Macho moves to CB
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Macho moves to CB
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
At minicamp two weeks ago, Macho Harris was the starting free safety. But that was about as "penciled in" as a player can get.
Marlin Jackson, who the Eagles acquired in the off-season, wasn't practicing because of the torn ACL he suffered in October. And rookie Nate Allen, the Eagles' No. 2 pick in the draft, was held out because of a nagging quadriceps strain.
Apparently, the Eagles coaches got their erasers out between then and now.
Rookie camp opened today and Harris was lined up exclusively at right cornerback. It's not a position alien to the second-year pro. Harris played there all four seasons at Virginia Tech. But the Eagles moved him to safety last year after it became more and more apparent that neither Quintin Demps nor Sean Jones could nail down the job.
Harris said that he was told of the move a couple of days ago.
"There ain't no disappointment at all," Harris said. "Wherever the team needs me or whatever the team needs certain players at certain positions [to do], we're professional athletes."
Harris said that he wasn't sure if this was a permanent move. Coach Andy Reid had been touting Harris' versatility during minicamp and had said that a move was possible. The Eagles are thin at cornerback. Ellis Hobbs is the starter on the right side opposite Asante Samuel. But his hold on that spot appears to be tenuous.
Jackson and Allen, meanwhile, were back to work. Jackson, who ran with a slight limp, was with the first team and Allen was with the twos. They appear to be the top two combatants for the open free safety spot opposite strong safety Quintin Mikell. Quintin Demps is at strong safety right now, although the positions are basically interchangeable.
Here are other tidbits from the first day of OTAs for rookies and selected vets:
-- Max Jean-Gilles returned to practice. The guard sat out minicamp after having lap-band surgery. He said today that he's already lost around 30 pounds and is down to 358. He's still not eating solid foods, however.
-- The only rookie not in attendance was safety Kurt Coleman, who cannot attend OTAs because he's still enrolled at Ohio State and won't graduate until mid-June.
-- Veteran linebackers Joe Mays and Moise Fokou were in attendance. Fokou was with the first team at strong-side linebacker during minicamp, but he likely has a fight ahead of him for that spot. Mays is currently the backup at middle linebacker with Omar Gaither (foot) still recovering.
-- Linebacker Alex Hall, acquired from Cleveland in the Sheldon Brown/Chris Gocong trade, is still working out with the defensive line. Rookie defensive end Ricky Sapp is still working out with the linebackers.
-- Tight end Cornelius Ingram, who has torn the ACL in his left knee twice in two years, was a full participant in practice.
-- Despite reports from ESPN and the Boston Globe that the Eagles were interested in signing the recently-discarded Shawn Springs, a team source reiterated today that they are indeed not interested in the former Patriots cornerback.
-- In regards to former Texans guard Chester Pitts saying that the Eagles were interested in acquiring him, a team source said that it was the usual sniffing around and that they weren't likely to sign the free agent.
Is that CB West or CB East?— AreaMan
As long as Mancho gambles on every down I'm OK with this move. With 2 gamblers on the outside we can be sure to get a ton of interceptions this year. I also like the move of transitioning Alex Hall, a natural Strong LB, to defensive end. This is what makes Andy Reid such a great coach by recognizing talent and putting them were they will succeed even if it means taking them out of their natural position to an unfamiliar position. Ricky Sapp should also benefit from normally playing with his hand in the dirt to playing out in space. Jason Witten and Chris Cooley will both become ineffective once Sapp goes stride for stride with them with his 4.8 speed and smooth acceleration. Plus the leadership of Kolb will take him to the next level.
I have a bad feeling about the secondary. If Macho and Hobbs are the best you can muster for a competition, get used to hearing "Harris/Hobbs can't make the play, and fill-in-the-blank goes 60 yards for the score!"— jpk- I've been waiting for this move since about week 8 of last season
Why oh why did we get rid of Sheldon Brown????— KINGOFZED- here is why you guys can start worrying less. 1) Macho has another year experience so he should be slightly better. 2) The Dline will be slighty better and should get more pressure on the QB which will make the secondary look better 3) See #2 but replace Dline w/ the linebackers. 4) Hopefully KK will provide the team with a more consistent offense - i.e an offense that can sustain drives and keep the Defense off the field. W/ DMac at QB the team either went 3 and out or scored very quickly meaning the D had to play the majority of the game. If the offense can keep them better rested that will also make them much better. There you have it folks - (4) reasons to be optimistic about the defense. Now stop being the typical negative philly phans for a few months.— therev
- Hopefully Macho can get the poison out of his system and contribute this season.— Tacklebury
- Andy Reid should have gotten lap-band surgery— fat_andy
- secondary starting to shape up. I bet Harris beats out Hobbs and nate allen gets a lot of play at FS— NBAdraftRoom.com
Comment removed.- Hobbs better be ready to be just the KR on this team, and maybe, at best, a backup CB. Macho and Lindley will battle for the starting RCB, with Hanson in the slot and Asante at LCB. Jackson and Allen will battle for the starting S opposite of Mikell.— The Reddgie
- It's May, they got 2 months till training camp and 3.5 till the regular season, I'll worry then. He played CB at College, mine as well see what he can do there now because he's not a starting FS as seen last year, although the experience of playing both helps with depth and special teams.— Bleue
- Comment removed.
- The Tonner's prepared to be spending a lot of time in the parking lot this season. The Tonner's going to load up and party like it's 1999.
TheKolbIntereceptionMachineShow Haaaa what a tool....Ha!!!!
