CHARGERS: Bolts unveil another playmaking linebacker

By LOREN NELSON - Staff Writer | Sunday, September 28, 2008 7:51 PM PDT ∞

Spotlight on: Fourth-year Chargers outside linebacker Marques Harris, an undrafted free agent out of Southern Utah.

Why Harris?: He registered a pass rusher's hat trick early in the fourth quarter of the Chargers' 28-18 win over the Oakland Raiders when he sacked JaMarcus Russell, forced Russell to fumble, and somehow ended up on top of the ball. The Chargers scored on the next play, a 13-yard touchdown run by LaDainian Tomlinson, to take their first lead, 18-15, with 12 minutes, 49 seconds remaining.

Bring in the reserves: With sackmaster Shawne Merriman out for the season with a knee injury, the Chargers turned to Jyles Tucker as his replacement at outside linebacker. Tucker had two sacks in the Chargers' Week 3 win over the New York Jets and had another in the first half on Sunday. But Tucker exited in the first half with a hamstring injury and didn't return, forcing the 6-foot-1, 231-pound Harris, normally a reserve, into full-time duty.

Get in there, kid: "When Tucker went out, I was out there the whole game," Harris said. "For me, it was important to get in there and do my job. Whenever that opportunity comes up, I'm going to take advantage of it."

About his big play: Working from the right side of the line, Harris used his speed to race around the left tackle and hit Russell from behind just as the second-year Raiders quarterback was in full windup and ready to throw the ball. "It was like a big screen," Russell said about watching the play develop, seemingly in slow motion. "(That's what) I'd been working for all day."

Thanks, L.T.: Tomlinson, who had been held in check all day, made sure the turnover wasn't wasted when he burst through the Raiders' defense for the first of his two touchdowns. "Our defense was able to get in there and make plays all day," Harris said. "For me, I just wanted to be a part of it. The best part about (his sack and fumble recovery) was the offense was able to capitalize and get the touchdown."

Piling on: After Harris' sack and strip of Russell, there was considerable doubt about which team had pounced on the ball. Harris said he found himself at the bottom of one of those nasty NFL pileups. "That's the second week in a row I was at the bottom of the pile," Harris said. "Last week (against the New York Jets) I was at the bottom of the pile and I got a fumble recovery. I wasn't letting go of the ball. This week I was able to do the same thing. I got that ball and I just kept fighting and scratching and I was able to get it."

The stat line: Harris was credited with two tackles, both for losses, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Teammates' take: "Honestly, it's what we expect out of Marques," Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips said about Harris' highlight-reel moment. "He's a good player and a hell of a pass rusher and he got a chance to show it today. And I'm pretty sure he's not done."

Final word: "Whenever I get the opportunity, I'm going to take advantage of it," Harris said. "I don't want to just get in there and do my job, I want to get in there and make plays."