Kwame Harris Q&A
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Thursday, April 24th, 2008 at 9:03 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Thursday’s media interview with tackle Kwame Harris Thursday:
Q: Where do you fit in this system and what is your experience in the zone blocking scheme?
Harris: I :hink the system is really a good fit, especially for somebody my build. as you can see from the other o-linemen they are not necessarily these big bulking 340-350 pound 6-foot-10 guys. they are pretty athletic, pretty agile guys who can move and get to the second level. in terms of doing those things I think I am a really good fit for this system.
Q: Any previous experience with zone blocking?
Harris: In San Francisco we did a little bit of zone blocking but we were much more of a power blocking team. certainly there are some things I need to pick up and learn. that’s what I am doing now in the off-season, working with coach Cable and going out and getting the technique an fundamentals down. From that standpoint yes, there is going to be a little bit of a learning curve but nothing I shouldn’t be able to handle.
Q: Are you more comfortable on the left over the right or does it matter?
Harris: Right now I am going to play left tackle and I feel very good about it and very confident about it. I really feel coach Cable and I can do a lot there at that position, that is where I have been exclusively working now, on the left side. It’s been exciting for me, it’s been really good. It’s a new challenge for me. The left tackle usually sees the premiere defensive end on the opposing team so it is really exciting and challenge week in and week out. it’s something I am looking forward to.
Q: How many offenisve line coaches did you have with the 49ers?
Harris: (laughs) I think, maybe three.
Q: Players who have been through multiple line coaches here seemed to bond with Cable. What do you notice about him and the way he coaches the position?
Harris :Well certainly he knows what he is doing out there. He knows his stuff, knows the system, knows the philosophy behind the system, but even more than that he does a great job of communicating that to you . . . communicates the principles, what he is thinking, like what needs to happen and more importantly why it needs to happen that way. That is something I tend to always ask: `Why, why, why do it this way.’ I think when you have a complete understanding of a system, any system, you usually buy into it more, give more, it usually works better. In terms of just being a teacher he is phenomenal at that. I sensed that from him right away. From shopping around and seeing some other teams, there is great chemistry, a great rapport with him. He is a coach and there certainly there remains that player-coach dynamic but there is something beyond that also. Something where you can go, `Yeah, I can go out there and give it all for this guy.’ Really that was important for me coming in, finding somebody who could coach the position, somebody who could coach the system to me since it would be a different system. and coach Cable is both those things.
Q: Did you find it surprising after what happened in San Francisco that they wanted you on the left side?
Harris: Not so much. I have gone back and forth a little bit. when they approached me about playing left tackle I said OK … what do you see on film or what makes you think that? Why? I questioned why. We talked through it and he showed me some things on film, some fundamental things and after seeing that and speaking to him abut it I felt like I had probably been playing out of position for most of my time in the league. It was a little bit of an adjustment. not necessarily a surprise but certainly something I am completely devoted to now. I am excited, really excited about doing also.
Q: At the time you signed did they say that you would be a left tackle in their eyes?
Harris: Yeah. of course. rRght from the beginning it was always left tackle. It was very up front, very plain. that was good.
Q: Was that part of the pitch … that we have the system that is right for you and this is why?
Harris: Yeah. watching the system and also being a major fan of running the ball. and they run the ball very well here. I am not sure about numbers but you always see the highlights … at least I do … on SportsCenter featuring these two great backs they have here. I was really excited about coming in and blocking for Justin Fargas. I think we came out of college the same year. Just seeing him run and how physical a runner he was, any O-lineman would be excited about blocking for Justin Fargas. That was also something that got me really pumped up about coming here also.
Q: How important is it to get a fresh start?
Harris: I think it was important. very important. I am really excited to be here in Oakland in a new system under a new coaching staff and having a clean slate. I was fortunate to be with one team for five years but at the end of those five years I was ready to start anew.
Q: Did you have any second thoughts about staying in the same media market. you’ve taken some hits here?
Harris: I recognize some of the faces in the room so I know you guys do a little bit of coverage on both sides of the Bay. But a new team, a new system … aside from just being in the same general vicinity, everything has completely changed. in terms of feeling I wasn’t getting that fresh start, that really didn’t cross my mind.
Q: Do you feel you have something to prove?
Harris: Certainly. every day. I have something to prove in terms of coming out here and showing myself, you guys, the fans, the opponents I can do it. Certainly. Day in and day out it’s proving it … but mostly to yourself.
Q: Is there a little bit of an `I’ll show ‘em ‘thing going on to explain why you’re here?
Harris: Somewhat. I try to not carry any baggage like that with me from San Francisco over here. I have a lot of friends who play there still. I had a really good time playing there for five years. I don’t think very many kids can say then came from college to the professional football team that represents their town. In terms of that I was very fortunate. But in terms of bringing over like any vendettas . . .
