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RB Damien Harris, BUF (2 Viewers)

EthnicFury said:
To clarify I was referencing the off-season after sanders was drafted, not people still saying that this past offseason. My point was more, that’s only ever the pattern until they get a guy worth making it not.

To the rest of it: yes, to some degree you can expect Belichick to keep doing what works. In the short term that probably still includes at least James White stealing something receptions. I’m less convinced a separate goal-line back is a given. But even in that time, much like with the eagles, there have been games that indicate he doesn’t have a problem giving a back a full workload; they have just gotten hurt or wound up in the doghouse after and never been seen again. Which obviously is a risk here. Remember that random 200 yd 4 td Jonas Gray game? I wonder how history would look if Gray hadn’t immediately missed a meeting.

Blount was a league-winner for me that one year also. A ~60% committee role could still be very valuable here. I understand that this is a smattering of random thoughts not necessarily driving to an overarching point 
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lol - it's ok, sometimes random train of thought is fun too. See: 1/3 of my posts here. :lol:  

As for the GL back thing, Cam Newton has been their most effective "goal to go" RB. I don't see that changing. 

It will be interesting to observe how they handle 1st and goal in short yardage going forward. I suspect the order of touches will go: Cam -> Burkhead -> White on a pass -> Harris. 

But maybe they'll show us something different. I'm skeptical they change a single thing about this offense other than the name "Harris" on the back of the jersey that used to say "Michel", and a different number of course. I am skeptical Harris gets 60% of the touches when Cam is back as well.  That game script was for the backup QBs. 

 
Anarchy99 said:
The following is not the best illustration,  as a better comparison would be to list things by coaches and offensive coordinators, but that would take way too long (and this will essentially show what I want it to show, so it will do). Number of RBs since 2005 to have 250 or more touches in a season (15 total seasons).

14 times: CHI, LAR
10 times: BAL, BUF, DAL, PIT, TEN
9 times: HOU, MIN, SF
8 times: ATL, CIN, IND, JAC, LAC, NYJ, PHI, SEA, WAS
7 times: DEN, KC
6 times: CAR, CLE, GB, LV, MIA, NO, TB
5 times: ARI, NYG
4 times: DET
3 times: NE

BB doesn't seem like he has searched to find an every down back. Even the three guys on this list were not involved in the passing game . . .

Stevan Ridley (2012) - 290 carries, 6 receptions
LaGarrette Blount (2016) - 299 carries, 7 receptions
Sony Michel (2019) - 247 carries, 12 receptions
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That’s very valid. They did also have the same qb who happened to be the GOAT to build the offense around that whole time. I’m not shocked it looked more consistent year to year than anyone else’s offense, and also think if there were a time that were likely to change drastically it’d be nowish.

 
and also think if there were a time that were likely to change drastically it’d be nowish.
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Because they have a QB who can run the ball too, adding yet another mouth to feed in their effective ground game? 

Hmm....not feeling that drastic change coming on. 

 
EthnicFury said:
To clarify I was referencing the off-season after sanders was drafted, not people still saying that this past offseason. My point was more, that’s only ever the pattern until they get a guy worth making it not.

To the rest of it: yes, to some degree you can expect Belichick to keep doing what works. In the short term that probably still includes at least James White stealing something receptions. I’m less convinced a separate goal-line back is a given. But even in that time, much like with the eagles, there have been games that indicate he doesn’t have a problem giving a back a full workload; they have just gotten hurt or wound up in the doghouse after and never been seen again. Which obviously is a risk here. Remember that random 200 yd 4 td Jonas Gray game? I wonder how history would look if Gray hadn’t immediately missed a meeting.

Blount was a league-winner for me that one year also. A ~60% committee role could still be very valuable here. I understand that this is a smattering of random thoughts not necessarily driving to an overarching point 
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Ridley was the established starter heading into the season and got hurt and was lost for the season. Shane Vereen was primarily used as their receiving back. When Ridley went down, Gray and Vereen split the workload for a handful of games. Playing Vereen as a heavy carry back wasn't really in the cards. Then the Pats played the Colts, who a) weren't great against the run and b) had Andrew Luck in what would turn into a 4761/40 season. The Colts couldn't stop Gray, so they played keep away and kept feeding him the football.

