Harris prepared for increased role at DE
Dolphins can’t afford drop in production despite two injuries.
DAVIE — Charles Harris was sitting at his locker earlier this week, as he glanced over at a locker vacated by the injured William Hayes.
“His work ethic,” Harris said. “That’s it. Just work ethic. The way he loves the game. The way he’s serious about the game. That tenacity he brings to the game.”
Then Harris looked over a locker vacated by the injured Andre Branch.
“Same,” Harris said. “Work ethic. The passion he brings. He’s our hype man. He’s the one who gets everyone lit. He’s still going to do that. It won’tbe no dropoff. It won’t be a dropoff.”
What the Dolphins are hoping is that with Harris taking on an increased role, starting Sunday at New England, there is no dropoff from the production of Hayes (injured reserve, knee) and Branch (knee).
Harris has been part of a fiveman defensive end rotation that’s suddenly down to three, with recently promoted former practice squad defensive end Jonathan Woodard in line as the potential fourth.
It’s former Pro Bowlers Cam Wake and Robert Quinn and — Harris, Miami’s first-round draft choice in 2017. Wake missed practice Wednesday with a knee injury but had returned by the end of the week.
“It’s keeping doing what I’ve got to do, day in and day out, not getting frustrated, not carrying too
much, or putting too much pressure on myself, just playing the game, because I love the game,” Harris said. “Doing stuff that everybody doesn’t see, that doesn’t go to the media, that’s not publicized or advertised, that coaches don’t see, little things, to make sure I’m ready to go.”
Harris had two sacks in a scrimmage at Hard Rock Stadium before the season. In 18 regular season games, he has two sacks.
Harris is asked how close he feels to a breakthrough, or to taking a step to another level.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Harris replies.
To breaking through, a reporter repeats.
“Everything we do in practice and the game, we’re looking for the next step,” Harris said. “Every day is a process.”
Harris played a season-high 34 snaps in Sunday’s defeat of Oakland, and posted a career-high three tackles.
Coaches want him to focus on attacking the quarterback, every single snap.
According to research by Pro Football Focus, here are the Dolphins defensive end leaders in pressures: Cam Wake (10), Robert Quinn (7), Andre Branch (5), Charles Harris (3) and William Hayes (2).
“I’m going to take it a day at a time,” Harris said. “Make sure I’m working on my fundamentals. Working on my keys. And doing everything the coaches ask me to do and anything I need to do to be prepared.”
What about the prospect of sacking Tom Brady in New England?
“I’m pretty excited,” Harris said. “Coaches always say the big game is the next game. So that’s my mindset. Not taking it like it’s any different. Every game is a big game. It just happens to be an away game plus it’s a divisional game so that’s just icing on the cake.