The Potential Ascensions of Christopher Harper and James White

I'll be watching out for Christopher Harper, tomorrow. He and James White could and really ought to get big Opportunities to make an Impact in the months ahead.

White is moderately talented with mediocre Power and sufficient Agility, but intriguing Field Vision and he's adept in all Aspects of the Game.

Lots of folks talked him up over the last 2 Years as a Replacement for Shifty Shane Vereen, whose Loss was an huge Mistake.

I never saw him being at that level, but he's wonderfully versatile, smart, and a classic Do Your Job kind of guy.

He can run the Ball effectively in Space and, more importantly, is a genuine Passing Game Option.

Harper is weak at the CatchPoint, but runs his Routes well and is smooth and sharp out'f'is Cuts.

What I really like, though, is that the Patriots just called up Asante CleveLand ~ that gives us four Tight Ends!!

I love Double Tight End Sets ~ 122's ~ with 1 Back and 2 WideOuts, as they give us maximum Flexibility to Run or Pass and really strengthen the Run Game.

Against Denver's fast but not so big Front 7, that's a potentially excellent Match Up.

Of course this could be one of those 13-10 Games, when all is said and done!!

These are arguably the 2 best Defenses in the Game.

Indeed, we are literally ranked #1 and #2!!

That's in Points, of course.

From August:


AFC preseason player grades, Week 2: Johnny Manziel flashes - NFL.com

Strengths: It's uncommon for an undrafted rookie to come in and immediately crack the rotation, but that could be the case for Harper, based on his impressive route-running skills and strong hands. He not only shows excellent patience and savvy at the top of his routes, but Harper has a keen understanding of timing -- the young man just knows when he needs to get open within the route progression. Additionally, Harper shows impressive running skills and could make contributions as an emergency punt/kick returner.

Weaknesses: Harper has been the Patriots' best receiver during the preseason, but he lacks the speed to be a home-run hitter on the outside. Although he is a nice fit in the Patriots' quick-rhythm offense, the fact that he doesn't stretch the field as a vertical playmaker prevents him from separating from a competitive group of receivers fighting for a final roster spot.

What he needs to work on: Harper has shown up in each of the Patriots' first two preseason games, but he needs to make an impression in Week 3 to solidify a spot in the rotation. The third preseason game is considered a dress rehearsal; Harper can open the eyes of the coaching staff by making plays against the opponent's first-string defense in a regular-season-like contest.

White already kind of ascended. Huge reason why they won against the bills scoring both TDs.

Yeah, White has to be a large part of tomorrow's game plan. And I wonder if Jackie Slater will be out there for a few plays (he always seems to make a either a big or a long play in the few chances he's gotten over his long career)

fxkane said:

Yeah, White has to be a large part of tomorrow's game plan. And I wonder if Jackie Slater will be out there for a few plays (he always seems to make a either a big or a long play in the few chances he's gotten over his long career)

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Not so sure Jackie will hold up well at 61 but guess it's worth a shot.

fxkane said:

Yeah, White has to be a large part of tomorrow's game plan. And I wonder if Jackie Slater will be out there for a few plays (he always seems to make a either a big or a long play in the few chances he's gotten over his long career)

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Jackie's kinda long in the tooth these days, you mean Matthew Slater?

JMC00 said:

White already kind of ascended.

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2 Runs and 2 Catches?

I'm sort'f hoping he gets a bit more involved.

fair catch fryar said:

Jackie's kinda long in the tooth these days, you mean Matthew Slater?

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Thanks! How could I forget... Matthew, indeed.

fxkane said:

And I wonder if Jackie Slater will be out there for a few plays

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Nope. The roster slot they were holding for him went to Henry Ellard instead.

Harper only turns 22 next month. Youngest player on the team after Malcolm Brown.

I bet our coaching could even have an old ass Jackie Slater playing well.

Off The Grid said:

Shane Vereen, whose Loss was an huge Mistake.

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Off The Grid said:

Harper is weak at the CatchPoint,

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Not sure what you meant by this. I may be wrong but I think Harper has shown good hands and has a couple of nice catches in traffic. Still too early to tell but I am definitely looking forward to seeing what he can do.

Good post Grid.

Thanks for the post, Mr Grid. It's good to read about the strengths of the guys coming in, not about how much they'll miss those who won't be there.

I'm very optimistic about Harper's talent, but asking a rookie off the PS to play in a position which depends so much on chemistry with the QB (and to make the extra yard or three often needed for the first down) is huge. Hope he knows how to hang on to the ball. I was impressed with how well White took the few chances he had on Monday.

I think this game comes down to what Josh can cook up, though. (He might have had this one circled in his calendar. )

TomPatriot said:

Harper only turns 22 next month. Youngest player on the team after Malcolm Brown.

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Think he would have been drafted, maybe pretty high, if he had stayed that last year in college. He came out early, but shows a lot of promise.

Not a burner, but not in mud, either, and seems like a good route runner. His ceiling is probably...Danny Amendola!

I can see Harper as a slot guy. He's got pretty average speed for a WR but his hands, feet and hips are probably above average. Too early to judge his reads. We'll see.

Fencer said:

Nope. The roster slot they were holding for him went to Henry Ellard instead.

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So maybe it's Hank that steps up this weekend instead of Jackie?

fxkane said:

Yeah, White has to be a large part of tomorrow's game plan. And I wonder if Jackie Slater will be out there for a few plays (he always seems to make a either a big or a long play in the few chances he's gotten over his long career)

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Maybe a 61 year old Hall of Fame tackle would be an upgrade from Marcus Cannon.

Seriously though, I'm more optimistic about Keshawn Martin than Harper. Martin is still listed as questionable for the Denver game, but he's got to get in there.

Count me in with the newbies Grid, especially with my bink HAApaah! but I disagree about losing Vereen as a huge mistake. In fact I don't think it was a mistake at all. Remember who replaced him the 1st half of the season. That was an upgrade, especially running up the middle. Even I could hand tackle Vereen. Plus, his cap hit with the cap being tighter than a Scotsman's...but I digress.

Vereen will always be a big time Patriot hero to me with his post season & SB play.

Positive about a game like this, where we are forced to go to other options, is the valuable experience guys like Harper and Cleveland will get.

At best we'll have a couple of finds, at worst, it improves the reliability of our depth by getting game reps.