Dujuan Harris... late round bargain? why no discussion yet? (1 Viewer)

[DeaLerZ]

Packers activated RB DuJuan Harris (knee) from active/PUP.
Although coach Mike McCarthy recently called Harris the Packers' "starter," the reality is Harris is internally viewed as a change-of-pace back and Green Bay wouldn't have used two quality draft picks on running backs if they thought of Harris as a lead runner. Harris is a threat to Johnathan Franklin and John Kuhn's snaps as a situational, passing-down specialist. Aug 12 - 2:02 PM

Ok.. this one makes sense to all of us.. Eddie Lacy looks like a legit bellcow and Jonathan Franklin was also drafted. You say to yourself "the author of this article is pretty accurate here..the Packers went out and got two of the top RB draft picks because they are trying to have a more balanced offense. Even though I had Dujuan Harris on my fantasy team and saw how productive and "MJD 2ish" he looked (5'7" 214lbs).. ((side note MJD 5'7 207lbs.. who really knows their actual height and weight every website is different.. but regardless he looked similar to MJD with the eyeball test)) he came from the practice squad or something??? I can't remember."

DuJuan Harris was the first-team running back at Packers practice Monday.
The Packers seem intent on deferring to the veteran with reps despite Eddie Lacy's bruising, powerful preseason debut where he averaged 5.0 yards per carry. We do anticipate Harris earning a role in the offense -- and perhaps even getting nominal "starts" -- but Lacy will be Green Bay's feature back. Harris (5'7/214) is far better suited for a pace-change/passing-down role. On Monday, Harris was first in line, Lacy second, and Johnathan Franklin third. Aug 19 - 1:52 PM
Source: Tom Silverstein on Twitter

Than you see this.... which kind of reads... "well looks like the coach wasn't completely bluffing to get Lacy pumped.. because its getting later in the preseason and they aren't really playing games anymore... maybe Harris will get some starts because the Packers liked what he did for the offense down the stretch last year.. but no way that Lacy doesn't get his.. he is just too powerful"

than you read this....

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Coach Mike McCarthy is getting more options for the Packers' backfield.

Incumbent starter DuJuan Harris is itching to play after missing time with a knee injury.

Rookie Eddie Lacy has Green Bay fans buzzing after showing off his spin move and power-running style in his preseason debut last week against the Rams.

The running backs will be in the spotlight in the Packers' third preseason game Friday night at home against the Seahawks, what McCarthy dubs the "dress rehearsal" for when the real games start in a few weeks.

"It's time for individuals to step up and claim some responsibility," McCarthy said about the team-wide competition for playing time. "You want to see this thing start to define itself. This is not a fun time of year. Who's doing what? You're running out of reps because we're halfway there."
By The Associated Press
on August 19, 2013 at 11:54 PM, updated August 20, 2013 at 12:04 AM

So Harris, who is supposed to play Friday, is returning just in time to try to make an impression -- just as Lacy did last week against St. Louis.

Now... this reads.. "the starting RB is up for grabs.. the coach likes having lots of options.. and the Packers were thinking we like what we had with Harris down the stretch last year.. he did well in the offense and gave us some pizazz... but it is anyone's chance this week to show who can be the starter..."

now watch these highlights from last year of Dujuan Harris

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNqrWZLGKAI

in my mind i thought he looked explosive and showed some really good agility, and a knack for making people miss...

now after looking at all of that... all I am saying is if your drafting this week or anytime soon.... draft Dujuan Harris in the 15th or 16th round... worst case you drop him... best case you end up with a starting RB who the coach thinks highly of and has great potential in this offense...

realistically you could end up with the starting RB of a two-headed monster... similar to David Wilson/Andre Brown because Harris knows the offense has the explosiveness and Eddie Lacy a rookie has a lot to learn as the coach "stated".. but could still add a lot of value to the Packers offense with the power... Jonathan Franklin who is being drafted much higher... is currently 3rd string

Now I could be way off base here.. but I think with all of the hype that Eddie lacy/Jonathan Franklin got from all of the fantasy experts and guru's out there... no one wants to accept that Dujuan Harris is still seen as the starting RB in the coaches eyes.... sure it's easier to say "NO WAY IN HELL"... either way for the price you are paying.. its totally worth the bargain especially for trade bait, and the potential for a huge bargain in the later rounds

thoughts???

