Section 215
Fansided

Philadelphia Eagles: 3 things to know about newly signed S Anthony Harris

By David Esser

Jan 3, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings free safety Anthony Harris (41) is unable to make an interception against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings free safety Anthony Harris (41) is unable to make an interception against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Philadelphia Eagles
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Marvell Tell (39) pushes on Jonathan Gannon, defensive backs/cornerbacks coach, during the Colts preseason training camp /

He has a relationship with Jonathan Gannon.

The Philadelphia Eagles new defensive coordinator whom they poached away from the Colts earlier this offseason, Jonathan Gannon has a bit of a “defensive backs guru” vibe to him. He has a long tenured history of developing DBs as an assistant with the Vikings back in 2014-2017, and did some excellent work with the Colts as their defensive backs coach from 2018-2020.

Unsurprisingly, Gannon has a relationship with Harris, and the two did some great things together up in Minnesota. Sports Illustrated’s Conor Myles put it best:

"Harris, 29,  is reuniting with Gannon in Philadelphia. The two spent three seasons together in Minnesota from 2015-2017. Giving Gannon a player he’s familiar with fills a significant need in a specific position group the DC specializes in coaching. During their last season together in 2017, Harris began his breakout. According to Pro Football Focus, Harris finished that season allowing a passer rating of 24.0 after being targeted 13 times and surrendering seven receptions for 52 receiving yards. Harris has been an elite coverage safety ever since for the Vikings."

While bringing in players based on coach opinion has been an Achilles heel for the Eagles over the last couple of seasons (specifically on the defensive side of the ball), the freshness of Gannon and Harris should be well received in 2021. The Eagles have themselves a new leader in the secondary, one who’s played very well in the past in conjunction with the team’s new defensive coordinator.

It’s also worth highlighting that the Eagles have started stacking up on a fair amount of ex-Vikings’ defensive backs recently, which could give us a hint as to the type of defense Gannon wants to run…

Home/Philadelphia Eagles