What Moving Shelby Harris to DE has Opened up for the Broncos Defense
Moving Shelby Harris from nose tackle to defensive end put him in the best place to succeed. Harris hasn't been perfect since the switch, but the team is getting better play from him.
The Denver Broncos still need him to step up his game, but he has a better chance to do that now as a defensive end than he did at nose tackle. Against the Tennessee Titans, there were a few plays that stood out from Harris in a positive and negative manner that are worth breaking down.
Play 1: 5:04 | First Quarter | Staying Balanced
Situation: 1-&-15
Shelby Harris is lined up as the 4i technique, and the Titans are running a stretch to the right. Harris has the backside lane, and LT Taylor Lewan goes to cut him down.
However, Harris has good balance and stays on his feet. Once RB Derrick Henry commits to his running lane, Harris is able to close and blow up the play for a 1-yard gain.
Play 2: 8:25 | Second Quarter | Heads-Up
Situation: 2nd-&-2
This is a heads-up play by Harris. The Titans run a play-action, but he seems to read it as a potential screen and gets in position to blow it up.
Pressure from the right side forces the quarterback to escape the pocket, and the whole time Harris is reading the play. When the quarterback starts to climb, Harris comes up and makes the stop for the sack.
Having Harris in coverage is questionable, whether by design or by mistake. Fortunately for Denver, it ended up working out. If Harris was in coverage by his mistake, he does a good job keeping heads up and making the play.
Play 3: 4:49 | Third Quarter | Can't Shed
Situation: 1st-&-10
Here we see Harris lined up as the 5 tech, heads on with Lewan. Harris is taking the inside lane, to force the runner outside. He does that, but that is also what Lewan is wanting Harris to do. When Henry cuts it back outside, Harris is trying to get off the block to help blow up the play, but Lewan has him completely shut down.
There is one issue with Harris against the run — he struggles to get off blocks. We see that on display here. He does a good job eating up space, but the technique to shed just isn’t there. Denver has to get him going so he can be more effective as a defensive end in the scheme.
What it Means
The results speak for themselves — benching Adam Gotsis, moving Harris over to DE and inserting Mike Purcell into the starting group at NT has been a boost for the Broncos defensive line.
However, the results have been more because of Purcell and Alexander Johnson really stepping up than Harris. Gotsis was playing good football, and Harris at nose tackle was the issue.
With Derek Wolfe stepping his game up, Harris continues to be the weak link upfront. Denver has to get better from him going forward.
