ENGLEWOOD – Chris Harris Jr. first started talking about how lethal the “college” offenses were on NFL defenses last year after his Denver defense was steamrolled for 51 points by the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles, though, had the mobile, pre-ACL injured Carson Wentz running that offense.
But now the statuesque, 37-year-old Phillip Rivers is operating the option fake for the Los Angeles Chargers?
“They’ve adopted the college offense like everybody else,’’ Harris said with his trademark wide smile. “Tons of jet sweeps, tons of motions, some sprinkles of RPOs (run-pass options), little sprinkles because he can’t really run the ball. They’re trying to do it.
“But they’ve added more college aspect to their game, that’s the only big difference from what they’ve done the past 15 times I’ve played them.”
Bronco fans should know who popularized the college-type, RPO offense in the NFL.
Tim Tebow. The offense was so unique in 2011, Tebow won six games in a row, then a first-round playoff game by operating the college-style offense.
The next season, as Tebow faded away with the New York Jets, Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson ran the RPOs to tremendous success.
“You’ve got to adapt to these quarterbacks,’’ Harris said. “The way they come out (of college), this is what they learn. You’ve got to change your offense to fit the quarterback now to mold them into this college wave that they have going in the NFL. It’s totally different.
“I think it’s successful, though. I think the stuff actually works, so it gives us a lot of problems on defense. If I’m an offense, I’d definitely use it.”
Some things haven’t changed about playing Rivers, though. He still gets under opponents’ skins.
“He does whine a lot, he does,’’ Harris said to laughter from the media audience. “I would say guys probably just get tired of him whining. If you’re a quarterback though—I can play with him. Just because you know he’s going to do whatever he can to try to wheel his team. Try to get every call from the ref. That’s just how Rivers is. He’s going to be screaming at the refs just as much as we are during the game.”
Injury report
Broncos starting safety Darian Stewart, who missed the previous two games with a neck stinger, was back as a full practice participant Wednesday.
Three other Broncos who missed their previous game against Houston – cornerback Bradley Roby, running back Royce Freeman and receiver DaeSean Hamilton – were back on a limited basis.
For the Chargers, star defensive end Joey Bosa returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday. It was his first practice since suffering a foot injury in training camp.
It still would be a surprise if Bosa played Sunday against the Broncos.
