Roman Harper (1 Viewer)

[Rozelle]

Wow! Good Stuff Jean (RTD), had no idea.

Sounds like Harper is in the dog house. Hopefully this will light a fire under him. He's a smart player, coaches son if memory serves. But sounds as though he will be playing on a short leash. Sounds like a risky start.

Transcripts of Sean Payton's Monday press conference

Did you use Kevin Kaesviharn more on defense yesterday?

"He played at safety and then you saw him in some heavy sets where it looked like he was playing corner, but he was really a support player. He played more. He came in and rotated in for Roman Harper and played 40-some snaps. He did a decent job."

Was that planned going into the game?

"No, it was a decision I made. We missed a coverage on Galloway's big completion and we gave up a big touchdown run in a run-support that the safety was there in a position to make the play and he didn't, so that was my decision of moving Kevin in. When you go into a game like that and the defense calls for two-deep, we need to know what that call is and how to play it - it's not a difficult coverage. But if you bust that and you have a guy running what looks to be wide open, those are mistakes that are hard to swallow. After the rushing touchdown, we moved Kevin in and made the change. Those two will keep competing."

 

[dudaman]

Good info.... may affect my decision this week on my DB's. That said, RH > KK and the message may have already been sent last week, so one would think RH would step it up this week.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Norton has a different opinion (more favorable) on Kaesviharn than I do; I just don't see Kaesviharn as having the range nor any better open field tacking skill than Harper. Of the few snaps I saw of this game, Kaesviharn didn't look much better than Harper. I don't think this situation is as clear as the McGowan/Archuleta situation. Still, it's hard to rely on a DB who may only see 35-40 snaps.

 

[Rozelle]

Another note on Harper: he was nicked up about half way thru the 4th quarter, and I'm not sure if he returned after that.

Also on the TD run Coach Payton was upset with Harper on, It appeared Harper was out of position to make the play, Bullocks could and should have made the tackle downfield.

On the 60 yard completion to Galloway, If they were in cover-2, Harper obviously blew the coverage as he picked up the receiver over the middle, however had he not, that receiver would have been wide open. So maybe it was more than Harper who blew coverage. All that is really here nor there, the most important thing is, Coach Payton blames Harper. I didn't think Harper played that bad, but thats why I live in the fantasy world

 

[krameruf]

Two of his 6 tackles came on special teams.

 

[Rozelle]

Here's the latest thing I've seen on Harper's situation.

From Coach Payton's Thursday news conference

How do you plan to use Roman Harper?

"Roman (Harper) will start. Kevin (Kaesviharn) will get some reps. We will see by the weeks end with how they practice and where they are at.

Transcript from Payton's Thursday Press Conference

 

[Rozelle]

More on Harper

PFW WWHI

Harper’s mistakes may clear way for Kaesviharn in Saints’ secondary

Just weeks ago, Saints SS Roman Harper was thought of as the strongest player in the team’s sputtering secondary, but missed assignments in recent outings have left the coaching staff frustrated. One team observer in New Orleans said Harper will lose playing time to veteran S Kevin Kaesviharn, who was one of the squad’s top free-agent acquisitions in the offseason, and may even be dropped from the starting lineup. Harper, in just his second season, had built a reputation as a solid tackler, particularly in the open field, but he is developing a bad habit of being in poor position to make plays. Coach Sean Payton has taken to publicly criticizing Harper, which was an immediate red flag. Payton doesn’t do that often. Kaesviharn plays mostly when New Orleans sends out its nickel and dime packages and is considered a middling player who is decent against the run and pass but doesn’t excel in any single area. However, he is offering what Harper can't deliver — consistency.

 

[carlos1984]

im not watching the game but it looks like both players are playing

 

[Jene Bramel]

im not watching the game but it looks like both players are playing

Josh Bullocks was an (extremely) late scratch and is inactive. Kaesviharn and Harper have both looked decent, though it's the Falcons. Short of a significant injury to Bullocks here or a definitive coaches' quote this week (unlikely), we'll be left to guess what to make of this situation until we see how it shakes out next week.

 

[Biabreakable]

With Harper returning a INT for 6 last week I have a hard time thinking he will see any bench time this week. Maybe this was just meant to motivate him. If so it seems to have worked so why not give him another go?

 

[Jene Bramel]

With Harper returning a INT for 6 last week I have a hard time thinking he will see any bench time this week. Maybe this was just meant to motivate him. If so it seems to have worked so why not give him another go?

It was positioning and tackling that got him in the doghouse. It's always hard to tell what's happening in the secondary from the network angles, but my quick impression was that he didn't play badly on Monday night. Kaesviharn looked decent, too. It'll probably depend on how significant Bullocks' injury is, but I think Harper has at least held on to his starting job.

 

[Rozelle]

With Harper returning a INT for 6 last week I have a hard time thinking he will see any bench time this week. Maybe this was just meant to motivate him. If so it seems to have worked so why not give him another go?

It was positioning and tackling that got him in the doghouse. It's always hard to tell what's happening in the secondary from the network angles, but my quick impression was that he didn't play badly on Monday night. Kaesviharn looked decent, too. It'll probably depend on how significant Bullocks' injury is, but I think Harper has at least held on to his starting job.

I know your right!

 

[lookatthepatterns]

With Harper having a good game on Monday and Bullocks being questionable I am going to roll the dice with Harper this week in the playoffs. Not to mention he is playing against the Cardinals who have been generous to opposing DBs.

 

[Musesboy]

Bullocks is inactive.

Saints | Week 15 Inactives

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 09:08:21 -0800

The New Orleans Saints have declared OG Andy Alleman, DL Brian Young, TE Eric Johnson, CB Fred Thomas, OT Jermon Bushrod, FS Josh Bullocks, RB Reggie Bush, WR Robert Meachem inactive for Week 15.