Round 3: Ryan Harris, OT - Notre Dame

[long beach bronco]

He's our third round pick people.

[penguintheory]

Another big man....

[Dedhed]

I like it, a lot. I could have gone for another DL, but I think Harris could develop into a very good tackle.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

The Great Gonzolays!

[Drek]

Meh.

I said a few months ago that I could see us taking him. He's a good fit for our system, very smart, started a lot of games, and he's done everything we ask of our OLs while at ND.

I just don't much care for his physical skills. He was well under 300 pounds at one point during last season and just looked weak. His stock was real high this time last year though, people were talking him up as a potential first round pick.

He'll fit our system well though. If he'd just fall in love with the weight room, get up to a stacked 310 pounds, I think he could be very good.

[long beach bronco]

We only have 2 more picks in the draft, i sure hope they grab a playmaking kick returner like a Yamon Figurs.

[Willynowei]

Big frame, tall, quick. Whats not to like about him?

[Bob]

Give us some info bro

[footstepsfrom#27]

Big frame, tall, quick. Whats not to like about him?
He lacks emotional fire and a mean streak, is a mediocre run blocker, can't dominate at the point of attack, struggles with bull rushers, and has been described as a "white collar" blocker...

[fuzzy]

1st-DE
2nd-DE
3rd-OT

WOOOO!!!

Aawsome.

[Barry Ramey]

I'm ok with the pick. Had a down senior season, but was projected to be a high pick going into the season, so hopefully will get solid coaching. It's too bad the Broncos don't have a 4th rounder since it looks like there will be some good value picks there.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Ryan Harris is a fit for the Broncos. Scouts have basically given him the label of "Broncos Lineman".

He excels at everything that Denver wants their linemen to excel at.

From ESPiN:
"An experienced, battle-tested offensive lineman. Has developed into an extremely efficient offensive tackle at the highest collegiate level. Shows very good initial quickness and does a fine job with his first step and blocking angles. Technically sound lineman with good footwork and hand-placement. Rarely is out of position and does a good job of using leverage and angles to complete assignments as a run blocker. Possesses adequate upper body power. Does a good job of cutting defenders when asked to and he also does a fine job of hitting the moving target in space. He is asked to pull more often than most OT's, and he shows very good quickness and mobility in that regard. He has long arms and big hands. Shows a quick set in pass pro. Is agile enough to mirror-and-slide with more athletic pass rushers. Rarely gets beat around the corner by pure speed."

[BizzyBone7]

Can someone answer me, there was a show on MTV a few years ago and i think this kid was on it. It was a True Life or something and he said he was going to Notre Dame to play offensive tackle. Its really pointless, but its just something thats been bothering me.

[DeuceOfClub]

Can he Chop-Block?

[rovolution]

Can someone answer me, there was a show on MTV a few years ago and i think this kid was on it. It was a True Life or something and he said he was going to Notre Dame to play offensive tackle. Its really pointless, but its just something thats been bothering me.

Yup. Ryan Harris is the one your thinking about. Our new o-linemen was on MTV.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Harris

Read his Wiki bio. (plus i remember seeing him on True Life as well)

[-Slap-]

I think this was a really good pick. Potential left tackle, but he could probably slot in at left guard, too. He started 45 games for the Irish. Three years at left tackle and one year at right tackle. He clocked a very nice 5.09 at the Combine. Extremely intelligent player. He just needs to get into the weight room and put in the work.

[BroncoSoja]

Let me get this straight one of the most pressing needs on this team was at DT and pass on Tank and Marcus Thomas both upgrades over anything we have now, but then draft a guy that is undersized (yes I said it cause aren't we suppose to be bluking up on the Oline?!!) and who was blown up this year by opposing rushers....

Terrible Pick, we could have got a OT to fill this need later... We need a freaking DT now and unless we someone manage to get Jenkins thats not going to happen.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Let me get this straight one of the most pressing needs on this team was at DT and pass on Tank and Marcus Thomas both upgrades over anything we have now, but then draft a guy that is undersized (yes I said it cause aren't we suppose to be bluking up on the Oline?!!) and who was blown up this year by opposing rushers....
His pass blocking is pretty sound...it's his toughness and strength that have ben questioned.

