Getting to Know Your Newest Cardinal: Chris Harrington

Round six of the 2008 NFL Draft brought the Cardinals more depth and at first glance, Chris Harrington was the third defensive end of the draft. The coaching staff was quick to point out though that Harrington would likely be converted to an outside linebacker. Harrington acknowledges that he feels he could make the transition thanks to his experience at the position. He said after the draft that he played standing up about 20% of the time during his collegiate career. Harrington doesn’t look like you’re garden variety outside linebacker. He’d be a big outside linebacker (6’5 264) and isn’t overly athletic (4.89 forty, 21 bench reps), but his calling card is a non-stop motor. The coaching staff, Coach Whisenhunt in particular, also had high praise  for Harrington's ability to get to the quarterback.

Harrington started a total of 38 games at both defensive ends for the Aggies and played in another 11 games. He played through a painful shoulder injury during his junior season (2006) that caused him to have surgery on his rotator cuff after the season. He still totaled 156 tackles, 15 sacks and he caused and recovered 5 fumbles during his time with Texas A&M. The transition from college defensive end to NFL outside linebacker is always a difficult one and often requires a year or so of transition. Harrington’s role in 2007 will likely be dependant on how much he can contribute on special teams, though it wouldn’t be far fetched see him as a situational pass rusher at times.