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08-21-2009, 10:08 AM
Broncos’ Harris desires to be the best
By Brian Howell
© 2009 Longmont Times-Call
ENGLEWOOD — During his first year as a starter in the NFL, Ryan Harris made
quite a name for himself.
He was named to Sports Illustrated’s All-Pro team at right tackle and gave up
just 21/2 quarterback sacks all season.
The 2007 third-round draft choice couldn’t have asked for a better season.
Except that now he is.
“One of the guys back in St. Paul (Minn.) that’s around my high school a lot is
John Alt, and he didn’t give up a sack for three years,” Harris said, referring to
the former two-time Pro Bowler of the Kansas City Chiefs. “So I can be
better.”
It’s hard to imagine Harris being better than he was a year ago. Yet the
former Notre Dame star is accustomed to high expectations.
Prior to last year, he was a relative unknown. Although he started 45
consecutive games at Notre Dame — spending three years blocking for current
Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn — Harris dropped off the radar in
2007.
Back surgery caused him to miss most of the preseason and the first five
games of his rookie season. He played in 11 games in 2007, but primarily on
special teams.
Despite the injury and a year on the bench, Harris expected the best of
himself in 2008.
“I told myself to come out and be healthy and I’m going to play great,” the 6
foot-3, 300-pounder said. “I think I met those expectations.”
Only after a rough start. During the first preseason game last season, Harris
was whistled for four penalties, including holding calls on back-to-back plays.
He played two more preseason games without a penalty. Then he played all
1,019 offensive snaps for the Broncos in the regular season and was whistled
for just two penalties.
Harris was a big reason the Broncos’ offensive line went from being a group of
question marks to being considered one of the best units in the NFL.
Center Casey Wiegmann played in the Pro Bowl. Left tackle Ryan Clady was
third in offensive rookie of the year voting. Right guard Chris Kuper was the
only guard in the league to start all 16 games and not give up a sack, and left
guard Ben Hamilton had a great season of his own.
“I think our whole line is really good, and I think you could make an argument
they’re the best at their position across the board,” Harris said. “If you’re not
striving to be the best, I don’t know what type of things you’re playing for.”
Together, the group gave up just 12 sacks, a team record. The mobility of
former quarterback Jay Cutler helped, but Harris said, “There were times when
Cutler’s athleticism helped us, and I think there were other times when our
performance helped Cutler.”
Harris’ performance certainly helped. He proved he just might be the best right
tackle in the league.
“It’s humbling, because I want to be the best at my position,” he said. “I feel
if I’m the best at my position, I can help my team win.”
That’s why Harris didn’t stop working in the offseason. As good as he was in
2008, he’s convinced that wasn’t his peak.
“I have a lot of room to improve my game, and it’s something I’ve been able to
work on here in camp,” he said. “I think I’ve done the things I wanted to do
coming into camp, and I feel like I’m a better player leaving camp, and that’s
all I can ask for.”
http://www.timescall.com/sports_story.asp?id=17665
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By Brian Howell
© 2009 Longmont Times-Call
ENGLEWOOD — During his first year as a starter in the NFL, Ryan Harris made
quite a name for himself.
He was named to Sports Illustrated’s All-Pro team at right tackle and gave up
just 21/2 quarterback sacks all season.
The 2007 third-round draft choice couldn’t have asked for a better season.
Except that now he is.
“One of the guys back in St. Paul (Minn.) that’s around my high school a lot is
John Alt, and he didn’t give up a sack for three years,” Harris said, referring to
the former two-time Pro Bowler of the Kansas City Chiefs. “So I can be
better.”
It’s hard to imagine Harris being better than he was a year ago. Yet the
former Notre Dame star is accustomed to high expectations.
Prior to last year, he was a relative unknown. Although he started 45
consecutive games at Notre Dame — spending three years blocking for current
Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn — Harris dropped off the radar in
2007.
Back surgery caused him to miss most of the preseason and the first five
games of his rookie season. He played in 11 games in 2007, but primarily on
special teams.
Despite the injury and a year on the bench, Harris expected the best of
himself in 2008.
“I told myself to come out and be healthy and I’m going to play great,” the 6
foot-3, 300-pounder said. “I think I met those expectations.”
Only after a rough start. During the first preseason game last season, Harris
was whistled for four penalties, including holding calls on back-to-back plays.
He played two more preseason games without a penalty. Then he played all
1,019 offensive snaps for the Broncos in the regular season and was whistled
for just two penalties.
Harris was a big reason the Broncos’ offensive line went from being a group of
question marks to being considered one of the best units in the NFL.
Center Casey Wiegmann played in the Pro Bowl. Left tackle Ryan Clady was
third in offensive rookie of the year voting. Right guard Chris Kuper was the
only guard in the league to start all 16 games and not give up a sack, and left
guard Ben Hamilton had a great season of his own.
“I think our whole line is really good, and I think you could make an argument
they’re the best at their position across the board,” Harris said. “If you’re not
striving to be the best, I don’t know what type of things you’re playing for.”
Together, the group gave up just 12 sacks, a team record. The mobility of
former quarterback Jay Cutler helped, but Harris said, “There were times when
Cutler’s athleticism helped us, and I think there were other times when our
performance helped Cutler.”
Harris’ performance certainly helped. He proved he just might be the best right
tackle in the league.
“It’s humbling, because I want to be the best at my position,” he said. “I feel
if I’m the best at my position, I can help my team win.”
That’s why Harris didn’t stop working in the offseason. As good as he was in
2008, he’s convinced that wasn’t his peak.
“I have a lot of room to improve my game, and it’s something I’ve been able to
work on here in camp,” he said. “I think I’ve done the things I wanted to do
coming into camp, and I feel like I’m a better player leaving camp, and that’s
all I can ask for.”
http://www.timescall.com/sports_story.asp?id=17665
-----