Story of wandering lineman
make that kind of money somewhere else? And I love the game.”
He does, but he’s preparing for life after it, too. He canceled a test that was scheduled Monday for him to get his financial adviser’s license in California, where his wife runs her own business and is expecting their second child any day. They will stay in Fresno because it’s the only real place Harris has ever set down roots since his college daysthere.
He did play three seasons for the Saints as their swing tackle from 2012 through 2014 and part of last season. Atlanta signed him as an undrafted rookie from Fresno State in 2012, put him on the practice squad for a week and then cut him before he found his relatively extended stay inNew Orleans.
Harris returned to the Falcons for the 2015 season. He also has been on the 53-man rosters of Jacksonville (did not get into a game), Miami (played in one), Detroit (for one week) and San Francisco (three days).
The Saints signed him in November 2017, cut him after 12days, re-signed him 11 days later, signed him again in January,then released him.
And here he is, at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side trying to add to his helmet collection.
“I like this team so far,’’ said Harris, 29, who worked outMonday, signed a contract but did not join his new teammatesat their Dave & Buster’s OTAsession. “It’s been a great first couple of days, so keep working hard and see how goodI can get.”
Sometimes the injuries do that, too. The Steelers signed Harris after projected swing tackle Jerald Hawkins was lost for the 2018 season last weekwith a torn quad.
Stuff happens. It’s why guys like Harris have football resumes that look like bingo cards. He has worn the numbers 72, 79, 71, 66, 65 and adds No.69 with the Steelers.
Asked if he could name all the head coaches he played for, he listed most of them, stumbling just once — “Sean Payton [Saints], Dan Quinn [Falcons], Gus Bradley [Jaguars], Adam Gase — I think it’s Adam Gase — in Miami. Detroit, it was Jim Caldwell at the time.” The only one he failed to mention was San Francisco, where he spent three days in November [KyleShanahan].
Now he adds Mike Tomlin to that list.
“I haven’t really had a conversation with him but he seems like a great guy,’’ Harris said. “I love this tempo, the guys come out here and work, so it’s good to be part of anorganization like that.”
The NFL, it’s been said, stands for “Not For Long.” Harris knows how that works, but he is going on a seventh season he hopes will last longer than some of them.