There is nothing tentative about Kay-Jay Harris. Not on the field and certainly not in the attitude he conveys as he dismisses the extremely low odds of sticking with the Giants.
“I’m just hoping the opportunity comes up somewhere because I’m telling you right now when I do get that chance I’m going to be like an angry man in hell,” Harris said. “If I get the opportunity to be able to get in there and perform on the roster as a running back I’m not going to give it back.”
There was no one quite like Harris toiling in anonymity during training camp in Albany. Of the six running backs on the depth chart, Reuben Droughns is the oldest, but Harris at 29 years old is only seven months younger.
It took quite a while for Harris to get here, as right out of high school he spent nearly four years in the minor leagues in the Texas Rangers farm system, never rising above Single-A. He then returned to football, enrolled in community college, and played two years at West Virginia. He spent time on the Dolphins practice squad and last season played in seven games for the Rams.
With Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw assured jobs, there might only be one additional available halfback spot, with Droughns (an eight-year veteran), Harris and 23-year old Danny Ware (Giants practice squad in 2007) trying to cram their way in. If the Giants want to save some money they can let Droughns go and if they want to go with youth they will stick with Ware. If they want to go the unconventional route, Harris is their man.
Judging from the way they operated in camp it appears as if Harris and Ware are worthy of employment in the NFL. Tonight, as the Giants face the Browns in a nationally-televised preseason game at Giants Stadium, the competition at running back intensifies.
Eli Manning will not have his four top targets to throw to, making this night more about unproven receivers Domenik Hixon, Brandon London and Sinorice Moss, and also all the youngsters trying to carve a niche on special teams, plus a not-so-youngster like Harris.
“Monday night football is a great opportunity because everybody is going to be watching,” Harris said. “I know it’s a business and it comes down to a numbers game and injuries at a certain position. Hopefully I get enough time to go out there and showcase what I have for the other 31 teams out there in the NFL.
“I’m not worried about my ability to play the game. I feel when I do get the opportunity I might be another Ryan Grant story.”
There it is, the suddenly-vogue Ryan Grant reference. A year ago, Grant was an unheralded running back unable to cling to a roster spot because of a plethora of capable backs. He was traded to the Packers for a sixth-round draft pick, a seemingly innocuous transaction.
Grant, though, eventually turned into a sensation in Green Bay, rushing for 956 yards and eight touchdowns. He recently signed a four-year deal worth up to $30 million. Can Harris follow in those footsteps? He’s a man-sized 6-foot and 240-pounds, and despite his advanced age is frisky on the field.
“I’m 29 years old but one thing about it, I haven’t been playing football all my life, so my body is not at the age of a 29-year old football player,” he said.
Harris was on the Giants practice squad last year when Ward was injured and figured he would get the call. Instead, Ware was signed off the Jets practice squad.
“I was a little bitter about it,” Harris admitted. “I had to look myself in the mirror and questioned myself. Like man, what am I doing here?”
He’s still here, looking to hang around as long as he can.