Chris Harris Jr. explains what separates Vic Fangio from any defensive coach he's ever had

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — For Vic Fangio, it’s all about the details.

From the idea of wearing game jerseys in practice to avoid players grabbing, to having a scoreboard installed on the west side of the field so he could run situational work going both ways, the new head coach seems to be on top of everything.

But until Thursday, we had yet to hear much about those little details from a true football perspective.

Chris Harris Jr. changed that, though, when he was asked what has impressed him about the new coach’s microscope.

“I love the way we approach defense every day,” he said. “I mean, we watch film with him, and we’re breaking down tons of different routes. He’s telling me different routes I can steal once it comes to be game time, how he wants me to play this and different coverages. I love it. Shoot, it’s one of the best I’ve ever had. I love the way we approach defense every day.”

We’re not talking about a young player here, either, over eight years, the All-Pro player has worked with quite a few defensive coordinators, including Wade Phillips,  Jack Del Rio and Dennis Allen, all of whom—like Fangio—were also head coaches at some point during their career.

When asked if Fangio reminds him of anyone he’s worked with, specifically Phillips, Harris didn’t hesitate for a second.

“No. He’s different from all the coaches I’ve ever had,” he said. “I haven’t had a coach tell me like, ‘When you see this in the game, you’re going to be able to pick this.’ They’ve told me like 10 plays, and I’ve never had that.”

First of all, Fangio must know the way to CHJ’s heart, because if there’s one thing he’s complained about over the past few seasons, it’s that the Broncos’ straight-forward defense didn’t provide him with a lot of opportunities to make plays with his mind, something he is very confident he can do. But it’s fair to say it’s more than just courtship when you look at the fact that Fangio’s Bears forced 36 turnovers in 2018, five more than any other team in the league.

The new head coach just might know a thing or two about how to create a takeaway.

Oh, and to put a little cherry on top for Chris, the Bears also led the league in pick-sixes with five, and most of those game-changing plays come on jumped routes.

Welcome to Harris Heaven.