Secondary issue is a replacement

Harris presented with opportunity

By Joe Burris, Globe Staff, 9/3/2003

FOXBOROUGH -- Antwan Harris has been preparing for the upcoming NFL season, of course, but now he is preparing with all eyes upon him.

The fourth-year safety was thrust into the spotlight yesterday when the Patriots released four-time Pro Bowl safety Lawyer Milloy, one of the team's most popular players. Harris, along with the other remaining safeties, is now vying to be elevated from reserve to starter.

Asked how he planned to capitalize on the unexpected turn of events, Harris emphasized that he aims to fill Milloy's spot, not his shoes. "It's a disappointment for everybody, but I have to try to step up and do what Antwan can do," he said. "I'm going to try to help the team out. I know I'm no Lawyer Milloy, but I'm going to take my abilities and do what I can do."

Selected by the Patriots in the sixth round (187th overall) of the 2000 draft, Harris last season made 10 defensive tackles (9 solo) and 5 special teams tackles (4 solo).

Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Harris will be among three candidates for the starting spot, along with fifth-year veteran Chris Akins and fourth-year veteran Aric Morris.

"You really don't replace a player like [Milloy]," said Belichick. "He has an element of toughness and leadership and dependability that has been a standard. They are big shoes to fill.

"Chris, Antwan, and Aric have all worked there, and we will go with what we have, and those players will get an opportunity to step in and play that position."

Asked who would start if the season opener were today instead of Sunday at Buffalo, Belichick said, "Antwan and Chris will both work there, and Aric will work there some as well."

Harris's opportunity comes only because of the departure of one of the players who helped him get acclimated to the NFL.

"It's a sad day for all the guys on the team that were really close to Lawyer," said Harris. "I looked up to him and Otis Smith and Ty [Law], and they helped me to get to where I am today."

Harris has one career start (Oct. 7, 2001, against Miami) and last season spelled injured defensive back Tebucky Jones Nov. 17 against Oakland and made a pair of solo tackles.

Among his most memorable plays was taking a lateral from Troy Brown following a blocked field goal attempt and running 49 yards for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2001 AFC Championship game. It was the first touchdown of his career.

In the Super Bowl that season, Harris forced a fumble by St. Louis Rams wide receiver Ricky Proehl, and the ball was recovered by the Patriots, who scored a touchdown five plays later.

"I look forward to my opportunity, and I hope to make the best out of it," said Harris. "I think I need to keep doing what I'm doing in practice -- be vocal, let everybody know what the coverage is, and just do my assignment.

"The coaches make the plays, they make the defense, and we just have to go out and execute. I feel like I'm ready. Like I said, I'm not Lawyer Milloy. I'm Antwan, and I have to take my abilities and put them on the field."

Asked to assess the impact of Milloy's departure, Harris said, "I don't want get into anything about what happened [yesterday], but I think the team is going to have to pull together and play as a team. We did it a couple of years ago in the Super Bowl, and I think with this tragedy, I think we're going to have to pull even closer before this game in Buffalo."