Tag: damien harris

WATCH: Damien Harris surprises mom with new car for her birthday

Former Alabama RB Damien Arris surprises his mom with a brand new car for her birthday and writes a heartfelt message on instagram.

Former Alabama running back Damien Harris is heading into his sophomore season in the NFL with the New England Patriots. While he hasn’t had too many opportunities on the field to become a household name in the league yet, he still shows his appreciation to those that helped get him to where he is today.

In a post on Instagram, Harris gifts his mom a brand new car for her birthday and writes her a sweet message in the caption.

“For 23 years you have supported me, sacrificed for me, but most importantly you have loved me unwaveringly. Everyday I will continue trying to repay you and honor you in everything I do!
Happy Birthday, i’ll always be your mommas boy! Love you till infinity💜#JAGGGGGGG

(P.S.- get your tissues)”

The New England Patriots even posted the video to their Twitter:

Harris will look to his sophomore campaign to have a bigger impact on the team’s offense. With the loss of future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady, some changes will have to be made. Using Harris in a niche role could benefit the team, while also increasing his production.

Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on Damien Harris as he heads into year No. 2, and would like to wish Ms. Harris a very happy birthday!

What Patriots players reminded Damien Harris throughout his rookie season

Damien Harris

New England Patriots running back Damien Harris was one of the more anonymous players on the team’s depth chart last season, even after Bill Belichick picked Harris in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Harris, even with solid draft status, landed at the bottom of a talented group of running backs — including Sony Michel, James White, Rex Burkhead and Brandon Bolden — who taught him the ropes during his rookie season. The entire group stayed intact this offseason.

“The biggest thing for me last year was learning as much as I could,” Harris told Patriots.com writer Paul Perillo. “Everybody’s path is different. I focused on learning as much as I could and learning from the older guys in the room. There’s a lot of experience in that room. Any opportunity to improve physically or mentally that was my mindset all year.”

Harris, who finished 2019 with four carries for 12 yards, was asked what message the Patriots veterans gave him.

“They all played their part in helping me learn and develop,” Harris said, per Perillo. “The message from all of them is the same: Be ready because you never know when your time will come and you don’t want to miss it. Stay the course, keep learning and be available.”

It will be interesting to see if 2020 is more of the same for Harris, who will be in competition with the exact same group of backs. Without an injury, it’s easy to imagine the second-year back spending just as much time on the bench while Michel gets a large workload. That said, Michel had a rough season at 3.7 yards per carry. His starting spot is likely more vulnerable than it was in 2019. Perhaps a year of experience can help Harris get more touches, even in a still-crowded running back group.

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Damien Harris shares important lessons he learned as an NFL rookie

Former Alabama RB Damien Harris shares his thoughts on being a young player in the NFL and the lessons he learned in his rookie season.

Former Alabama running back Damien Harris was a member of the Crimson Tide for a full four season where he earned two CFP National Championships and three SEC Championships.

After his junior season, some expected Harris to forego his senior season to enter the 2018 NFL draft, but he decided to stay. The move may have hurt his draft value, as Josh Jacobs stole a large part of the spotlight, and ultimately became the first running back drafted in 2019.

Harris waited for his name to be called. When he was selected in the third round with the No. 87 overall pick, he went from one of the most storied college football programs to a team worthy of being claimed a dynasty.

His rookie season with the New England Patriots was not the most eventful. He spent a lot of time on special teams, on the sidelines or as a “healthy scratch.”

While he did not accumulate any impressive stats in his first season at the professional level, he gained a lot of knowledge, whether it be from his teammates or personal experiences.

In an interview he did with NFL.com’s Paul Perillo, he speaks about what his fellow Patriot running backs taught him, as well as what he was able to learn on his own.

“The biggest thing for me last year was learning as much as I could,” Harris explained. “Everybody’s path is different. I focused on learning as much as I could and learning from the older guys in the room. There’s a lot of experience in that room. Any opportunity to improve physically or mentally that was my mindset all year.”

He learned quickly that everyone has their own path. Some enter the league as stars that are expected to make an immediate impact, others must wait for their time to shine. The latter seems to be the path Harris is on.

The ability to lean on teammates for support and guidance is not something the Kentucky-native takes for granted.

“It’s great. I have so many guys to learn from,” Harris said. “Sony is a guy I knew from college and seeing his level of success was exciting. Rex and James have developed over the years. There’s so much I can learn from them on and off the field. Listening to what they’re telling me. How to become a pro.

He also credits the New England running backs coach for being a large influence on him as a player and as a person.

“Our room is super tight from the players and our relationship with Coach Fears,” Harris said. “He’s been a mentor for me. He’s taught me so many things on and off field. He will talk to you about anything. He’s very active in our personal lives and making sure we’re good in everything we’re doing. Obviously he’s been doing it for a long time and is one of best in business. Coach Fears is helping to make me be the best I can be.”

Finally, Harris touches on what it’s like to be a young player in the NFL during these uncertain times.

