Damien Harris: Power & Speed

[catent]

We're all aware that Harris is an extremely powerful back, but he was also noticeably explosive and fast from what I saw last season. It now looks like there is a statistic backing up that observation.
-
"Nick Shook of NFL Media compiled a metric that ranked the NFL’s most explosive running backs. Players needed to record 100 rushing attempts and at least 20 carries of 10-plus yards to make the list.

Harris reached 15 miles per hour on 22.6% of his rushing attempts in 2020. 31-of-137 rushing attempts reached 15 miles per hour.

Harris reached 20.6 mph on a 41-yard rush in Week 4 against Kansas City, which was the highest speed on a single rush by a Patriot since the 2018 season."
-

This incredible Damien Harris statistic will wow Patriots fans

One of the few bright spots in what was a difficult season for the New England Patriots was the play of running back Damien Harris. The former Alabama star bolstered the Patriots running game in a big way. One statistic in particular shows just how explosive he was. Nick…

patriotswire.usatoday.com

 

[jlu52]

Harris is the leader of what I think is going to be a very productive running back group. Barring injuries, I think he is going to
kick considerable ass this season.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Harris has the ability and and O-line to duplicate a Blount, Stevan Ridley or maybe a Corey Dillon type season. However, his first two years where he barely played year one and for whatever reason going on IR twice in year two is concerning.

 

[borg]

Sadly, Glam only called his own number in the red zone making the Pats offense the most one dimensional in the NFL.
Expect more of the same.
Sorry Harris......Superman posing opportunities take priority
And.............don't forget............Glam is a great locker room presence

 

[Wozzy]

Looks like a healthy Sony Michel, hopefully he stays healthier.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Harris has been a fav of mine for a while now. My eyes would always gravitate towards him watching Tua. Such a smart player. That always stood out. He does everything really well but has great vision. Really good eyes, ability to manipulate the 2nd level. That's his best quality imo.

 

[patfanken]

my concern about Harris has nothing to do about his abilities, but rather his durability.

I love the fact that he runs with such reckless abandon BUT the fact is he's NOT a 220+ guy and has shown that he breaks down at some point each season. That being said with Sony, White, and Stephenson, to take snaps, Harris won't take the wear and tear he'd get if he had to take 250+ carries a season.

The Pats are likely going to run the ball 30+ times a game this season. If Harris Sony and Stephenson each get around 7 and White takes 3 we can reach that number and keep the "committee" healthy and the run game at its most efficient.

At any rate it will be very interesting to see how they dole out the carries this season

 

[RobertWeathers]

my concern about Harris has nothing to do about his abilities, but rather his durability.

I love the fact that he runs with such reckless abandon BUT the fact is he's NOT a 220+ guy and has shown that he breaks down at some point each season. That being said with Sony, White, and Stephenson, to take snaps, Harris won't take the wear and tear he'd get if he had to take 250+ carries a season.

The Pats are likely going to run the ball 30+ times a game this season. If Harris Sony and Stephenson each get around 7 and White takes 3 we can reach that number and keep the "committee" healthy and the run game at its most efficient.

At any rate it will be very interesting to see how they dole out the carries this season

I think he runs too upright. There were several times last year he took high shots.

He absolutely is not a power back either.

With those criticisms aside he runs hard with 100% effort.

If he can stay healthy no question he can be a 1000yd RB in this offense.

 

[‘Mondre]

Tbh I’m more excited about Rhamondres potential... and Sony’s trade value if mid-season were looking at playoffs and need a player.

iono why we overlook white here. Dude won us a sb, and I’m just as excited to see what he can do this season too. He deserves Faulk-level respect. Want Stevenson to be like a mix of him with a little Blount.

in short, rb should be solid as hell this season. Then we got a big hefty qb too... two te... *rubs hands*

 

[DropKickFlutie]

I think he runs too upright. There were several times last year he took high shots.

He absolutely is not a power back either.

With those criticisms aside he runs hard with 100% effort.

If he can stay healthy no question he can be a 1000yd RB in this offense.

I hear you. 5 yards average per carry, who cares what definition we call him if he's not a "power" back. He's the starter and it's great for the team.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I hear you. 5 yards average per carry, who cares what definition we call him if he's not a "power" back. He's the starter and it's great for the team.

...and I don't want him to be a "power back". No need.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I mean White is gonna be our 3rd down back no matter what. He's kinda locked into that role. And he's very good at it.

It's gonna be real exciting to see what Harris can do with a full season of starting. I feel he will easily eclipse 1,000 yards. If he can keep that YPC around 5.0, he's gonna be a tremendous weapon for us and take pressure off our QB, whether that's Cam Newton or Mac Jones.

 

[Kontradiction]

I’m probably in the minority here, but I think Stevenson is seriously going to challenge Sony for the #2 role. Harris has the breakaway ability. One cut and go, ability to get to the second level. Stevenson is probably going to get the goal line, power-I snaps. White will be the third down specialist. Sony is going to have to kill it in TC to carve out a role in that backfield.

 

[WinstonSmith]

I’m probably in the minority here, but I think Stevenson is seriously going to challenge Sony for the #2 role. Harris has the breakaway ability. One cut and go, ability to get to the second level. Stevenson is probably going to get the goal line, power-I snaps. White will be the third down specialist. Sony is going to have to kill it in TC to carve out a role in that backfield.

I like Sony more than most here, but with his option not being picked up and if JJ is still looking good in preseason I wouldn't be surprised if he's traded for a late round pick.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

It is kind of fun to wake up and realize you might be the league's biggest run-all-the-time throwback team.

We get some good toys for not spending at that position.

 

[scott99]

This offense is tough to defend when the Pats have 2 good pass catching TEs and a good running game. Add in a good Oline, and they will be tough to defend. It all depends on the QB position now. If Cam could have a good bounce back year, the offense will be good. Otherwise we have to hope Mac progresses quickly.

 

[n1997y]

This offense is tough to defend when the Pats have 2 good pass catching TEs and a good running game. Add in a good Oline, and they will be tough to defend. It all depends on the QB position now. If Cam could have a good bounce back year, the offense will be good. Otherwise we have to hope Mac progresses quickly.

Yes, and that makes a so-so group of WRs a lot better. But don’t get trapped into thinking it’s Cam, Mac, or nothing. Remember Brady spent years being called a “system QB” before he was universally acclaimed as the GOAT. The system will provide...

 

[scott99]

Yes, and that makes a so-so group of WRs a lot better. But don’t get trapped into thinking it’s Cam, Mac, or nothing. Remember Brady spent years being called a “system QB” before he was universally acclaimed as the GOAT. The system will provide...

Actually, I’m really excited to see Mac run this offense, don’t have much faith in Cam. Hopefully Cam can be successful, which gives Mac more time to learn. Either way, I expect this offense to be much tougher to defend than last year’s.

 

[n1997y]

Actually, I’m really excited to see Mac run this offense, don’t have much faith in Cam. Hopefully Cam can be successful, which gives Mac more time to learn. Either way, I expect this offense to be much tougher to defend than last year’s.

I’m excited to see this offense in action regardless of which contender convinces BB et al they’re the best starting QB. I think there is enough talent among them all that whoever starts will do okay. And I think there’s enough talent across the entire roster to make it very entertaining. I’m really looking forward to seeing what Bill can do with this entire roster.

 

[TomPatriot]

It is kind of fun to wake up and realize you might be the league's biggest run-all-the-time throwback team.

We get some good toys for not spending at that position.

Led, groomed and coached by the least appreciated coach in the NFL.