Eagles waive CB Cliff Harris
The Eagles made one more roster move on Sunday morning, waiving talented undrafted rookie cornerback Cliff Harris. The timing was noteworthy because the Eagles waived 10 players together on Saturday, and Harris was the lone cut on Sunday morning. It also came two days after Harris recorded an interception in his second preseason game and one day before the Eagles were mandated to make five roster moves to cut their roster to 75.
Eagles waive CB Cliff Harris
Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Eagles made one more roster move on Sunday morning, waiving talented undrafted rookie cornerback Cliff Harris. The timing was noteworthy because the Eagles waived 10 players together on Saturday, and Harris was the lone cut on Sunday morning. It also came two days after Harris recorded an interception in his second preseason game and one day before the Eagles were mandated to make five roster moves to cut their roster to 75.
But the timing also gives Harris a chance to land on another team's roster and perhaps sneak onto their final 53-man roster cut based on the tape that he showed with the Eagles and his talented, albeit troubled, career at Oregon. Harris would also potentially be a practice squad option on the Eagles if he doesn't land with another team, although he already had his chance in Philadelphia.
Harris stood out on the first few days of training camp before veterans arrived. He seemed to hit a wall at that point, especially when he was troubled by an ankle injury that kept him out of the preseason opener. And whereas he seemed to get by early on his natural athleticism, Harris has recently tried to better understand the defense and his requirements within the system.
It also didn't help his case that he was behind other cornerbacks on the Eagles' roster, and it would have been unlikely based on performance and the depth chart that he would have made the Eagles' 53. They have Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie locked in as the top cornerbacks, with Joselio Hanson and Brandon Boykin competing for the nickel spot and Curtis Marsh and Brandon Hughes impressing on the outside. Trevard Lindley is also still on the roster.
Harris was a popular player because of his talent and off-the-field issues. He was a first-team All-American in 2010 at Oregon when he returned four punts for touchdowns and had six interceptions. He was kicked off Oregon's roster for a series of issues that included being pulled over driving 118 m.p.h. in a car that reportedly smelled of marijuana.
"It was a humbling experience," Harris said in July, "seeing what I had gained and what I had lost."
And yet JQ Jarrett, with less than a scintilla of the talent, remains. What?????— mccloudmj- The eagles sucks. I love the team but I can't believe that jarrett, or Hughes have more talent than this kid.— eagles-fan-in-texas
- They play different positions genius — DogBiscuitthedope
- it doesn't have anything to do with talent. the organization is trying its hardest not to look like idiots for drafting jarrett in the second round. that's the only reason he remains.— AlexSp
- The Iggs didn't want their version of Dez Bryant, Pacman Jones?— 5280philly
- Given his experience behind the wheel, perhaps he has a future in NASCAR.— Dave Clemens
- Keenan Clayton, 6'1", 229 lbs....played DB at Oklahoma for two years...why not put him at safety.— Romus
- "The eagles sucks. I love the team but I can't believe that jarrett, or Hughes have more talent than this kid."
— eagles-fan-in-texas
Again Reid hates to admit to mistakes: Jarrett was horrible again the
few plays I saw him, and then they get Juan to keep telling you he
had a good camp and is making strides??
It was the same with Reggie Brown a few years ago and Mat McCoy,
Reid kept them for several years until he figured people would
FORGET what high (both 2nd rounders also) draft picks he
wasted on them???
But by far Jarrett is worse than Brown or McCoy, the guy shouldn't
even be on any NFL roster, he is simply lost!!!
— mikey48 - Jarrett plays safety and Harris plays corner so i don't get your point. As for Harris, what does it mean when the reporter says he has "impressed" but is behind on the depth chart the likes of Trevor Lindley and Hughes? If he was impressive then surely he would pass one of those two who have never been impressive. He plays one of the premium most valued positions in the NFL so letting him go is some combination of him not really being that impressive and continued concern over his character.what % of each, who knows. we won't bc these reporters have less access to the team than a 13 year old kid with an internet connection.— UncleStosh
- I don't like when posters bash the writers, but in this case, I agree. Quite confusing. Sounds like the love is more emotional (kid got a tough break, learned his lesson, hope he makes it in the NFL) and not necessarily talent (no better than 7th on the depth chart if Hughes and Marsh are "impressing on the outside"). Like these articles generally, but sorry Zach/Jeff, this one is disjointed. — pfes
- I am sorry to see Cliff go. When the Eagles picked him up, I was really looking forward to seeing him play based upon looking at his Youtube highlights. He should be picked up by someone else pretty soon, I think.— Bobphxville
- Waaaaaaaa— Mystified
- I remember getting ripped for ripping the Jarrett pick. Amazing how he keeps making the roster. Sick of it!!— Geno D
- Have to agree with Mikey. We as longterm fans can see who is a gamer and who is not. We can clearly see that the organization is trying to save face. They clearly missed on this guy and should cut ties ASAP and move on. All of the back room coverups is just that coverups for someone who should not see the field again for the Eagles. It will be interesting to see how Andy Reid spins this thou.— thegooddre
- I thought Cliff Harris was doing pretty good. Why am i sitting here with an opinion that Reid would rather keep a player that's been here (Whether garbage or not), over a player that showed some promise.— PHILLYnative00
