Paul Harris Fulfills Destiny, Will Try Out At NFL Combine
by Sean Keeley on Feb 6, 2012 9:30 AM EST
in Syracuse Basketball
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PrintWhen it comes to Paul Harris, I swear there's always been something in the universe working against him making it to the NBA.
Whether it's an injury or a personal matter or whatever, his pro basketball career always seemed to derail itself just as it was starting to get going.
Maybe it's because, ultimately, he was supposed to be a tight end in the National Football League.
Harris is going to attempt to prove correct the hundreds of Syracuse Orange fans who said over the years that Harris should have played football instead of basketball by trying to do just that.
@paulharris11
paul harris Before you here it on the Internet I'm trying out for the NFL as a tight end I will be at the combine never played football in my life...
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Harris went to add that "...if someone ask me what sport I play I would have to say football WOW I don't know if I can do it I LOVE BASKETBALL to much!!"
Harris was waived by the Maine Red Claws for the third time a few weeks back and I suppose it can't hurt for the 6'4", 193 pound.
How he ended up getting an invite to the NFL Combine, I suppose we'll find out. Maybe Paul is going to pull a Willie Mays Hayes and just show up. Regardless, I'm kinda excited to see what will happen.
Of course, if he ends up being a success, we'll curse him all over for not playing while at SU.
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How can someone who keep getting injured playing basketball
think they have a shot playing football? Best of luck to him and if he stays healthy he may have a shot, just hope he doesn’t try to do a layup on the goalpost after a TD.
A Georgetown degree is life's technical foul. - H/T HoyaSuxa
Jim Boeheim is Mick Jagger of college basketball. He gets cooler as he gets older. - Jay Wright
Tight End?
Not a chance, especially if he’s never played football before in his life. I don’t see Paul beng able to help in any type of blocking scheme, run an option route, read defenses or, hell, even right the right route at all. Now…strong safety I can see. Something where all he has to do is hang deep, read the QB and fly to the ball. I think that’s something Paul can handle. But, in all reality, it’s a long shot either way. Football isn’t a game where you can get by on pure athleticism. He couldn’t even do that in basketball.
"If I ain't gonna be part of the greatest, I gotta be the greatest myself." Busta Rhymes
I said when he was in school
that he should go this route and try out for the football team after his last season of hoops. Trying to make an NFL team would be a lot easier with a season of D1 under his belt.
May Doug Marrone bless you and keep you.
Rob Gronkowski
He might be the biggest meathead in the NFL. He also happens to be the best (or second best) TE in the league. I think Paul could probably figure this thing out.
Not to mention the basketball turned football guys in the league – Antonio Gates, Jimmy Graham, Tony Gonzalez. Not a bad trio of TEs to aspire to. I think he’s more likely to get by on pure athleticism as a TE than a shooting guard. He’ll never have to make a 18 foot jumper in the NFL.
by DMF on Feb 6, 2012 9:54 AM EST up reply actions
Gronk might be a meathead
But he’s played football his whole life. He might not know calculus, but he’s knows football and that’s what matters. Paul Harris is generally considered to have a low basketball IQ, a sport he’s played his whole life. And now he’s going to pick up not only fundamentals of football, but all the subtle nuances that make an NFL player, all on the fly? I think not.
Gonzalez and Graham both played football in college, so they’ve at least played on a high level. I’m pretty sure that Gonzalez went to Cal on a football scholarship, not basketball. Gates played in HS. Granted that’s a lot different from the NFL, but it’s at least something to fall back on; fundamentals of how to block, run a route, read a coverage, things like that. Paul has NEVER played football. You can’t go from never doing something in your life to competing against the best of the best. Of course I’ll be pulling for him to get a shot, but it’ll be beyond a long one.
"If I ain't gonna be part of the greatest, I gotta be the greatest myself." Busta Rhymes
by FeloniousPhunk on Feb 6, 2012 10:14 AM EST up reply actions
Graham played a season of college football
After playing basketball for the first part of his career at Miami.
Gonzalez played both football and basketball at Cal.
http://cusepulp.blogspot.com/
by Lots of Pulp on Feb 6, 2012 10:34 AM EST up reply actions
You're right about all of that
I just like pointing out that Gronk is a meathead.
Graham might be the closest comp. He played one year of college football and then was a backup TE for a year and this year, only his second in the NFL, BLEW UP and was, at worst, the second best TE in the NFL (Drew Brees played a big part in that of course). That’s pretty a pretty quick ascent from novice to Pro Bowl. You’ll never see that happen in basketball.
He might get a look for a practice squad spot, put in a year or two running routes, learning blocking schemes, and then get a shot at the big time. Or he might get hit once and say, “Eff this, I’m outta here.” He certainly has the build for the NFL. Hopefully he makes it. I’m rootin for him (as I’m sure we all are).
Agree and Disagree
Having never played football EVER he will have a near impossible time making it to the NFL. So, I agree with you there. BUT, if there is every a position for him to make it, I believe TE/FB/Hybrid is his best option. Safeties have to read and react. Know how to cover not just part of the field but also how to play man to man with opposing TE’s/WR’s. So, I disagree with that. If he ever has a chance to make it, he needs to play a position that he can be successful at where pure athleticism can make him successful. To me, it will be easier for him to learn a TE position rather then playing safety. The crazy question is….what if this works???
by Mike Will is DoubleDown on Feb 6, 2012 10:44 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah
I agree somewhat abotu safety too. I mean, when he was at SU, I barely trusted him on the weak side of the zone. Forget about not biting on play action and giving up a long pass play. But, to me, I think he’d be better off in a read and react position like DB than a more precision oriented role like TE.
