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The Oakland media started the week off by calling Mike Harris fresh meat.

The undrafted rookie free agent finished it off by having the last laugh.

After putting together an impressive preseason, Harris continued his strong play in the team’s season opener with a dominant performance.  For his effort, head coach Norv Turner awarded the left tackle the game ball.

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“I just knew I had to go out there and do whatever it took to help this team win,” Harris said humbly after the game. “I know I still have a lot of improvement, and there are 15 more games left, so I am just going to look forward to getting better for the next one.”

The rest of the Chargers weren’t quite so humble in their praise of their teammate who turned a lot of heads nationwide on Monday Night Football.

“He did an absolutely great job,” said Nick Hardwick. “Our quarterback for the most part stayed clean, and Mike did a great job.  We didn’t have to worry about him at all.  We didn’t have to special gameplan.  We just left him on his own and he held his own.  He did an unbelievable job.”

Philip Rivers certainly appreciated the strong work Harris put in, crediting the rookie for helping keep him on his feet virtually the entire game.

“Mike did a great job,” he said. “They all did a great job.  Protection was not an issue on one single play in the game.”

As if starting on opening day wasn’t enough, the night was extra special for Harris since he hails from the Oakland area.

“I was born here, so it was amazing to come home into this loud environment,” he said with a smile on his face. “That got us going.  The rowdy fans got us going and I had a great time playing football. I’m just happy that I’ve gotten this opportunity and that my teammates believe in me.  I’m just going to keep getting better and hopefully we keep winning games.”