On a chilly Thursday, the AFC and NFC had their final practice before the 2019 Pro Bowl set for Sunday.
Besides practicing, the players were laughing and dancing to music on the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex field trying to keep warm in the unusual 50 degree temperature in January in Orlando Florida.
This is the time for players who aren’t in the Super Bowl to unwind and enjoy playing in a game before the offseason really begins. Offseason is sometimes considered as the “unknown” for players. Not sure if they’ll be cut, traded or benched. Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. says nobody is safe when it comes to being on a team. I asked what’s going on with his quarterback Case Keenum who had 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions this season.
“Case Keenum has one more season,” Harris Jr. said. “Going to see what the Broncos do.”
Keenum is entering his last year of his two year contract worth $36 million. The Broncos missed the playoffs with Keenum who got the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC Championship last season.
“I think right now, everything is in the air. I don’t think nobody is set in stone so we will see what happens.”
Harris Jr. also wants to see what will happen in regards to the posibiity of new rules. I asked Harris Jr. what rule he think should be revamped.
“Reviewing. If it’s a bad call, just being able to review the play”.
Majority of the players in the NFL can probably agree with Harris Jr, especially defensive players who’ve been punished with penalties this season as the NFL has become overprotective of their quarterbacks.
“It’s difficult,” Harris Jr. said about the league rules restricting defensive players from playing defense. “Everything is for the offense. It’s hard for us to play – (NFL) lets the receivers push of like crazy and we can’t hold. They’re making it harder and harder every year.”
It hasn’t stopped Harris Jr. from being the Pro Bowler that he is. This season he had 40 tackles, three interceptions, one sack and one touchdown. I asked which quarterback sack was his favorite of his career.
“Big Ben. I had to jump on his back because he’s big.”
Harris Jr. also tells me his Super Bowl LIII prediction and advise to NFL prospect that may go undrafted – he has a secret to get you in the league. Flip to the next page to see what he said and don’t forget to tune into the Pro Bowl on Sunday at 3 p.m. EST.