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Just listened to RAC's interview (8-12) on the Home Page, and it seriously sounded to me like Jerome is sitting on the bubble with a good chance of being cut because of his inability to block. RAC says he has the willingness but that his size is a hindrance. I know this would be shocking and the thought of it probably will seem absurd to many, but is there a chance he goes and Thomas or Scott stay instead?
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but is there a chance he goes and Thomas or Scott stay instead?
Is there a chance that he'll get cut and someone else will stay on? Possibly. Is there a chance he'll get cut and Thomas or Scott will stay on? Absolutely not, IMO.
Harrison is a very good back, running-wise. He has to develop as a blocker, though. But I don't see him getting cut for Thomas or Scott.
JMHO
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and it seriously sounded to me like Jerome is sitting on the bubble with a good chance of being cut because of his inability to block.
And, I'll say that, IMO, there's a big difference between inability to block and not wanting to block. Now, I'm not saying that Harrison is slacking. I'm just saying that if that is the case, I could see RAC really starting to get frustrated. The guy's been in the league for a few years and his blocking still hasn't improved? C'mon, even a small guy can develop good technique to at least slow a guy down.
Last edited by brownsfansince79; 08/12/08 04:31 PM.
I am unfamiliar with this feeling of optimism
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So you think they'd bring someone in? Who'd be a good candidate?
"I am undeterred and I am undaunted." --Kevin Stefanski "Big hairy American winning machines." --Baker Mayfield #gmstrong
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I suppose it would be possible. However, I don't know if the rooks we have in camp are any better at it. IMO, Harrison would be the best option (currently on our roster, that is) to fill in for Jamal is he went down. I'd be surprised if Harrison got cut.
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So you think they'd bring someone in? Who'd be a good candidate?
That's a good question Cal. I'm not really sure who's out there. But, I'm not sure we'd need to because we have Wright. He's not Jamal Lewis, but he is a good blocker and a decent backup.
People want our backup guys to be these standouts, but we have to remember that there's a reason they're backups. There's always a dropoff between your first and second guys.
I am unfamiliar with this feeling of optimism
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I think Harrison is in of course Jamal and Wright getting most of the reps.
But Harrison is too talented with the ball in his hands to replace him with....NOTHING. Sorry but neiver Scott (got to see more but) nor Thomas showed me that much in blocking or running to warrant replacing Harrison.
Sure if we invest in a 1st, 2nd or 3rd rounder next year I'm sure Harrison will be gone. But until then I don't see it happening with a couple of UDFA Rookies (lack of experience).
JMHO
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I was really surprised by the words and the tone of RAC's interview, and admittedly I may be reading too much into what he said, but it sounded to me like he's prepared to make the cut, should they find it necessary.
Here's what was actually said:
Q: Harrison, there's talk about him needing work on his blocking and his special teams, what have you seen out of him?
RAC: Well, I'll tell you what, he's working hard at it. You know there's some things you can change about a player and some things you can't change, and one of the main things is his stature. He's just not the tallest guy in the world. But he's got a big heart and he gives good effort and I think if cut down day comes we'll take a look at it and see what's best for the team and see how he can help the team. We know he has particular abilities and the team can use those abilities, but we have to look at it and see how he fits in, in the big picture.
Q: So Like blitz pick-up, he's willing to block just has limitations?
RAC: Oh yeah. He's willing, yeah. He'll step in there, so that's not an issue. Sometimes when a little guy goes against a big guy, a good little guy goes against a good big guy, the good big guy might have a chance to win.
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Travis Thomas has been lighting things up in practice. I will put it out there that he makes the team over Harrison.
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Unfortunately I didn't see anything on the field in game action from Pre-season game#1. I am not enamored by practice players if they cannot bring the same intensity and results in a game. What good is it. Thomas just didn't impress me much as a blocker nor runner. Actually saw a pretty poor block by him.
JMHO
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Travis Thomas has been lighting things up in practice. I will put it out there that he makes the team over Harrison.
[AI] We talkin bout practice man [/AI]
Unless I see results on the field, Harrison is still going to be here.
Harrison has talent, just hopefully he can develop.
Last edited by Thebigbaddawg; 08/12/08 05:17 PM.
you had a good run Hank.
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Travis Thomas has been lighting things up in practice. I will put it out there that he makes the team over Harrison.
Except that TT was HORRIBLE in the game against the Jets. Completely whiffed his blocks including one that got Dorsey pounded and gave me serious William Green flashbacks every time he had the rock. Run up to the line of scrimmage and.... dance! Yes it was only one preseason game but you've got to think Jury is still very much out on TT. I certainly didn't like what I saw.
