Scouting The Draft: Macho Harris

by Matty I on Mar 26, 2009 12:15 AM EDT in News Comment 56 comments

All Macho does is make plays.

Let's turn our attention to cornerback now as we prepare for the draft. One of the most heavily discussed prospects this offseason has been Victor "Macho" Harris - the talented Virginia Tech corner.

So I enlisted the help of Glenn VanLandingham of VirginiaTechFan.com. Below are Macho's combine and pro day results followed by Glenn's scouting report on Harris.

Macho Harris

Height: 5'11 1/8" / Weight: 197
40: 4.48 / Arm: 31 3/4" / Vertical: 34" / Broad: 10'1"

Macho is built for the NFL. His measurables are good, but don’t wow you especially his speed. He’s 6’, around 195 lbs and probably only runs a 4.6 40-yard dash. However he’s simply a playmaker. Macho started regularly beginning in his true-SO year at cornerback, and quickly developed a knack for being around the ball. Ever since he’s lead the team and ranked high in the ACC for interceptions and pass breakups. When you talk about ‘lock down’ cornerbacks, that’s Macho.

In the Virginia Tech defense, cornerbacks are critical because of Bud Fosters attacking style defense. Bud’s played a modified 8 men in the box scheme since long before it was popular, so his approach is “I’ll get to your quarterback before your receivers get open”. That means Hokie cornerbacks get left on islands and have to be consistent, solid (and some say cocky). Macho basically took care of half the secondary for the Hokies for 3 years. When teams threw towards him, they risked INTs or pass breaks ups. Macho made several huge, game changing plays over the years for the Hokies, including several “pick-six”. The few games when he was out injured, they was a very noticeable difference in the performance of the defense.

Macho’s biggest drawback is his speed, which I believe will work against him on draft day. He generally makes up for it in athleticism and physicalness. Last year, he was moved to the ‘boundary corner’ position – the CB on the short side of the field which is responsible for a lot of run support, and Macho thrived. He had tons of Sportscenter-type hits on RBs and WRs, and blew up a bunch of screen plays. Again he has a knack for being around the ball and making plays.

The Hokies also put Macho to work on special teams as a kick-off returner primarily and occasional punt returner, where he also made big plays. They even put him on offense in his Jr and Sr year, though this may have had more to do with a lack of playmakers on that side of the ball than anything.

Bottom line, some NFL team will be getting a good one and I expect him to thrive at the next level.

A big thanks goes out to Glenn from VirginiaTechFan.com for putting this all together for us. And let me just add that I've watched a lot of Macho's highlights and read a lot about him and I've changed my tune on him. I'd absolutely love to see Harris wearing aqua and orange on Sundays. The kid's a stright up play-maker.

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thank you again Matty

for the great write ups/info

25th pick - Clay Mathews LB USC
44th pick - Alphonso Smith cb Wake Forest
56th pick - Clint Sintim LB Virginia
86th pick - Fili Moala DT USC

by Blaze453 on Mar 26, 2009 12:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

this is one of the guys i would love to get at 2 or 3

i predict we will draft 2 CB’s in the first 3 rounds

Just one man's opinion.
The defending AFC Champions Miami Dolphins chose Marino with the 27th pick in the NFL draft.....
Founding member of the 2nd round draft of NT Ron Brace, 6'3", 330, benchx225:32
Founding member of the 3rd round draft of OG Herman Johnson, 6'7", 350, 36.5" arms

by hwyatt3 on Mar 26, 2009 1:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree with you I hope we get a Harris, Byrd, Mickins,

the kid from ball st whose name escapes me at moment in the 3rd round and in second round one of the smiths, butler, D.J. Moore or Francies.

25th pick - Clay Mathews LB USC
44th pick - Alphonso Smith cb Wake Forest
56th pick - Clint Sintim LB Virginia
86th pick - Fili Moala DT USC

by Blaze453 on Mar 26, 2009 1:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

opps

Sherrod Martin from Troy not ball st :)

25th pick - Clay Mathews LB USC
44th pick - Alphonso Smith cb Wake Forest
56th pick - Clint Sintim LB Virginia
86th pick - Fili Moala DT USC

by Blaze453 on Mar 26, 2009 1:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

These are the guys I like not in any order...

