WESTFIELD, Indiana – Memories are faint for Marvin Harrison Jr., fuzzy from the times he was around the Colts growing up.
His father, Marvin Harrison Sr., was a star in this state. But the only game Harrison Jr. really remembers is being on the sideline for a contest against the Baltimore Ravens. And a Super Bowl. But that's all.
Yet he smiled Wednesday afternoon, talking about such things with the media before his Cardinals practiced against the Colts at Grand Park Sports Campus for the first of two joint workouts.
"It is kind of crazy," the rookie wide receiver said. "The first joint practice against the Colts, who would've thought that?"
Harrison Sr. played seven seasons with the Colts after Harrison Jr. was born in August of 2002. Coincidentally, Harrison Sr. set career-highs in catches (143), yards (1,722) and yards per game (107.6) in 2002.
Now, though, it's his son's time for a franchise in the desert.
"I made it at this point, with my own path," Harrison Jr. said. "I just want to work hard and see where it takes me."
That's been quiet so far, although it's fitting with Harrison Jr.'s quiet personality. He has stood out in practice, but only played three snaps against the Saints in the preseason opener and did not get a target. Coach Jonathan Gannon reiterated he wouldn't make a decision about who would play in Saturday's game until after Thursday's work.
Harrison Jr. reiterated Gannon's postgame comment that his play against the Saints was about his game day routine going into a game. He said he wasn't thinking that he should've had a target.
"I just wanted to get out and play," Harrison Jr. said.
Harrison Sr. was attending practice Wednesday (and said he'd be out there Thursday as well), interacting with fans like a former icon would. Former Colts and Cardinals running back Edgerrin James, also a Hall of Famer, was also at Wednesday's practice.
Harrison Sr. was busy enough that he said he didn't see much of his son's work.
"I didn't watch today, I may watch (Thursday)," Harrison Sr. said. "You can't be the 'Dad' and just be hovering over your kid. You let him play and have fun."
Harrison Jr. said he's looking forward to the game Saturday, although he has been at Lucas Oil Stadium when his father went into the Ring of Honor. (Harrison Jr. lamented he hasn't played there, since the Big 10 championship game is held in the same building.)
"For a rookie, he's a pro's pro," Gannon said. "He's excited to play (in Indiana) for the reasons that you would think. He tries to get better every day. He keeps his head down and handles his business."
Whether Harrison Jr. actually plays in the game is to be determined, although he said he is looking forward to the games that count.
"But," Harrison Jr. added, "I obviously still have a lot of work to do."
A big benefit of having a father who starred in the NFL? Harrison Jr. said he doesn't know if he'll ever really have a "welcome to the NFL moment" because he has already been around the NFL.
He has long believed, with his father's backing, he'd play in the league.
"My dream was always to do this," Harrison Jr. said. "I always thought I'd be here."
That's as Cardinals WR1, part of the foundation of the team's offense, wearing red for these practices against the Colts.
He did once have "a lot" of Colts gear.
"I outgrew all of it," Harrison Jr. said.