Q: I don’t so much mean show them meaning the 49ers, but showing the fans who were so critical of you?
Harris: (laughs) I mean certainly. you certainly hear it. You cant not hear it. Certainly you can use that as inspiration or motivation to get you going but fans can be so temperamental it would be insane to base your inspiration on them.
Q: Did you talk to Robert Gallery when you got here, compare notes on having different line coaches?
Harris: Certainly. I talked to Gallery several times before I even signed with the Raiders. He was somebody I felt we were in similar positions also for a little bit of time. He had a phenomenal year last year too. getting to just talk to him and listen to what he had to say not just about Cable but the system, the fan market and you guys also . . . it really helped me come to a decision that this is a good fit for me. This is someplace I can be successful.
Q: During the trying times did you ever suffer a “crisis of confidence” and week out jungian answers to combat it?
Harris: I guessI can compare it to a baseball player going through a slump when you have tough times that happen back to back.Any tough times you start to question yourself a little bit. it happens to all of us, not just in football. Life throws curveballs at you. In terms of that, yeah, you have to sit there and look in the mirror and talk to yourself and remind yourself why you are in the NFL and why you should be. I have a brother who plays in the NFL also. I am lucky in that sense. We got to talking. when we go through similar things, bounce ideas and be sounding boards for each other. so certainly yes, there were trying times. but he would always say something to me and I am going to butcher the quote here, but “Without rain you can’t grow.” you also need those trying times to develop as a person and as a player. I wouldn’t change it.
Q: Was any of the criticism in San Francisco warranted?
Harris: Certainly. some of the things … I was just watching film a little while ago, and you wish you could do some plays over. there are times in there where you go `That’s not me, that doesn’t look like me.” But it is out there and it is you. You are doing it. You have to own that and be responsible for it. So yeah I wish I could have all those back. I wish I could have every sack, every bad play, every false start … I wish I could take them all and re-do them. It’s just not possible. and I wouldn’t be the player and the person and have the confidence I do now if those things hadn’t happen before
Q: Run blocking in a zone system requires more agility and quickness, movement, how is this system different in pass blocking?
Harris: The pass blocking system in San Francisco, how do I say this … was much more, I don’t know, like technique driven. very strict in a sense. Here I think one of the great things about coach Cable is that yes, you have a set of fundamentals, techniques and principles you have to work inside of. but also you need to go out and block the guy. Don’t let the guy get to the quarterback. That is the main goal. It’s not to keep your keep your hips square and stay in position. it’s to keep that guy away from JaMarcus. In terms of that I think coach Cable gives you a little more of a chance to own those fundamentals and use them in the way it best suits you as a player. In other places maybe it was more strict . . . this is the way it should be done, this is the way I want it done, this is how it should look. it’s not like a glove where one size fits all.
Q: Are you able to be more natural and not always be thinking now?
Harris: Certainly. Just by virtue of having played five years now. A lot of the white noise just seems to fade away. muscle memory … that’s one of the most important things abut being here now and doing it. Just getting on the field, getting into the set and getting the feel for being over on the left side. your body starts remembering what those things feel like.
Q: You are still young, but is this a chance to re-start your career?
Harris: I am young in age but I have been playing five years now. I don’t think I am so young in terms of that. But I do have age on my side and I have a long career ahead of me when I think of it. It’s a great opportunity and it’s something I think of often, this is a great chance to come over here to Oakland and be part of something great, something that is on the rise … and shine at that at the same time.
Q: Your thoughts on JaMarcus as a leader?
Harris: We lift and train at different times. We haven’t had a lot of contact., But in the weight room and walking around, the little bit of time we get to spend together, he seems like a really great guy. a really fun guy, somebody who it would be fun to be in the huddle with. Somebody who could keep things flowing but at the same time get the job done. Asking other players about him they all seem to have the utmost confidence in JaMarcus, that he is going to be somebody who can get out there and make the difficult pass and can make that play when the play needs to be made. Judging from everybody’s sense he has the team’s confidence. does that make sense.
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April 24th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
No
April 24th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Hopefully Harris can Bring it
April 24th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
#24…Michael Huff
April 24th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Dang Thec,
I’m riding up and down the line with my sword drawn and you’re over here reading??
Harris scares the hell out me…
April 24th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
RaiderDell Says:
April 24th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Burgess has played 16 games for seasons 2005, 2006.
Last year he missed two games,and played in 14 games, his injury was the first time he missed any games last year in 2007.
Prior two years was not injured and didn’t miss any time on the field.
I would take that stat with any player at any position in the NFL.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Huff24
Post #354 on the other blog entry was great, I said the same similar post yeaterday, but you added more points.
Burgess is staying, we need his presence, and he won’t take time away from any rookie, as we wil draft someone to play RDE.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Q: Your thoughts on JaMarcus as a leader?