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I suppose he could get cut,, just about anyone can. As to whether one of those guys you mention remains in his place.... I have my doubts...
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j/c
If Harrison is not used in the offensive game plan, IMO it is a huge mistake. He looks great with the ball in his hands.
In every game situation he's been in, he has excelled. To me I don't understand the thought of cutting him. He is a threat, and an impressive runner between the tackles eeven for his size.
If he is cut, I see him being utilized by some team as a runner and reciever out of the backfield. Sometimes, I feel RAC stresses versatility a little too much. Give the kid the ball, that's where he excells.
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So you think they'd bring someone in? Who'd be a good candidate?
That's a good question Cal. I'm not really sure who's out there. But, I'm not sure we'd need to because we have Wright. He's not Jamal Lewis, but he is a good blocker and a decent backup.
People want our backup guys to be these standouts, but we have to remember that there's a reason they're backups. There's always a dropoff between your first and second guys.
i've been worried about our running back situation beyond jamal lewis for over a year now...
luckily jamal missed minimal time, and had a standout year...
but one year older, i still worry... and i like jason wright, but he will hold this team back if jamal lewis got hurt and he became our top back...
i agree that you will be very very lucky to get a big name player to be your backup, being in chicago and hearing and seeing the bears a lot, i enjoy the play of adrian peterson (or as most call him, the other adrian peterson) the guy is as solid of a backup as it gets, he also plays special teams, he's not a guy that can give you 25 carries for 16 straight games, but he'll give you solid backup duty, and if you need him to pick up the slack for a few games because of injuries, he'll fill in nicely, maybe jason wright can turn into that guy, hopefully we never have to find out.
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Travis Thomas has been lighting things up in practice. I will put it out there that he makes the team over Harrison.
He best be a helluva lot quicker in his reads and explosion than he was Thursday then...
Thursday this dude STUNK up the joint... 
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IMO there is no way we cut Harrison. And furthermore, I really don't see why he needs to be "better" blocker, the dude is a 3rd down back at best anyway. As long as he can stand in the way, I think that would suffice. If teams decide to pin their ears back and blitz when JH is in the game, running a scene pass here and there to keep em honest should be the end of that; Harrison in space is trouble for any D. And just a fun little fact, they have Harrison ranked as a better blocker than Wright in the new Madden.  Not that that means anything---just kind of funny. And you know, this could just be something RAC said to motivate his player, push him a little. Cuz I really don't see us cutting im.
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Possibly... but a third down back must be able to block and pick up blitzes.
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As long as he can stand in the way, I think that would suffice. If teams decide to pin their ears back and blitz when JH is in the game, running a scene pass here and there to keep em honest.
And also, I really don't thing Wright could be that much better a blocker. I mean both these guys are smaller backs.
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Harrison is a good enough runner and quick change of pace guy to make the team even if he doesn't improve his blocking. Thomas and Scott aren't gonna push him, and we're not gonna keep less than 3 backs. Crennel says these things to keep players motivated, that's his job.
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He reminds me of Bradshaw for the Giants... We need to give Jerome a few snaps and let him do work. Change of pace back with good speed and, although small, able to hit the hole in the middle hard
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Crennel says these things to keep players motivated, that's his job.
Interesting thought, but he can't motivate him to be taller. 
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Quote:
Quote:
As long as he can stand in the way, I think that would suffice. If teams decide to pin their ears back and blitz when JH is in the game, running a scene pass here and there to keep em honest.
And also, I really don't think Wright could be that much better a blocker. I mean both these guys are smaller backs.
Dude, Wright is definitely a better blocker. He's probably one of the better blocking backs I've seen in the game on passing downs.
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Quote:
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As long as he can stand in the way, I think that would suffice. If teams decide to pin their ears back and blitz when JH is in the game, running a scene pass here and there to keep em honest.
And also, I really don't think Wright could be that much better a blocker. I mean both these guys are smaller backs.
Dude, Wright is definitely a better blocker. He's probably one of the better blocking backs I've seen in the game on passing downs.
yup.
i actually think donovan and bernie made that point during the game thursday
he's also very good on special teams.
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Dude, Wright is definitely a better blocker. He's probably one of the better blocking backs I've seen in the game on passing downs.
And a stud on special teams.
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I really don't think he is going anywhere, but you never know...
Given his pure talent, this would be a move I would frown upon big time. To me, you dont get rid of a guy with this upside. I hope RAC realizes the upside with this guy outweighs the weakness. Kinda makes me wonder how much he has actually worked on his blocking, when he knew the entire offseason that it was his main weakness..
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If you have a guy on the field who's a sub who can only do one thing, it's clear that the ball is going to him and it would allow teams to stack the box.