[-Slap-]

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/8020/harris1nf0.jpg

2007 NFL Draft: Ryan Harris Ready to Tackle the NFL (http://www.nflhs.com/news/features/2007draftryanharris_03302007_lcb.asp)

By Jeremy White, NFLHS.com

Ryan Harris is an interesting guy. At 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds, he's got the perfect build to play offensive tackle in the NFL. He played that position to near perfection at Notre Dame, where he helped protect Brady Quinn and open holes for Darius Walker.

Well spoken like all Notre Dame students, Harris has ambitions larger than football: He wants to one day be the governor of his home state of Minnesota. Politics is a slippery slope, though, and when he enters that arena he'll likely answer as many questions about his religion as about his football prowess.

That's because he converted to Islam in the eighth grade. He's the only Muslim in his family, he says, and he insists many of the values of Islam and Christianity - the predominant religion in the U.S. - are the same. Oddly enough, he went to a Catholic high school and Catholic college. Despite that, Harris says he never had any trouble at either level over his religion.

"It's never been an issue," he says.

While he calls politics his "number two dream," his number one dream is football. Playing in the NFL is something I've thought about since I was a little kid."

One trait that helps Harris on the football field - and will be invaluable in politics as well - is his durability. He can take a beating, as evidenced by the fact he started 45 consecutive games at Notre Dame.

"That's something I really take pride in," he says. "When you play on the line you're going to get hurt at some point, but I've always wanted to be there for my teammates and help them succeed."

Before moving on to Notre Dame, Harris played at Cretin-Derham Hall, a Catholic high school in his hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota. He played both sides of the ball there and starred on teams that enjoyed plenty of success.

"The program our high school coach put together is truly amazing," Harris says. "It was an honor to be a part of that program. A lot of good players came out of my high school."

Harris was nearly as effective on the wrestling mat as on the gridiron.

"I wrestled in the 217-pound weight class as both a sophomore and a junior," he says. "My last year wrestling was my junior year. I went 28-2 that year, but I didn't go to state. I lost to the guy who went on to win state."

Back on the football field, Harris says he enjoyed defense as much as offense, but admits that "early on I realized offense was where I could succeed the most, so I decided to dedicate myself to that."

Though he had to stop wresting as a senior in high school to prepare his body for playing football at Notre Dame, Harris recommends all prep football players find another sport in addition to football. He particularly recommends that linemen learn to wrestle.

"It helped me be a better football player and a better lineman, especially," he says. "It helped my agility, my footwork, my stamina. It taught me how to use somebody's body weight against them. You learn a lot by wrestling."

Story courtesy Red Line Editorial, Inc.

[broncs2bowl]

just wonderin WHO IS OUR STARTING DT NOW!!!!!! Gerrard Warren and DEMEATRIN VEAL!! AAH. We better get Kris Jenkins now

[dsmoot]

He lacks emotional fire and a mean streak, is a mediocre run blocker, can't dominate at the point of attack, struggles with bull rushers, and has been described as a "white collar" blocker...

I don't know anything about him but .... doesn't this description sound like somebody we already know.... lets see ..... George ..... George .... Foster. Thats it. Yeah thats it. Pinch me, I want to wake up.

[Ray Finkle]

I don't know anything about him but .... doesn't this description sound like somebody we already know.... lets see ..... George ..... George .... Foster. Thats it. Yeah thats it. Pinch me, I want to wake up.

If he plays like Foster and was a 3rd rounder, that's good.....

[-Slap-]

The Foster comparisons don't hold water.

Harris started 45 games in college. Foster started eight.

[footstepsfrom#27]

I don't know anything about him but .... doesn't this description sound like somebody we already know.... lets see ..... George ..... George .... Foster. Thats it. Yeah thats it. Pinch me, I want to wake up.
Well Foster was 40 pounds bigger...ROFL!

I'm willing to give this guy the benefit of the doubt for now since we've shown we can find linemen...I'm more disturbed with the Moss pick than this one. I wanted Rouse or maybe Free but this guy sounds like he might be OK if he rachet's his desire up a bit.

[REB]

OT is another position we needed to address so that's cool. And I heard he's a converted Muslim so he should be good at blowing guys up ;)

1-2-3-:Broncos:!!!!!!! :charge:

[footstepsfrom#27]

OT is another position we needed to address so that's cool. And I heard he's a converted Muslim so he should be good at blowing guys up ;)

1-2-3-:Broncos:!!!!!!! :charge:
He's a Muslim? Well that means he'll be fasting in September right? I wonder if he loses weight doing that...? Something to consider...

