2011 Draft: DB Brandon Harris talks NFL, Rex Ryan

[JetNation]

Recently Brandon Harris, a defensive back from the University of Miami, took the time to answer a few questions.  For those of you that are not familiar with Brandon, he is considered by many to be one of the top cover cornerbacks in the draft.  There is a very good chance that Harris will be selected in the first round, and he could be on the Jets radar at #30.

TR: What was your thought process behind coming out of school early to enter the NFL Draft? Did the University of Miami’s decision to release head coach Randy Shannon play any part in your decision?

BH: It was a family decision for me to enter the NFL draft. My mom and dad are both big on education. After we discovered I was only one semester from graduating and earning my degree in Business, it gave us the green light to go and pursue my life long goal in the NFL. I intend on eventually completing the required courses and attain my MBA, however we thought it’d be best for me to take advantage of the momentum. The firing of Randy Shannon had nothing to do with my departure from the university although we are life long friends.

TR: As one of the top ranked defensive backs in the draft, how would you break down your game for all of the fans out there?

BH: I am a very exciting player to watch. I play the game of football full of emotions and enthusiam when I’m on the field . Being versatile is something I take pride it, meaning playing aggressive in man to man coverage as well as in zone.

TR: While at the University of Miami you displayed tremendous man-to- man coverage skills. What are some of the challenges that you think you will face playing man coverage in the NFL?

BH: The University of Miami gave us all a competitive spirit so that would make the transition to the NFL a much smoother process. One challenge I notice is having the ability to not get as aggressive with WR’s due to the no contact rule after 5yards.

TR: The New York Jets play a very aggressive style of defense, one that often puts the defensive backs on an island by themselves. How do you think you would fit in that style of defense?

BH: That scheme of defense fits me perfectly. I not only have the skill set to play man to man, but I also have the heart that it takes to keep other players at bay.

TR: As a defensive back that excels in man coverage, do you watch any film of players like Darrelle Revis or Nnamdi Asomugha to help improve your game?

BH: I love football therefore in my spare time, I love watching football and those players at my position. Guys like Revis and Asomugha are guys I love to watch just because of how much man to man they play. They are guys that can eliminate opposing WR’s for an entire game. One guy I have always and will continue to watch is Deion Sanders.

TR: New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan has emerged as a very popular coach in the NFL, one that many players have said that they would like to play for. What are your thoughts on playing for a coach like Rex Ryan?

BH: Playing for a coach like Rex Ryan is exciting. After watching him and his team on TV, he reminds me a lot of my days playing high school football in Miami-Dade County. A trait of a good coach is one whose character can motivate the team. Coach Ryan’s enthusiasm and energy on the field rubs off on his team.

TR:  Finally, what do you think it will take to succeed in the National Football League?

BH: It will take passion, dedication, and work ethic to last in the NFL. Being able to adjust to coaches and schemes will be the key.

TR: Thank you for your time Brandon.  Enjoy the draft process and best of luck with your career in the NFL.

For those of you on Twitter you can follow Brandon at: @HarrisNOFLYZONE

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[faba]

Aggressive players fit the defense style we want to play. Still can not see us drafting corner again in first round at least

[jetscanes331]

I've seen Harris play many games, he's a pretty standout corner. He would fit our system well. BUT I agree - I don't see us drafting corner first round again.

[visajets]

Another CB................but but but wheres all those haters who dont want Cro back because we have Wilson.......but but maybe Wilson isnt what he was expected to be. Id still rather have Cro instead of a rookie CB opposite Revis. Drafting a CB is just plain DUMB.

[dolphann4life]

Brandon Harris sucks.

[bitonti]

we spend all our draft talk time talking about which front 7 player it will be blah blah Brooks Reed this blah blah Phil Taylor that

mark my words the Jets are a favorite to take a cornerback, every year that Rex Ryan is the coach. Brandon Harris (Jimmy Smith, Ras-I Dowling, Aaron Williams) none of these names would be surprising.

[T0mShane]

we spend all our draft talk time talking about which front 7 player it will be blah blah Brooks Reed this blah blah Phil Taylor that

mark my words the Jets are a favorite to take a cornerback, every year that Rex Ryan is the coach. Brandon Harris (Jimmy Smith, Ras-I Dowling, Aaron Williams) none of these names would be surprising.

During the four years Rex was a defensive coordinator with Baltimore, the Ravens only drafted one cornerback, and that was in the sixth round. Either he had zero pull with Ozzie Newsome or he's not too hung up on cornerbacks.

[bitonti]

During the four years Rex was a defensive coordinator with Baltimore, the Ravens only drafted one cornerback, and that was in the sixth round. Either he had zero pull with Ozzie Newsome or he's not too hung up on cornerbacks.

he had zero pull with Ozzie Newsome.

the Ravens have a football guy as a GM. the Jets have an accountant/lawyer GM who leans on football guys

put it another way the Giants take a DE every year. Even this year you'd think no way they take a DE... they have so many other needs. Yet... they will probably take a DE. I wouldn't bet against it.

Same thing with the Jets. since Rex has been here they have been CB crazy. And Cro ain't coming back.

[Aten]

we spend all our draft talk time talking about which front 7 player it will be blah blah Brooks Reed this blah blah Phil Taylor that

mark my words the Jets are a favorite to take a cornerback, every year that Rex Ryan is the coach. Brandon Harris (Jimmy Smith, Ras-I Dowling, Aaron Williams) none of these names would be surprising.

Smith wouldn't be surprising if we thought he could play safety. Any of the other three would be pretty shocking.

[bitonti]

how come 2 years ago all the talk was they needed 3 or more corners to compete with the Colts and Saints and other passing teams.

now everyone's ok with Revis and Wilson and no one? Cro ain't coming back neither is Coleman

[bitonti]

let me add... about Brandon Harris... he's known as a top tier man-to-man cornerback... that's his game... press coverage... went against pretty good competition in the ACC. Ray Didinger who is a HOF caliber journalist called him a top-20 grade not too long ago... wouldn't it be a coup for JN to interview this player before the Jets took him?

[Aten]

how come 2 years ago all the talk was they needed 3 or more corners to compete with the Colts and Saints and other passing teams.

We needed corners. We still need corners. We need other stuff too.

[derp]

Smith wouldn't be surprising if we thought he could play safety. Any of the other three would be pretty shocking.

I'd take Dowling or Williams to play safety before Smith any day of the week. Don't think any of them would be shocking depending on who's on the board if we're talking front 7 players.

Not sure why we get so position specific when discussing the draft. Give me the best player on the board who can play DE, OLB, CB, FS, or WR with NT and RT sleepers. All of those spots need to get addressed in FA anyway (unless we plan on starting Kyle Wilson with no questions asked), this way we get a good value (talking basically any defensive player who fits the scheme besides an ILB or a WR/OL) and if they think the best player's a QB they can probably trade out of the pick. So we're talking damn close to BPA unless it's a RB or TE which is unlikely the case, and filling a need that they wouldn't have to pay a veteran for once FA starts. It's a nice position to be in and I think helps build the team better than limiting to 2 or 3 positions, plus you get a player who you can use right away in some capacity.