Twice he was an all-conference selection and in 2008 Macho Harris was named a first-team All-America player by The Sporting News. Harris recorded 15 interceptions at Virginia Tech, started 40 games and established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the nation. When the Eagles selected him in the fifth round of April's draft, they saw him as a player who could maybe play both the cornerback and the safety positions.
But throughout the spring, Harris lined up strictly at safety. Free safety, to be exact.
And that leads to the question: Is Harris only a safety here, or are the grand plans to include him at both spots? In a deep and talented backfield, Harris has to be at his best to even make the team. The Eagles historically keep five cornerbacks and four safeties. Most of those positions are accounted for, at least on paper. Where does Harris fit in?
"It doesn't matter to me," said Harris. "I'm looking forward to learning every day and becoming a better football player. It's a complicated defense. I'm getting it down. I know the next phase is going to be very demanding physically and mentally. We have a lot of great players here, so I'm trying to fit in."
Good approach, but as the Eagles look to gain some immediate contributions from their rookie class, a player like Harris comes into focus. Can he make the team? And if he does, is he a safety, a cornerback, or both?
-- Posted by Dave Spadaro, 2:40 p.m., July 20
