I drafted Harrison last year and he hardly saw any significant time, even when guys were injured. Why would this year be any different?
Joe Thomas/Eric Stienbach.Since the Browns have a legit blind side protector and the makings of a solid left-side to their O-Line the blitz pickup and pass protection of the Browns RBs won't be the primary prerequisite before they can get on the field. Also Jerome has put on weight and reportedly is up at 212lbs which would make him more solid with more potential to pick up the blitz. Their was no way that Harrison was going to see the field last year since he was a rookie and didn't know his blitz pickups and then when they used him they avoided putting him in situations where he was reposnsible for helping Schaffer seal the edge rush lane or to chip his DE AND pick up a blitz. Joe Thomas is going to give all of the Browns RBs more freedom/flexibility to become receivers in the passing game but Jamal Lewis has never been much of a receiver out of the backfield so I think Harrison DEFINITELY is whom Chud is trying to get more involved on passing downs and potentially to change things up.
Also if the rumors of
'The Ghost's' newly gained bulk are true he could contend for more carries but look for him to be used more in a Reggie Bush receiver/misdirection type of role.
Last year Mo tried to use FBs more in the offense, probably because he was a FB as a player and felt he could make the FB the key to his offense. But he was a new OC and trying to put his stamp on the offense and make a name for himself. This year the new OC, Chudzinski, is out to make a name for himself. In taking stock of the weapons he has at his disposal, Jerome Harrions looks like Chud's best chane to get big plays from the RB position. I think Chud is going to try and put Jerome in situations where Harrison stands a good chance to make some big plays ALA Reggie Bush. Now if that plan works remains to be seen. Last year Mo Carthon's FB centered offense failed miserably so I wouldn't count any chickens but going back to the original premise I believe Joe Thomas/Eric Steinbach are the key.
A legit blind side protector and a dominant side to the offensive line is the main thing that has changed from last year to this year. The left side of the Brown's offensive line is going to open up/free the offense in general and I think that is the main thing which has changed to make Jerome
'The Ghost' Harrison a contender for more PT this year.
But is just my humble opinion.