“Our room is super tight from the players and our relationship with Coach Fears,” Harris said. “He’s been a mentor for me. He’s taught me so many things on and off field. He will talk to you about anything. He’s very active in our personal lives and making sure we’re good in everything we’re doing. Obviously he’s been doing it for a long time and is one of best in business. Coach Fears is helping to make me be the best I can be.”

Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on Damien Harris as he looks to have a larger role in his second year with the New England Patriots!

Damien Harris’ primary focus as a rookie with Patriots was to learn and improve

Damien Harris could be set for a huge sophomore leap in New England.

New England Patriots second-year running back Damien Harris will enter 2020 with a breadth of knowledge.

Harris spent four years at Alabama and learned how to lead his group at the highest level of college football. He transitioned to the NFL world that placed Sony Michel, James White and Rex Burkhead ahead of him on the depth chart.

Instead of viewing the lack of playing time as a negative — Harris used it to gain knowledge and soak up all the wisdom he could get. While speaking with Patriots.com, he reflected on his rookie season.

“The biggest thing for me last year was learning as much as I could,” Harris said. “Everybody’s path is different. I focused on learning as much as I could and learning from the older guys in the room. There’s a lot of experience in that room. Any opportunity to improve physically or mentally that was my mindset all year.”

New England will be without Tom Brady for the first time in two decades and the running back group will become much more relevant. The combination of this and Michel’s foot injury will be beneficial for Harris and his time on the field.

He also has one of the best overall running back rooms to learn from.

“It’s great. I have so many guys to learn from,” Harris said. “Sony is a guy I knew from college and seeing his level of success was exciting. Rex (Burkhead) and James (White) have developed over the years. There’s so much I can learn from them on and off the field. Listening to what they’re telling me. How to become a pro.

“They all played their part in helping me learn and develop. The message from all of them is the same: Be ready because you never know when your time will come and you don’t want to miss it. Stay the course, keep learning and be available.”

The coronavirus pandemic has put a halt on the way NFL players typically maneuver through the offseason, but Harris has found ways to compensate.

“It’s been interesting,” he said. “This is my first offseason in the league and with everything going on I still have to find a way to get my work in and prepare. I’m trying to take advantage of the opportunities I do have working out on my own and staying ready for whenever that time comes. It’s been different but at the same time I feel like I’m doing everything I can to stay prepared, whether that’s online or working out on my own.

“I was back in Alabama early and then back in Massachusetts. I’ve had a little interaction with teammates. Some of the guys have been able to get together and work out safely and still be productive.”

Harris could be up for a breakout season — especially if Michel misses any amount of time. He cracked 1,000 rushing yards twice with the Crimson Tide and almost did it his senior year after recording 876 yards.

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Damien Harris to contribute more in sophomore season with Patriots

Former Alabama running back Damien Harris strives to have a bigger impact in a larger role in his second season in the NFL with the Patriots

Former Alabama standout running back Damien Harris waited until his senior season to enter the NFL draft, a move that some questioned. He was selected in the third round with the No. 87 pick by the New England Patriots.

Joining a team that is considered the Alabama of the NFL that’s led by a future hall of fame quarterback and a coach that is considered by many to be the greatest of all time is a dream to many. However, Harris was put on that team and only touched the field in an offensive role for four carries.

In his rookie season, Harris was handed the ball four times for 12 total yards. He had seen some action while on special teams, but was considered a “healthy scratch” for most of the season.

The lack of production may have been a surprise to Alabama fans that have grown accustomed to seeing the Kentucky native take most of the snaps while under Nick Saban, but in New England, it’s not uncommon for their rookie running backs to sit back and watch.

Evan Lazar of CLNS Media claims that Harris is currently on the same path that James White and Shane Vereen were on when they first joined the Patriots – on the sidelines.

In White’s rookie season he was only given nine carries and five targets. Six seasons later and he is now the starting running back for the team alongside Sony Michel.

“[Harris] is more than capable of contributing as a receiver and in pass protection, but it often takes a full year to learn all the intricacies of the Patriots’ system,” says Lazar. “The depth chart was also working against Harris in his first season. With Michel, White, Burkhead, and even Bolden ahead of him, Harris had a tough time cracking the game-day roster.”

That’s not to say Harris doesn’t have the skills to play. Lazar claims, “Harris’s elusiveness and ability to catch passes were two high notes of his preseason last August, and there is internal optimism that he’ll contribute in year two.”

Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on Damien Harris’s journey through his second year with the New England Patriots.

Damien Harris should challenge Rex Burkhead for offensive role

Harris should challenge Rex Burkhead for the second spot on the depth chart in 2020.

It is safe to say that the running back position is a very fruitful position for the New England Patriots. When you look at the position, there are many names available. Sony Michel, James White, Rex Burkhead and James Develin comprise the first unit. Damien Harris, Brandon Bolden, Dan Vitale and Jakob Johnson make up the second unit.

Harris, a 2019 third-round pick, did not see a ton of playing time last season. The Alabama product only carried the ball four times for 12 yards. As far as the top running back group goes, should Harris get a bigger role in 2020? And if so, will it come at Burkhead’s expense?