Harris: We lift and train at different times. We haven’t had a lot of contact., But in the weight room and walking around, the little bit of time we get to spend together, he seems like a really great guy. a really fun guy, somebody who it would be fun to be in the huddle with. Somebody who could keep things flowing but at the same time get the job done. Asking other players about him they all seem to have the utmost confidence in JaMarcus, that he is going to be somebody who can get out there and make the difficult pass and can make that play when the play needs to be made. Judging from everybody’s sense he has the team’s confidence. does that make sense.
Nice really nice
April 24th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Harris could turn out to be like RG in the ZBS. The 9ers did not play ZBS. Hope he can bring it. We will still need to draft a LT or get one in FA maybe?
All in all good read Jerry.
Also Jerry thanks for the misdirection of :
Why DMAC isnt the pick.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Saint, Put that sword back in its sheath brethren.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
37 hours and 40 mins
April 24th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Thec
You know and see what I see.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Thec Says:
April 24th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Burgess is a machine…. a sack machine.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Yeah dell, my man is going to get paid, paid, paid.
We will win a SB before the dischargers will. hahahahaaha. We will win 1 in 3 gaurantee.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Kwame Harris’ favorite word is Certainly. He must be intelligent.
I wish I could sit down with Tom Cable and find out what made him think Kwame was a good fit at LT. I want to see what Cable saw on film.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Ntion you guys keep up the good fight. I gotta get some sleep.
OUT
April 24th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
my god Harris. please work your ass off and listen to ever single piece of advice they give you. Cable is your god.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Turnstile speaks!
April 24th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
REPOST
BART - “Burgess’ production is directly related to the fact that he plays against the slower right tackles.”
Dude. Burgess did everything without a legitimate RDE on the other side to take the pressure off of him. What makes you think that EVERY Right Tackle is slow? Is playing the RT position automatically make you a college player, playing in a big mans game? These guys are NFL caliber Right Tackles and alot of guys that play LT, who can’t cut it at LT in the NFL, are moved to RT, giving the position alot more talent. Think Lincoln Kennedy. Was he a scrub?
Burgess had to face off on the side that allows the QB to see him so he didn’t have the blind side advantage. He also got double teamed by the RT and the TE because there was no consistent pressure from the RDE. Everything he did, he did with great ability and is the lone reason this team had any kind of pass rush at all.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
peace out TheC!
Go Raiders!
April 24th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Thec - Night.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Kwame better like JR. Hes going to protect him. It will take one big hit for the Nation to start saying, “OFF WITH HIS HEAD.” And thats no joke.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Thec
Bra, night man.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
I really like what I’m hearing about JR. Kiffin was right when he said that JR just has a prescence about him that people follow. JR just has an aura about him and a charisma that people like to follow…or so it seems. 275lbs or 300lbs. It doesn’t matter. He probably looks like the players in the Blitz game. Hes probably 300 lbs of pure, unadulterated muscle but without steroids. Just Win.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
On Kwame Harris
It is evident that the staff and Cable specifically targeted Kwame and had a purpose in mind, to play LT for us.
This makes me feel a lot better about him, Cable identified him as a fit and is already working with him to make the transition from RT to a succesful ZBS LT.
“When they approached me about playing left tackle I said OK … what do you see on film or what makes you think that? Why? I questioned why.
We talked through it and he (Cable) showed me some things on film, some fundamental things and after seeing that and speaking to him abut it I felt like I had probably been playing out of position for most of my time in the league.”
Let´s just hope it works.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
crap, I hope Cable knows what he is doing.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Huff24 What do you think if the Raiders could get a @nd round pick to select J. Hardy WR?
April 24th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Huff24
Very good post, I just can’t understand people who want to trade our best defensive lineman.
Then to rely on rookies to be just as good, as the replacement.
We need all our DL to be a good pass rushers as well as stopping the run, Burgess can do both.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
I saw a lowlight film of Harris Blocking and it was scary. Cable thinks he sees something in him. Cable knows a lot more than I do about blocking. I hope he is right.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Sorry 2nd round pick
April 24th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Q: Run blocking in a zone system requires more agility and quickness, movement, how is this system different in pass blocking?
Harris: The pass blocking system in San Francisco, how do I say this … was much more, I don’t know, like technique driven. very strict in a sense. Here I think one of the great things about coach Cable is that yes, you have a set of fundamentals, techniques and principles you have to work inside of. but also you need to go out and block the guy. Don’t let the guy get to the quarterback. That is the main goal. It’s not to keep your keep your hips square and stay in position. it’s to keep that guy away from JaMarcus. In terms of that I think coach Cable gives you a little more of a chance to own those fundamentals and use them in the way it best suits you as a player. In other places maybe it was more strict . . . this is the way it should be done, this is the way I want it done, this is how it should look. it’s not like a glove where one size fits all.
