Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. has the kind of confidence that only comes from making it in the NFL despite being an undrafted, five-foot, ten-inch defensive back. That confidence will serve him well in the team’s new defense under coordinator Wade Phillips.
“We’re going to be out there on an island a lot, so there is a lot of responsibility on us to be able to shut our guys down,” Harris told reporters on Monday. “Jack [Del Rio] put us on an island too, so it’s something that if you play corner you’re going to have to be on an island. In this defense, we’re just so aggressive that we’re going to be on an island even more.”
Harris still wishes he’d been on an island against T.Y. Hilton when the Broncos lost to the Colts in the playoffs.
“You always want to cover a guy like him,” Harris said. “He’s small and shifty. That’s what God put me on this earth for — for guys like him. I was definitely irritated, but it’s a new year. We’re going to play them again. I’m pretty sure I’ll be on him this year.”
If Harris and Talib can both stay healthy and perform at a high level and cover their men with little or no help, the other nine members of the defense will be able to do other things aimed at keeping opposing offenses from scoring points. Which will take pressure off the offense, and make it easier for the Broncos to make good on what multiple members of the team insist is a “Super Bowl or bust” season.