Patriots running back Damien Harris makes good first impression

Damien Harris received rave reviews during training camp, and rightfully so. He was clearly the best back in camp, showcasing a variety of skills whether running or catching the football.

The 2019 third-round pick was basically kept in witness protection as a rookie, so there was heightened interest to see how he would fare this year after being activated off injured reserve with a broken pinkie.

Did the former Alabama star live up to all the hype?

You bet.

Harris didn’t disappoint in his 2020 debut. The Chiefs may have stacked the box, expecting the Patriots to run the football, but that didn’t stop Harris from making an impression.

He ran hard behind a makeshift line, with both starting center David Andrews and guard Shaq Mason out, and did so to the tune of 100 yards on 17 carries.

Harris might have enjoyed the performance a little more, had the Patriots not suffered a 26-10 defeat to the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

“It’s definitely a lot of emotions coming out of that game. First and foremost, we didn’t win the game, and that’s what’s most important,” said Harris. “We didn’t play well enough. So that was disappointing. There’s a lot of things to work on, improve on.

“But it was exciting getting back out there with the guys. It was a long time coming,” he went on. “It was an honor to be out there with those guys. The offensive line blocked their butts off.”

After seeing action in just two regular season games his rookie season, rushing four times for 12 yards,  Harris was grateful to finally be a focal point of the offense.

He got the chance after starter Sony Michel was placed on injured reserve, putting him out the next three games at the very least.

The good moments game in spurts, as Harris set up a fourth quarter touchdown with a 41-yard dash from scrimmage on the final play of the third quarter. Throughout, he ran with authority, and helped move the chains for Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham.

Harris indicated he didn’t get a feel ahead of the game for how many touches he’d receive, dishing that off as a “coaching decision.”

“I had no knowledge of what coach was thinking,” said Harris. “Coach Belichick does what he thinks is best for the team.”

What was best Monday night, was giving Harris the football.

It had been two years since the power back had that many carries in the game. He admitted he was a little sore afterward, but it was expected.

“This is my first action in a long, long time,” said Harris. “It was great to get back out there, but now it’s about recovering and getting myself ready for our next challenge.”

Asked if he felt he earned more time, and deserved another opportunity, Harris once again deferred to Belichick and the coaching staff.

But he did feel that he had earned the opportunity this year. The difference from last year?

“I think I’ve just grown as a player,” he said. “Coming into this year, I had the mentality of doing whatever I could to help this team be successful. Last year, I didn’t really have that big of a role as far as games go, or how games went, but every day at practice, I tried to get better, tried to make the guys around me better with my effort, my practice habits. Coming into this year, I just wanted to take another step.”

Based on his outing against the Chiefs, step taken.

 

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3llL1yj