DeMeco Ryans Raves About 'Tenacity' of Christian Harris

"Christian has truly developed all throughout the entire year," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday. "He's gotten better each week. He's become more comfortable with what we're asking him to do. He's playing much faster. He's playing physically. He's playing mean. I love his tenacity out of the field." 

Harris finished the regular season second on the team in tackles (101), third in tackles for loss (7.5), and registered three quarterback hits. He totaled four games with 10 or more tackles and recorded seven pass breakups in coverage. 

In Saturday's playoff-clinching win over the Colts, Harris was everywhere. Along with leading tackler Blake Cashman, the duo combined for 25 total stops. Harris recorded 12 of his own, including two behind the line of scrimmage. 

The evolution of Harris's game has factored into Houston's potent run defense. All-Pro Jonathan Taylor was the first tailback to surpass 100 yards on the season, a common theme from a season ago against the worst-ranked unit in the league. 

This season, the Texans rank third against the run, holding opponents to 96.6 yards per contest. While it starts with the defensive line containing the blocks, linebackers often factor in as the last piece in securing the stop for a minimal game.

"The way he's tackling, the physical nature of his tackling, it's grown," said Ryans. "He's done a really great job of showing up and making impact plays for us." 

Harris, drafted in the third round out of Alabama, was expected to be a fixture under then-coach Lovie Smith. Coaches raved about his consistency both defending the run and in coverage while helping the Crimson Tide punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff twice under his watch. 

But the NFL differs from college, even from the semi-pro known as the Southeastern Conference. Harris notched 74 stops as a rookie, but there was plenty of meat left for the taking. 

Under Ryans, a former Pro Bowl linebacker who invoked fear during his time in a Texans' uniform, Harris has turned missed opportunities into must-see moments. It started in training camp with little details after practice. 

It's carried over to Sundays in helping secure wins. 

"I’m very proud of Christian to see his growth throughout the entire year – see him develop into a quality starting linebacker making plays for us," said Ryans. 

Quality is the baseline for Year 2. All Pro-accolades are the next step in Year 3. It's a lofty goal, but if Fred Warner accomplished it in his third season with Ryans, why can't Harris do it in his second?

Harris' consistency will be poignant Saturday at 3:30 p.m. when the Texans host the Cleveland Browns. Despite losing All-Pro Nick Chubb early in the season, the Browns possess one of the better run personnel in the league, averaging over 118 yards per game. 

That's only one part of the formula. Harris could be tasked with a matchup against Pro Bowl tight end David Njoku in coverage. In the 36-22 loss back in Week 16, Njoku finished with 44 yards off six catches and a touchdown.