Rookie free safety Macho Harris started the first six games of the season and played on all three downs. However, even before Sean Jones notched 12 tackles in last Sunday's win over the Giants, the plans for a rotation at the position began to unfold. Harris missed last Sunday's win with an ankle injury, but head coach Andy Reid said that even if Harris was healthy Jones would have started.
On Monday, Reid followed that up by stating that Jones, Harris and Quintin Demps will all rotate at free safety "depending on what personnel group (the offense puts) out."
Harris, a fifth-round pick from Virginia Tech, made the difficult transition from playing cornerback in college to safety, which is the toughest position to learn on the Eagles' defense. This season, Harris has 23 tackles, a quarterback hurry and a pass knockdown. Cornerback Sheldon Brown praised Harris' physical play a few weeks back. A number of Harris' tackles this season have prevented big plays and potentially even touchdowns.
Harris admitted that to lose playing time is "disappointing." However, he wants whatever is best for the team.
"You have to be mentally strong. Know that things work out for the better," Harris said. "They're moving people to help the team and I'm all for that. I want a Super Bowl ring. As a rookie coming in and possibly winning the Super Bowl, that's all I hope for. If I can help the team, that's a plus."
Jones is 22 pounds heavier than Harris and can be an impact player around the line of scrimmage. Against the Giants, Jones lined up many times directly over the offensive line where he could either blitz or drop back into coverage. Since 2006, Jones has racked up 14 interceptions, all during his tenure with the Cleveland Browns.
Demps was a fourth-round pick in 2008 who was a ballhawk in college with 17 career interceptions, the most in the draft class. He got a chance to showcase that ability last week as he picked off Giants quarterback Eli Manning for his first career interception.
The Eagles are certainly going to need all three players this Sunday night against Dallas. The Cowboys boast the league's sixth-best rushing attack anchored by Marion Barber III. In the air, the Cowboys have a bevy of weapons including All-Pro tight end Jason Witten and a man capable of distributing the ball in quarterback Tony Romo. The Pro Bowl quarterback has won his last 12 starts in the month of November and has not thrown an interception during the team's recent three-game win streak.
"I'm pretty sure (the coaches will) come up with a good game plan on how to utilize us all," Harris said. "I'm all for it. Whatever to help the team, I'm going to be here. Whatever they do have planned, we'll go out and execute."
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 2:24 p.m., November 4
