he has been here with us this year.

Miller: I think even Edgerrin would be a little surprised at the kind of numbers that he has been able to put up.

Harrison: Edgerrin, he is having fun right now, I think that's the key to everything, is just to have fun and the type of person that Edgerrin is, you can never picture it. He hardly ever says anything, he never complains about blocking, whatever it is. He just goes out and does whatever he has to do, just to get the ball down field, and that is just a tribute to Edgerrin.

Miller: If the Colts end up atop the AFC, obviously they're going to have a stronger case for whoever is going to be the MVP. Who would you say is the MVP right now in the NFL?

Harrison: I think it would have to be either Peyton or Edgerrin, because Edgerrin has brought a lot to this team and Peyton, what he has done for our team and our community and just as a whole and only in his second year. I mean, he has done a lot but maybe I am being a little biased because I have been around him and see the type of work ethic that he has. But he is a great quarterback and he is only going to get better.

Miller: Are you aware that the NFL has never had a receiver who has been MVP?

Harrison: No I didn't know that. I would think that down the line someone might have been but I guess they haven't.

Miller: Are you surprised that Jerry Rice hasn't won the MVP?

Harrison: Yeah, that is what I was thinking, ya know, has he been the MVP before? But I guess he hasn't.