Bring back Damien Harris

[fightingirish595]

I’ve been a big Sony defender but I’m really starting to feel like he’s just an average player.

he just seems to struggle if it’s not there for him. The better backs find ways to get more yards.

 

[Zuma]

We don't win the SB last year without Sony and many others. Should have drafted a TE or another WR instead of Harris if Bill is determined not to use him.

 

[mgteich]

I understand why folks concentrate on current year needs when focusing on the draft. Belichick has the best record in the NFL, partly because he strongly disagrees with that approach.

What are you saying about WR? Are you really saying that the patriots didn't do enough in the draft? The patriots used a FIRST, something they never have done.

100% hindsight is really great. Perhaps, we should have drafted Smith or Fant or one of the other TE's. I agree that Knox is looking good. Many here would have used a 1st on TE, since that was our greatest need.

We are likely to lose at least one DB after the season. I strongly supported and still support the drafting of a corner.

Perhaps, we should have traded for a TE, or signed a free agent. Perhaps, we should have drafted a different WR (finding the right one is ridiculously difficult, except in hindsight). Perhaps, we should have kept Gordon, who is still a fine #4 WR. Belichick wasn't keeping 6; the choice was between Gordon and Meyers.

That’s fine when your needs are low. They were dire need of WR and TE and took a CB when they were 5 deep and a RB when they had too many guys in front for him to beat out. And it’s not like White and Michel are going anywhere.

 

[mgteich]

Are you really saying that Belichick should only draft players who can stay healthy, and that can move up in the depth chart in their rookie year?

Perhaps, Bulkhead should have been traded, so that Harris could have had a greater role. I wouldn't be in favor of that; many would.

We don't win the SB last year without Sony and many others. Should have drafted a TE or another WR instead of Harris if Bill is determined not to use him.

 

[IcyPatriot]

 

[Zuma]

Are you really saying that Belichick should only draft players who can stay healthy, and that can move up in the depth chart in their rookie year?

Perhaps, Bulkhead should have been traded, so that Harris could have had a greater role. I wouldn't be in favor of that; many would.

I am simply saying the need for TE was greater then RB...then and now.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Eh maybe not. A lot of people bashed the pick at the time. I supported it but Knox would have been the smarter pick there. He came from the SEC, too, and plays a position that was of absolute need.

Meh. We can argue about who all day. Bill's logic was fine

 

[PatsFan2]

I’ve been a big Sony defender but I’m really starting to feel like he’s just an average player.

he just seems to struggle if it’s not there for him. The better backs find ways to get more yards.

Welcome to the reality side.

 

[Wingy]

How will Harris ever have time to show his value with only 52 more games under contract?!

How many good years do we have left with a productive TB12?

That’s a better question IMO. Our 2nd, and 3rd round (x2) picks are essentially red-shirting when we have Super Bowl aspirations, and a 42 year old QB. We don’t have time to get cute with the big picture at this point in Brady‘s career. It looks like we may be wasting one of his last decent years, which is a shame.

 

[TN patriot fan]

Ve thought the same thing in the last week or so. Both the db and rb that were taken in this years draft have hardly been on the active list never mind playing. I didn't mind either pick but they seem they were taken for depth or to play down the road. I'm sure there was a TE still on the draft board that could have helped NOW. This years personel moves from the draft to all the wide outs that have come and gone have been questionable

Questionable is a very nice euphemism for the draft picks.

 

[mgteich]

I agree. That doesn't mean that the value was there, and the way to secure a TE was in the draft. If we drafted based on need, and presumed that there was no other way to secure players, then we should have drafted a TE in the first round.

I am simply saying the need for TE was greater then RB...then and now.

 

[supafly]

I agree. That doesn't mean that the value was there, and the way to secure a TE was in the draft. If we drafted based on need, and presumed that there was no other way to secure players, then we should have drafted a TE in the first round.

Anything in the first 4 rounds would have made sense, and likely would have helped the team.

 

[Triumph]

How will Harris ever have time to show his value with only 52 more games under contract?!

And no Tom Brady.

Great planning.

 

[Triumph]

It was a bad decision. This should have been a TE.

or another WR like many of us wanted.

