Harnish, Ozougwu not so irrelevant

NFL roster cut-down day turned out to be a great day for 2012 Mr. Irrelevant Chandler Harnish and Cheta Ozougwu, last year’s final draft pick who has the same moniker.

Harnish, Mr. Irrelevant XXXVII, the quarterback who was taken No. 253 by the Indianapolis Colts, made the team’s 53-man roster as the No. 3 QB. Harnish is behind starter Andrew Luck, taken No. 1 by the Colts, and five-year NFL vet Drew Stanton, the backup.

Harnish, out of Northern Illinois University, completed 27 of 47 passes for 406 yards with two touchdown passes and an interception during the preseason, as the Colts went 2-2.

He appeared to have locked up a spot after his performance in the Colts’ 20-16 win over Cincinnati Thursday at Lucas Oil Stadium. He led Indianapolis on three touchdown drives and orchestrated a comeback win. He threw for 162 yards and a touchdown on nine-for-16 passing.

“Once Chandler calms down, he’s been able to be productive and move this offense,” Colts first-year coach Chuck Pagano told reporters. “I think Chandler is right where he needs to be. There [were] some plays near the end [Thursday] that got a little bit sloppy but I feel good about Chandler.”

Ozougwu, Mr. Irrelevant XXXVI, originally selected with the final pick in 2011 draft by the Houston Texans, made the Chicago Bears’ 53-man roster. The 6-foot-2, 255-pound defensive end was waived by the Texans on Sept. 12, 2011 and later signed by the Bears on May 11.

Ozougwu had two sacks in the preseason, including one on Thursday when he took down Giants quarterback David Carr, the former No. 1 pick taken by the Texans in 2002.

— Steve Virgen