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If you have a guy on the field who's a sub who can only do one thing, it's clear that the ball is going to him and it would allow teams to stack the box.
With that said, the guy produced last year when he was in the game and got the ball, period. I think the positives he brought on the field, outweighed his negatives when on the field. In the end, thats how I make my decisions in terms of a player..
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Harrison aint going no where....
BELIEVE THAT!!
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Harrison aint going no where....
BELIEVE THAT!!
agreed. He's on the team, guaranteed.
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If you have a guy on the field who's a sub who can only do one thing, it's clear that the ball is going to him and it would allow teams to stack the box.
He can do two things, go out for a pass and run the ball. He's capable of both.
It's pretty obvious to me that Jason Wright isn't as good as Harrison when it comes to running the ball. If Jamal goes down I'd much rather have Harrison getting carries than Wright. Let teams stack the box, they're still going to have to send a LB into coverage/zone if we send him out on a pass route and we can also play action fake with him in.
Wright is a great 3rd down back but while not a terrible runner, he's nowhere near Harrison's ability.
So yeah, Harrison better make the team because of Jamal goes down, we're gonna need Harrison for 15 carries a game and Wright with 10. Wright might be in more to block on passing plays, but Harrison produced last year and you can't deny that.
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Wright has done a very good job running and catching the ball though. Definitely worthy to be the second team RB. Especially last season was he good, probably b/c of the line up front. When he came in there was no dropoff from what Jamal was doing, just not the punishment Lewis gave to defense of course.
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btw- meaningless to this thread...lol 
I just wanted to state how much I would love to have Bush of the Raiders on our team (their #3 RB).
JMHO
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He's still raw as a receiver. Part of why he didn't make the field the past two years was he couldn't catch or block. I'm reserving judgement on him as a receiver till after this next game though.
Wright is a pretty good runner, but he's not a feature runner. He showed that in relief of Jamal last year and Reuben in 2006. I'm not really sure that because Harrison is faster than Wright that it makes him better than Wright.
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I have a feeling he is motivating Harrison. I bet we see a lot of Jerome Monday night the 2nd or 3rd quarter. IMO, they don't give him the ball enough in pre-season to see what the kid can do. Just give him the rock 10-12 times and let him put some plays together.
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It's not just a matter of speed that Harrison is a better runner Big C. He's quicker and has much better vision than Wright. I just don't see how you can watch both of those guys play and not think that Harrison is a superior runner. He can run inside and outside, and he's very shifty.
Wright has done well with the opportunities he has had, but a lot of that might be because they expect Wright to block (which adds to his running value in his defense). You watch both guys play and it seems to me, Harrison is definitely better.
Someone compared him to Ahmad Bradshaw, I definitely agree with that analysis. Shifty runner who can handle the ball on the inside and out. If Jamal goes down, he's much better off carrying the ball the majority than Wright.
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however, running backs have other jobs other than running and catching...which is the obvious reason why harrison is the 3rd option. being mediocre at everything is much better imho than excelling at one or 2 things, and stinkin up the place with the rest.
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I can't, for the life of me, understand why Harrison can't be our featured back when Lewis hangs it up. You gotta admit he looks very good when given the opportunity. Leroy Kelly was a featured back and so was Barry Sanders. Neither were big bruisers. Why waste a high draft pick when it isn't necessary. IMO we need to spend high draft picks on the defense.
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I don't even think this is questionable, if Harrison was better in any facet of the game, why isn't he stealing reps away from Wright? Harrison had one good season in college, and even then fell to the fifth round. He's not capable of handling all of the phases of the game, so he's not playing.
And I always hear about how many yards per carry he averaged...look some of the higher YPC for backups. ALWAYS is speed guys. Very rarely does a backup who's a straight line poewr back rack up 6 YPC in backup duty. Jerrious Norwood from Atlanta is a good example...he, like Harrison, has wild speed and breakaway ability, yet the team keeps him on the bench in critical situations because they don't trust him fully yet.
He's not better than Wright because Wright keeps getting trotted out over him. As I said, I'm giving Harrison some benefit of the doubt, but right now I'm still not impressed.
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It's true that the most damning evidence against Harrison's skills is coming from the coaching staff. But I submit if it were not for Cribbs ( who can replace Cribbs?) Harrison may have a special teams role as a returner,dress on game day and get more reps in the backfield. Maybe I'm looking at Harrison through Orange colored glasses. Certainly the coaches have a better handle on this than me. Time will tell. I'm just optimistic about what little I have seen from the guy.
Last edited by Line Judge; 08/15/08 10:40 AM.
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