Earlier in the day, LaGarrette Blount (who played in NE the season before and left via free agency) got chippy about being a backup in PIT and forced himself out of town. Blount was released in a couple of days after the huge game from Gray and NE brought back Blount. To me, Gray missing or not missing a team meeting was mostly irrelevant. NE was going back to Blount. There was nothing in Gray's pedigree to think he would be a long-term solution. He didn't start in his first three seasons at Notre Dame, split time as a senior, and tore his ACL / MCL / LCL in November of his senior year. He ended his college career with only 189 carries and went undrafted. Over his entire NFL career, he would have only one other game with 15 carries and one other game with much more than 60 rushing yards. There was a lot of speculation at the time that BB orchestrated Blount's return.

 
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Hot Sauce Guy said:
Because they have a QB who can run the ball too, adding yet another mouth to feed in their effective ground game? 

Hmm....not feeling that drastic change coming on. 
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To be fair, White's contract is up after this year (and is turning 29), Burkhead's contract is up after this year (and will be 31), and it wouldn't cost them much to move away from Michel with one year left on his contract at age 26. I do think there will be changes in the backfield next year. If Harris looks like he can play this year, he might see a lot bigger role next year.

 
Anarchy99 said:
To be fair, White's contract is up after this year (and is turning 29), Burkhead's contract is up after this year (and will be 31), and it wouldn't cost them much to move away from Michel with one year left on his contract at age 26. I do think there will be changes in the backfield next year. If Harris looks like he can play this year, he might see a lot bigger role next year.
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Oh for sure - I was speaking purely to redraft. 

 
It's hard to get excited about how he played against KC knowing that was the same D that made Josh Kelley look like a stud just a couple weeks ago.  But I don't think anyone is expecting a league winner.  I am just hoping for a flex filler with RB2 upside.  Seems like he does have that potential. 

 
Jail said:
It's hard to get excited about how he played against KC knowing that was the same D that made Josh Kelley look like a stud just a couple weeks ago.  But I don't think anyone is expecting a league winner.  I am just hoping for a flex filler with RB2 upside.  Seems like he does have that potential. 
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That's pretty much how I have been describing him, so I think there are a number of us thinking similar things.

 
Damien Harris (RB, NE) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

ROSTERED: 31% of Leagues

ANALYSIS: Damien Harris started the season stuck in the Injured Reserve and virtually every fantasy GM forgot about him. That, added to the headache that New England's backfield often is (how many players can share that thing!?), kept Harris rostership down to 30%... until this week. That mark is going to reach sky-high levels by tomorrow when WW claims are processed.

Truth be told, it will make all of the sense because 1) Harris was the best Pats rushing-tailback in W4, 2) Sony Michel was just sent to IR (out until W8), and 3) Cam Newton(definitely a threat for every rusher given his tendency to run with the ball) is most probably out for at least another week.

In his first game of the season this past Monday, Harris rushed for a rounded 100 yards on 17 carries. Only Sony Michel (13.0) has logged a higher Y/C mark on the ground this season for the Pats while attempting at least 9 runs. Harris averaged 5.9 on twice those rushing attempts, finishing with 10 PPR points, all on the ground.

That is the thing with Harris, though. He's a pure-rusher, and the passing game will favor the likes of James White and Rex Burkhead over him. He'll still be very valuable in an offense that favors the run over the pass, but forget about Harris pass-catching upside.

All things considered, Harris will replace Sony Michel as the RB1 of the offense, and that alone makes him a target for virtually every league fantasy GM, no matter the depth. Make sure to acquire Harris, even though next weekend's matchup against the Broncos could be the toughest of his season (Denver ranks 4th in preventing fantasy points from the RB position).
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Teezee said:
I think many are still underestimating his ability and opportunity here. Just wait til Cam gets on the field. It's going to open things up a lot for Harris. 

I think some people may not realize but we've never seen what a Belichick scheme will look like without Tom Brady. It's only been a quarter of a season and I think we may be getting a little ahead of ourselves as to what they want to do philosophically. You had a transcendent talent in Brady at QB, you naturally want the ball in his hands. They haven't felt the need to draft or bring in an elite level rb since Corey Dillon. They didn't need to run 30 times a game. So give Brady some dink and dunk mid-level talent guys in the backfield, a 1A possession receiver and Gronk and let Brady go win with his arm.

