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Charles Harris trending up after Miami Dolphins scrimmage

By Brian Miller

CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers throws under pressure by defensive end Charles Harris #90 of the Miami Dolphins during the first half of their NFL game at the StubHub Center September 17, 2017, in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers throws under pressure by defensive end Charles Harris #90 of the Miami Dolphins during the first half of their NFL game at the StubHub Center September 17, 2017, in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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The Miami Dolphins are hoping that what they saw from Charles Harris on Saturday is what they will seen in Charles Harris throughout the season.

Taken in round one of the 2017 NFL Draft, fans were hoping for more from Miami Dolphins defensive end Charles Harris. Harris’ rookie season can’t be graded by stats alone. As Dolphins coaches have said since last season, Harris has done what he was asked to.

Regardless he needs to take a step forward in 2018 and reps may be hard to get so taking advantage of them when he gets them, is important. On Saturday, he took advantage of them.

Harris had two sacks, both on Ryan Tannehill. The sacks came in a three play span. He was quick off the line and showed good edge techniques to get off the block and make the play. Harris has been showing a bit more of this during training camp.

Earlier in camp Harris told the media that he changed his off-season routines to get better and move forward. Following the practice he spoke with the media and compared the two off-seasons.

"(Why do you feel like you’re playing so well right now?) – “I’m peaceful. I’m thanking God for my opportunity to be out here and I’m loving the game. I feel like last year I just tried to work. I tried to work, tried to check off things. Every single day I came in, I did a check list. That’s all it was. But now I really love the game. I’ve got that love back. I feel like that’s the biggest thing. I want to be out here. Versus last year, I’m like, ‘Let’s get this thing over with.’ Now, it’s like I love it now. I got my love back for the game.” – MiamiDolphins.com"

It is no secret that a players first NFL training camp and season can be rough. It gets harder when a player is expected to play at a certain draft level. That pressure can lead to mental mistakes and other problems when things are not going as expected. Last year Harris seemed to get into that kind of funk especially when the media started to take notice that he wasn’t living up to the first round status.

This year the Dolphins expect Harris to take another step but that did not stop them from trading for another defensive end. Robert Quinn. Or re-signing William Hayes.

Earlier this camp one of his defensive ends spoke very highly of him, in fact, Cameron Wake said that Harris had the best off-season of any player on the team. That is a big compliment from the Dolphins best edge rusher. Harris knows that as well.

"(DE Cameron Wake said you had the best offseason of any player on the team. What did you think when you heard that?) – “He just told me that, but that’s big praise from big bro. It’s kind of one of those things that go in one ear and out the other. You’ve got to show up every day. Every single day you wake up, every time you see that sun, it’s a new opportunity to get better at your craft, to be productive, to really be productive. I’m just called to be productive and that’s what I have to do every single day. All the work I put in, it doesn’t matter. It’s about what I’m doing in the present. The present is the most important. The time is now.”"

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