woodbuck27
05-09-2007, 09:55 PM
http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070508/PKR01/705080566/1989
Posted May 8, 2007
Rookie Harris ignores his critics
By Tom Pelissero
tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
Clark Harris has seen the scouting reports itemizing his weaknesses.
That he's a soft, disinterested blocker. That he needs space to be an effective receiver. That he doesn't play with power, isn't a great competitor, doesn't like to be hit.
Harris respectfully disagrees with them all, of course, but there's only one criticism he can't understand — that he's "fake tough."
"I don't even know what that means," said Harris, goateed and tattooed at 6-foot-5 and 256 pounds, during a break in the Green Bay Packers' rookie orientation camp last weekend.
"I've heard comments where … I act tougher than I am, but I don't know what that's supposed to mean, either."
Some publications projected Harris — another talented pass-catcher from the Rutgers program that produced Philadelphia standout L.J. Smith — as a late first-day selection in last month's NFL draft. Instead, he became the last of a dozen tight ends selected when the Packers took him with their final pick, No. 243 overall.
Concerns about his speed (he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.83 seconds at the scouting combine), blocking ability and, yes, toughness might have contributed to the fall.
Harris' numbers peaked in 2004, when as a sophomore he hauled in 53 passes for 725 yards and five touchdowns. As the Scarlet Knights improved the past two years, they threw less and Harris blocked more, but he left among the school's career leaders in receptions (143), receiving yards (2,015) and touchdown catches (11).
He joins a Packers team that needs weapons in the passing game and has only a starter in apparent decline (Bubba Franks) and three relatively unproven backups (Zac Alcorn, Tory Humphrey and Donald Lee) at tight end after No. 2 David Martin bolted in free agency.
The team could keep three tight ends or four, depending whom best fits a zone-blocking scheme that requires tight ends to learn to play fullback, as well.
"I thought he showed toughness," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said of Harris, who has experience as a long snapper.
"Once again, when I look at a tight end, I like the versatility we use in our tight ends, either being an on-the-line player, a displaced player or a movement player. I think he has those attributes."
The Packers have had at least moderate success the last three times they drafted tight ends — in 1992 (Mark Chmura), 2000 (Franks) and 2001 (Martin) — but none of those players were drafted as late as Harris.
Receiver Donald Driver (1999), tackle Mark Tauscher (2000) and center Scott Wells (2004) are seventh-round draft picks who continue to play important roles for the Packers. However, from the reduction of the draft to seven rounds in 1994 through last year, the Packers drafted 22 players in the seventh round, and only eight saw action in their first season.
"It doesn't matter what round you get drafted in or even if you come in as an undrafted free agent or you're just having a tryout — whatever it is, you know?" Harris said. "It's just your opportunity to get your foot in the door and show people what you can do."
Posted May 8, 2007
Rookie Harris ignores his critics
By Tom Pelissero
tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
Clark Harris has seen the scouting reports itemizing his weaknesses.
That he's a soft, disinterested blocker. That he needs space to be an effective receiver. That he doesn't play with power, isn't a great competitor, doesn't like to be hit.
Harris respectfully disagrees with them all, of course, but there's only one criticism he can't understand — that he's "fake tough."
"I don't even know what that means," said Harris, goateed and tattooed at 6-foot-5 and 256 pounds, during a break in the Green Bay Packers' rookie orientation camp last weekend.
"I've heard comments where … I act tougher than I am, but I don't know what that's supposed to mean, either."
Some publications projected Harris — another talented pass-catcher from the Rutgers program that produced Philadelphia standout L.J. Smith — as a late first-day selection in last month's NFL draft. Instead, he became the last of a dozen tight ends selected when the Packers took him with their final pick, No. 243 overall.
Concerns about his speed (he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.83 seconds at the scouting combine), blocking ability and, yes, toughness might have contributed to the fall.
Harris' numbers peaked in 2004, when as a sophomore he hauled in 53 passes for 725 yards and five touchdowns. As the Scarlet Knights improved the past two years, they threw less and Harris blocked more, but he left among the school's career leaders in receptions (143), receiving yards (2,015) and touchdown catches (11).
He joins a Packers team that needs weapons in the passing game and has only a starter in apparent decline (Bubba Franks) and three relatively unproven backups (Zac Alcorn, Tory Humphrey and Donald Lee) at tight end after No. 2 David Martin bolted in free agency.
The team could keep three tight ends or four, depending whom best fits a zone-blocking scheme that requires tight ends to learn to play fullback, as well.
"I thought he showed toughness," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said of Harris, who has experience as a long snapper.
"Once again, when I look at a tight end, I like the versatility we use in our tight ends, either being an on-the-line player, a displaced player or a movement player. I think he has those attributes."
The Packers have had at least moderate success the last three times they drafted tight ends — in 1992 (Mark Chmura), 2000 (Franks) and 2001 (Martin) — but none of those players were drafted as late as Harris.
Receiver Donald Driver (1999), tackle Mark Tauscher (2000) and center Scott Wells (2004) are seventh-round draft picks who continue to play important roles for the Packers. However, from the reduction of the draft to seven rounds in 1994 through last year, the Packers drafted 22 players in the seventh round, and only eight saw action in their first season.
"It doesn't matter what round you get drafted in or even if you come in as an undrafted free agent or you're just having a tryout — whatever it is, you know?" Harris said. "It's just your opportunity to get your foot in the door and show people what you can do."