Free safety Macho Harris said he remembers the play like it was yesterday. Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw a short pass in the flat for running back Reggie Bush. The ball floated in the air and as Bush went up to get the ball he was railroaded by cornerback Sheldon Brown.
"That's a few years back and I really liked Reggie Bush coming out of college, so I was like, "Dang, why did you hit my boy like that?" Harris said at his locker Wednesday.
Almost three years later, Harris is now one of Brown's teammates. And Harris will be trying to land one of those highlight-type hits on Bush.
"If you get a hit like that, it's lovely," Harris said.
Harris started in his first NFL game last week in the win over the Panthers. In fact, Harris was the first rookie to start at safety on opening day since Wes Hopkins in 1983. The Panthers' rushing attack tested Harris' ability to help in run support from the opening drive. He was credited by the Eagles' coaches with one tackle in the win. More importantly, Harris said that he made very few mental miscues.
This week, it's not just Bush that Harris will have to worry about. The Saints were the top-ranked offense in the league last season and they posted 515 yards and 45 points in their Week 1 win over Detroit.
"They're pretty impressive. They have a great quarterback. He knows where he wants to throw the ball. He reads the defense. He's got great weapons around him to get the job done. They're very explosive," Harris said.
The Eagles could be without their own Pro Bowl quarterback. Donovan McNabb will likely not practice all week and could be a game-time decision with a fractured rib. If McNabb can't play, Kevin Kolb will make his first-career start. Does that add any pressure on the defense?
"Not at all. We are completely confident in Kolb doing what he needs to do. There's no pressure," Harris said. "We're here for a reason. He's the second guy. He's got to get the job done. There's no pressure. We are just going to play Eagles football."
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 2:24 p.m., September 16
