Harris leans on ’ 19 lessons, offseason training
When the coronavirus brought uncertainty to the NFL offseason, Davontae Harris used the time to work with, and learn from, Chris Harris Jr.
The cornerbacks trained together around the Dallas area, and Davontae Harris believes those sessions with the former Broncos All- Pro jump- started his momentum into 2020 and the competition for the No. 3 cornerback job.
“We got close during last season, and that continued into this summer even after he signed with the Chargers,” Davontae Harris said Tuesday in a phone interview after practice. “Working out with him really helped me grow and Chris was constantly helping me with my technique, working with me on my press coverage, working with me on positioning down the field on vertical routes.
“All that training really gave me an edge, I think, especially with the offseason limitations that coronavirus put on everyone.”
With cut- down day looming Saturday, coach Vic Fangio and defensive coordinator Ed Donatell have decisions to make about the secondary. There, Harris has been battling for a job alongside Isaac Yiadom, De’Vante Bausby and Duke Dawson, who can also play the nickel spot.
All four players saw action last year, with Harris replacing an injured Bausby in Week 5 and then making six consecutive starts opposite Chris Harris from Weeks 6- 11. But the final two starts, on the road in Minnesota and Buffalo, saw the former Illinois State star struggle. He gave up eight completions for 90 yards against the Vikings and was responsible for a blown coverage on a touchdown reception against the Bills.
Harris said “a lot of growing and a lot of learning on the fly” in 2019
has helped him be more mentally sound, and confident, in his game this year.
“It’s been a tough road but all the adversity has made me a better player, and I believe in myself and what I can do for this team,” Harris said. “I’m not done learning and growing yet, but I believe if I continue to do that, I will come into the role I’m capable of on this team.”
Fangio said he’s seen improvement in Harris in “a lot of little areas” since the start of training camp Aug. 14. A former fifthround pick in 2018 by Cincinnati, the cornerback had a minor impact for the Bengals as a rookie, as
a sprained knee limited him to three starts.
“By no means has ( Harris) mastered ( the craft), but he has made a step here in the last week- to- 10 days of improving his play,” Fangio said. “Guys like him and Duke Dawson, who we acquired after final cuts last year ( via trade from New England), were behind last year obviously with no offseason and no training camp. They suffered from no offseason this year, too, because it could’ve been a great learning experience for them and the shortened camp has still been an impediment to them.”
Still,
Fangio feels more
confident in Harris now than he did at the start of camp, and No. 1 cornerback A. J. Bouye believes Harris’ eagerness to learn has kept him in a good position to grow in his technique.
“One thing I respect about Davontae is he comes to me on an individual basis and just tries to learn everything he can — what I see from him, what he sees from me,” Bouye said. “You can really appreciate that from someone like him, who no matter if they make the team or not, they’re always willing to work, day in and day out.”
Harris, whom the Broncos initially signed a year ago Tuesday after being cut by the Bengals, has been using the power of meditation to keep his perspective in check amid the pressure of his positional battle.
“I usually do around 15- 20 minutes a day in the morning and in the night, because that’s usually when you have the most thoughts racing through your head,” the 25year- old said. “It’s really helped me mentally, honestly, especially ( the sessions) at night that help clear my thoughts and set a good tone for the next day.”