I think, maybe, he could catch in an indoor league or something to get the basics down. If he can do that the, maybe, in a couple years he could have a shot in the NFL. But I still highly doubt it.
"If I ain't gonna be part of the greatest, I gotta be the greatest myself." Busta Rhymes
by FeloniousPhunk on Feb 6, 2012 10:50 AM EST up reply actions
well
i honestly think Paul Harris could be a great tight end, like a Vernon Davis type the way hes built. And remember guys, the combine is stuff like 40 yard dash, shuffeling, and minimal blocking stuff. This is a test on his body/endurance which I think he will excel at. When it comes to actually playing the game of football, takes a LOT more than just physical talent.
I don't thnk that 193 lbs is accurate, but Pauly's still going to need to tack on a lot of weight
I’ve seen Paul listed at 220 – 230 most places. He could have slimmed down a lot in the last couple years, but there aren’t any rostered TEs below 245 in the NFL, if Yahoo’s data are to be trusted. That’s a lot of bulk to add.
I agree
193 lbs sounds suspect. For his sake I hope he’s at least 225.
"think he’s more likely to get by on pure athleticism as a TE than a shooting guard. He’ll never have to make a 18 foot jumper in the NFL."
I could be wrong, but football, to me, is a much more cerebral game to me. I mean, on any given play he’d have to know where to line up, whether he’s supposed to block or run a route and which route to run, all based on the few code words the QB says in the huddle. And that’s assuming there is a huddle. Then, presnap, he has to listed for any audibles from the QB, not to mention make his own read of the defense. Then, during the play, he’ll have to adjust his route or his blocking on the fly to whatever the defense is doing. Now, I’m not saying that he needs to be a rocket scientist to do all that, but he does need practice, a lot of it, and he has none at all.
"If I ain't gonna be part of the greatest, I gotta be the greatest myself." Busta Rhymes
He needs repetition
I think it’s harder to develop a mid-range game (love you, CJ Fair!!!) than learn who/where to block. When in doubt, hit everyone, right? Haha
That's the thing
You can’t hit everyone. Playing TE, you need to know who to block and when, when to release a guy to the OL next to you so that you can pick up the free rusher. It’s not as simple as, “Knock everybody down”. This isn’t The Waterboy.
"If I ain't gonna be part of the greatest, I gotta be the greatest myself." Busta Rhymes
by FeloniousPhunk on Feb 6, 2012 10:52 AM EST up reply actions
Haha, I know - I was kidding
His best shot is to get on a team’s practice squad and learn the game. No one’s plugging him into a 53-man roster any time soon.
His best option
Is to go play in canada for a year, a team isnt gonna pick him up for a practice squad based on potential.
Man this kid
has bad luck, or listened to the wrong people, or both. Possibly should have finished his degree too, since I can tell you now with 99.9999% assurance he will be looked over or laughed out of the combine.
He is going up against guys with many years of football experience, many of which had 4-5 at the D1 level, who would be lucky to make a practice team.
Yeah but the guy is athletic as hell! He probably has a great 40 and shuttle time and a hell of a verticle.
With his height, and the simplicity of the position, I could see him playing a passing-down DE.
Born in '87, Orange fan since '86
I guess I made a twitter, follow @StealthTurkey
by StealthTurkey on Feb 6, 2012 11:19 AM EST up reply actions
True
Though I’d think he’d have to get up to at leat 240-250 to play D-line. But he could have some value as part of a Giants-esque “NASCASR” D-line package.
"If I ain't gonna be part of the greatest, I gotta be the greatest myself." Busta Rhymes
by FeloniousPhunk on Feb 6, 2012 1:12 PM EST up reply actions
No it isn't.
Guys who played pro baseball go back and play college football all the time
by DukePettyjohn on Feb 6, 2012 12:40 PM EST up reply actions
Baseball has different rules
Author and Contributor at Cartilage Free Captain
by Nick Petrilli on Feb 6, 2012 1:27 PM EST up reply actions
His amateur status should only be affected for basketball. People get drafted in the MLB draft all the time and play in the minors before deciding to go back and play D-I football, so this should be the same situation. Russell Wilson is a most recent example.
by aTribeCalledKueth on Feb 6, 2012 1:47 PM EST up reply actions
No, even without the NBDL shit
You get 5 years to play 4.
Author and Contributor at Cartilage Free Captain
by Nick Petrilli on Feb 6, 2012 1:27 PM EST up reply actions
yeah but paulus played all 4 years at duke but got a 5th to switch sports
Whats the deal who knows the actual rulesi does this not apply because paul wouldnt be enrolling in grad school
You get 5 years to play 4 in one sport.
But I believe the clock starts when you start playing. So Paul’s 5th year would have had to follow his 4th year. It can’t be years later.
'Cuse 2010, Michigan 2012
Michael Haddix
of the Siena college basketball team tried this a few years ago (2007). He was listed as 6’ 6’’ and 255 lbs and his father played 8 years in the NFL for the Eagles and Packers. He got a few try outs, but never stuck anywhere.
You may run like mays, but you hit like shit…
by aTribeCalledKueth on Feb 6, 2012 1:41 PM EST reply actions
dude had the talent to play pro football...
might be too late to transition now
G-Mac bitches
BC 2011
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