Bills’ Harris impresses, even next to fellow Trojans

By Anthony Bialy  |   Tuesday, June 02, 2009  |  Comments( 47 )

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It’s hard to stand out as a player at a football machine like the University of Southern California. Cary Harris knows: He was one of a dozen Trojans invited to the combine, which makes it easy to feel neglected. Getting noticed on such a dominant team is like trying to get attention as an “American Idol” contestant, only in this case the people in the lead are actually talented.

That’s partly why the college cornerback was only the 10th player selected from the school at this year’s draft. Still, it’s not a knock on Harris that nine teammates got picked before the Buffalo Bills took him. It’s true even though one of them, David Buehler of the Dallas Cowboys, is a kicker.

Unfortunately, Harris has been missing minicamp time with a hamstring issue. It has to be frustrating for the 183rd overall pick, who's trying to prove he’s worthy on his own merits. In college, he did so by being mean to those he tackled.

The Bills are banking that he’ll continue to compensate for relative slowness with pleasantly excessive viciousness. Harris carved a reputation while in University Park as a tough hitter who savored physical play; that’s despite not being physically imposing at 5-foot-11 and 187 pounds.

Harris would have to outplay many members of Buffalo’s sizable cornerback platoon to get snaps this year. He was good enough to be named an honorable mention by the Pac-10 each of the past two seasons, so he’ll have to keep playing up to his university credentials.

Would changing spots help? Harris is not exactly of the size where he can be used like a fourth linebacker in obvious running situations. But he might catch on as a safety thanks to his roughneck style, even though the Bills are currently still listing him as a cornerback.

He’d also be able to stay on the corner if the Bills plan on habitually employing a zone this season: As an undersized yet brutish defensive back, Harris could excel in playing tight, bump-based coverage at the line.

On top of that, he may have slid to the sixth round not thanks to his play but rather his well-being. He’s already underwent procedures on both ankles as well as his finger and shoulder; some may have been scared that he’s too fragile, although multiple operations could simply be a byproduct of forceful play.

His medical history frightened more teams than his middling total of four career college interceptions. As for the latter, Harris started for three seasons on an overwhelmingly elite team, so his instincts clearly outweigh his inability to generate turnovers.

Even though Buffalo is beyond capacity at his current position, Harris’ physical style is a tool he could use to at least earn a roster spot; he just needs to hit his way through practice. Unfortunately, his hamstring needs to cooperate. Coach Dick Jauron has said he expects Harris back this week, which is a promising development for a player who needs to get noticed virtually immediately.

Harris faces a tough path, and he hasn’t even started traveling along it. But he’ll get to make his impact starting soon; if he’s fully healed, he can make more literal impacts during full-contact training camp. A health promotion and disease prevention major, he doesn’t have to fall back on a career battling the next pseudo-swine flu epidemic just yet.
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CommentsComments: 47  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Alan		10:01 AM
06/02/2009
when i first saw harris i was hoping we were talking about nic harris today our Oklahome LB'er... this guy is a long shot to make...
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No.2
ddd		10:20 AM
06/02/2009
Quite a verbose piece today Bialy. Here's my summary: Harris comes from football factory USC where he played CB. He's too small...
No.3
Achilles		10:57 AM
06/02/2009
Bialy. Please write an article about me. It will be much more interesting, and the chances that I make the squad and ever...
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