CB: DariusButler, VictorHarris,Mike Mickens
LB: Connor Barwin,Larry English, Cody Brown (obviously Clay or Clint but I think they will be gone)
NT: Ron Brace, Alex Magee
OG: Herman Johnson, Roger Allen

I think WR will be addressed but in the mid to late rounds, here’s who I like:
Ramses Barden, Brooks Foster, Marco Mitchell (IF Louis Murphy slips that would be great.)

by hwyatt3 on Mar 26, 2009 2:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think Louis Murphy would be a nice addition for us.

by esco6781 on Mar 26, 2009 3:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see him as a Safety in the NFL

as well as many other CBs coming out this year. Despite the fact it’s a deep draft this year, IMO CB is not, speed is the knock on almost all of them, but if you have good ball skills, and can hit a little, you can be a good Safety. That’s where I think these talented but slow CBs will end up playing, and it could be a banner year for Safeties :>)

"We're paratroopers Lieutenant, we're supposed to be surrounded." -Major Richard Winters-
"Creator of the(pie in the sky) trade our 1st one of our 2nds and two of our 7th rounders and "draft B. J. Raji" bandwagon On board Matty I's Besswagon On board L Nicky 21s Brandwagon

by uncle finster on Mar 26, 2009 4:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Even though the write up says 4.60

He did run faster than that as reported 4.48. I think he plays CB, and plays like a young Al Harris. If the Fins pick him I would love it! However, he is a little cocky, which CB’s need to be, but not sure how the FO feels about that.

The Patriots Suck

by k2oconnor on Mar 26, 2009 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your forgetting one thing K2

Al Harris was fast, not slow. There is no such thing as a top flight CB who’s not fast, they just don’t exist :>)

by uncle finster on Mar 26, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think your reading to much into "Fast"

4.48 is not a slow time, and Al Harris was not an elite speed CB.

The Patriots Suck

by k2oconnor on Mar 26, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interestingly enough..

Harris was picked in the 6th round by the bucs. So coming out of college he wasn’t very highly regarded and even failed to make the team with the bucs.

Kind of a late bloomer.

by Natalya on Mar 26, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was a 4.68

at the combine, does this guy need the perfect surface to run a 4.46? Look at J Allen’s 4.39 or J thomas’s 4.48, at the combine. If you need a special surface to run an even moderately acceptable speed, your going to struggle at CB. Ball skills are worthless if you can’t stay with the WR. And remember who’s in our div. K2, Harris would get victimized.

by uncle finster on Mar 26, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe speed is less critical in a different scheme for a corner...

say, cover-2 for example.

by Natalya on Mar 26, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea too bad we don't play the cover 2

Even still, when your not fast, and you can’t keep up, that will always lead to problems. Do you want to see our guys chasing everyone this year?

by uncle finster on Mar 26, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

you need to keep in mind that the timing at the combine was reportedly off this year

creating many slow times

The Phinsider: SBN's Miami Dolphins blog

by Matty I on Mar 26, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Understood

If the time’s are off then that is a different matter. And i’ll be the first to admit that when it comes to corners I expect allot of speed. However that 4.46 and 4.5 are nothing to write home about, and speed prevents big plays.

by uncle finster on Mar 26, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he ran a 4.46 and a 4.5 at his pro day

which is why I posted it as a 4.48

The Phinsider: SBN's Miami Dolphins blog

by Matty I on Mar 26, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

which

is plenty fast enough to play CB. And as physical as Macho is, he can knock a WR off his route instead of just trying to run alongside him.

Take into account his power as well. He’s not a track-built speedster that needs room and a loooong stride to get going, so those 4.3 WR’s like Heyward-Bey won’t get the necessary room to hit top speed, and won’t be allowed to open up the stride. Timed Speed does not always correlate to game speed, because there’s so many factors not included into the 40 yard dash, including shoulder pads and helmets.

