David Harris during a Michigan game
Jets inside linebacker David Harris completed his second pain-free training camp practice this morning, anchoring the first-team defense and manning the middle without a noticeable change to his gait.
"It felt real good being back out there with my teammates," said Harris, who led the Jets in tackles and tied for the team lead with five sacks last season. "I was a little bit rusty at first after taking two weeks off, but I'm good now and ready to go."
Harris had hurt himself two Sundays ago while covering a running back during 1-on-1 drills. He said that he made a cut, then felt a strain in his leg.
Today he declared himself "totally healthy."
The downtime, he said, was spent working with head strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi's staff, specifically with assistant strength coach Rick Lyle. They went slowly the first week, he said, having him ride the stationary bike and do sit-ups with the medicine ball, but kicked it up a notch last week with light running and calisthenics.
On Saturday, his teammates spoke glowingly of him and David Bowens complimented Harris' instincts and intellect.
"I'm not all that smart," Harris said while fighting to keep a straight face. "Those guys gave me way too much credit."
But he did admit to paying extra attention during the team meetings.
"You have to stay mentally sharp," he said. "When you're not playing, you have to look at the guys on the field, watch a lot of film and sort of put yourself in their shoes."
Well, now he's back in his own taped cleats.
