Jamie Harper

Get real...

FACT: If NFL teams wanted to use pure lead blocking FBs, they would. There are still some good ones out there. But they get limited snaps versus the team's starting offense. They are there for short yardage plays and other likely running plays.

Teams do not generally value 1-dimensional lead blockers. They don't want a player in the backfield who can only lead block. If there was a demand for lead blockers, players would do it.

 

Exactly and that is what Hall is, a one dimensional lead blocker who limits what the offense can do when he is in there. Might as well convert an athletic OL/DL/LB/TE guy to do what he does on the few occasions a lead blocker is needed.

 

I still kinda regret us releasing LeGarrett Blunt last season, he was the inside power runner that countered CJ's style a lot. He finished out the season strong on Tampa Bay. But after watching Harper's highlights, i like his hands and he seems like a powerful downhill runner who will crash through defenders. I like it.

 

I thought it was the same play but it ended up being 3 or 4 that he just straight ran somebody over Jacobs style. I was impressed with what I saw of him.

At 5-11, with that much weight behind him, he'll have a great center of gravity to take almost any LB or DB head-on and at least stand them up. I don't see him getting "rocked" too often.

 

I actually think I like the Harper pick a little more than the Blount pick. Could be competely wrong, but here's why I like Harper...

1) He's more explosive after the hand-off then Blount. Blount wasn't always explosive through the hole. He was dangerous in open field but he had trouble getting into the open field early on.

2) Harper is more versatile with what he can do. He can catch out of the backfield and block effectively.

3) He's more of a down hill runner. I think he'll be a great short yardage back.

 

I like Harper too but lets wait until he plays a season to say you like him more than an UDFA who rushed for over 1000 yards

 

All I'll say is we better try to sign Henry Hynoski as an undrafted free agent, or I'll be pissed... hear that F.O.!!!!! The dude is just a beast and will rock on special teams, dump Ringer for this guy pretty please!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a4x6V31BMQ

 

I'm saying at this point.

When I viewed Blount's film coming into pre-season and Harper's film coming into pre-season I liked Harper's.

 

Harper may be more explosive, but both guys run high. Plus, Blount wasn't much of a thumper anyway. He was a scat back stuck in a power back's body. Blount was very poor last year in short yardage situations. He's a great reliever, but he's no LenDale. The Bucs started pulling him for Graham near the goal line.

 

Good analysis of Blount.

I think that Harper can provide us with more consistent production if he can explode through the hole and has enough burst to get to the edge.