Tag: Snacks Harrison

Packers film review: Snacks Harrison makes impact against Bears

Breaking down Snack Harrison’s Packers debut against the Bears, and how he factors in as the Packers prepare for the Rams.

Green Bay Packers newcomer Damon “Snacks” Harrison made his debut in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears. It was a quiet outing for the ninth-year defensive tackle, but it was a solid day that amounted to only 12 snaps. The light workload was expected after Harrison was signed on Thursday, Dec. 31 after being released by the Seattle Seahawks. Just a few days later, he was making his debut with the Packers.

Even before getting claimed off waivers, Harrison was linked to the Packers dating back to last year. However, nothing ever came to fruition after he contemplated retirement before signing with Seattle midway through the 2020 season.

Harrison was elevated to the active roster for the Seahawks for just three games before his release. Once he became available, Green Bay pounced with the optimism that they could find a more substantial role for the once-dominant run stopper.

From 2013 up until 2018, Harrison was one of the best at his position at defending the run. He racked up tackles and eventually an All-Pro year in 2016. Harrison may not be the player he once was, but he can still serve a purpose in Green Bay. The Packers have been trying to pair another interior defensive lineman with Kenny Clark for years.

For the time being, Harrison is a good short-term solution. For this week’s film review, we are taking a look at his performance against Chicago and how he factors into the defense moving forward.

Let’s dig in:

If they aren’t on the field together, Harrison is Green Bay’s best option to spell Clark. He understands how to use his leverage against double teams, which can free up other tacklers. Here, Harrison drops his weight and doesn’t give up any ground. He is actually able to follow the ball while he’s engaged with the blocker.

With Harrison as the one-technique lineman, the Packers can change alignments for other players on the defensive line, including Clark. An impressive first step on this play puts Harrison in the backfield immediately. This is a run call to the left by the Bears, but because Harrison played it so well, running-back David Montgomery is forced to cut back to the right. The result: a very short gain thanks to the play by Harrison.

Harrison didn’t make a tackle in the Chicago game, but he was using good technique to put himself in good position. Notice how his eyes are on the ball carrier even as he’s taking on the block. His balance, strength, and technique also prevent him from getting washed out on this play. You would like to see him have better balance here when attempting the tackle, but all things considered, it’s a solid rep.

If you thought Harrison was a pushover at this point in his career, you’re wrong. In fact, he’s probably going to push you over. Harrison still has the play strength to push around offensive lineman just like the old days.

What is really intriguing about the Harrison acquisition is having him and Clark on the field at the same time. Together, the two command a lot of attention inside. On this play, safety Darnell Savage has a free blitz, which results in a tackle for loss.

Here’s one more example of Harrison and Clark on the field together. Chicago is in the Wildcat, and Montgomery is running a jet-sweep option. Harrison is taking on a double team, which leaves Clark in a one on one with the center. Collectively, the defense does a nice job sniffing this one out. Clark gets off his man with a power move and is there for the cutback but doesn’t make the tackle. Don’t expect that to happen very often.

In Week 17, we saw what life is like when a veteran defensive tackle is paired with Clark. Obviously, Harrison has only played in one game, but he could already be a step above what they already have in terms of depth on the defensive line.  The pairing of Clark and Harrison could be vital to the Packers stuffing Cam Akers and the Rams’ rushing attack on Saturday. If Harrison performs well in the playoffs, Green Bay would be wise to bring him back on a one-year deal in 2021.

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‘Big-time’ pickup Damon Harrison could play for Packers vs. Bears

New Packers DL Damon Harrison is already practicing, and could play Sunday against the Bears.

New Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Damon “Snacks” Harrison practiced with his new team on Thursday and could play Sunday in the season finale against the Chicago Bears.

The Packers claimed Harrison off of waivers from the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday. He was in the building and available on Thursday.

“That’s a big-time pickup for us, especially this late in the season” coach Matt LaFleur said Thursday. “That doesn’t happen very often.”

Harrison, an All-Pro back in 2016, has been one of the most highly-regarded run defenders in football over the last decade. He’s 32 now, but the Packers are still confident he can add value as a run defender as the playoffs near.

LaFleur wasn’t 100 percent sure Harrison would play against the Bears, but the door is certainly open for him to make his Packers debut at Soldier Field.

“We’ll see how the week goes,” LaFleur said. “That’s always hard to ask somebody, but then again you’re dealing with a true pro, a veteran who has been around and seen a lot. It’s just, how fast can we get him acclimated to what we’re trying to do and what we’re asking him to do.”

LaFleur said Harrison is a “problem to block,” which made him a good fit for the Packers defensive line, especially against the run.

“I think he can give us a lot in terms of playing the nose,” LaFleur said. “He’s a really good run defender and he has been for a really long time. I’m just excited to get him in the building.”

Harrison played six games and 138 snaps with the Seahawks, who waived him on Tuesday. The Packers attempted to add him during the offseason and again during the season, but Harrison picked Seattle.

In Green Bay, Harrison will get another chance to play for a Super Bowl contender.

