ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Eyebrows raised on Wednesday afternoon at the UC Health Training Center as Chris Harris Jr. spoke on the podium.
Just six days after he waxed poetic about Vic Fangio, calling him one of the best coaches he’s ever had, Harris gave off a very cold vibe when asked if he likes the way he’s being used in this defense.
“Yeah, it’s okay, yeah,” he said, sounding uninspired. “Same way I’ve been used the past eight years.”
When a reporter followed up asking how he felt he could be used better, he didn’t flinch much.
“It’s the same way I’ve always been used,” he said. “It’s the same thing.”
In the past, Harris hasn’t been afraid to share his critiques about the way he was being used, sharing that wanted to be used more as a number one corner that shadowed the opposing team’s top receiver, as well as wishing the team would mix up their coverages and play more zone.
When the team hired Fangio, the feeling was that Harris would be in love with how he does things, based on the fact that the Fangio defense is predicated on mixing things up. Up to this point, that’s been the message that Harris has conveyed.
But even when reminded by a reporter that he’s been vocal about wanting to be used differently in the past, Harris responded with, “Yeah.”
“So, are you not wild about this?” He was asked.
“I mean, I’m just doing the same thing I’ve done in the past,” he explained. “Maybe he might blitz me a little bit more. It’s not too much change, really, except that I might play a little zone, might be able to fall off a little bit, but other than that, I’m doing pretty much the same thing that I’ve always done.”
“Are you okay with that?” The reporter followed up.
“Yeah, I’m okay,” he said.
The entire exchange came as a bit of a surprise to all of the media in attendance because it came in such contrast with everything else we’ve heard to this point. Many walked away with the feeling that there was trouble in paradise.
In an effort to find out what was causing the disappointment, BSN Denver spoke exclusively with Harris Jr. on Wednesday night, but the star corner was adamant that he is not frustrated with his role.
“I’m not upset at all, man,” he said with a laugh, sounding surprised. “There’s no story there, I promise.”
The nine-year vet did reiterate that he is being used in a very similar way to this point, but also pulled back the reins a bit considering how early it is.
“I’m excited to see how they use me once we start game planning each team,” he said. “Coach [Ed] Donatell keeps telling me I’m going to be in a position to make plays.”
Asked if he originally thought he would be used more on the outside under Fangio, Harris admitted that he did, but now understands why he is being used more inside, as he is more in control of what’s going on in the secondary and is able to communicate with the linebackers, as well.
And he’s cool with all that?
“Have you seen this defense out there?” he asked. “We’re about to be nasty.”
Maybe we just caught Chris at a bad time this afternoon.
