Al Harris, predictably, was emotional about it.
Dom Capers, just as predictably, was philosophical about it.
Yet the reactions of both essentially said the same thing: Harris, the Green Bay Packers veteran cornerback, will be able to play and play well in the new 3-4 defense Capers has brought to the Packers.
Almost from the moment Capers was hired in January, there were questions about whether Harris, a predominantly man-to-man cornerback throughout his 11-year NFL career, would be able to succeed in playing in a defense that is defined largely by zone coverages.
During last weeks organized team activities, Harris couldnt have been much more defiant in his response to those charges.
Who says that? Harris said. I havent heard one scout say that. Just for your knowledge, when you ask these types of questions, zone is much easier to play than man. Thats the way it is. Thats why they call it man and zone.
When asked if he isnt suited to play zone, Harris responded: Why, why wouldnt it suit me? Were not hacks here. Were pros. Man, Im a corner. There isnt a technique that I havent played.
One person with knowledge of Capers and his system said Capers is one of the most creative defensive minds in the game, and if he feels Harris isnt suited to zone coverages, he will find a way to mix in more man-to-man principles.
We want to have the ability to play both, Capers said. If youre locked into one, you can be too predictable, and from what Ive seen, I think well have enough ability to play what we want, and that might vary from one week to the next.
The 34-year old Harris developed a reputation as one of the best pure cover corners in the NFC and made the Pro Bowl in 2007 while playing under the Jim Bates-Bob Sanders system the Packers ran from 2005 to 2008. That system was predicated on the cornerbacks playing tight, man-to-man press coverage.
Harris game never was predicated on speed but rather his ability to be physical with receivers within the 5-yard contact zone. He was adept at bumping receivers off their routes, forcing quarterbacks to throw elsewhere.
In zone or off coverage, Harris wouldnt play as close to the line of scrimmage, and therefore wouldnt be in a position to bump and chuck receivers.
I believe everybody has their strengths, and Al is probably the best press corner in the NFL, fellow Packers cornerback Will Blackmon said. But Al is also one of the best cornerbacks, period. Al has probably the best feet Ive ever seen in a cornerback. Everybody has their thing. Charles (Woodson) is probably one of the best players when the ball is in the air. Thats his strength, but Charles can press, too, and play off.
Capers acknowledged that playing more zone than man coverage would be a significant adjustment for Harris, but Harris willingness to attend the voluntary OTA sessions should help ease that transition.
Hes working hard at it, Capers said. Ive seen a couple plays the last few days where you can see Als ability to close on a receiver and get the ball out. Ive always felt if a guy can play man, he can learn how to play zone. Its harder if a guys been a zone player to turn him into a man player because it takes physical tools to play coverage in this league.
One change for corners transitioning from a man scheme to a zone scheme is vision of the football. In the past, Harris was so close to the line of scrimmage that he almost always had to turn his head in order to see the ball. Playing off coverage would allow him to see the ball longer.
Now, well be able to see the quarterback, see the receiver and see the ball, Blackmon said.
Perhaps Harris reputation for struggling in zone coverage was more due to miscommunications throughout the defense that hampered the Packers in the rare instances when they played zone in recent years.
One thing now is weve got a lot of communication, Blackmon said. That was the main issue we had last year, communication breakdowns. So thats what weve been working on this year. Communication is the key in (zone) because there are times you might pass off (a receiver). Youve got to be on the same page, and that was our weakness last year.