To hear Pittsburgh Steelers veteran cornerback Ike Taylor talk, we should all be excited about rookie undrafted free agent running back Josh Harris, who might just get a few carries Sunday when the team host the New Orleans Saints at Heinz Field.
During his weekly show on Trib Live Radio, Taylor talked glowingly about Harris, who was promoted to the Steelers 53 man roster from the practice squad last Tuesday after running back LeGarrette Blount was waived.
“He’s ready,” said Taylor of Harris. “The boy’s been getting in for like the last month versus the defense. The boy’s been working. Great feet and he’s faster than what you think. So watch what I tell you, he just needs to get hit a few times in a game to get his little groove on. But watch what I tell you, he’s got great feet, great feet, great feet.”
Unless Taylor has a weird foot fetish that would rival the one New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan has, I think it’s safe to assume that he likes the way Harris moves. During his rehab from a broken forearm, Taylor’s probably had a chance to watch Harris very close and we might just get a chance to see Sunday if the cornerback is pouring it on a little thick with his praise of the Wake Forest product.
Taylor, however, isn’t the only player that’s been impressed with Harris as starting running back Le’Veon Bell also recently talked glowingly of his backfield mate.
“He’s real explosive and strong,” Bell said, according to Will Graves of the Associated Press. “And fast, real fast, and he’s gotten better each and every week. I’ve seen it, and I think he can pick up things right now. He just has to get comfortable in our offense, and he’ll be fine.”
Even though it looks like the Steelers might have a role already carved out for Harris, who finished his college career with a total of 489 carries, 2,230 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns, the young running back didn’t seem like he knew what that role would be in a recent interview.
“We really haven’t looked at the ways I can help this team,” Harris said. “But once we do that then we can go from there.”
If indeed his feet are as great as Taylor says they are, Harris shouldn’t have a problem finding a way to help the team.
