DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Maybe it's time for Browns to give Harrison a shot

Maybe it's time for Browns to give Harrison a shot

Saturday, November 29, 2008
By STEVE DOERSCHUK
STEVE.DOERSCHUK@CANTONREP.COM



BEREA Somewhere over the rainbow, can Jerome Harrison do with 15 to 20 carries a game what he does as Captain Cameo?

"I'd be a fool if I didn't think that," Harrison said. "Hopefully, one day it happens."

Not that Harrison's days as a Brown are numbered, but he can be an unrestricted free agent after the 2009 season. Has he thought about where he might need to be to secure a feature-back role?

"Whoa, big fella, whoa," Harrison said, breaking into a laugh. "Nah. Right now I'm in Cleveland, man. I love the fans here. I love the people."

In three years with the Browns, Harrison has a big per-carry average, 6.3 yards but not a whole lot of carries — 70 for 440 yards.

Does he hang his hat on his glory days at Washington State, where he rushed for 1,900 yards in 2005?

"Nah," he said. "I hang my hat on my morals, my hard work, sacrifice, commitment, dedication to this team ... and to my teammates."

Browns fans, starved for excitement, enjoy hanging their eyeballs on Harrison's darts through the line, which frequently create the sense he could go all the way. At Buffalo, he did, racing 72 yards.

Harrison laughed again when someone asked if there's anything better than seeing open field ahead.

"I just feel bad for the guy that's just left there," Harrison said. "It's like, I've been practicing all week, he's been practicing all week, so it really comes down to who wants it more."

The Jerome Harrison era may no longer be held back.

The 5-foot-9, 210-pound speedster seldom played in his first two Browns seasons. He got busy after Brady Quinn became the quarterback.

In those three games, Harrison rushed 15 times for 166 yards, an 11.1 average, and caught three passes for 38 yards.

That gives him 204 of the 976 yards for the Browns in the three games — on 18 touches. Compare that to:

• Braylon Edwards, 204 yards on 14 touches, which of course does not count the dropped passes;

• Jamal Lewis, 217 yards on 51 touches;

• Kellen Winslow Jr., 152 yards on 14 touches;

• Donté Stallworth, 66 yards on five touches;

Lewis signed through 2010, and if Offensive Coordinator Rob Chudzinski is still around, it sounds as if he wants a happy Lewis to be with him.

"I love Jamal being part of this team," Chudzinski said. "I love the fact that he wants to run the ball every play. If we had a running back that didn't want to run the ball every play, I would be a little bit concerned.

"By the same token, we have a bunch of other guys that want us throwing the ball every play. My job is to try to find that balance for us to be successful.

Where does Chudzinski think Harrison fits in?

"He's given us some spark, and with some opportunity he has been a nice change of pace," Chudzinski said. "To be a change of pace, you have to have a pace first.

"Jamal has been in there pounding it. Jerome comes in with a different style and something defenses haven't seen. ... I like the one-two punch those guys have."

Harrison has 27 carries on the year. Lewis has 195.

"The more carries (Lewis) gets, the more effectively he can kind of wear down defenses," Chudzinski said. "That is the tough thing. If you cut down Jamal's reps and carries and give them to Jerome, you are cutting down on Jamal's effectiveness as well."

Part of that begs the question of whether it is wise not to give Harrison more chances to cut loose.

Chud, it's not a ONE-TWO punch. Good God! A one two punch means that you are actually dividing up the carries. This guy doesn't even get on the FIELD.

"That gives him 204 of the 976 yards for the Browns in the three games — on 18 touches. Compare that to:
• Braylon Edwards, 204 yards on 14 touches, which of course does not count the dropped passes;
• Jamal Lewis, 217 yards on 51 touches;
• Kellen Winslow Jr., 152 yards on 14 touches;
• Donté Stallworth, 66 yards on five touches;"

A little skewed due to the 70+ yard run. OK he had a big play, which is a very good thing. But what did he came in a lot of good situations for him to gain yardage. But might as well see what he can do as the premium back. I think Lewis would have a fit. Which might hold back the coaches somewhat as they are hanging on a thread???

Chud calls a lot of plays running up the gut. Would Harrison be able to handle them on a consistent basis???

But I'm game...lets see what we got. Too bad there is no trading allowed as we could get a steal from the Cowboys.

JMHO

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But might as well see what he can do as the premium back. I think Lewis would have a fit. Which might hold back the coaches somewhat as they are hanging on a thread???

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We're 4-7 so it's evaluation time. I don't give a fat baby's ass if Jamal goes into a crying jag on television during the game......or after. It's time to give this kid some carries and see what he can do.

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Chud calls a lot of plays running up the gut. Would Harrison be able to handle them on a consistent basis???

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There are those on here that would say no but I would say nobody knows. Jamal is getting stuffed anyway more and more, so let's see what Harrison can do. With his legs he may be able to avoid the stuff and kick it out.....