This is encouraging, at least there is some reason to believe that things will be different in terms of pass blocking from his days in SF
April 24th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
What are the latest wild blog rumors on who we are going to select?
I miss a day and a half and I feel lost!
April 24th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
What I mean is this was not a random Free Agent siginig of a former 1st round underachiever in hopes he makes it, this was Cable´s choice to play LT.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
I generally try to keep things here positive,..however,…Kwame Harris is a bum,…he is a terrible left tackle…unsure what the Raiders were thinking…I think Oakland better try and trade down a few spots and draft a better left tackle…anyone,…dont need a Stanford bookworm wannabe football player….and hes protecting the franchise???????????…are they serious??????????????????
April 24th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Dakota
BHP, Terrapin and Huff24 are now in love with McFadden.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Ice - I know nothing about James Hardy. I’m sorry. My question is…do we draft a WR or another position of need? I would draft an Offensive Lineman in the 2nd round if we had one because I think we need one. Maybe an OLB?
April 24th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Alameda
You have to read the question again on the blog by Jerry, Cable wanted Harris and believes he can adjust to LT, so if you don’t believe in Harris then we might as well get rid of Cable.
Cable did wonders with Gallery, let’s see how Harris performs in camp and the pre season before you drop kick him out of Oakland.
How is Rusty?
April 24th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Huff24 I agree we need OL or would it be better to draft an Ilb and move Morrison to outside?
April 24th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Dakota
Same stuff, more draft nonsense, trades, extra picks.
Kiffin wore a red shirt during his press conf, indicating he is going to Tampa next year, I guess.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Remember, Kwame just turned 26 last month, he´s 2 full 2 years younger than Gallery and Cable went out and recruited him. There is hope.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Hey Fellas, Assassin is Morrison fast enough to play outside?
April 24th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Rustys fine I guess,…he hates Harris too,…he will probably run in front of traffic by game 3.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Morrison is fast and more of a pass coverage LB. Should the Ilb or the Olb be better at stopping the run?
April 24th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Bob
Cable may be our largest and best asset as a position coach, that the raiders haven’t had in a long time.
His style can save millions of dollars by identifying lineman later in the draft as well as engineering a great scheme for our running game.
I hope Harris works out, that LT position is critical and I see what he did with Gallery, I have high hope Harris will be successful and make the transition.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Alameda
Stay positive, man.
April 24th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
new post
April 24th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Dakota how do you feel about the Chefs taking are H.O.F son C.Long. I don’t think AL would like that?
April 24th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
i guess if cable can go out there in the clutch and play left tackle, all my worries are for naught…
April 24th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
In watching the Kwame Harris lowlights video, it seems to me that he looks more like a tight end than an offensive tackle. His center of gravity is too high for a tackle. Cable may believe this is a matter to technique, if Harris can crouch lower this problem will go away. It also seems like Alex Smith does not know when to step up in the pocket. Check it out for yourself….
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=12457884
April 24th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Kirk: i know that u-tube is hardly a definitive source, yet this site seems to show a repeat of gallery @ LT. will our rookie quarterback survive? only a few seem to care…
April 24th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Marley 23: Agreed. I had the same reaction. I feel much better about LT.
April 24th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Sorry Kwamee, you are not athletic enough to play the left side and that will become obvious in the first preseason game. So I hope Kiffin is smart enough to draft some competition at LT. I want a great “O” line once again in Oakland not one we can squeak by with.
April 24th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
What is the deal with Jason Cole of Yahoo sports?
Did Al Davis kill one of his parents?
The venom this guy spews concerning the Raiders is scary.
If I ever see him, I think I will spit right in his face.
April 24th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Kwame is a guard and he will end up at RG if Carlisle does not reup for 2009.
April 24th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
So what if he had a tough time at SF, the Niners suck worse than the Raiders; their team has been in a tailspin for years, with no hope.
Nolan sucks, the whole franchise is weak.
Kwame will come to Oaktown and thrive.
April 24th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
[...] Click here for the rest of the Harris interview. [...]
April 24th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Not much mention if Wade or if Newberry will be brought back to compete?
April 24th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Jason Cole of yahoo sports should get blasted one in the grill. He looks like he deserves a punch in the face. After reading what he had to write about duh raidezz, I’m sure of it.
April 25th, 2008 at 2:17 am
Jerry, great interview with Harris. Hopefully Cable can help make him successful and in the process help our O-line and the team as well. Great job, well done.
April 25th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Basically “Lame” Harris sucks. The Raiders are either seeing something no one else is or they are crazy to pu this guy protecting JR’s blind side. My prediction -he is going to get eaten alive by real ball players.
April 25th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Kwame, DeAngelo, Devin Joseph, are a former #1 picks looking for a new start with the Raiders. Hopefully they can re-start their careers here.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
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