[Kid A]

just wonderin WHO IS OUR STARTING DT NOW!!!!!! Gerrard Warren and DEMEATRIN VEAL!! AAH. We better get Kris Jenkins now

Don't forget Alvin McKinley, though I would be thrilled if we could pick up another, big DT via trade or veteran cuts during camp.

[REB]

He's a Muslim? Well that means he'll be fasting in September right? I wonder if he loses weight doing that...? Something to consider...

I'm not sure how strict he is about it but after sundown he can eat all he wants.

1-2-3-:Broncos:!!!!!!! :charge:

[Florida_Bronco]

He lacks emotional fire and a mean streak, is a mediocre run blocker, can't dominate at the point of attack, struggles with bull rushers, and has been described as a "white collar" blocker...

I don't think you've had a single positive thing to say all day.

[Drek]

Let me get this straight one of the most pressing needs on this team was at DT and pass on Tank and Marcus Thomas both upgrades over anything we have now, but then draft a guy that is undersized (yes I said it cause aren't we suppose to be bluking up on the Oline?!!) and who was blown up this year by opposing rushers....

Terrible Pick, we could have got a OT to fill this need later... We need a freaking DT now and unless we someone manage to get Jenkins thats not going to happen.

Marcus Thomas is an outright THUG. He'll get suspended within two years of entering the league and he basically didn't even play collegiately last year. He'd make a horrible first day pick.

Tank Tyler, well, thats worth discussing, but he's got off-field issues himself. With the NFL's new crackdown we need to keep those types of guys to a minimum.

This is also a horrible OT draft. Levi Brown is probably going to wind up a career RT and is a lot more George Foster than Orlando Pace. He went 5th overall! We needed to add some young depth to start developing though and Harris is a smart, athletic guy who can do everything our system asks.

Some scouts question his motor and toughness. I personally disagree with that. He's just not very strong. Word is he was down to around 280 around the middle of last season, for a guy who wasn't terrifically powerful as it was that'll sure make you look real soft and weak. I can only assume it was due to something other than playing football though, because he maintained 290-300 the previous year as a junior, which is when he built up his former first round hype.

He's not a bad pick. I would have prefered Tyler, Mebane, and several other players, but if we're looking OT he's the safe pick for us. If he gets some serious weight room motivation he could become a legit every down LT, otherwise he should be a solid OG/OT jack of all trades type.

I was personally hoping for Jermon Bushrod in round 6, he's similar to Harris and weighs 10 pounds more, but he played against nobodies while Harris was blocking some of the elite ends in the country.

[TexanBob]

I'm okay with all three picks although I think they got fleeced over Moss. If he was going to be taken, let him go and get Reggie Nelson. That would have been fine with me. Then you'd still have a 3rd rd to get a DL or another need.

IIRC, you guys can practically skip tomorrow.

[footstepsfrom#27]

I don't think you've had a single positive thing to say all day.
You're a good person. ;D

Happy?

[maven]

Yup. Ryan Harris is the one your thinking about. Our new o-linemen was on MTV.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Harris

Read his Wiki bio. (plus i remember seeing him on True Life as well)

No way! I thought he looked familiar. He had glasses back then. He worked his butt of before heading to Notre Dame. Very high character type of guy(atleast from the episode/smart). All he kept doing was eating on that show. Very cool that was him.

[footstepsfrom#27]

I'm not sure how strict he is about it but after sundown he can eat all he wants.

1-2-3-:Broncos:!!!!!!! :charge:
Hamza Abdullah struggles with his weight which is why I mentioned it. How do we know he's a muslim though? "Ryan Harris" sounds ike a dude on Friends or something.

[GonzoLays]

The Great Gonzolays!

Quote this man for truth

[dsmoot]

Well Foster was 40 pounds bigger...ROFL!

I'm willing to give this guy the benefit of the doubt for now since we've shown we can find linemen...I'm more disturbed with the Moss pick than this one. I wanted Rouse or maybe Free but this guy sounds like he might be OK if he rachet's his desire up a bit.

Well, I only said this tougue-in-cheek. Lets hope he is something significantly better than George.