Just use both of them....

Jamal can still play... Jerome can play as well...

Just need to do a better job of the play calling IMO, of knowing when to run who, and when is the best time to do so.

"I don't give a fat baby's ass if Jamal goes into a crying jag on television during the game."

I don't either...just think he would and also stated how that could effect the decision as the coaches are "hanging on a thread" and another splintering episode could be the straw that broke the back...where that could effect the decision???

On the runs inside the Tackles...yep, why I stated it with ??? He could possibly run inside like Emmitt Smith??? or like Metcalf??? I like his vision and think its important with the Zone Blocking we do. I think he might do well. I've always been one to think you don't have to get a stud RB from the 1st round to have a good RB.

Also as you know there will be some fans who would go into the "Trial" thinking that he's going to continue to average 6-7-9 yards a touch. I'm just stating most of what I'm stating to bring the reality that 4.2 to 4.5 would be a good thing...where as they might state all is a bust if he doesn't continue at the torrid pace when getting 20 touches a game.

JMHO

I have never understood when people say:

"A little skewed due to the 70+ yard run."


To me that is sort of like saying James Jackson's numbers were a little skewed because he fell down a lot.

I am not ripping you my man....really..but Barry Sanders had a pretty ordinary career if you took out the 2 runs a game that skewed things.

It's time to flip the script and try to wear out defenses chasing Harrison and bring in a fresh Lewis at the end of the game to stomp them into submission.

I'd like to see if Harrison has what it takes to handle 20 carries a game consistantly, continue his solid production and not get injured.

"I have never understood when people say:
"A little skewed due to the 70+ yard run."

Well Peen all I can do is explain it in a little more detail - if you still can't understand there's nothing I can do.

1. I never stated it wasn't a good thing.
2. Nor did I state or ask for others to "ACT" as if it never happened.
3. What I trying to point out. Is that Harrison had only 18 touches.
4. A 70 yard run happens how often in a RB's career, season - and I'm talking about RBs who run and touch the ball 18 times a game...not in a 3 or 4 game accumulation.
5. When you are talking about a Small data base that will have an abnormal happening in it. It skews the stat a bit.

How can I give you an example.

Ok...lets say you go and take a look and try to evaluate DA with his first 3 starts of 07 and state...WOW what a QB - he had 8 TD passes and Zero INTs and a QB rating up the KAZOO....well the stats were a little skewed and if there wasn't further data on DA you would have to consider him a HOF player. But he had 5 TDs in one game...well even if you look at the 8 TD's in 3 games. You cannot and should not judge a player on "Skewed" Stats. Will DA ever have a 5 TD game again. Is DA a 42 TD in a season QB as those stats would suggest...lol with Zero INTs.

42 TDs 0 INT....Thats like the best QB in the world kind of stuff.

Well that is what I mean when you have a "Rarity" involved in a SHORT DATA base as in 18 TOUCHES.

So if you cannot understand this statement:
"A little skewed due to the 70+ yard run."

Then I can't help ya.

Hopefully my more detailed explanation helped

But I got a feeling it will not....

JMHO

I've often referred to "skewed" parts of stats in the past and been given hell for it on occasion. I've always said to take away a long and a short run and see what's left to give a better barometer of the RBs day at the office. People respond with "you can't take the run away, he did it" That's understood, but it DOES skew the stats.

It's pretty simple to me and my simple mind.

j/c

I've said it before and I'll say it again................

Physical RB's only have so many carries in their careers. JL is such a RB. From all appearances, as the season has worn on, he's worn down.

We have JL signed through 2010. IMO, to have him be productive for the length of his contract, we MUST start splitting carries between JH and JL.

It will help JL lengthen his career and let us see what JH has with more carries. To me it's not about one being a feature back and one religated to spell him as it is now. But more of a dual role for each back to split carries.

As was mentioned above with the "babies ass" comment, this season is pretty much a wash. No time like the present to experiment with such an idea IMO

And this information and the outcome of such an experiment is needed to see what we have at the RB position going into the future.

Rookies normally have to wait one year... for some reason...

It obvious when reading into what Chud said that JL will still get the bulk of the carries, regardless...end of story. Jerome is still gonna be the change of pace back, we arent gonna see what he has as a 20 carry back.

Jamal is done as an every down back, thats pretty obvious. In times past he would wear down the defense, now the defense is wearing JL down. He can still be untilized....as the change of pace back.

The Browns need to do what Tennessee is doing, let the shifty back (Chris Johnson) get the bulk (around 65%) of the carries and let the power back (LenDale White) finish off drives and finish off the game.

Sadly Chud doesnt get it...he doesnt commit to running the ball and he doesnt get the fact that Harrison is the better back.

I mean, does it really matter if Harrison is the every down back if we still only run the ball 5 times a game?

Jamal would be fine if he just stopped studder stepping... He is tap dancing at the hand off... He did not always do that. Someone needs to tell him to stop!!

