We got a chance to hear from the Washington Football Team's new DBs Coach Chris Harris for the first time today. He talked about bringing more press coverage to the secondary, and emphasized DBs getting their hands on receivers. He also talked about players being more physical and the importance of corners' tackling. Harris saw the communications issues that have plagued Washington's secondary for years when he studied the tape, and will work to improve it this year.
Coach Harris talked about the versatility he wants from players in his secondary. Kendall Fuller, Jimmy Moreland, Landon Collins, Fabian Moreau and others can all be used at multiple spots. Competition will determine who gets playing time, and will start games this season.
He also spoke highly of his friend, and former teammate, Thomas Davis. He will be a great influence on the entire team, and will be a coach on the field.
Washington Football Team 2020 Training Camp Press Conference https://t.co/WnAYPIHHhU
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) August 1, 2020
Press coverage:
Washington CB coach Chris Harris addressing the DC media for the first time. Says his team will play plenty of press coverage and could run system similar to Chargers pic.twitter.com/94EjeNRvYQ
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 1, 2020
Harris said the scheme for the DBs will be one that is physical and allows them to get their hands on receivers.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 1, 2020
Chris Harris didn't say they'll play Cover 3 the way the Chargers did, but said that he'll bring some of the concepts from LA to Washington. They'll use press, play off, too.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 1, 2020
Trust:
Harris played in the Super Bowl when Rivera was in Chicago. The biggest thing he said that helps a secondary get to that level is trust.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 1, 2020
Chris Harris, who played on the Chicago Bears when they went to the Super Bowl in 2006, so when asked what it takes to enjoy success in the secondary, he says trust. The CB have to trust the safeties to do their job, the safeties have to trust the CBs to reroute players if needed
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 1, 2020
Interceptions:
DB coach Chris Harris said the defensive identity of the secondary will be one that gets its hands on the ball. Harris' first season with the Chargers, they lead the league in INTs and number of players with an INT.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 1, 2020
Corners tackling:
"You're team is only as tough as your corners tackling."
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 1, 2020
Impressions of the players:
Harris has been impressed with every player in the secondary during the virtual offseason with their retention on the defensive schemes.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 1, 2020
Jimmy Moreland:
Chris Harris played college ball at UL-Monroe so he knows what it's like to come to the NFL from a small school. He says that can help him motivate and teach Jimmy Moreland
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 1, 2020
Washington's DBs coach Chris Harris, a former safety out of the University of Louisiana Monroe, was a 6th-round pick by Chicago in '05. In talking to media, he was asked how his route to the NFL shaped his coaching, especially in working with guys like @iv_jimmy and @IAM_GSIII: pic.twitter.com/VCS5BCROpV
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 1, 2020
Chris Harris believes Jimmy Moreland has the versatility to play inside slot and outside. Big thing that stood out from Harris watching his tape was how tough he is. He comes up and tackles in the open field.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 1, 2020
Harris said this is what sticks out about Jimmy Moreland: toughness. Many would agree. Says sees him inside and out. Know others view him as definitely able to play outside. Said he was raw there last year coming off only playing man in college.
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 1, 2020
CB Jimmy Moreland projects inside and outside in Washington's new system, DBs coach Chris Harris says. What stands out about Moreland's tape, Harris says, is his toughness. He wants physical corners to be able to tackle.
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) August 1, 2020
Thomas Davis:
Harris and Thomas Davis were drafted in the same year. They were teammates for three seasons, and Davis is “the most competitive person I’ve ever seen.” Harris said the entire organization can learn from Davis.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 1, 2020
Fun fact: DB coach Chris Harris was drafted in the same 2005 class as Thomas Davis. He turns 38 on Thursday, and Davis is 37. Davis and Harris were together in LA last year, too. Says he'll do more than coach up the LBs, it'll be the whole defense.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 1, 2020
Washington DBs coach Chris Harris points out he and LB Thomas Davis are great friends. The 37-year-olds were drafted the same year (2005), played together for three years in Carolina and spent last season in Los Angeles (Davis as LB, Harris as coach).
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) August 1, 2020
Ron Rivera:
One thing Harris likes about Rivera: he’s not going to sugar coat anything. He’s going to tell you exactly what he expects out of his players.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 1, 2020
Chris Harris said that he knew coach Ron Rivera would be a head coach when he met him in 2005. He commands respect in a room, and doesn't sugarcoat anything.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 1, 2020
Harris said playing for Rivera is different than coaching for him, but a few things that have stayed the same: he’s a great motivator and his door is always open to listen.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 1, 2020
Chris Harris tells us about the halftime speech Ron Rivera, then a defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears, gave the defense during that "They are who we thought they are" game against the Arizona Cardinals. That speech he told them to man up, and they eventually won.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 1, 2020
Harris remembers a halftime speech on MNF against Arizona after the Bears gave up 18 points. He couldn’t repeat exactly what Rivera said, but it was blunt and to the point. The defense went out in the second half, gave up three points and won. Whatever he said clearly worked.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 1, 2020
Harris played under Rivera in Chicago 05-06, now coaching under him. Says Rivera is an excellent motivator and leader. Personable. Doesn’t sugar coat messages. Demands respect. ALWAYS coaches up his players and coaches. — Folks, it’s the change this teams has needed.
— Julie Donaldson (@juliedonaldson_) August 1, 2020
Secondary talent:
Harris calls Kendall Fuller an exciting player and that he loves watching Jimmy Moreland on tape. Landon Collins' the headliner though
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 1, 2020
Harris thinks the secondary is extremely talented. He mentioned he’s excited to work with Landon Collins, Kendall Fuller and Jimmy Moreland, who Harris said looked good on tape.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 1, 2020
Competition:
Washington DBs coach Chris Harris: "Nobody will be given a job. ... Everybody has to come in, everybody has to compete to earn that starting role."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 1, 2020
Fabian Moreau:
.@fabianmoreau10 is the perfect piece for what we want to accomplish on defense
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) August 1, 2020
Chris Harris says he likes Fabian Moreau's speed, length and versatility to go outside or inside. One thing the DBs will pride themselves on is playing multiple spots.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 1, 2020
Harris said Fabian Moreau has great size and speed for the cornerback position. He’ll be well-suited for the physical style the secondary wants to run.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 1, 2020
Versatility:
"We call ourselves. You're not a corner; you're not a safety. You're a defensive back." Chris Harris on his players being able to play wherever they fit best.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 1, 2020
Kendall Fuller:
New DB coach Chris Harris said they’ll mix up coverages (as u would expect). Says Kendall Fuller has “tremendous talent”. Likes his versatility.
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 1, 2020
Chris Harris says that because Kendall Fuller can play outside, nickel and some safety, they're going to wait to see where he plays the best.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 1, 2020
Chris Harris says 'it's hard to say exactly' where Kendall Fuller will play but named outside CB, inside CB and safety as options.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 1, 2020
They have Fuller to play inside but the more others show they can do the more They can move Fuller around and tap Into his versatility. That means using Moreland inside as well. Was also new to slot duties as a rook. Not easy.
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 1, 2020
Harris said Fuller can play a multitude of positions in the secondary. He can play outside, in the slot and even safety. He doesn’t know where Fuller will play yet, but they will put him in the best spot to perform.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 1, 2020
Landon Collins:
"Our goal is to utilize his talent" - DBs coach Chris Harris on @TheHumble_21 pic.twitter.com/Bvz7IvvmRU
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) August 1, 2020
Chris Harris says he's exciting about allowing Landon Collins to push people back and really hit people on the blitz. You should've seen the smile on his face talking through that scenario.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 1, 2020
Harris said of Landon Collins:”excellent blitzer...creates havoc when up close to the line of scrimmage....like a sparkplug.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 1, 2020
Open dialogue:
Chris Harris said it's not lecture style in his meeting rooms. It's open dialouge, they have to talk back to him and tell him what's happening in the classroom. Then take that to the field and onto the games.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 1, 2020
Communication:
Chris Harris said when he hopped on the tape for Washington last season, said communication was an issue that jumped up. You can't have a quiet secondary. Guys have to be talking about what they're seeing.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 1, 2020
DB Coach Chris Harris met the media via Zoom. Kept stressing versatility. Wants his players to learn multiple positions. Says they are DB’s over one specific position. The lack of communication from last season starts in the meeting room. The key to success is trusting each other
— Julie Donaldson (@juliedonaldson_) August 1, 2020