What To Expect From Damien Harris Rookie Season?

SammyBlueCat said:

It all depends on him passing MY tests

Click to expand...

do you expect him to?

jboston19 said:

I think there’s enough depth at RB that he won’t see much action regularly unless there are injuries. But he may get a surprising amount of goal line carries if he shows good ball security.

Click to expand...

At Alabama he carried 477 times for 3070 yards. He never fumbled.

Harris >>> Burkhead

Joey007 said:

Do you think it’s possible he gets “redshirted” in a sense this year?

Think about Shane Vereen and James White’s rookie seasons.

Neither had hardly any production in their rookie seasons. In Vereen’s case, he was stuck behind in the depth chart behind Woodhead, Kevin Faulk, BJGE, and Ridley. Then the next offseason Faulk retired and Benjarvus would leave to Cincy, which then opened up an opportunity for him to crack the rotation. In James White’s case, he essentially took over some of Vereen’s receiving reps in 2015 as soon as he left, and really became a more consistent presence once Dion Lewis went down midseason.

Obviously Rex Burkhead’s injury history is well documented, so he could move up in the depth chart quickly here. But don’t be surprised if Harris does not produce much in his rookie season.

Click to expand...

I would be very surprised if he doesn’t have a clear role.

BelizePats said:

I watch a lot of 'Bama games so I'm very familiar with Harris. Folks on this board are going to be very surprised at how could a football player we got in him. He's a complete back. He's an adult. Very mature and smart.
He has the ability to be a highly successful feature back. We won't use him that way but he will force the issue and will be far more involved than we expect, regardless of the RB's positions' level of health.
You guys are gonna love this kid!

Click to expand...

Agreed, he is an extraordinarily polished back who will hit the ground running, I expect his rookie production to exceed Michael’s rookie season. He already does the little things well that most rookie RB have to learn. Pass protection? - a real strength for him, he really sticks his nose in his blocks and fights. Fumbling? - he never fumbled at Alabama. Vision and following his blockers? - Never seemed to make a mistake. Hands? Very reliable hands as a receiver and returner (he returned in his first two years). Not injury prone at all. His maturity and professionalism are off the charts.

This is the guy that Nick Saban gave 20% more carries to than than the only RB drafted in the first round (Jacobs drafted at 22 by the Raiders). I wonder why he led a 1st round talent like Jacobs in carries?

If he avoids injury (although he wasn’t injury prone in college) we are in for a treat, NE got a steal.

AndyJohnson said:

I would be very surprised if he doesn’t have a clear role.

Click to expand...

I think he will have other roles, but at the very least, a credible dual threat on running plays and passing plays (either pass protection or being the dump-off receiver) in the red zone.

He'll see a fair share of action because IRex will inevitably get injured.

zydecochris said:

Agreed, he is an extraordinarily polished back who will hit the ground running, I expect his rookie production to exceed Michael’s rookie season.

Click to expand...

Serious?

Sony Michel 2018 (inc Playoffs)

16 games
280 carries
1267 yds
4.52 ypc
12 TDs

I think people are already forgetting how HUGE of a rookie year he had.

I expect a healthy dose of snaps in a RBBC set up, but him running second fiddle to Michel. White is the 3rd down back...and Burkhead comes on now and then to run it out of the Shotgun, IMO. Bolden to play ST's and back up when needed....Develin to kick ass.

BTW, what's up with Jeremy Hill? Still a UFA?

Hyped said:

I expect a healthy dose of snaps in a RBBC set up, but him running second fiddle to Michel. White is the 3rd down back...and Burkhead comes on now and then to run it out of the Shotgun, IMO. Bolden to play ST's and back up when needed....Develin to kick ass.

BTW, what's up with Jeremy Hill? Still a UFA?

Click to expand...

Yes, Hill remains unsigned.

robertweathers said:

Yes, Hill remains unsigned.

Click to expand...

We might not have a roster spot for him, but we should bring him into camp....maybe someone else goes on I/R this year.

Hyped said:

We might not have a roster spot for him, but we should bring him into camp....maybe someone else goes on I/R this year.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately there will be injuries. I liked what Hill brought to the running game. Hope his knee has healed and can resume his career here or somewhere else.

I think Harris is going to be real good with this team...Sony and Harris and the others are going to be a ground game to be reckoned with...will also extend TBs career a little further too.

zydecochris said:

I think he will have other roles, but at the very least, a credible dual threat on running plays and passing plays (either pass protection or being the dump-off receiver) in the red zone.

Click to expand...

Basically I expect him to back up both Michel and white.

SBLIII said:

do you expect him to?

Click to expand...

Yes I do

He'll get plenty of good opportunities of he stays healthy.

Patriots playoff rushing attack was historic in terms of team rushing yards(yards per game) and TD's. You have to go all the way back to the 2012 Kaepernick led niners. If you scoff at the idea that the niners should be counted due to a running QB you have to go all the way back to the 97 and 98 Terrell Davis led Broncos.

I understand the emphasis on running the ball was somewhat because of the type of teams we faced but it would be cool if we could follow up last years playoff performance with an even better performance on the ground.

Anytime a rb is good in pass protection he is going to find playing time on this team. In college he excelled, which believe it or not is a rare trait from a rookie running back.

He doesn’t fumble, makes people miss. In my eyes he’s ready to contribute right away. A good one two combination with Michel and if he can improve his pass catching is also a one two with White. Although you can argue they needed te with that pick, you can also agree for the selection we got some great value, who was one of the best RBs available, if not the best according to some.

The running game will (hopefully) be so damn good, we’ll be calling it “SMDH”

Sony Michel/Damien Harris