With Cam, I'm asking myself how are they going to move the ball down the field consistently knowing Cam has deficiencies in the pass game? I mean I smell they want to run. Some are concerned with how many passes or touchdowns will be available bc they are so used to seeing a Belichick/Brady scheme where the ball is spread around too thin for any fantasy consistency outside of three guys (Brady, Edelman, Gronk). Although that could be true, we have to acknowledge that the variables have changed from Brady to Cam. So a)Bill's tendencies and b)fantasy onlookers perception needs to adjust as well. I don't think they are too confident with Cam passing on first and second down much Consistently over the course of an entire NFL season. That ball ain't going to throw or run itself and they have a young horse who is ready to help them move piles and convert third downs. I'm also confident Bill and old pal Saban had a conversation or two about Harris for them to draft him in the third round post-Brady.

Harris is not an elite level talent but he is head and shoulders above Michel or any other rb on the roster when it comes to pure, natural ability of running the ball. Coming out of college Michel was one of the most polished and ready to contribute rbs but he didn't have the raw talent as other guys. Michel was a one year rental (when you have Brady you play for today not 2-3 years down the road and wait for talent to develop), Bill knew his knees were shot coming out of Georgia. And the late-first round tender paid off quickly bc Michel helped them win the Super Bowl his rookie season. But one thing Bill does better than anyone is that he will give up on you before it's too late. Better a year early than a year late. Michel's shelf life in the NFL won't be for long and I believe drafting Harris post-Brady was definitely made with his plan to move on from Michel eventually.

Yes, Cam will get his at the goal line, Edelman, Burkhead and White will catch some passes. Some have reserved skepticism and envision Harris as a one trick pony between the 20's guy but I believe in the talent and Bill's intention to establish his guy moving forward to win games. Bc to be honest they don't have anybody else in the offense capable of coming out of nowhere and succeeding at a high level consistently week in week out with this current roster. They want Harris to be the guy through and through.
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I thought I wrote this last night in my drunken stupor.   That's how much I agree with you...

 
Anarchy99 said:
To be fair, White's contract is up after this year (and is turning 29), Burkhead's contract is up after this year (and will be 31), and it wouldn't cost them much to move away from Michel with one year left on his contract at age 26. I do think there will be changes in the backfield next year. If Harris looks like he can play this year, he might see a lot bigger role next year.
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That’s an interesting point for his dynasty value. My hunch is he’s undervalued in dynasty at present due to how the Pats have always used their RBs in a rotation, that Michel will return, and that Cam will swipe some TDs too. But we also know that running QBs help their RBs, and Harris can score from distance as we’ve already seen the 40+ yard run, and perhaps Michel just isn’t the same guy he was at Georgia. 

But the other part of me worries Harris is the jaggiest of JAGs. 

 
Bigboy10182000 said:
Any videos from last weeks game?  I’m not sure if I should drop Freeman for him in a PPR
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LINK

Runs of 2, 5, 2, 2, 4, 10, 1, 2, 3, 2, 5, 6, 9, 41, 1, 2, 3 = 100 yards on 17 carries (5.9 ypc). No targets as a receiver. Taking out the big run, 59 yards on 16 carries (3.6 ypc). He looked decent on some plays and like Sony Michel on many others.

 
Anarchy99 said:
LINK

Runs of 2, 5, 2, 2, 4, 10, 1, 2, 3, 2, 5, 6, 9, 41, 1, 2, 3 = 100 yards on 17 carries (5.9 ypc). No targets as a receiver. Taking out the big run, 59 yards on 16 carries (3.6 ypc). He looked decent on some plays and like Sony Michel on many others.
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Super important to remember:

First game back from IR

No preseason

No time to mesh with the offensive line

Facing Superbowl Champion KC Chiefs

Quarterback that no one on that defense respected

Zero passing game

Yet, he still churned out 100 yards. By week 6 or 7, we should know what we really have on our hands here. This was an exceptional first game considering the circumstances. 

 
georg013 said:
Super important to remember:

First game back from IR

No preseason

No time to mesh with the offensive line

Facing Superbowl Champion KC Chiefs

Quarterback that no one on that defense respected

Zero passing game

Yet, he still churned out 100 yards. By week 6 or 7, we should know what we really have on our hands here. This was an exceptional first game considering the circumstances. 
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The same holds true for the other backs on the roster. Harris wasn't horrible, but on many of his carries he didn't look any different than Michel (which is really the only comparison that matters). I agree it was a decent start, hopefully he can learn and improve. Just like last game with Michel, breaking off one long run doesn't sell me on having a great game. We'll see moving forward how things go.

