Harris: Forced fumbles 'go in cycles'

    Last year, Panthers safety Chris Harris set a team record with eight forced fumbles in his first season with Carolina. Then he opened 2008 by forcing fumbles in each of his first two games, and it appeared he might break his own mark.

    He hasn't forced a fumble since.

    Harris, always known as a fierce tackler, smiled when asked about that today during open locker room at Bank of America Stadium.

    "It goes in cycles," he said. "I haven't had as many tackles this season, either; I had a lot more opportunities last year to get strips and get the ball out."

    That's because of an improved front seven, Harris said. Opposing runners and receivers simply aren't getting through to his last line of defense as often. During the regular season, he was in on 80 tackles, after making 102 in 2007.

    "I can't do it every time I tackle or I'll miss some tackles," he said. "I can only do it when the opportunity presents itself."

    His grin grew wider.

    "I've had opportunities. Balls have come loose, and they've kind of caught them as they've come out. The opportunities have been there; they just haven't come out this year."

    So does he just go, "dang!" when the ball doesn't come free?

    "I do, I do. When I feel it come out, I feel it loose and I punch it and it kind of comes out and they kind of secure it back in, you only get one chance at it. If you don't get it first chance, you're probably not going to get it."

--Stan Olson