Last year it was Harvey who appeared to be primed to steal the receiving spotlight, supporting his friend while Edwards struggled for playing time.
“With Brian, the only reason he didn’t play a lot more a year ago was that James had picked up the more subtle points of the offensive system,” Murphy says. “Therefore [Harvey] was probably a little bit more dependable in the game to be where he was supposed to be, when he was supposed to be there. We knew that Brian was probably the better athlete in terms of speed and athleticism but I think that James matured a little bit quicker in terms of assimilating into our system.”
Though Edwards knew he would eventually have his chance, it was Harvey who helped keep his spirits high, opening the door to Edwards’ success this season.
With the system down pat and the opportunity to claim the top spot made available by Morris’ departure, Edwards has more that proved his mettle, wowing coaches during spring workouts as he paved the way for his increased production this season.
“He looked like he’d be running, just cruising, flying by people,” Murphy says. “He’s got his effortless kind of grace and speed that is not something you see everyday. That’s why sometimes he makes things look easy which are really quite difficult.”
Harvey offers a similar explanation.
“He just floats on the air, kind of like a gazelle,” he kids. “He looks like a boy out there, but he’s more like a man disguised as a boy.”
Regardless of the form he takes on the field, though, his competitive drive and desire to continue to prove himself continue to show up mid-game—particularly on punt returns.
“Brian’s got a little bit of a chip on his shoulder, the kind that really works well for our sport,” Murphy says. “He prides himself on being a tough guy. He’s one of those guys that, if someone’s gonna pick on him, they’re picking on the wrong guy. He is a tremendous competitor. He is a tough and intense kid. And that’s not always the nature of that position, wide receiver.”
But while that usually pays off in yardage for the Crimson, sometimes Edwards finds himself in trouble.
“We had a punt block on during a scrimmage in the spring,” Harvey recalls, “and Brian still wouldn’t call for a fair catch. We had to stop practice for 45 seconds just to peel the 10 guys off of him.”
Usually, however, it’s a sprint to the outside, a cut back towards the middle and then no trouble at all.
Harvey hasn’t been so lucky.
“James has gotten better every year and he’s one of those guys that if you challenge him with something, he’ll work on it and he’ll improve it,” Murphy says. “I think for him right now, he’s one of those guys who can be a complete player. He’s got good athletic ability, he catches the ball, he’s a very good blocker, he’s got size.”
And this season, at least, that has made the difference. While his friend leapfrogged him to progress into the top position on the depth chart, Harvey has struggled to make his presence felt on offense, averaging just 26.1 yards per game through the Crimson’s faceoff in New York against Columbia.
There, things went from bad to worse. On the astroturf of Wien Stadium, Harvey shredded his ACL while providing special teams coverage, both ending his season and casting a shadow of doubt over his return by spring practice.
With the roles reversed and Harvey the one watching on the sidelines, Edwards has slid right into his friend’s old role.
“I carry his tray at dinner because he has the crutches,” Edwards says, trying to put as positive a spin on the situation as possible. “I gave him the bottom bunk so he wouldn’t have to climb.”
Even with his injury, Harvey will be on the sidelines at the Yale Bowl as Edwards tries to help carry the depleted wide receiving corps. Chances are good that Edwards will sneak a look over to the bench and see that, despite the crutches, Harvey will still be making fun of him, imitating his two-dimensional run and inspiring the friend he helped get there.
—Staff writer Timothy J. McGinn can be reached at mcginn@fas.harvard.edu.