 
Anarchy99 said:
The same holds true for the other backs on the roster. Harris wasn't horrible, but on many of his carries he didn't look any different than Michel (which is really the only comparison that matters). I agree it was a decent start, hopefully he can learn and improve. Just like last game with Michel, breaking off one long run doesn't sell me on having a great game. We'll see moving forward how things go.
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What kind of output in the Denver game will constitute impressive?  North of 16/80/1?

 
SeniorVBDStudent said:
What kind of output in the Denver game will constitute impressive?  North of 16/80/1?
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Total output is a little misleading. If on 15 carries he gets 30 yards and on 1 carry the OL moves heaven and earth to open a giant hole and he goes untouched for 50 yards, his totals would be good but I am not sure I would say that was a great outing. I would rather see him take a 2 yard gain and fight to extend it to 6 or 7.  Or move the pile 3 or 4 yards. Or get around the corner on a sweep for 12 yards when it should have gone for no gain instead. 

 
Anarchy99 said:
LINK

Runs of 2, 5, 2, 2, 4, 10, 1, 2, 3, 2, 5, 6, 9, 41, 1, 2, 3 = 100 yards on 17 carries (5.9 ypc). No targets as a receiver. Taking out the big run, 59 yards on 16 carries (3.6 ypc). He looked decent on some plays and like Sony Michel on many others.
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Thanks for the information. After watching him and Chase Edmonds I decided to go with Edmonds. Harris looked pretty ordinary in the highlights and with NE’s ever changing backfield I decided to bank on Drake losing the job. 

 
Damien Harris rushed six times for 19 yards and caught one pass for 14 yards in Week 6 against the Broncos.

Harris was set up for a big workload with Sony Michel on the COVID list. He struggled early, and fell out of the gameplan with the Patriots falling behind in the second half. It's a step back after Harris had a 100-yard game before New England's bye. With Michel's status looking shaky, Harris should remain the lead back for a Week 7 matchup with the 49ers.

Oct 18, 2020, 4:26 PM ET
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Dropped in my short bench league due to Antonio Brown news owner cutting bait.

I still think this is a guy and an offense worth taking a flyer on if you can get him for cheap. But I wouldn’t trust him to start for my fantasy team just yet.

 
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Damien Harris rushed ten times for 58 yards in the Patriots' Week 7 loss to the 49ers, adding one reception for 12 yards. 

Harris is clearly the leading early-down back for New England. If they can ever maintain some semblance of neutral or positive game script, Harris could see upwards of 20 touches as long as Sony Michel remains sidelined. Harris will be a flex option in deeper 12 and 14-team leagues next week against Buffalo. 

RELATED: 

Sony Michel

Oct 25, 2020, 8:57 PM ET
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Damien Harris (ankle) was limited in Wednesday and Thursday's practices. 

The Pats may hand out more "limited" practices than any team in the league. Harris should be out there against the Bills, but his workload remains highly unpredictable in the Patriots' sprawling backfield. Harris can't be trusted as more than a low-floor RB4 in deeper leagues with multiple FLEX spots. 

Oct 29, 2020, 7:24 PM ET
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Patriots RB Damien Harris (ankle) said he was fine when asked about the ankle injury that had limited him at practice this week. 

It doesn't sound like Harris' ankle issue is serious as the Patriots prepare to take on the Bills this week. He rushed ten times for 58 yards in the Patriots' Week 7 loss to the 49ers, adding one reception for 12 yards. Over New England's past three games, Harris leads the team with 33 carries, though he's only played 30 percent of the team's offensive snaps over that stretch. A more stable Patriots offense that generated more positive game script would make Harris a serviceable low-end RB option. Instead, he's a RB4 option with a scary floor. 

SOURCE: Zack Cox on Twitter

Oct 30, 2020, 2:31 PM ET
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NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Patriots RB Damien Harris (ankle) is expected to play in Week 8 against the Bills. 

Harris is averaging 11 carries per game over his previous three outings but only has two targets. He has only played on 30 percent of his team's offensive snaps in that span though. The Patriots are underdogs to the Bills this week and Harris doesn't catch passes. Harris remains nothing more than a touchdown-dependant RB4. 

SOURCE: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

Nov 1, 2020, 9:11 AM ET
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Damien Harris rushed 16 times for 102 yards and a touchdown in the Patriots' Week 8 loss to the Bills.

Harris continued to separate himself from Rex Burkhead in another game filled with chunk plays. He scored on an impressive, 22-yard scamper and out-carried Burkhead 16-6. Harris did not see a target. He will need New England to be competitive in order to not get game-scripted out but Harris is shaping up to be a weekly RB3. His ceiling is capped by not catching passes but he'll be a threat to hit the century mark in most games.