As a true nose tackle or one technique, Harrison should have a fairly straightforward role for the defensive line.

“Hopefully, he can get acclimated pretty quickly,” LaFleur said. “What we’ve heard, he’s a really intelligent guy, he obviously has a lot of experience. That usually expedites the learning curve for these guys.”

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What could Snacks Harrison provide for Packers?

The Packers claimed former Seahawks DL Damon “Snacks” Harrison off of waivers from the Seahawks.

The Green Bay Packers finally completed their months-long attempt to acquire Damon “Snacks” Harrison when they claimed the veteran defensive lineman off of waivers from the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday.

Harrison, now 32, is no longer the elite player he was early in his career, but his ability to contribute something as a role player against the run could be valuable for the Packers as Matt LaFleur’s team prepares for a playoff run.

Harrison played in six games for the Seahawks and earned strong grades against the run from Pro Football Focus, proving he still has the size and power to take on blocks at the point of attack, eat up double teams and help disrupt the running game. In Green Bay, Harrison will be a rotational player, potentially assuming snaps from other rotational players such as Tyler Lancaster while also freeing up Kenny Clark and the inside linebackers to do less dirty work and more attacking.

Clark, a Pro Bowler in 2019, is the team’s primary nose tackle, but Harrison’s ability to play the one-technique could allow Mike Pettine to do more with his star defensive lineman down the stretch.

Harrison has played a lot of football and the Packers clearly think he still has something left in the tank. At the very least, the former All-Pro could be a situational upgrade over depth defensive linemen such as Anthony Rush and Brian Price. And Harrison has previously played for Pettine as a rookie with the New York Jets in 2012.

The Packers just held Derrick Henry, the NFL’s leading rusher, to 98 yards in a 40-14 win on Sunday night, but Pettine’s defense is still giving up 4.6 yards per carry, which ranks 24th out of 32 teams this season. Harrison, at 350 pounds, could help lower that number in the postseason, or at least help keep the Packers defense from losing a playoff game due to an inability to survive against the run.

A classic nose tackle or one-technique, Harrison will arrive in Green Bay with a chance to contribute to a Super Bowl run in a specific but important role. The move is similar to the team’s decision earlier this month to add  Tavon Austin, who has provided the offense with another jet-sweep option and punt returner on special teams. The Packers have found two veterans who know how to play and can help bolster a roster with title dreams. Harrison might not make or break the season, but just one or two plays can make all the difference come January. Just ask Howard Green, an in-season addition in 2010 who helped create Nick Collins’ game-changing interception of Ben Roethlisberger in Super Bowl XLV.

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Seahawks waive DT Damon Harrison after he asks for release

The Seattle Seahawks have officially waived defensive tackle Damon ‘Snacks’ Harrison after he asked for his release following Week 16.

Veteran defensive tackle Damon Harrison pondered retirement after last season but eventually signed with Seattle’s practice squad this year. He made his debut in Week 10, but after six games with the team, he’s calling it quits.

Per his request, the Seahawks waived Harrison on Monday afternoon after he and coach Pete Carroll discussed the situation.

“I talked to him this morning. He’s in good spirits and all of that, he’s really grateful for the opportunity playing here and he did really well by us, but he’s done,” Carroll said on 710 ESPN Seattle. “I don’t know what will happen with any other club, but I know he’s got a big family, he’s got a bunch of kids – he’s got seven kids to corral and take care of, and it’s a very trying time and challenging, so he’s just trying to get them back home and safe.”

Harrison has made mention on Twitter of wanting to continue to play this season, but he would have limited time to clear COVID-19 testing protocols in time to make a roster.

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Pete Carroll: Damon ‘Snacks’ Harrison is ‘done playing’ for Seahawks

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll confirmed defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison is “done playing” for Seattle and has asked for his release.

Shortly before the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angles Rams matchup kicked off on Sunday, some interesting news broke concerning defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted the following:

DT Damon ‘Snacks’ Harrison asked for his release after learning he’d be inactive today against the #Rams, and the team plans to grant it next week, per sources. Seattle loves Snacks and hopes he has a change of heart, but seems his mind is made up. He’d go on waivers.

Harrison was ultimately deemed inactive Sunday against the Rams.

Coach Pete Carroll confirmed the scenario Monday during his radio show on 710 ESPN Seattle.

“Snacks, he’s decided to stop playing, he’s done playing,” Carroll stated. “I talked to him this morning, he’s in good spirits and all of that, he’s really grateful for the opportunity playing here and he did really well by us, but he’s just done.”

Carroll was hesitant to speculate whether or not Harrison would consider signing with another team but just reiterated his time was over in Seattle.

“He was awesome to have around,” Carroll continued. “We loved him and I’m sorry to see him go, but we’re going to keep going.”

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Report: Packers attempted to sign DL Snacks Harrison off Seahawks practice squad

The Seahawks elevated Harrison to the 53-man roster on Monday.

