The pressure always will be there.
At this point last year, Broncos cornerback Chris Harris still was rehabilitating from a he suffered in a playoff game five months earlier. He was on a one-year contract after signing a and was a ways from opening negotiations on a long-term deal with the Broncos.
He was a good cornerback, hoping to prove he was much more.
Now the 25-year-old who went undrafted in 2011 is, arguably, one of the top corners in the NFL. He didn’t give up a touchdown pass in 2014 and allowed 7.7 yards per completion in coverage, the fewest among cornerbacks. He made the Pro Bowl and was named second-team all-pro. And in December, he signed a with the Broncos.
People know Harris now. Opposing teams know Harris now. But that chip might always be on his shoulder.
“There is always pressure playing cornerback,” Harris said. “It’s just a position where you’re always in the spotlight. I remember last year after I got my deal, I was able to just play more freely and just really play my game. This year I feel the same way.”
What isn’t the same is the Broncos’ defense and the man leading the attack. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has brought the heat, as Harris would say, molding his 3-4 alignment around his players’ strengths, attempting to unleash an unrelenting attack on offenses.
“To be left on an island, everybody is gone. Everybody is blitzing,” Harris said. “It’s something that we’ll be looking forward to in the season.”
Looking forward came after some looking back.
A devastating stayed with Harris and still is in the front of his mind as he prepares for the start of a new season. Not only did the Broncos go out quickly and poorly, he wasn’t matched with the Colts’ leading receiver, T.Y. Hilton, who had a team-high 72 yards on four receptions in Indianapolis’ playoff victory.
The frustration has turned to motivation. And in his second season with former Kansas teammate Aqib Talib and safety T.J. Ward, Harris is aiming to be the best.
“In my opinion, and I may always have a biased opinion, but we may probably have one of the best secondaries in the league,” Broncos linebacker Von Miller said. “Chris Harris and Aqib Talib — they’re just as good as anyone else.”
Taking advantage of an offseason when he’s fully healthy, Harris has gone in attack mode with his training. He said he weighs about 193 pounds, but plans to get down to the 180s by the season opener.
“I think overall I’m just stronger period,” he said. “My legs are stronger, upper body, everything. During the season, I would be sore as heck after games, and really felt it in my knee. Now, I can go practice and I can feel 100 percent after practice.”
Harris is now a staple on a team. He played 1,004 snaps last season and welcomes the days off mandated by first-year Denver coach Gary Kubiak.
He welcomes it because he sees the goal.
“The main goal is winning the Super Bowl,” he said. “I’ve been to the playoffs every year. I’ve had major experiences, and now all my focus is on doing whatever I can to lead this defense and this team to winning a Super Bowl.”
Chris Harris file
Age: 25
Experience: Four seasons
2014 statistics: 16 starts, 1,004 snaps, three interceptions, one forced fumble, 54 tackles, zero touchdowns allowed, 7.7 yards allowed per completion
2014 accolades:
Pro Bowl, second-team all-pro, Broncos’ Ed Block Courage Award winner, Henry P. Iba Citizen Athlete Award winner
Nicki Jhabvala: njhabvala@denverpost.com or twitter.com/nickijhabvala