Phinsider HOF C/O 2009
Winner of Four 2008/2009 Matty Awards

by Little Nicky 21 on Mar 26, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Heyward-Bey comments

sound like they apply awfully well to a certain receiver on this team :)

by Natalya on Mar 26, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

they do.

Ginn is a long strider too, but I think he’s proven, at least, that he doesn’t lose his speed in pads. Everything else is still up in the air, but he’s definitely one of the fastest WR’s in the league.

Phinsider HOF C/O 2009
Winner of Four 2008/2009 Matty Awards

by Little Nicky 21 on Mar 26, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hate to disagree Nicky

But that is not “plenty fast enough to play CB.” Take a look around the NFL and find all the 4.48 CBs that are making an impact. That is marginal speed for CB. This guy looks like a safety, as do allot of this years CBs, which is where i think the slow 40 times are coming from, cuz it looks like someone told these guys they had to bulk up to be a corner! :>)

by uncle finster on Mar 26, 2009 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Food for thought:

Nnamdi Asomugha ran a 4.45 40 (link)
Cortland Finnegan ran a 4.46 (link)
Rashean Mathis ran a 4.45 (link)

So if 4.48 is only marginal speed, I guess that .02 to .03 seconds makes a difference, correct?

The Phinsider: SBN's Miami Dolphins blog

by Matty I on Mar 26, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nope, it is the BMI that makes the difference ;-)

by Natalya on Mar 26, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are correct sir

it does make a difference, and what did these guys run on there home field?

by uncle finster on Mar 26, 2009 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

40's don't matter because no CB will ever be in shorts and dry-fit shirts

running from a sprinters stance. I’d rather see a guy who can get to top speed out of his backpeddle in 2 steps, because even if his top speed isn’t on par with another guys, that other guy may take too long to get to top speed to be able to cover a WR.

Quickness, fluid hips, explosiveness, balance, intelligence, good technique, field awareness, ball skills, and overall body control can all make up for two tenths of a second in speed. If you judge a CB solely on his 40 time, then you end up missing out on alot of elite players.

Phinsider HOF C/O 2009
Winner of Four 2008/2009 Matty Awards

by Little Nicky 21 on Mar 26, 2009 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thank you very much...........

by hwyatt3 on Mar 27, 2009 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My point is

you hate to be out of a play just cuz the guy got your shoulder, and the slower you are the more it will happen.
And guys that’s not opinion, thats physics :>)

by uncle finster on Mar 27, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

BTW

Butler had a 4.38 pro day, also Butler and Davis ran low times of 4.32 at the combine, Harris ran a low of 4.53 on the same field. If you saw them running against each other in a race, Harris would look slow, 2 whole tenths of a sec is huge in a foot race :>)
source; NFL draft scouts

by uncle finster on Mar 27, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Double bagger

it would be great to get a Darius Butler and a Macho Harris, but there is so many ways for the FO to go. I’m sure we wont be disappointed. Pressure on the QB makes your CBs much better also. We need Wake and Roth to be studs this year as well as Peazy.
Butler, Brace and Harris wouldnt be too bad for the 1st 2 rounds.

Miami Dolphins 2008 AFC East Divison Champions

by Phintastic on Mar 26, 2009 9:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Another option

might be Smith, Hood and Macho

Miami Dolphins 2008 AFC East Divison Champions

by Phintastic on Mar 26, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'd like the pick but

still think CB in rnd 2 or 3 would work while going WR first.
my only reservation (completely unfair) with Macho Harris is his name sounds like Pacman Jones hah

by orandegadsden'shands on Mar 26, 2009 11:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well Macho should be there in round 2 or 3

he’s not a first round projected player

Phinsider HOF C/O 2009
Winner of Four 2008/2009 Matty Awards

by Little Nicky 21 on Mar 26, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

macho will be there in the second....i'm on the butler, harris bandwagon

i would be shocked if we didn’t take 2 CB’s in our first 3 picks

by hwyatt3 on Mar 27, 2009 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

wrong

by hwyatt3 on Mar 27, 2009 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

only 34" vertical?

pass.

