Countdown @49ers: Rookie RT may start if Strief still no go
(below: Rookie RT Bryce Harris saw his first game reps last week; this week, he may get his first start; photo Saints)
Rookie Bryce Harris replaced Charles Brown (right knee) last week, who replaced Zach Strief (left groin) 3 weeks ago. Strief is practicing and reportedly "ahead of schedule," but the Saints are gobble-jiving whether Strief is good to go. If he isn't, Harris will start. The rookie, meanwhile, initially struggled against Oakland but seems to know what's coming.Â
Harris said he doubts the 49ers would change to their already successful defensive scheme just to challenge him, but he expects San Francisco to try to test him early, one way or another.
"I'm sure the first play Brooks is going to come off full blast and try to knock me out and just try to put that intimidation into me. I'm expecting it and I'm just going to handle it accordingly."
Coaches have also noted that there are ways to help inexperience tackles by having running backs and tight ends deliver more "chip" blocks.
"Last week let me get all the nerves out so I don't feel nervous," Harris said. "This week I got all the reps with the first-team. So I got what (the 49ers are) going to do defensively."
Though the Times-Pic says:
[San Francisco] should expect to see Harris receive plenty of help from utility lineman Eric Olsen as a tackle-eligible lineman.Â