[Drek]

Hamza Abdullah struggles with his weight which is why I mentioned it. How do we know he's a muslim though? "Ryan Harris" sounds ike a dude on Friends or something.

There's an article one page back about his converting to Islam in the 8th grade.

However, the fact that his name is "Ryan Harris" kinda clues you in to how dedicated he probably is to fasting and all that. Lets just hope Hamza doesn't get in his ear. Before long we'd have a 270 pound OT. ;P

[footstepsfrom#27]

There's an article one page back about his converting to Islam in the 8th grade.

However, the fact that his name is "Ryan Harris" kinda clues you in to how dedicated he probably is to fasting and all that. Lets just hope Hamza doesn't get in his ear. Before long we'd have a 270 pound OT. ;P
Is this in post #16 or 19? If so somebody repost it...I have that fool on iggy.

[BroncoInferno]

Anybody who doesnt think we had a good first day is an absolute retard.

[REB]

A muslim guy at a fantasy football sight I post at told me he's a converted muslim and because of that he'd be rooting him on. :)

1-2-3-:Broncos:!!!!!!! :charge:

[maven]

There's an article one page back about his converting to Islam in the 8th grade.

However, the fact that his name is "Ryan Harris" kinda clues you in to how dedicated he probably is to fasting and all that. Lets just hope Hamza doesn't get in his ear. Before long we'd have a 270 pound OT. ;P

ON the show he was eating at all times of the day. Morning, afternoon, night. Guy had to gain weight before he arrived at ND

[Drek]

Is this in post #16 or 19? If so somebody repost it...I have that fool on iggy.

#19, and Slap's a good poster, you might disagree with him but thats why we're all here, to discuss Broncos football in a passionate, informed setting.

Hell, I stopped ignoring you, the least you could do is occasionally view a few of Slap's posts. ;p

Usedupbraids should be the only Bronco fan anyone here puts on ignore.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Anybody who doesnt think we had a good first day is an absolute retard.
Right...bet you said that in 2003 to huh? :thumbsup: Anyone who thinks you can predict success for a draft before the players step on the field is kidding themselves...("retard" is a bit much).

[footstepsfrom#27]

#19, and Slap's a good poster, you might disagree with him but thats why we're all here, to discuss Broncos football in a passionate, informed setting.

Hell, I stopped ignoring you, the least you could do is occasionally view a few of Slap's posts. ;p

Usedupbraids should be the only Bronco fan anyone here puts on ignore.
Different strokes for different folks.

[U GOT JACKED UP]

Can you say Marcus Thomas. Please Shanny get another 2nd day pick and pick him up. He can come in and start right away.

[-Slap-]

#19, and Slap's a good poster, you might disagree with him but thats why we're all here, to discuss Broncos football in a passionate, informed setting.

Hell, I stopped ignoring you, the least you could do is occasionally view a few of Slap's posts. ;p

Usedupbraids should be the only Bronco fan anyone here puts on ignore.

I realized how well FootstepfromTatum related to people when he invited a person into his house and then logged on here to post a thread talking crap about the guy behind his back like a pissy junior high school kid. That's the image I'll always have of him.

[Drek]

Can you say Marcus Thomas. Please Shanny get another 2nd day pick and pick him up. He can come in and start right away.

Seriously?

What is the infatuation with this guy? He's a walking 300 pound character flaw. He got kicked off the eventual national champions, he hasn't played football since, and you think he's going to step in and start on an NFL D-line immediately?

[KipCorrington25]

From seeing the MTV show he seems like a high character guy and we learned from that that he likes Chipolte.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Well, I only said this tougue-in-cheek. Lets hope he is something significantly better than George.
How could he not be?

[Carmelo15]

Did anyone else see Ryan Harris on the MTV reality show True Life? It was an episode called "I want the perfect body". It follows young people with varying circumstances. In Ryan's case he had jus signed his letter of intent to Notre Dame and was trying to bulk up. It's really cool to look back on that now and see a future Bronco at the end of his high school days.