 

[Kitrick Taylor]

I've been saying it for a while now. Lacy is going to be the starter and get 65-70% of the touches in this backfield. DuJuan Harris will get the majority of the rest. Those two are just flat out better than Starks, Green, Franklin and Kuhn. Both Lacy and Harris are great values compared to their current ADPs.

 

[Raider Nation]

There has been recent discussion about DuJuan Harris. Oddly enough, it's in the DuJuan Harris thread.

 

[Dismattle]

Hey Raider that link appears somewhat dated? Do you have any thoughts on Harris?

I seem to recall the Coach enjoying the luxury of having two backs rdy to go. As posted by the OP, Coach views Harris as his starter. I believe that I also read something about Lacy possessing good hands?

Basically how shocked would you be to see Harris get the majority of snaps, while Lacy suffices for cop, 3rd down short yardage, GL (basically the money back)

Does anyone know how many RB's GB may roster?

 

[mere blitzianity]

I agree on Harris and since Lacy has a proclivity to get banged up, it wouldn't surprise me to see Harris starting at some point this season. Harris was dynamic last year and can be had for pennies on the dollar.

 

[sho nuff]

Of course Harris is taking more snaps right now...he has not been in camp because of the lung surgery. They have to see that he can handle those reps coming back and see if what he can do again.

They are making decisions on guys like Starks and Green.

Lacy will, in all liklihood, be that bell cow. As Kitrick Taylor said...getting the majority of the snaps come game time.

 

[DeaLerZ]

Of course Harris is taking more snaps right now...he has not been in camp because of the lung surgery. They have to see that he can handle those reps coming back and see if what he can do again.

They are making decisions on guys like Starks and Green.

Lacy will, in all liklihood, be that bell cow. As Kitrick Taylor said...getting the majority of the snaps come game time.

thats my whole point.. lets see what happens in the preseason before we go assuming that.... anything can happen... and you cannot argue with the fact that Dujuan Harris looked good for the packers last season, and the coach liked what he did for the offense

if i am wrong so what... but if i am right you potentially have a huge steal

 

[sho nuff]

Of course Harris is taking more snaps right now...he has not been in camp because of the lung surgery. They have to see that he can handle those reps coming back and see if what he can do again.

They are making decisions on guys like Starks and Green.

Lacy will, in all liklihood, be that bell cow. As Kitrick Taylor said...getting the majority of the snaps come game time.

thats my whole point.. lets see what happens in the preseason before we go assuming that.... anything can happen... and you cannot argue with the fact that Dujuan Harris looked good for the packers last season, and the coach liked what he did for the offense

if i am wrong so what... but if i am right you potentially have a huge steal

I agree he looked good last year.

Then again...he looked good enough for the coach to basically ignore him in the 2nd half of the SF game.

And he looked good enough for the GM to draft 2 RBs this past draft (with input from the coach).

I don't see him as a huge steal barring any injury.

Do you honestly think Harris can do anything Friday that is going to give him enough carries to be fantasy relevant without an injury to Lacy?

 

[AngryPatriot]

Muddled situation... with the exception that Lacy is looking good. Harris is worth a flier in bigger rosters but one of the problems with the whole thing is GB abandons the run in about the 1st quarter! Ahman Green was about the last viable GB fantasy starter that I can remember. It would seem they are concerned about the run game but tough one to call right now. There certainly will be a good share of 1st and goals at the 1 so theres TD's to go around.

 

[mere blitzianity]

Chances are good Lacy misses some time this year and I like DH's chances of surprising people. Every year you get a guy or two that really explodes into the scene, based on injuries or solid play and I think Harris is on that list. He's worth stashing on your roster

 

[mere blitzianity]

Chances are good Lacy misses some time this year and I like DH's chances of surprising people. Every year you get a guy or two that really explodes into the scene, based on injuries or solid play and I think Harris is on that list. He's worth stashing on your roster

 

[mere blitzianity]

Chances are good Lacy misses some time this year and I like DH's chances of surprising people. Every year you get a guy or two that really explodes into the scene, based on injuries or solid play and I think Harris is on that list. He's worth stashing on your roster

 

[DeaLerZ]

Of course Harris is taking more snaps right now...he has not been in camp because of the lung surgery. They have to see that he can handle those reps coming back and see if what he can do again.

They are making decisions on guys like Starks and Green.

