Sixty-three players gave the impression in at least one game for the New England Patriots last season. Only one of them (extra kicker Kai Forbath) played fewer shots than the offensive part Damien Harris.
Harris, a third-round pick in the 2019 draft, a ghost in his first year in Foxboro, Massachusetts, recording only five offensive shots overall and five more in special teams. Despite being largely healthy and available, the former Alabama star has been limited to two garbage appearances as a rookie. Your final stats: 4 runs, 12 yards, no receptions.
Expect that to replace in the year.
Harris has been inspired by both the Patriots’ educational field, and all the symptoms mean he plays a much more important role as an EARLY NFL student.
“Well, he had a lot of opportunities to paint as a ball carrier (last season) and do the things those players did, whether in ground or air,” Belichick said before Wednesday’s practice.
“He’s a wise player and he’s been given a lot of skills that I think we can use. He has had the opportunity to get several representatives in the paintings we have made so far. I think it helped him, however, it turns out to have compatibility and be in a position to move on.
With the 2018/1919 advance Sony Michel (foot) and veteran newcomer Lamar Miller (knee) either on the asset list/physically unable to perform and unable to practice, the opportunities were for young Harris. He definitely excelled as a runner (he beat rookie supporter Josh Uche with a leap on Tuesday) and as a pass catcher (he hit a landing with one hand at the end of Tuesday’s practice).
Harris also worked as a counter-striker on the Patriots’ recoil team. Having no role in the special groups contributed to his lack of playing time a year ago.
“That’s what I think is most important, come and prove that I can be trustworthy, that I can be competitive, that I can play at the highest level,” Harris said Tuesday. “I just want to come here and every day, no matter what you ask, no matter what the coaches want from me, I will do it with the maximum performance of my ability.”
Harris averaged 6.4 yards consistent with alabama career and consistent with a good training in a limited preseason action last summer, 16 times for 88 yards (5.5 consistent with race) in two games.
With Michel and Miller offside and Brandon Bolden retiring from the season, Harris was one of four media outlets facing representatives at the Patriots camp, along with James White, Rex Burkhead and undrafted rookie J.J. Taylor.
Belichick gave no indication of when Miller, a talented double-threat fullback who passed 870 yards in five consecutive seasons before failing last year with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, could be in a position to make his practice debut with the Patriots.
“Of course you know Lamar missed the season last year and is recovering from last year’s injury, so we’ll see how it goes,” Belichick said. “But you can go back to the box and let’s see where it is.”
Michel’s injury may have knocked him out in the normal season.