Another attempt by the Green Bay Packers to acquire veteran defensive lineman Damon “Snacks” Harrison has failed.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Packers tried to sign Harrison off of the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad, but the Seahawks instead elevated Harrison to the team’s 53-man roster on Monday.

The Packers previously attempted to sign Harrison, but he decided to sign with the Seahawks practice squad on Oct. 7.

The Seahawks elevated Harrison to the gameday roster twice this season. He played 45 defensive snaps and had one tackle.

A dominant run defender who has previously played for Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, Harrison could have provided the Green Bay defense with help along the defensive line, especially against the run.

The Baltimore Ravens also tried to sign Harrison, per Pelissero’s report.

Harrison played the 2018 and 2019 seasons with the Detroit Lions. He was a first-team All-Pro as a member of the New York Giants in 2016.

Seahawks sign Damon ‘Snacks’ Harrison to the active roster

The Seattle Seahawks have officially signed defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison from the practice squad to the active roster.

The Seattle Seahawks were busy Monday afternoon, announcing a number of roster moves to start Week 12. Along with placing tight veteran Greg Olsen on injured reserve, Seattle officially promoted Damon “Snacks” Harrison from the practice squad to the active roster.

The Seahawks had first signed Harrison to the practice squad in October to give him time to catch up with his conditioning and game planning. He was elevated twice already to the game-day roster – the max allowed this season.

In addition, it seems some other teams were in the hunt to snag Harrison from Seattle’s practice squad – including the Packers and Ravens – according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.

The Seahawks also signed center Brad Lundblade on Monday, filling Harrison’s spot on the practice squad roster. Lundblade has spent time with the Bengals, Jets, Panthers and Seahawks since he entered the league undrafted in 2018.

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Chris Carson, Carlos Hyde and Benson Mayowa downgraded to out Week 10

The Seattle Seahawks announced a flurry of roster moves Saturday afternoon ahead of the Week-10 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.

The Seattle Seahawks announced a flurry of roster moves Saturday afternoon ahead of the Week-10 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.

Running backs Chris Carson (foot) and Carlos Hyde (hamstring) and defensive end Benson Mayowa (ankle) have been downgraded to out for Sunday’s game. All three had been listed on Friday’s injury report as questionable.

Carson, Hyde and Mayowa now join center Ethan Pocic (concussion), cornerback Shaquill Griffin (concussion/hamstring), cornerback Quinton Dunbar (knee) and defensive tackle Brian Mone (ankle) who had already been ruled out for Week 10.

In addition, Seattle place Mone on the injured reserve and activated cornerback Neiko Thorpe to the active roster.

Finally, the Seahawks promoted running back Alex Collins and defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison from the practice squad.

Kickoff in Los Angeles is set for 1:25 p.m. PT Sunday afternoon.

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Bryan Mone’s ankle injury could open door for Damon Harrison

Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Bryan Mone’s ankle injury could open the door for Damon ‘Snacks’ Harrison Week 10 against the Rams.

Three Seattle Seahawks suffered ankle sprains in the loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 9. Of those three — linebacker K.J. Wright, cornerback D.J. Reed and defensive tackle Bryan Mone — only Mone’s appears to be serious. His absence could open the door for Damon Harrison, who is on the practice squad.

“Bryan Mone had a pretty good high ankle sprain, and it’s going be a problem for him,” coach Pete Carroll said Monday. “We’ll see what happens in the next couple days, but that was probably the most serious injury that we had. He got caught up and got cut from behind and tangled up. K.J. bounced back pretty good today, and D.J. Reed’s moving pretty good today too, so the initial look is that it was not a severe ankle at all.”

With Seattle potentially down a defensive tackle, Harrison is a logical option to be elevated before Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.

“He’s available, he’s ready to go,” Carroll stated. “The way it looks. We’ve got to have some more information on Bryan’s situation so we can take care of him but this is where Snacks would jump up right now.

“This is what he’s been looking for and preparing for.”

Seattle has plenty of time before needing to make any major decisions. The players have Tuesday off and report back on Wednesday morning.
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Damon Harrison ‘has some work to do’ to get in game-day shape

The Seattle Seahawks recently signed Damon “Snacks” Harrison to the practice squad but hope to see him contribute once he’s in game-day shape.

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The Seattle Seahawks signed defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison to practice squad last week with the hopes that he will eventually be able to contribute significantly on gameday.

Many were hoping to see him elevated from the practice squad in order to face the Vikings on Sunday night, but coach Pete Carroll didn’t think the long-term veteran was up to the task just yet.

After pondering retirement at the end of last season, the big defensive tackle hadn’t stepped back onto a football field until Seattle signed him this month. Carroll admitted Harrison still has some work to do.

“We really didn’t get a lot done because of the setup for the week,” Carroll said during his Monday press conference. “We were in walk-thru mode on Wednesday, we didn’t put pads on at all last week, we just did helmets, so we really didn’t get a great look at him. He’s got he’s got some work to do.

“He’s a big man, and he’s got to get in shape before we can see him at his best.”

Harrison and the rest of the Seahawks return from the bye to the practice field on Monday to prepare to face the Cardinals.

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