Former Temple running back Kenneth Harper is feeling pretty good about his chances landing a job with the Giants. Photo by Al Thompson.

EAST RUTHERFORD: During Kenneth Harper’s career as a Temple running back, his biggest attribute was that he did a little bit of everything well.

He could help and be effective catching or running the ball, he could help on special teams if needed (Harper had 17 career tackles at Temple). Harper was often lauded for his blocking.

Harper was just always there, reliable and steady wherever he was needed.

It is a good bet that it was not lost to the New York Football Giants scouting department that Harper was awarded one of the prestigious single-digit jerseys given to the toughest guys on the team his senior season.

The 5-foot-10, 233 pounder played in every game for Temple since 2011.

One major criticism of the Giants in 2014 was its lack of toughness and Harper certainly brought that up Interstate 95 this spring.

The calendar is headed toward the end of August and NFL teams across the league are forced once again to do the worst job of the year…cut players.

Harper says is feeling pretty good despite Big Blue’s poor showing in the preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, a 23-10 loss.

Against Cincinnati Harper carried the ball three times for just two yards. Not very impressive but the entire Giants offense only produced 102 yards for the game.

“I think it‘s going pretty well,” Harper said before Monday’s practice at the Quest Training facility. “I’ve being acclimated to the playbook, I’m learning from the older guys, things like that. I’m trying to contribute on special teams in different ways or whatever I can do pretty much to make the team.”

Harper would like to catch on with special teams in any capacity he can, punt or kick coverage, kickoff or punt team, or offense…it does not matter to the rookie. He just wants to play.

“Whatever role they give me,” Harper said. “I’m trying to make one of those teams and the same thing with offense, I want to contribute on offense and special teams…I’m trying to be the best player I can be.”

Harper said he is glad to have a job that is just about football. He does not have to juggle the demands of the classroom and his obligations to the football team. But the NFL is tough both on the field and off.

“It’s got negatives and positives on both levels,” Harper said. “In college you had football and you had to deal with school. Here it’s way more time consuming but you should like because you love football. Of course you put in your good hours at your job more that you did in college.

“You’re not learning math or English here, you’re learning about teams, you’re learning base defenses and different types of defenses and fronts and pressures and things like that.”

Harper said the amount of time he spends in football classrooms with the Giants is not much different from Temple,
“It’s just more in depth,” Harper said. “You have more time so things are more in depth and that’s about it.”

There are some great and sad stories about players trying to make a team in the NFL. The stress and pressure can be overwhelming. Harper swears he does not sweat it.

“I really don’t think of it as stress or pressure,” Harper said. “I like pressure so it’s not really that hard for me to deal with. I think of it differently. A lot of guys think like… ‘Oh my gosh, am I going to get cut? Am I going to get cut?
“I have the mindset that, whatever is going to be done, is going to be done. If I put my best foot forward, you can’t be upset with yourself.”

Harper said he is confident about his chances with the Giants and wants to carry himself that way…not afraid.

“You don’t want to assume anything, but you’ve got to carry yourself the right way and handle yourself the right way, handle your business on the field and off the field and everything will take care of itself.”