Lacy will, in all liklihood, be that bell cow. As Kitrick Taylor said...getting the majority of the snaps come game time.

thats my whole point.. lets see what happens in the preseason before we go assuming that.... anything can happen... and you cannot argue with the fact that Dujuan Harris looked good for the packers last season, and the coach liked what he did for the offense

if i am wrong so what... but if i am right you potentially have a huge steal

I agree he looked good last year.

Then again...he looked good enough for the coach to basically ignore him in the 2nd half of the SF game.

And he looked good enough for the GM to draft 2 RBs this past draft (with input from the coach).

I don't see him as a huge steal barring any injury.

Do you honestly think Harris can do anything Friday that is going to give him enough carries to be fantasy relevant without an injury to Lacy?

who knows it's football haha.. that's why i watch it and keep coming back to play fantasy football cause you just never know what the hell is going to happen... ala Alfred Morris last year in pre-season

but he is definitely worth stashing until we find out..

 

[sho nuff]

Of course Harris is taking more snaps right now...he has not been in camp because of the lung surgery. They have to see that he can handle those reps coming back and see if what he can do again.

They are making decisions on guys like Starks and Green.

Lacy will, in all liklihood, be that bell cow. As Kitrick Taylor said...getting the majority of the snaps come game time.

thats my whole point.. lets see what happens in the preseason before we go assuming that.... anything can happen... and you cannot argue with the fact that Dujuan Harris looked good for the packers last season, and the coach liked what he did for the offense

if i am wrong so what... but if i am right you potentially have a huge steal

I agree he looked good last year.

Then again...he looked good enough for the coach to basically ignore him in the 2nd half of the SF game.

And he looked good enough for the GM to draft 2 RBs this past draft (with input from the coach).

I don't see him as a huge steal barring any injury.

Do you honestly think Harris can do anything Friday that is going to give him enough carries to be fantasy relevant without an injury to Lacy?

who knows it's football haha.. that's why i watch it and keep coming back to play fantasy football cause you just never know what the hell is going to happen... ala Alfred Morris last year in pre-season

but he is definitely worth stashing until we find out..

I can tell you with near 100% certainty that if Lacy is healthy...Harris will not be fantasy relevant. Meaning, you won't be able to start him week to week. Not that he won't have a game from time to time where he breaks a few runs or a TD run and puts up points out of nowhere.

 

[Pipes]

Chances are good Lacy misses some time this year and I like DH's chances of surprising people. Every year you get a guy or two that really explodes into the scene, based on injuries or solid play and I think Harris is on that list. He's worth stashing on your roster

Why is that?

 

[socrates]

Arguments in favor of Harris:

I really liked what I saw of Harris to close out last season. He ran with vision and explosiveness, and he displayed good receiving ability.

Harris is no more undersized than a number of quality backs in the league.

Lacy is a workhouse power back who lacks Harris' finesse and quickness. Perhaps Harris could be the lightning to Lacy's Thunder.

Harris' pass blocking gives him a real chance to see the field, if Lacy struggles in that area, and do not lose sight of the fact that Lacy fell in the draft due to health concerns (particularly his toe).

The Arguments Against Harris:

Regardless of what rhetoric you may hear from Coach McCarthy, Lacy is the starting back for the Packers.

Harris' "lightning" role seems unlikely. Unlike some other situations, such as Wilson-Brown (NyG) and Hillman-Ball (Den), Lacy is expected to be a three-down back, and Harris is not the lead back in that role. I liken Harris' role more to Jacquizz Rodgers' role in reserve of Steven Jackson.

Bottom Line:

While I would not suggest drafting Harris with the expectations he will provide you with weekly numbers worthy of even a flex, if you have a deep roster spot to stash Harris, he is certainly worth grabbing, even ahead of Franklin, IMHO.

 

[cheese]

I'm more confused about whether the Packers actually care about running than I am about the usage splits between the backs. Other than drafting a highly touted RB who slipped really far in the draft, do we have much evidence that they will run more?

 

[Clifford]

They might be looking at what their friends in Foxborough are doing and like what they see. I could easily see them running a lot more this season. They need to let their defense rest a little and you do that by controlling the clock. They ranked 16th in attempts last year. I could see them move up a little. 40 more attempts and they could have been top ten.

 

[Kitrick Taylor]

I'm more confused about whether the Packers actually care about running than I am about the usage splits between the backs. Other than drafting a highly touted RB who slipped really far in the draft, do we have much evidence that they will run more?

After the opener vs SF last year, Benson got 24, 21 and 22 touches int the next three games before getting hurt.

Packers are making a concerted effort to run the ball this year.