With all due respect to Macho Harris, the fact that he looks like he’s going to start on Sunday in the first game of the regular season makes me think the Birds have a problem at the safety position.
I don’t think Harris took the starting job, it was more like Quintin Demps didn’t win it.
They gave second-year safety Demps every chance in the world to win the position but he was unable to step up. Mistakes and the inability to be consistent were problems that prevented him from putting his name on the position.
Demps is the bigger and more gifted athlete of the two but we all know ability doesn’t always mean production.
You and I both know that the Eagles wanted Demps to take this job but he couldn’t, so they have to settle for Harris for now.
The rookie was solid in his play this training camp but he wasn’t unbelievable or anything. He’s not a killer hitter nor does he have eye-catching ball skills, but he doesn’t make a lot of mistakes.
He has gotten better as he’s been given more reps, but I don’t know if he can get the job done with the bright lights on.
He’s going to have to make some plays against the Panthers Pro Bowl receiver Steve Smith. You can believe that the Carolina coaching staff is trying to figure out ways to get Smith isolated on Harris.
It won’t be difficult because the Birds are sure to move Quintin Mikelll up into the box in order to stop the vaunted Carolina running game. Their running attack was second in the league to the Giants a year ago.
Young Harris needs to wear his big pads for this one. He is going to be forced to tackle star Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams in the open field in a one-on-one situation.
He must make these plays or they will allow Carolina to score quickly.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they were to rotate the safeties. I hope the young man steps up and gets the job done on Sunday.