[yerner]

<TABLE cellSpacing=3 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top height=30><TD class=tablemed>Ryan Harris
OT (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/position?id=46) | (6'4http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nfl/trans/1_2.gif", 305, 5.09) | NOTRE DAME (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/school?id=2339)

Scouts Grade: 73

Flags: (B: BULK/SIZE) Lacks size/bulk for position</TD><TD>http://assets.espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/nfl/sml/trans/den.gif (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/team?team=den) </TD><TD class=tablemed align=left>Selected by: Denver Broncos
Round: 3
Pick (Overall): 6(70) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablemed cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR vAlign=center height=18><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!---Insider promo---><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=tablesm align=middle bgColor=#ececec colSpan=2><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablemed2 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD>Strengths: An experienced, battle-tested offensive lineman. Has developed into an extremely efficient offensive tackle at the highest collegiate level. Shows very good initial quickness and does a fine job with his first step and blocking angles. Technically sound lineman with good footwork and hand-placement. Rarely is out of position and does a good job of using leverage and angles to complete assignments as a run blocker. Possesses adequate upper body power. Does a good job of cutting defenders when asked to and he also does a fine job of hitting the moving target in space. He is asked to pull more often than most OT's, and he shows very good quickness and mobility in that regard. He has long arms and big hands. Shows a quick set in pass pro. Is agile enough to mirror-and-slide with more athletic pass rushers. Rarely gets beat around the corner by pure speed.

Weaknesses: Lacks ideal size and dipped down under 280 pounds during his senior season. Possesses adequate but not good height for a left tackle prospect, and he must increase his bulk and prove he can maintain it moving forward. He lacks a wide base and does not show the consistent ability to anchor versus more powerful bull rushers. He doesn't play with a mean streak and he seems to be too much of a "finesse" blocker. He comes up short in terms of his ability to uproot defenders and drive them off the line of scrimmage as a run blocker. He also will leave his feet occasionally when he doesn't need to.

Overall: Harris received eight starts at right tackle during his true freshman season in 2003 and also saw extensive action on special teams. In 2004, he started at left tackle for all 12 of Notre Dame's contests but still contributed on special teams. Harris once again started every game (12) for the Fighting Irish in 2005 at left tackle giving him 31 consecutive starts leading up to his senior season in 2006. He started all 13 games at left tackle in 2006, giving him 44 consecutive starts to end his career. Harris has great experience at the highest level as a three and a half year starter. He also is a fine athlete for the position. However, Harris lacks ideal size and strength. Even more concerning to us is that he seems to lack a certain degree of toughness that it takes to succeed as a starting offensive tackle in the NFL. As such, we think Harris is a bit of an overrated prospect and would not recommend selecting him before the third round
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[SonOfLe-loLang]

hahaha which one of your fools called him a "scum bucket" on wikipedia?

[Kaylore]

He's going to be really good, guys. This one's a keeper. :thumbsup:

[Atlas]

We only have 2 more picks in the draft, i sure hope they grab a playmaking kick returner like a Yamon Figurs.

I think Quincy Morgan will be good enough. a S or CB and a RB are probably on the horizon.

[Odysseus]

He's going to be really good, guys. This one's a keeper. :thumbsup:

I like it.

[watermock]

ON the show he was eating at all times of the day. Morning, afternoon, night. Guy had to gain weight before he arrived at ND

Fasting is just morning to sunset for one month. As long as he can blow up DL instead of cars I'm cool with it. I don't want him getting his prayer rug out during a 4th quarter drive tho.

[watermock]

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/8020/harris1nf0.jpg

Is that legal in Indiana?

[ScottXray]

I don't know anything about him but .... doesn't this description sound like somebody we already know.... lets see ..... George ..... George .... Foster. Thats it. Yeah thats it. Pinch me, I want to wake up.

I thought the same thing....won't bulk up and won't play mean...Foster all over again...except third round

[wabbit]

I like the pick...I had no idea the guy was a Muslim, but who cares.

The guy can leave burnt toe-nail offerings at the alter of Athena for all I care if he can develop into a real contributor.

BTW, I read somewhere that quite a few scouts project Harris at Guard, which wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, but I'm assuming Denver hopes to play him at OT...preferably LT.

[Kaylore]

I like the pick...I had no idea the guy was a Muslim, but who cares.

The guy can leave burnt toe-nail offerings at the alter of Athena for all I care if he can develop into a real contributor.

BTW, I read somewhere that quite a few scouts project Harris at Guard, which wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, but I'm assuming Denver hopes to play him at OT...preferably LT.