- Rotoworld
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There is nothing about Harris that says he can't catch passes. He's much different than Sony Michel, who dropped everything like a hot potato out of the oven.

He looked good again today. He's over one hundred yards twice in three games. That's nothing but a positive for dynasty GMs.

 
Damien Harris (ankle) is questionable for Week 9 against the Jets.

Harris got in a week of limited practices. We haven't seen any concern about his status for Monday Night Football, though you can never be for sure with the Patriots. Unless we hear anything else, Harris can be considered a low-end RB2 as one of the only functional parts of the Patriots' offense for a game where they are nevertheless big favorites. 

Nov 7, 2020, 5:02 PM ET
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Damien Harris (ankle) is active for Week 9 against the Jets.

Nick Folk (back) is also active for Monday night after both he and Harris were listed questionable. Sony Michel wasn't activated from IR in time for this one, so it should be Harris on early downs to flirt with 20 carries while Rex Burkhead and James White mix in for passing downs. Inactive for the Patriots are WR N'Keal Harry, CB Stephon Gilmore, RB J.J. Taylor, TE Dalton Keene, DT Lawrence Guy, LB Ja'Whaun Bentley, and QB Brian Hoyer.

Nov 9, 2020, 7:02 PM ET
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Damien Harris rushed 14 times for 71 yards in the Patriots' Week 9 win over the Jets.

Harris exited this one early in the second half with a chest injury and never returned. He came into this one with an ankle issue. Sony Michel is expected to come off injured reserve as soon as Week 10 to face the Ravens, which will even further complicate this backfield that already has four guys consistently touching the ball. Harris doesn't see targets in the pass game and will remain very TD-dependent if he's even able to hold off Michel atop the depth chart.

Nov 9, 2020, 11:29 PM ET
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Damien Harris (ankle, chest) was limited at Wednesday's practice.

Harris was one of 16 players listed as limited. The chest injury is new but shouldn't keep him out. Harris has a shy away matchup with a Ravens defense that's given up only six rushing touchdowns.

Nov 11, 2020, 4:17 PM ET
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NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Patriots RB Damien Harris (ankle, chest) is "hopeful" to play in Week 10 against the Ravens.

Sony Michel (quad) has yet to be activated off injured reserve despite returning to practice. That means that Harris will likely take on the bulk of the between-the-tackles work for New England for another week if he ends up playing on Sunday. Harris has been breaking off chunk runs at will this season, posting 5.6 yards per carry on 63 rushes. He'll need to keep finding long runs if he wants to remain an RB2 in fantasy because he has just two catches across five starts. His matchup with Baltimore is difficult but Harris is locked in for a dozen carries. He slots in as an RB3 with touchdown-upside this week.

SOURCE: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

Nov 15, 2020, 8:37 AM ET
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Huh. This is good news for dynasty GMs. Looks nice, like the game isn't too fast for him. He looks like he's running downhill.

That's one hundred yards in three out of the last five games for him. 

 
Harris could be big-time with a better passing game & a QB who doesn't vulture as much.

He's got a lot of upside in dynasty leagues (long-term).

 
Looks good tonight. He doesn't seem to have any problems with inclement weather. Things around him are starting to come to be, most notably Cam's predictable ineptness in the passing game, they really have no choice but to run to sustain drives. Running with authority and decisiveness, vision will come but he's well on his way

 
Damien Harris rushed 22 times for 121 yards in the Patriots' Week 10 win over the Ravens.

Harris was a game-time decision after a limited week of practice. He looked fully healthy, averaging 5.5 YPC in a workhorse role. The yards and carries were a season high for Harris, who's been effective when healthy this year. Even if Sony Michel (quad, IR) returns next week, Harris should remain the Patriots' lead back.

Nov 15, 2020, 11:38 PM ET
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NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Patriots RB Damien Harris (ankle/chest) is expected to play in Week 11 against the Texans.

Harris began making the active roster in Week 4 after Sony Michel went down with a quad injury. He has three 100-yard games in six contests and is running at 5.5 YPC. Harris has looked like New England's best back this year and could keep Michel inactive despite New England removing him from injured reserve earlier this week. Harris slots in as an RB2 against the Texans this week.

SOURCE: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

Nov 22, 2020, 8:31 AM ET
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