Sep 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Coby Fleener (80) drops a pass in the end zone while being covered by Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. (25) during the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The debate has waged since football started.
Who is the best?
From ever to current, that one question gets more people riled up and in a tizzy more than anything.
It seems there are two positions in the NFL this happens the most – quarterback and cornerback. Who you think is the best depends on the team you root for or cover. We won’t get into quarterbacks here.
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The one Broncos Country should get behind the most is cornerback.
Chris Harris is the best defensive back in football.
Period.
End of discussion.
The stats back him up. In Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, Harris was thrown at seven times. He allowed 0 catches for 0 yards with 4 passes defended. Pro Football Focus graded him at a 4.1.
For the season, he allows a quarterback rating of 29.9.
According to PFF, he’s the second-highest rated cornerback at 7.5. That is behind San Diego’s Brandon Flowers.
Harris allows .53 yards per cover snap this season, and according to PFF, he is sixth of 96 CBs who have at least 70 snaps.
Sep 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) is tackled by Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris (25) during the first half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
So why isn’t Harris ever mentioned in the discussion of the best in the NFL?
Because he does his job and let’s his play do his talking. Harris will talk, as he showed a few weeks ago when he said was the best.
"“I’m starting out hot. Right now I think I’m the top corner.” Harris told Brandon Spano. “I play man-to-man, inside and outside. I’m here to show everybody that labeled me a slot corner that I can play outside and inside.”"
You will not see him take the shameful route of Richard Sherman or Patrick Peterson. Harris has more pride than that.
Think you’re the best.
Say you’re the best.
But when you come off like an arrogant jerk, you don’t do yourself any favors.
Harris has too much respect for himself to do that. He wants his play to talk for him. And so far this season, no one is doing it better or more consistently.
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Broncos Country had the benefit of watching one of the best cornerbacks to ever play the game – twice. Louis Wright with the Orange Crush and then recently with Champ Bailey.
Similar to Bailey, Harris doesn’t use the camera or the microphone to sell himself. You never heard or saw Bailey yell at a sideline reporter. You never heard or saw Bailey get in a Twitter debate with a fellow cornerback. You never heard or saw Bailey trash a competitor.
It’s clear that Harris learned from the right guy.
You never hear or see Harris selling himself to reporters or yelling at them. You never hear or see Harris getting into a Twitter debate with other cornerbacks. You never hear or see Harris trash a competitor.
The old adage is, “Act like you’ve been there before.”
In a time everyone tells you how great they are, how special they are, how magnificent they are, let’s respect those who let their play say all they won’t.
Let’s hold up the players who have class.
Let’s boast about the guys who honor the cities where they play, the organizations they play for, their teammates and themselves.
Just like his predecessor, Harris may not say it, and that’s the way it should be.
I and the rest of Broncos Country will say it for him.
Chris Harris is the best cornerback in the NFL.
Sep 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. and safety Rahim Moore (26) react during the second half against the against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports