A Crazy Idea That Just Might Work

This will probably never happen, but the the idea is intriguing. Cliff Harris is a threat to score every time he touches the ball, as we have seen. He's slight to the point of wispiness but tough like Gumby. A couple of blocks, an opening in front of him, and magic happens.


With LT out for the season now, doesn't a secret part of you wonder what would happen if they lined Harris out wide on a bubble screen and tossed him the ball? Granted, he has plenty of work to do to become a finished cornerback, and granted, there's a reason he's playing defense, but if anybody has the talent, speed and self-confidence to succeed in a dual role, it's Kash.


He played wide receiver in high school, and we've already seen what he can do with the ball in his hands. A part-time stint at wide receiver would also give him extra motivation to improve his hands on the defensive side of the ball, which can only make him a better player. A bubble screen is just a punt with a different trajectory, and the result is the same if you get past the first wave.

Of course there's more to playing receiver than catching passes. Receiver coach Scott Frost is famous for his insistent phrase, "No block, no rock." Hard to think the undersized Harris would adapt easily to trying to screen off a 240-lb. linebacker. In a limited role, however, he could be dynamic. Chances are the coaches will stick with Barner, Huff, Maehl, Paulson and Davis catching the ball, but sometimes it does seem the only thing the Oregon offense lacks this season is a true homerun threat at receiver. They haven't had one since this guy. That's a need that will be probably filled in this year's recruiting class, either by Tacoi Sumler or Devon Blackmon. In the meantime the Ducks have three more games to win, and the narrow escape over Cal showed how important it is to stretch the defense, and punish them when the safeties are crashing up to stop the run. Improved execution will take care of most of the problem, sure, but there's no substitute for speed and playmaking flair.

Is that too much Harris love? Have I lost my mind? Is it something that would only work in Playstation or Xbox? Somebody send the coach my email address. I'll send him a couple of plays.