Harmon making habit of boosting defense with big plays this season

By Case Keefer (contact)

Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 | 2 a.m.

Duron Harmon’s interception in the Raiders’ 24-22 loss to the Titans last week didn’t come as easily as it looked.

Watching live or on television, it might have appeared that Tennessee quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw the ball right to the Raiders’ veteran defensive back. But that doesn’t tell the whole story, as Harmon was lined up as a deep safety, recognized where Tannehill wanted to throw and inched toward where he thought the ball was going — just not enough to dissuade a pass attempt.

“Sometimes, young players rely on skill and talent and ability, and they don’t factor in the anticipation part of the equation,” Raiders coach Josh McDaniels said. “The play that Duron made the other day on the interception, he anticipated it, read the formation properly and made a good play.”

The 31-year-old Harmon has, in relatively unlikely fashion, made many of the Raiders’ biggest defensive plays of the year so far. It’s a trend he’ll look to continue starting at 1:25 p.m. on Sunday when the Raiders (0-3) host the Denver Broncos (2-1) for a Week 4 AFC West showdown at Allegiant Stadium.

Two weeks ago against the Cardinals, Harmon single-handedly put the Raiders in position to win in overtime.

On third-and-5 from the Raiders’ 41-yard line, Harmon came up in run support to stuff Darrel Williams a yard short of a first down after the running back broke through the first level of the defense. Then, on 4^th-and-1, it appeared Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray had a long completion down the sideline to wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown.

But Harmon then flew in from the middle of the field with what he called “a nice little lick” to jar the ball out.

"The older I am, the more ball I play, you kind of understand each coverage where the quarterback is trying to throw the ball,” Harmon said. “As a deep safety or any zone type of player, if you can have just a little tip to where you think the ball is going and just anticipate where to break, those are where you have a chance to put your hands on the ball. Sometimes, it’s just instinct, just being able to break on the ball, read the quarterback and know where his arm comes off.”

The Raiders’ offense didn’t go on to capitalize off any of the aforementioned moments where Harmon provided it a short field, but that doesn’t fall on him. If Las Vegas had succeeded, especially against Arizona, Harmon would have revived “The Closer” nickname bestowed upon him during seven years in New England where he showed a knack for helping lock up victories at the end of games.

Instead, he’s unofficially been “The Anticipator” in Las Vegas, the one player on the Raiders’ defense who’s shown the innate ability to frequently know exactly where the ball is going.

“He is a ball magnet,” defensive backs coach Jason Simmons said of Harmon during training camp. “You see the ball finds him, and that's the type of player that we want. He's a ball hawk. He attacks the ball. He thinks about the ball. He talks about the ball in meetings. He talks about how to make plays to the younger players.”

Harmon’s voice might need to be amplified further this week among the young players. Injuries have struck the Las Vegas secondary, making it uncertain who will be around Harmon in pass coverage.

Top cornerback Nate Hobbs is in the concussion protocol while fellow starter Rock Ya-Sin has been limited in practice with a knee injury suffered against the Titans. Another cornerback, Anthony Averett, is already on injured reserve after breaking his thumb in Week 1.

If Ya-Sin and Hobbs can’t play, like they couldn’t at the end of the Titans’ game, previously sparsely-used third-year player Amik Robertson and undrafted rookie free agent Sam Webb will likely be thrust into starting roles. Las Vegas could also elevate practice-squad cornerbacks such as veteran Nickell Robey-Coleman, undrafted rookie free agent Bryce Cosby or third-year player Javelin Guidry.

Either way, Harmon will need to act as “the quarterback of the defense” role Simmons bestowed upon him in training camp.

“I try to lead by example, and I try to be the same way each and every day, try to come ready to work, try to communicate and try to give my best effort,” Harmon said. “When you’re consistent with that, everyone tries to buy into it.”

All through training camp, teammates raved about Harmon’s leadership ability and ultimately voted him a team captain. There were some questions about how many on-field contributions he would make, though.

Entering 10^th NFL season and coming off a pair of down years with the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons, some may have speculated Harmon’s best days were behind him. He’s put any of that chatter to rest through three games, and shown how experience can sometimes be more beneficial than youthful energy.

“He now knows how to use (anticipation) after so many years in the league to really provide himself with the best advantage possible,” McDaniels said. “And what an opportunity for those younger players because he tells them and helps them in any way that he can. He doesn't hold anything back. He knew he was competing with them all during the entire offseason and training camp and the only thing he cared about was if there was anything else he could do to help them get better. Great influence, and we're happy we have him."

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or