He's probably a RT or a left guard. There's an outside shot he develops into a left tackle, but not likely. The point is that a lot of teams (like us) keep a minimal amount of linemen on the roster, so guys who can play multiple positions are a boon. With Nalen retiring at some point and Hamilton likely rolling to center, Harris would fill in nicely. My hope is that he pushes to play one of the tackle positions. It would make me feel much much better about our depth.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

I thought the same thing....won't bulk up and won't play mean...Foster all over again...except third round

Wont bulk up? Foster was enormous...plus Harris is a 3rd rounder...relax

[Symons26]

Can someone answer me, there was a show on MTV a few years ago and i think this kid was on it. It was a True Life or something and he said he was going to Notre Dame to play offensive tackle. Its really pointless, but its just something thats been bothering me.



wrong guy. the guy on mtv is younger and a DE.

[Bronco Yoda]

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/8020/harris1nf0.jpg

Is that legal in Indiana?

I don't know about Indiana but I'm pretty sure it's a right of passage in Missouri. Ha!

I had read somewhere before the draft that this kid was tagged a 'bronco type' so I'm hoping he'll be able to put a few pounds and be able to keep it on all season. Wasn't surprised at all at this pick. It will all come down to this kids mindset and how tough he is mentally.

[BroncoBuff]

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/8020/harris1nf0.jpg

Is that legal in Indiana?

Funny!

[BroncoBuff]

wrong guy. the guy on mtv is younger and a DE.

No, I think this is him .... I heard or read somewhere today that he was on a reality show.

[Atlas]

Yup. Ryan Harris is the one your thinking about. Our new o-linemen was on MTV.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Harris

Read his Wiki bio. (plus i remember seeing him on True Life as well)

I ****ing love wikipedia

[Atlas]

I'm willing to give this guy the benefit of the doubt for now

I'm sure he is relieved to hear that.

[watermock]

I don't like the pick. I don't like the Moss pick either.

[BroncoInferno]

I don't like the pick. I don't like the Moss pick either.

Too bad Justin Fargas wasn't available in this draft to pick, eh, mock?

[elsid13]

This was the draft pick that made me go WTF??? I posted on another thread that I thought that this kid would have been UDFA rookie, and I think he going to struggle to make the team (due to the lack of strength, foot speed and nastiness) and most likely will be PS player. I hope he proves me wrong, else this was a wasted pick.

BTW I like the idea of pickin OT in the third, just not the selection.

[Dos Rios]

He's probably a RT or a left guard. There's an outside shot he develops into a left tackle, but not likely. The point is that a lot of teams (like us) keep a minimal amount of linemen on the roster, so guys who can play multiple positions are a boon. With Nalen retiring at some point and Hamilton likely rolling to center, Harris would fill in nicely. My hope is that he pushes to play one of the tackle positions. It would make me feel much much better about our depth.

Broncos usually like to groom a young lineman on the practice squad for a year or two. Probably can't do that with a 3rd rounder. If Harris is kept on the active roster and Lepsis is fully healthy, I wonder if the team would still keep both Meadows and Pears.

[-Slap-]

Weird criticisms about this kid. People doubt his footspeed, but his 5.09 clocking at the Combine was top ten among linemen. People question his toughness. This is a good one. You don't become a starter at a major program early in your freshman season and then start 45 straight games unless you're a pretty tough guy. You have to accord Tim Crowder high marks in this area, too. He's been just as durable and dependable.

[Drek]

He's probably a RT or a left guard. There's an outside shot he develops into a left tackle, but not likely. The point is that a lot of teams (like us) keep a minimal amount of linemen on the roster, so guys who can play multiple positions are a boon. With Nalen retiring at some point and Hamilton likely rolling to center, Harris would fill in nicely. My hope is that he pushes to play one of the tackle positions. It would make me feel much much better about our depth.

I don't think he'll be able to play RT. He's not a powerful run blocker, his best OT skills are his athleticism, which is why he works well at LT.

The big turning point in that regard is his physical conditioning. He's already a good athlete for his size, but he needs to add strength, both upper and lower body. If he can do that he could be a very good LT. Maybe not a franchise cornerstone, but as good as Lepsis' prime.

If he doesn't he'll likely wind up a backup who can play a lot of positions.

Greek needs to rebuild this kid, if he does we'll all be real happy with where he's at in a couple years.

