BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Dirty Harry, the rough and tumble detective portrayed by actor Clint Eastwood, famously says in the movie “Magnum Force” that “a man has to know his limitations.”

Heeding those words of advice has helped safety Chris Harris overcome a lack of blazing speed and become a reliable hard-hitting playmaker who always seems to be around the ball. 

Chris Harris has played 25 games with 20 starts in two seasons with the Bears.

“I know my limitations,” Harris said. “I know what I can and what I can’t do, so I try to be a smart football player. I’m not as fast as some other safeties, but I find a way to get myself in position. If I’m in the right position, I won’t have to worry about compensating with speed.

“I try my best to put myself in position to make a play.”

Harris has done just that, returning interceptions for touchdowns in back-to-back practices Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning. The former came when he stepped in front of Rashied Davis to pick off Brian Griese and the latter occurred when he victimized Chris Leak.

After Harris intercepted the former Florida star Tuesday, fellow safety Mike Brown celebrated by starting the Florida State war chant accompanied by a tomahawk chop. 

“Chris is smart,” said defensive backs coach Steven Wilks. “He understands the game. He’s always going to be in the right position at the right time. He’s been in the system for a while and it shows. Thus far we’re excited about the things we’ve seen in training camp from him.”

Harris is a big-time hitter who takes excellent angles and possesses a knack for making plays.

A sixth-round draft pick, Harris burst on the scene as a rookie, starting 13 games after supplanting veteran Mike Green at free safety following a Week 1 loss at Washington.

The 6-foot, 207-pounder from Louisiana-Monroe registered 70 tackles and three interceptions, including two in a Dec. 25 division-clinching win over future Hall of Famer Brett Favre and the Packers.

Harris found out how the other half lives last season when he was demoted from the No. 1 defense in favor of rookie second-round pick Danieal Manning after two regular season games.

Staying positive rather than pouting, Harris started the final five contests at strong safety after veteran Todd Johnson was sidelined with an ankle injury in a loss at New England. Harris had 38 tackles in those five games and intercepted a Peyton Manning pass in the Super Bowl.

This summer Harris again finds himself lining up with the second team in training camp behind Adam Archuleta, a veteran who was acquired in an offseason trade with the Washington Redskins. But Harris is focusing more on improving than complaining about his spot on the depth chart.

“It is what it is,” he said. “I didn’t want to come into camp with a negative attitude. I just come to work every day, work to get better with the different techniques they’re asking us to do, try to be more consistent and show them I’ve still got the juice.”

Harris, who has been taking reps at both safety positions, admits that being a non-starter provides extra incentive.

“There’s always more motivation when you’re working with the twos,” he said. “You’ve got to let them know that you’re still there, that you still can play and that nothing’s changed. I just look at it as a chance to better myself on the field.”