RB wasnt a need. The Pats bring in FA RBs and run by committee like no other team. Passing teams need WRs and TEs.

 

[Triumph]

I understand why folks concentrate on current year needs when focusing on the draft. Belichick has the best record in the NFL, partly because he strongly disagrees with that approach.

What are you saying about WR? Are you really saying that the patriots didn't do enough in the draft? The patriots used a FIRST, something they never have done.

100% hindsight is really great. Perhaps, we should have drafted Smith or Fant or one of the other TE's. I agree that Knox is looking good. Many here would have used a 1st on TE, since that was our greatest need.

We are likely to lose at least one DB after the season. I strongly supported and still support the drafting of a corner.

Perhaps, we should have traded for a TE, or signed a free agent. Perhaps, we should have drafted a different WR (finding the right one is ridiculously difficult, except in hindsight). Perhaps, we should have kept Gordon, who is still a fine #4 WR. Belichick wasn't keeping 6; the choice was between Gordon and Meyers.

64 DK Metcalf 630 yards - 5 TDs
76 Terry McLuarin 646 yards - 5 TDs

With Tom Brady 42 years old move up and fill a position of need instead of drafting Braxton Berrios and throwing that pick away. You cant teach youth and speed.

 

[203Pat]

I’ve been a big Sony defender but I’m really starting to feel like he’s just an average player.

he just seems to struggle if it’s not there for him. The better backs find ways to get more yards.

He’s an average running back who doesn’t really excel in any area. He’s not fast, he doesn’t make people miss, he doesn’t break a ton of tackles, and he is useless as a pass catcher. I know saying that on this board gets everyone all worked up and gets you the standard “WE WOULDN'T HAVE WON THE SUPER BOWL WITHOUT HIM” response but it is what it is. He’s not a bad player but he definitely isn’t a first round RB. At this point I just hope he’s good enough to grind the clock down when we have a lead as I’m not really expecting anything special at this point.

 

[PatsFan2]

I think Harris and his straight ahead no nonsense running style would excel behind this OL. I have ran out of excuses for Sony.

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

I think Harris and his straight ahead no nonsense running style would excel behind this OL. I have ran out of excuses for Sony.

Apparently the coaching staff disagrees.

 

[catent]

He’s an average running back who doesn’t really excel in any area. He’s not fast, he doesn’t make people miss, he doesn’t break a ton of tackles, and he is useless as a pass catcher. I know saying that on this board gets everyone all worked up and gets you the standard “WE WOULDN'T HAVE WON THE SUPER BOWL WITHOUT HIM” response but it is what it is. He’s not a bad player but he definitely isn’t a first round RB. At this point I just hope he’s good enough to grind the clock down when we have a lead as I’m not really expecting anything special at this point.

Watching his college highlights, he absolutely was worthy of a 1st round pick.

He's been good (at times) but not great since we drafted him; he doesn't look as explosive/quick as he did in college, and generally looks heavier and not as light on his feet. He was a phenomenal pass-catcher at UGA but has really struggled doing that here.

Not sure what changed - my guess is that it's a combination of the strength/conditioning coaches getting him to add weight (which I think is a bad idea), in addition to him being terrified of fumbling given the consequences, which will slow you down if you're overly concerned about protecting the ball.

In my totally layman's opinion, Sony could benefit from a light diet and lots of conditioning focused on plyometrics/explosiveness, and fewer heavy weights (would help his knees too, by reducing some of that load).

 

[Kontradiction]

Watching his college highlights, he absolutely was worthy of a 1st round pick.

He's been good (at times) but not great since we drafted him; he doesn't look as explosive/quick as he did in college, and generally looks heavier and not as light on his feet. He was a phenomenal pass-catcher at UGA but has really struggled doing that here.

Not sure what changed - my guess is that it's a combination of the strength/conditioning coaches getting him to add weight (which I think is a bad idea), in addition to him being terrified of fumbling given the consequences, which will slow you down if you're overly concerned about protecting the ball.

In my totally layman's opinion, Sony could benefit from a light diet and lots of conditioning focused on plyometrics/explosiveness, and fewer heavy weights (would help his knees too, by reducing some of that load).

@Gymrat please confirm.