[elsid13]

Weird criticisms about this kid. People doubt his footspeed, but his 5.09 clocking at the Combine was top ten among linemen. People question his toughness. This is a good one. You don't become a starter at a major program early in your freshman season and then start 45 straight games unless you're a pretty tough guy. You have to accord Tim Crowder high marks in this area, too. He's been just as durable and dependable.

If we added the service academies to the schedule then I would say it was great pick. I just seen him get beat to much by Div I talent DEs to say this was solid pick. I think if he didn't play ND he wouldn't be first day pick at all. This smack of Dennison being lazy and not really watching the tapes.

If were going to reach for OT the at least we should of gone with Free of NUI (tough mean SOB that played on broken foot all year and has a motor).

[Barry Ramey]

Meadows may not make the team. He once again couldn't stay healthy last year and take the RT spot from Foster, so I'm not holding out hope he will help much this year either.

Harris was rated in the top 10 for tackles in every draft pub. I saw, so none of them saw him as going undrafted to say the least and generally perceived to go anywhere in the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th round, so I don't see this as any kind of reach pick. Not to mention played LT for a few years at a major program. Whether he develops or not, we'll see, but I don't see this Harris pick as any kind of reach. Sure, they could have taken Free, who played as a smaller school and even more unproven, but nobody took him the first day.

[-Slap-]

If we added the service academies to the schedule then I would say it was great pick. I just seen him get beat to much by Div I talent DEs to say this was solid pick. I think if he didn't play ND he wouldn't be first day pick at all. This smack of Dennison being lazy and not really watching the tapes.

If were going to reach for OT the at least we should of gone with Free of NUI (tough mean SOB that played on broken foot all year and has a motor).

Free is a finesse blocker, too. I would have been fine with him at this spot as well, but I don't see where he's a different type of player. We weren't looking for an ass kicker this year. We were looking for a guy with great pass pro potential. Harris (and Free) both provide that.

[elsid13]

Free is a finesse blocker, too. I would have been fine with him at this spot as well, but I don't see where he's a different type of player. We weren't looking for an ass kicker this year. We were looking for a guy with great pass pro potential. Harris (and Free) both provide that.

The difference Slap is that Free is about 6-6 324 and Harris 6-4 and under 300 pounds. If Denver wants to get bigger on o-line why not go with the bigger guy. While Free might not a have played big schoo, he has more potential and bigger frame.

I know you know how you feel about Stanley, that how I feel about Harris.

[Rock Chalk]

He's going to be really good, guys. This one's a keeper. :thumbsup:

Im not buying.

I dont mind the pick so much, but it does absolutely nothing for us in the trenches in the red zone. Carbon copy of what we currently have and they [the offensive line] have struggled mightily in the red zone the past few years.

[Drek]

The difference Slap is that Free is about 6-6 324 and Harris 6-4 and under 300 pounds. If Denver wants to get bigger on o-line why not go with the bigger guy. While Free might not a have played big schoo, he has more potential and bigger frame.

I know you know how you feel about Stanley, that how I feel about Harris.

1. Harris was 305 pounds at the combine, not under 300 pounds.

2. So a guy who plays weak at 324 has more potential to fill out than a guy who plays weak at 305? I don't get that at all.

Free has filled his frame out pretty well with jelly rolls. To get him NFL ready you'll need to get him to drop about 20 pounds then put on another 10-15 of muscle. With Harris you skip the first step and get a guy who's been starting on for one of the nation's top programs since he was a freshman, three years at LT, and who has experience doing everything our offensive line is required to do (pull, trap, block in space, chop block, etc.).

Harris is as solid an OL pick as we were getting in this sorry class. I'm still hoping we take Jermon Bushrod in round 6, I think he could be real good given some practice squad time, but Harris is a good pick for a team needing some OT youth.

[watermock]

Weird criticisms about this kid. People doubt his footspeed, but his 5.09 clocking at the Combine was top ten among linemen. People question his toughness. This is a good one. You don't become a starter at a major program early in your freshman season and then start 45 straight games unless you're a pretty tough guy. You have to accord Tim Crowder high marks in this area, too. He's been just as durable and dependable.

He's been coached and a good pick. He just might be our next tackle.

[broncolife]

I dont know, there is something about him I dont like. He just LOOKS like one of those snobby rich kids that have been pampered all there life. Not saying he has.Plus him being soft just throws more fuel to my wild imagination.