Harris a ball hawk, on the ground or in the air

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This article was published 02/08/2017 (2967 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Andrew Harris has a well-earned reputation as a dual-threat running back.

In 2017, he is emphasizing his versatility with 37 receptions in five games, good for second place among all receivers in the CFL. His 240 yards on 58 carries are good for fifth place on the league’s rushing chart.

At his current pace, Harris could challenge Craig Ellis’s all-time league single-season record of 102 receptions by a running back, set with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1985. At the very least, Harris is a good bet to shatter Robert Mimbs’ franchise mark of 71 catches, set in 1991. Ellis’s total was established during a 16-game regular season.

Harris, who had nine catches for 93 yards in a 41-40 win over the Montreal Alouettes Thursday night, is content with his current workload but knows the distribution of work is subject to change.

“As long as you’re helping the team gain yardage, impact plays, that’s the biggest thing,” Harris said, following practice Wednesday afternoon at Investors Group Field.

“Contributing at some point in the offence… It’s about consistency and staying on pace for those things. Depending on the game plan and how teams are playing us, that could change really quickly, so I’m doing what I can to contribute and staying positive.”

Harris’ 37 catches tie him with Ottawa’s Brad Sinopoli, Toronto’s S.J. Green and Anthony Coombs for second overall in the CFL. He has played one fewer game than the other three. Greg Ellingson of Ottawa leads with 39.

The 1,000-yard rushing mark remains an important goal for the 30-year-old Harris. He surpassed the milestone in 2012 and 2015, but fell short by two yards in 2013 and again by 26 yards last season, his first with the Blue Bombers. He was with the B.C. Lions before that.

“That’s definitely a goal for every running back and it’s something I want to do,” said Harris, whose 3-2 Blue Bombers travel to Ottawa for a Friday night showdown with the Redblacks (6 p.m., TSN, CJOB).

“Again, as the season progresses, the running game usually opens up a bit more and we’ve just got to look forward to that.”

The defending Grey Cup champs have stumbled to a 1-4-1 start, but each of their four losses have been by four points or fewer.

“They’re solid,” Harris said. “They’re the best team against the run as far as big plays, they’ve got great DBs and coming off the bye week, they’ll be hungry. Like I said before, their record is not indicative (of) the team they are and we’re looking for a big game against them.”

On the defensive

Montreal rumbled through the Winnipeg defence for 183 rushing yards and 531 total yards in Thursday’s game and Ottawa could use that template again this week. In fact, middle linebacker Sam Hurl expects it.

“Leading up to that game we had done very well (against) the run game,” Hurl said.

“I think near the end of the game they kinda got away from us on a few plays. So, I’m still very confident in our run-stopping ability and I think as a group we feel that way as well… I hope they run the rock, that would be awesome. I feel like we have a good front seven and we can take care of it.”

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Linebacker/defensive back Brandon Alexander (lower body) and slotback Weston Dressler (lower body) did not practise again Wednesday; both could be doubtful for Friday’s game.

Strong-side linebacker Mo Leggett (lower body) is likely to return to the lineup after missing two games. Meanwhile, the club’s first-team defence continued to work with Brian Walker at halfback and Roc Carmichael on the corner, essentially swapping their original roles.

“I don’t think it’s a big deal to move a guy from one spot to another on any given play, or to move him back, you know, a few plays later,” head coach Mike O’Shea explained. “I don’t know that these defensive backs are really limited to one position and that’s beneficial for us.”

The Blue Bombers also released non-import linebacker Nehemie Kankolongo, who had dressed for two games for Winnipeg after being released by the Lions.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @sawa14