ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — On Monday, the Denver Broncos were back on the practice field for full, non-padded practices during the start of OTAs.
Most of the Broncos, that is.
Chris Harris Jr. remained a no-show as he’s seeking a contract extension.
However, the show must go on.
Instead of moping, Vic Fangio has been trying to find the best way to replace the four-time Pro Bowler—whether that be just for the next few days or forever.
“We won’t change the installation at all. We’ll juggle the reps that he would have gotten,” Fangio said on Sunday as he prepared for OTAs. “They’ll be shared among others.”
Through two OTA practices, it’s becoming clear how the masterful defensive mind plans to fill the void left by the 5-foot-10, 199-pound cornerback.
With a 5-foot-9, 188-pound cornerback.
“I’ve been playing on the outside more,” new Broncos cornerback Bryce Callahan said on Tuesday. “It’s been going pretty good.”
Callahan, who left the Bears in free agency to join the Broncos, has other similarities to Harris Jr. other than the smaller-than-average stature and undrafted label. Both players excelled and made their mark in the NFL by dominating the slot.
Harris Jr. still maintains that ability but primarily shuts down opposing receivers on the outside in recent years despite his height.
Callahan views his skillset the exact same.
Last year, the Rice graduate ranked as one of the best slot cornerbacks and overall cornerbacks in the league, according to Pro Football Focus, making the transition seamless to primarily playing on the outside in Denver.
“I played some outside in Chicago,” he said, adding it’s not tough to make the transition.
During the team’s first OTA practice on Monday, Callahan looked like a natural on the outside.
Going up against the physically imposing 6-foot-3, 218-pound Courtland Sutton, the much smaller cornerback made it look like there was no size difference.
On a deep ball from Joe Flacco’s “cannon” of an arm, as Callahan described it, the first-year Bronco went stride for stride with Sutton down the right sideline, almost appearing as if he were stuck to the second-year receiver.
Sutton—a jump-ball specialist—had an opportunity to bring down a 50-50 ball, but Callahan swatted it away for an incompletion.
As for if this will be a permanent role entering the season, Callahan said he’ll leave that up to Fangio and the coaching staff.
However, Callahan had no problem stepping up to the plate about being a potential quarterback of the defense with his familiarity with Fangio’s scheme.
“I feel like that’s one thing that I can bring to the defense is knowledge after being in it for four years that I can kind of help some guys out and make it easier for them,” the 27-year old said with confidence.
Callahan didn’t want to comment on Harris Jr.’s contract situation, stating he doesn’t know much about it, “I just hope it gets resolved for the best for both parties.”
Until then, Callahan has the first shot at attempting to fill the shoes of a player he so closely resembles.