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on Mar 26, 2009 12:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'LL PASS

I live here in SW Virginia and have the unfortunate experience of watching all VT games and … I’LL PASS ON MACHO!

First, how do other VT defenders fare in the NFL? Especially high profile corners (DeAngelo Hall, Jimmy Williams, etc)? VT’s defense is a system based on pressure created by a speedy pass rush by DE’s and LB’s. It makes their corners look much better than they are.

Second, he plays against a terribly weak ACC and an even weaker non-conference schedule (almost exclusively at home!). VT plays “cupcakes” out of conference year in and year out!

My last point here … Malcom Jenkins stock fell dramatically by running a 4.5 at the combine. He was said to be too slow to be an elite corner and he is much more talented (without argument) than Macho. How does Macho’s combine 40 rank against Jenkins on the SAME surface on the SAME day? SLOWER …and before you say he improved at his Pro Day, I’ll point out, many individuals improve on the home “surface” of choice.

by bcb on Mar 26, 2009 3:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

well in that case

there aren’t any corners worth drafting in this draft because everyone had a slow time.

The Phinsider: SBN's Miami Dolphins blog

by Matty I on Mar 26, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The popular argument in some circles...notably 'draft experts'

is that there are corners worth drafting but nobody who is elite.

Obviously that’s impossible to prove at this point but do our readers share that opinion – that this year’s CB crop is average at best?

by Natalya on Mar 26, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I say the crop is deep

but no “great” CBs from the get go though any of a number of these guys can get there, maybe.

25th pick - Clay Mathews LB USC
44th pick - Alphonso Smith cb Wake Forest
56th pick - Clint Sintim LB Virginia
86th pick - Fili Moala DT USC

by Blaze453 on Mar 26, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with that

there won’t be an immediate shut-down CB from this class, but in a year or two, there could be quite a few guys that will be starting number 1’s.

There’s a few guys who are “potentially” elite, but with a few question marks.
Sean Smith – can he overcome his length?
Vontae Davis – will his attitude get in the way?
Alphonso Smith – will his short stature keep him from being elite?
Macho Harris – does he possess good enough game speed?

That’s just an example of what I’m talking about. None of these guys are considered elite right now, but they have the ability to get there.

Phinsider HOF C/O 2009
Winner of Four 2008/2009 Matty Awards

by Little Nicky 21 on Mar 26, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

The thing is – we don’t need an “elite” corner. We just need a solid #1 corner – and a number of guys could develop into that (Vontae Davis, Darius Butler, Sean Smith to name a few first round possibilities).

The Phinsider: SBN's Miami Dolphins blog

by Matty I on Mar 26, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hate to keep harping on this Matty

but S Smith is a Safety in the NFL, 6-4 214 and that 4.5 range, that screams Safety to me. And I have said that Butler was the only CB i’d take in the first round, but I was mistaken, Davis is also a guy I would not mind having.

by uncle finster on Mar 26, 2009 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We'll have to agree to disagree here

And at his pro day, Smith ran in the 4.4s

The Phinsider: SBN's Miami Dolphins blog

by Matty I on Mar 26, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sean Smith will be a corner

I’ll say that. Being 6’4 doesn’t disqualify you from playing CB. It may work against you a little because usually 6’4 guys don’t have the quickness, the hip flexibility, or the ability to change direction on the fly that you need for a CB, but Smith, from everything I’ve seen, is able to do all that quite well despite his size.

Phinsider HOF C/O 2009
Winner of Four 2008/2009 Matty Awards

by Little Nicky 21 on Mar 26, 2009 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok it's a bet lol

a sig bet :>o

by uncle finster on Mar 27, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

Yes, you are right, we need a solid corner … a number 1. I’ve seen Macho play almost every game at VT and am unimpressed. Look at his stats and who they came against … in 2008 he had 44 tackles despite playing in run support on the short side of the field quite often. Look at who the “pick sixes” (and the 6 INT’s in general) came against …in 2008 2 versus Duke, 1 against Western Kentucky, and 1 against Nebraska (the current Nebraska … not the Nebraska from the 80’s). If I remeber correctly the INT against BC was a batted ball as well. He is not a ball hawk as described, and his BIG hits on the highlight reel mainly come against mediocre to sub- par teams! As I states … bigger names with flashier stats have come from VT and failed big time in the NFL

by bcb on Mar 26, 2009 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thank you very much

this regime is looking for solid corners that they can groom into great players…. Bowles is awesome and in my opinion the reason that goodman had such a good year…

to the VT hater: our defense is based on the rush…..so our corners will always have a little slack in the rope….

