Charles Harris – May 29, 2019
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Wednesday, May 29, 2019
DE Charles Harris
(Head Coach Brian Flores was speaking very highly of you today, learning linebacker. Has it been a boost in the arm for you in terms of a new challenge?) – “It’s been cool. Any time a player gets to expand their football I.Q. and learn different things, it’s always exciting. It’s exciting and makes you appreciate the game a lot more, the intricacies of it from all corners. It’s definitely exciting.”
(Should this system and how they’re going to use you maximize your skillset do you think?) – “I think so. I definitely do in all areas. I definitely do.”
(What has been the most challenging part about this defense and learning it?) – “Nothing has been challenging so far. It’s just like any time you install something new, you’ve got to learn it, get it down and get comfortable with it. That’s all you have to do is (learn) it like the back of your hand.”
(Head Coach Brian Flores said today that he can’t say enough good things about how you’ve impressed him since his arrival. How would you describe your approach to having a new coaching staff?) – “Just doing the fundamentals, making sure that you are doing everything on the field and off the field, giving him no reason to call you in, no reason to call you out or anything like that. Just make sure that you’re doing your job in all areas and make sure that you take care of your business.”
(We saw you putting in extra pass rush work after practice. Can you talk about why you do that and what you’re trying to accomplish?) – “Yeah, we’ve just got different techniques and different schemes, getting down to details. Like I was saying earlier, when you learn the intricacies of the game, it makes you want to be better at it. You don’t ever want to be in a situation where you didn’t do the little thing right for you to get that sack or you didn’t do the little thing right for you to break on the ball or something like that. You want to make sure you’ve got all the details down and be the best player you can be.”
(Have you studied tape of New England’s defense in terms of guys who have played the hybrid role you have?) – “We always watch film on New England. Not too much, but we just watch different film across the board. Obviously we have a New England defense, or our coach came from New England, so it’s only right that he throws in things like that. But across the board, we watch all different kinds of players, different schemes, different players. I think he wants to give us a well-rounded perspective and not say ‘we have to do this,’ which is great. He gives multiple perspective of different teams and different options.”
(Have you looked at the LB Kyle Van Noy role or the DE Trey Flowers role when he was there in terms of on tape, something that you would be doing similar?) – “Really we look at it schematic-wise. We haven’t looked at it individually, like ‘I look like him or I play like him.’ Nobody wants to box themselves in. I don’t think any player wants to be, I don’t think the coaches want to get into that mind frame of boxing themselves in. I think that ‘P.G.’ (Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham) came in and kind of ridiculed us for having that boxed-in mindset. ‘I play like this or I heard we have to do it like this.’ He’s like ‘no, be a football player.’ If anything, he’s probably broke the chains, broke the shackles and was just like, ‘play ball.’ I don’t think anybody wants to box themselves in. When we watch film, we focus it from the scheme and try to get the whole, try to do it from big to little, get the call down and then get to details of how to do it.”
(What else has stuck out to you about Head Coach Brian Flores so far in your time with him?) – “I’d just say intensity on a daily basis. There is no fall off, no drop off, no change. Every time he comes in, he’s on time, he’s intense. Intense means he always gives you a takeaway. Every day he gives you a takeaway on how he exemplifies himself as a man. He’s not just teaching us football, but he’s teaching us life skills. I think that’s the biggest thing. The things he doesn’t say are the things that go the most noticed.”
(What are some of those life skills?) – “Just about being a man. The trifecta, that he often talks about. We’re going to keep that in-house about what the trifecta is but just teaching guys about being mature, being mature at this stage of the game and how every single practice really does matter and how every day of your life matters. If you practice like you do your life, you’ll take every day for what it is and make the most out of it. That’s what we are trying to do and when we are on the field, you kind of see it.”
(In those times in which you’ve rushed the passer from a standing position throughout your career. What are some of the advantages that, that can create?) – “I just think it’s different because every time a tackle sees somebody standing up, they are thinking that he could drop or he could rush. I think if you give him two versus just one with your hand down, where (he’s like) ‘I know he’s coming or I know he’s doing this.’ It’s not simple. I think it’s pretty simple in regards to the tackle thinking either he’s going to drop or he’s going to come at me. It just gives you the other 50 percent, the other 50 right there. That’s everybody.”
(How close are you to full strength with the wrist?) – “I’m not really sure. I’m not really sure. I say that because I haven’t really tested it. I’ve just been doing my workouts every single day and getting evaluated whenever I go into the doctor. I’m waiting for her to give me the green light and after that, we’re on.”
(Any team drills have you done, or has it mostly been individuals?) – “It’s been mostly individuals. Team is kind of like, it is what it is. Just taking mental reps, taking mental reps.”
(As far as being ready for the start of training camp, is there any doubt in your mind about that or is that a question health-wise?) – “I’m just taking it one day at a time. I just take it one day at a time and I’m just doing my thing and making sure I’m doing everything I can every single day to maximize.”
(What’s your confidence level out here right now? This is kind of symbolizing a fresh start for you with a new coaching staff and new defense.) – “I think it’s very high. Across the board, I feel like the whole team, Coach ‘Flo’ (Flores) tells us every single day that we should be growing in confidence. I think that’s every player, every coach, every staff member, we should be growing in confidence in regards to the team. If you put in hard work, and we’re all out here working every single day. I think as a team, we are building. We are definitely building.”
