The Blount Release and Josh Harris, Part 2
Wild-Card Round Playoff Special by PalmerSucks
Dec. 31, 2014
Well it’s official: the decision to dump Blount has boomeranged back on the Stillers big time. Yes, just when things looked perfect Sunday Night -- the team up comfortably on Cincy with time running down, the division title in hand -- down goes Bell, and upside down goes the Stillers’ playoff picture. Suddenly the multi-threat Stillers’ offense looks a lot less balanced.
Here, in its entirety, is a chunk of the commentary I wrote back in November, the day after the Stillers waived Mr. Blount:
“Could saying goodbye to Blount turn out to be a stroke of brilliance? There’s a chance it could, though to no credit of the Stillers. Allow me to explain.
As a result of Blount’s release, the Stillers have called up Josh Harris from their street-clothes squad. Now, a lot of people squawked when the team didn’t sign Ben Tate off waivers, but I’m kind of glad they didn’t. I’ve been very interested to see what Harris can do, given his physical gifts.
Harris has tremendous speed, as the P-G noted in their article about him. However, they’ve listed his 40-time at 4.46, which likely isn’t accurate. Harris probably is much faster.
According to Harris, he actually ran a 4.28 40 for scouts, claiming that the NFL Network mistakenly listed his time at 4.46. Whatever the case, I’m inclined to believe he’s faster than what the network reported; Harris is a noted sprinter who ran the 100m dash for Wake Forest’s track team. Not only that, but Harris put up 28 reps in the bench press, which would be respectable for some linemen.
Now, I like Le’veon Bell; I like him a lot. I’d love him, however, if he possessed breakaway speed. Bell will get you doubles and even triples, but if there’s one thing lacking in his game, it’s the home-run threat. Harris – unlike Blount – can step in and threaten to break the big one at any time. He’s fast, quick and strong – reminding me of Willie Parker.
Now, am I saying he’ll bust out long ones like Fast Willie used to? No, of course not; only playing time can tell us what he can do. What I am saying is that, should Harris ball out, the Stillers will have stumbled upon yet another threat for their offense. Who says hypocrisy doesn’t pay?
Who knows? Thanks to Blount, we may soon be talking about “Fast Joshie.”
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That was then, this is now. Unfortunately for the Stillers, Harris is no longer a luxury to have on the bench, but a player they’re depending on to carry the load. Harris showed you a glimpse of what he’s capable of Sunday, busting a 60-yard sprint the first time he touched the ball (though it was called back thanks to a very late, very bullshitty holding call.)
Harris isn’t Bell; he doesn’t possess his vision or shifty moves. He’s a one-cut hole-hitter more along the lines of Willie Parker. He’s pretty good at doing that, however. If he can manage to hang 60 or more yards on the Ravens, maybe even busting a long one (something that’s not Bell’s specialty) the Stillers have a fair shot to advance.
The Stillers brought in Ben Tate which shows they may not completely believe in Harris. We’ll see what they have in mind as far as rotation. Personally, I wouldn’t try to replace Bell with any one back anyway. I’d go with a combination of Harris taking handoffs and Archer (yes, Archer) lining up in the slot or circling out of the backfield, in Bell’s role as receiver. Again, there’s no replacing Bell’s dual capabilities, so the team has little choice. Attack the situation by committee.
Most of what I’ve heard or read makes Harris out to be either a no-name shmoe or a bum; I’m hoping the Stillers see through that and give him a shot. Some “no-name” took over for Ray Rice in Baltimore and the Ravens have never looked back. Just because a guy is new doesn’t mean he can’t produce.
Since I expect this game to come down to the Stillers’ offense vs. the Ravens’ defense (not counting Flacco’s moon balls), we’re about to find out how wise it was to let go of Blount. I expect the Ravens to adjust to the torching their pass defense received last game, daring the Stillers to run. The opportunities in the run game will be there.
GAME NOTE: Clete Blakeman, the guy responsible for throwing the flag on Worilds in Atlanta, will be refereeing the game in Pittsburgh.