JUST THRILLS

Four reasons why Marvin Harrison is the least-hyped superstar in pro sports:

* He never whines about getting the damn ball. Ever.

* He plays in a city that for all practical purposes lies in the middle of a cornfield.

* He would no sooner sneak a Sharpie into his sock to sign a football after a touchdown than walk naked through downtown Indianapolis. In a blizzard.

* He never takes off plays during a game because he doesn’t feel like running hard. Are you insane? He doesn’t even take a play off in practice.

The Indianapolis Colt wide receiver is the most underappreciated player in sports because he doesn’t complain like Keyshawn Johnson. Because he doesn’t showboat like Terrell Owens. Because he doesn’t dog it like Randy Moss -- on or off the field. And because playing football in Indianapolis is about as attractive to Madison Avenue executives as driving a cab. Even Wayne Chrebet has a higher profile, and the only way he goes to the Pro Bowl is with a ticket. Harrison on Thursday earned his fourth consecutive selection as a Pro Bowl starter.

Pop quiz: What’s Harrison’s uniform number? 19? 81? 84? Try 88.

Of course, none of this seems to bother the 30-year-old Harrison. He prefers a life of relative obscurity to one of shameless self-promotion.

“It’s better if I’m a secret,” he said. “I like that.”

Pssst. Harrison is one of the greatest receivers in NFL history, in case you hadn’t noticed.

“He just flies under the radar,” said New York Giant Coach Jim Fassel, whose playoff hopes might hinge on whether the Giants can stop Harrison today in Indianapolis. “He may be one of the most underrated players in the National Football League.”

No, Jim. He is the most underrated player in the NFL. Outside the cornfield, anyway.

“Around here, he’s certainly very appreciated,” said Colt quarterback Peyton Manning, whose presence is another factor in Harrison’s low profile. “In my opinion, he’s the MVP of the league this year. I think he needs to start getting some of that talk. I wouldn’t trade him for anybody else in the world. He’s the best receiver in the league.”

The numbers don’t lie. Harrison not only has broken the NFL’s single-season receptions mark this season -- he’s at 127 and counting, having surpassed Herman Moore’s record of 123 -- but he has more catches in the last four years (453) than any other receiver. Harrison also became the first receiver in league history with four consecutive 100-catch seasons.

“He does it all,” said Giant cornerback Will Allen, who will match up against Harrison for much of today’s game. “Over the middle, deep balls, whatever. He’s a tremendous talent.”

Harrison came into the NFL in 1996, the same year Johnson, former New England receiver Terry Glenn and Buffalo’s Eric Moulds were drafted. Harrison has surpassed them all, reaching 600 receptions faster than any other player in NFL history. Yes, faster than Jerry Rice.

But Harrison doesn’t really look the part. At 6 feet and a gazelle-like 175 pounds, he appears almost frail.

But his speed is exceptional (4.3 in the 40-yard dash), his toughness is unquestioned (he has missed only four games in his career) and his velvet-soft hands are a perfect match for Manning’s bullet passes.

And then there is his mind.

“I have really good recall of plays I have run in the past, and Marvin does, too,” Manning said. “We’ve had so many repetitions together and so many situations that chemistry is the word for that rapport with one another.”

Their relationship is so advanced that Manning often walks up to the line of scrimmage, surveys the defense and shouts out a verbal adjustment to Harrison.

“San Diego ‘99!” Manning once yelled, referring to a play the Colts ran against the Chargers in a 1999 game. Harrison immediately adjusted his route.

“Boom, he’ll know right what I’m talking about,” Manning said. “Usually, it’s a touchdown, and he remembers all his touchdowns. But the fact that he has that recall and we can use that as a weapon is an advantage for us.”

Harrison also has an uncanny ability to find open space regardless of the defensive alignment he’s facing.

“He finds the open areas,” Giant defensive coordinator Johnnie Lynn said. “If you’re playing zone coverage, he’s going to try to run through it and find a window. If you’re in man-to-man, he’s going to try and run away from you.”

The Giants rely mostly on man coverage, even within their zone defenses, so it’s likely Allen will see Harrison for much of today’s game.

But most teams haven’t had a clue against Harrison.

He is averaging nine catches despite facing double coverage on many, if not most, passing plays.

“I’m a guy who’s just going to go out there, week-in and week-out, and do my job,” Harrison said. “My teammates know what I can do, and the players I play against know what I can do. That’s pretty much all I can ask for.”

And not the damn ball.