When healthy, Burkhead can produce. Just look at last year’s Saturday-night affair against the Buffalo Bills. He carried the ball five times for 20 yards and a touchdown, and caught four passes for 77 yards.

It’s also important to remember his contributions in the AFC Championship Game against Kansas City in 2019. He scored the game-winning touchdown, in what was perhaps the biggest moment of his New England career.

However, there is no doubt that injuries are a huge problem for him. Burkhead has been on the injury report often during his time with the Patriots. Most recently, he spent eight games on IR with a neck injury in 2018. That was following time when he missed part of training camp with a knee tear. His first real injury problems with New England were announced on September 17, 2017. He missed four games with a pulled muscle in his chest.

Due to his lack of durability, it makes him a bit more expendable than the other running backs. To be clear, his contributions are valued. However, his numbers — and absences — warrant at least a challenge for his role. It would be wise for the Patriots to use this year as a chance to see what Harris can bring to the table.

There is no doubt that Harris has talent. He showed it at Alabama, as he was a key cog in their rushing attack. During his time in Tuscaloosa, he rushed for over 3,000 yards, including 1,037 yards in 2016. He is a physical running back that would fit well into the offense.

At the very least, the competition for the second running back spot should be an open one in 2020. Burkhead has served as the Patriots well, but his injury history, combined with how many games he has missed over the past couple of seasons,  leaves the door open for competition.

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WATCH: Damien Harris reveals why he returned to Alabama for senior season

At one time, Damien Harris was forced to make a tough decision. Did the former Alabama running back want to declare for the NFL draft following a successful junior season, or did he want to return to Tuscaloosa? Ultimately, Harris decided to return …

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At one time, Damien Harris was forced to make a tough decision. Did the former Alabama running back want to declare for the NFL draft following a successful junior season, or did he want to return to Tuscaloosa?

Ultimately, Harris decided to return for his senior year despite coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons from 2016-17.

Considering he was expected to be a top running back prospect for that 2018 NFL Draft, many wondered why Harris made the decision to return, especially with a crowded backfield expected.

Well, after sitting down with the guys at Campus Lore at the NFL Pro Bowl, those questions have been answered. Here is what the 5-foot-11, 213-pound running back had to say when asked why he chose to come back:

“I wanted to work on becoming a better leader. I mean, I knew I was a good football player, but at this level, that doesn’t get you much because everybody’s good. It’s about finding a ways to separate yourself in the NFL because it’s a tiny margin.”

The answer from Harris makes a lot of sense, actually. A lot of players are considered great when you play at a school like Alabama, so what can you do to separate yourself from others? According to Harris, become a better leader.

After going into further discussion about it, Harris then gives a detailed account of bringing others along with him and not just being out for himself. It’s definitely worth checking out the rest of the video.

As far Harris, he proved that sort of decision was worth it. Not only did he add another 1,000-plus total yards (876 rushing, 204 receiving) and nine more touchdowns for his career, he still managed to be drafted by the New England Patriots at No. 87 overall in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

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What are the expectations for Damien Harris in his sophomore season?

Patriots running back Damien Harris could see an increase in production in his second year with the team.

Not every career starts with a dynamic rookie season. Damien Harris can speak to that.

The Alabama product was selected 87th overall in last year’s draft and was thrust into a crowded backfield with Sony Michel, James White, Rex Burkhead and Brandon Bolden. There simply weren’t enough touches to go around, as Harris finished his rookie year with four carries for 12 yards.

What can be expected of the soon-to-be 23-year-old as he looks to take on his second season?

If the running back depth chart remains the same, it would be tough to imagine Harris getting many more carries than he got this year. The number probably wouldn’t be single-digits, but it won’t be up near starter or even backup reps. He may take some of the carries from White who last year totaled 67 rushes for 3.9 yards per carry.

Harris doesn’t have much experience in the passing game, but he may be able to take some of the load off of White in that sense as well.

It would be really interesting to see if the Patriots attempt to use Harris in the red zone. Michel has struggled to take advantage of short-yardage situations in his short career. They’ve even shifted to using fullbacks and Tom Brady when they need to get two yards or less. Harris isn’t necessarily built like the prototypical goal-line back, but he could be the guy that finally shows that he can get the toughest yards.

It’s also important to note that Burkhead is in danger of being released this off-season as a cap casualty. He’s in the final year of his deal, and the team could save nearly $3 million by releasing him. It’s not because he hasn’t been productive in his limited opportunities, but it would likely be because of his injury history and the need for more impactful weapons.

With that being said, Harris could move up to the third spot on the depth chart. So, while he wouldn’t fill the exact role that Burkhead had, it’s likely that a majority of those 55 to 65 touches could go to him. In his two preseason games, Harris showed solid vision and the ability to hit the right hole. He even brought in a couple receptions in each game and showed he could make the first guy miss.

This season likely won’t be an exciting one for Harris, but it could be another step towards a significant role in the future with New England.

Projected stats w/ Burkhead: 20 carries, 82 yards, 3 receptions, 24 yards.

Projected stats w/o Burkhead: 65 carries, 270 yards, 1 TD, 13 receptions, 120 yards.