"This is where the owner and gm (if he's going to be around) need to step in and say one of 2 things. 1. Hey, we're leaning towards keeping you, RAC, for next year, and we want to see the younger guys so we can evaluate what we have for next year. or 2. RAC, you're probably not going to be around next year, so this is what we want you to do."

hmmmm...."leaning" - you mean there is a chance I won't be the HC.

And you want me to Experiment...ON MY WATCH? Where how the Team plays directly will reflect on how you evaluate me. Sorry, either fire me or keep me here.

I want to make it as hard as possible to have you let me go. I'm going to try to rally this team to WIN every game and play whoever gives me the best chance to do so!

If you don't like that...FIRE ME and tell the Interim guy to do that.

I'm just putting myself in RAC's spot. If I play Harrison a bit more its cause I think it will give us a better shot at WINNING!

PittDawg... "Physical RB's only have so many carries in their careers. JL is such a RB. From all appearances, as the season has worn on, he's worn down."

Sorry but I couldn't help but notice that Lewis looked DARN GOOD this past game and thats with 10 carries...nomally he sputters and takes time to warm up before getting into the groove and posting up his bigger numbers.

But he sure didn't look worn down to me. Of course Vickers was back doing his thing - now he is injured again. I give Vickers a lot more credit to Lewis' success than some I guess. But if you think Lewis has looked "WORN DOWN" I think its because Vickers is the one who is "WORN DOWN".

JMHO

no. if he stops... he gets even more yards..

I can envision Harrison being a Parker type runner, and Lewis being the goalline and short yardage back that Bettis did in Pittsburgh. Which would prolong Lewis' career and when hes in on short yardage, he can be healthy and fresh to run like its the first play of the drive.

Yeah, Lewis wears a defense down, but so can Harrison when they are chasing him from behind. If Harrison gets hurt, Lewis can take over any time during the game or year.

I like Wright. He plays specail teams and has executed every time his name has been called. But when the time is right, he needs to be upgraded. But as of now, I feel this RB threesome will be alright. Other areas such as LBs and the secondary need to be upgraded before any new RBs are brought in. I would get a RB of the future in rounds 1-3 after next year.

I think it's time to stop all this "Harrison should do this more and carry that more nonsense".
There is a new thread after each and every game.
If it hasn't happened by now,it isn't going to.Until he learns how to block,and play ST's,his opportunities to make a big play will be limited.

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Sorry but I couldn't help but notice that Lewis looked DARN GOOD this past game and thats with 10 carries...nomally he sputters and takes time to warm up before getting into the groove and posting up his bigger numbers.

But he sure didn't look worn down to me. Of course Vickers was back doing his thing - now he is injured again. I give Vickers a lot more credit to Lewis' success than some I guess. But if you think Lewis has looked "WORN DOWN" I think its because Vickers is the one who is "WORN DOWN".

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I was at the last game and sitting up high you could see how slow Lewis is. You say he looks "darn good", I say he looked alright.
When he got his longer runs there was a huge hole for him. He still was slow getting thru it. IMO if on those same runs Harrison had the ball, he would have ripped off a lot more yardage. Lewis was running good thru the line and had a safety to beat for more yardage. Instead of trying to make a move, he plows right into him and stopped.

I like Lewis, but without Vickers, he is below average in my book. The few carries that Harrison had, especially his runs around the end, he was well past the line of scrimmage before any defender got close.

The previous two games I saw the same thing Lewis studdering and slow to the hole and then taking on tacklers. In the past he used to win those battles, but lately, the extra yardage is not there. Harrison hits the hole very quickly, and has way more power than he is given credit for.

IMO Lewis's good numbers this last game were from a couple good runs, which is not a bad thing. My problem with the whole "he needs to get warmed up" notion is, this team can't afford to wait until the fourth quarter for him to produce.

If he is best in the fourth, I believe wearing the defence down with Harrison's speed and cut backs, mixed with an equal amount of Jamal would be way more effective.

People will still say that Harrison isn't proven yet, but IMO that's bull. The guy gets good runs and catches with every oppurtunity.

Lewis is one of the best, but if the guy is not producing early in the game, the running game struggles. Harrison is a "spark", and that's what this offense needs.

j/c

I've seen nothing out of Lewis this whole season to say "There is no way we could start Harrison and be better."

That's usually a sign that Lewis isn't that good. He doesn't see the massive holes, refuses to take the run outside, and doesn't have that much power anymore.

Harrison had 2 carries today.

I guess since he didn't break one for 45 yards we felt he needed to sit.

Apparently, today wasn't the day.....

don't know why he refused to follow vickers. The more I watch vickers, the more I think he's an incredible draft pick. Great vision and lead blocks. Maybe lewis is out of synch with him since Vickers was injured?

Lewis is not himself, regardless of missing tucker. He left 30-40 yards on the field today.