i really think we have a chance at butler and harris……butle has the potential to be a shutdown…..and harris is a playmaker and i doubt he will have to switch from cb to s

i know what i’m talking about………..just ask me

by hwyatt3 on Mar 27, 2009 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

not a VT hater ...

just a terribly overrated team year in and year out in an incredibly weak football conference. out of conference games are also (historically speaking) incredibly weak. you cannot argue that if you look at opponent win / loss records over the years out of conference. VT always has a highly rated defense based on the system and the level of competition … they do not turn out “elite” pro’s especially at the corner position based on their system of play and schedule (most are highly touted and never pan out) …

trust me … I know what I am talking about. I’m not a fan nor a hater … just an UNBIASED opinion

by bcb on Mar 27, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol we've had this same argument a million times here

you can’t judge a player based solely on what school he went to. We argued this about UF WR’s.

And I’ve learned never to trust somebody who says this:

trust me … I know what I am talking about

Who are you trying to convince? Me or you?

Phinsider HOF C/O 2009
Winner of Four 2008/2009 Matty Awards

by Little Nicky 21 on Mar 27, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

not getting the point

first, I’m not trying to convince anyone of anything, I’m just stating the opinion I have … so, the “trust me” comment was a jab at the previous response by “hwyatt3” who states that he knows what he is talking about, and I disagree with that statement (he obviously has a very biased opinion as his response as a hokie fan … the “our corners”, etc.). biased opinions do not help to make clear choices

second, the categorization of of “all” corners out of VT is not mine … I am just stating my opinion that based on their system and their schedule, the recent pro’s put out by VT at that position have not live up to the hype (the kid drafted by KC last year … Brandon Flowers … looks promising, but many before have failed in mind … Jimmy Williams (out of the NFL), Deangelo Hall (problem child), etc.)

third, my point remains exemplified by the stats … the majority of his “big” plays came against mediocre opponents. by watching highlight films he looks like a stud … but watch him all season long and you see a much different picture. I still say he is overhyped and has been portrayed on this site going back many posts in prior months as a promising corner. I may be wrong about this kid, but as stated, I’ve watched him and read about him for 3 years and do not see a #1 corner in him

by bcb on Mar 27, 2009 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

di you ever consider

that maybe the “track” at the combine was slow? Besides, it does not mean there will not be quality, but maybe not the high quality we have seen lately. The point here is that I do not see Macho being a solid #1 after watching him for essentially 3 years.

by bcb on Mar 26, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

there could be something to that "track" thought

keep in mind this was the first time the Combine was in Lucas Oil Field. Their track might just be slower.

The Phinsider: SBN's Miami Dolphins blog

by Matty I on Mar 26, 2009 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If we go corner at 25

I would perfer Davis if he slid that far. But just knowing Parcells history and what Sparano has talked about the past week IF there is a LB/DE that they have at 1st round grade left on the board he will be the pick in they very well could take 2 LBs on day one

25th pick - Clay Mathews LB USC
44th pick - Alphonso Smith cb Wake Forest
56th pick - Clint Sintim LB Virginia
86th pick - Fili Moala DT USC

by Blaze453 on Mar 26, 2009 5:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

wrong.........cb's early

by hwyatt3 on Mar 27, 2009 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Matty-

I think you do Macho a disservice by not mentioning his short shuttle time. He isn’t the fastest guy in a straight line but he put up a 4 second short shuttle which is outstanding and really showcases his ability to to keep up w/changes of direction on the move without slowing down.

Winner of the 2009 Bill Parcells Award.
Less Lonely Leader of the Percy Harvin Bandwagon.

by GatorPhan on Mar 27, 2009 1:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs