Patriots RB Damien Harris cherishing opportunity as he returns to site of debut

It’s been just more than one year since Damien Harris received his first NFL carry, in a Monday Night Football game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium.

And as he returns to the same site this Monday to face the same team, a lot has changed for the second-year Patriots running back.

Harris didn’t have a lot of opportunity as a rookie in a crowded Patriots backfield, but with Sony Michel hurt this season, the running back’s workload has increased and he’s made the most of it. He’s been one of the bright spots on a struggling Patriots team with a pair of 100-yard games, and he credits that year of not playing as to why he’s made so many strides since his debut.

“It’s been a long year since that first carry,” Harris said. “All I can think about is just how much I’ve learned, both from the coaches and from the players. … I can’t even stress enough how much I’ve learned from those guys just about being a pro. Not necessarily about being a running back but just how to be a professional. That’s what’s a huge difference between college and NFL. …

“That’s been the biggest thing for me over this past year, the biggest thing that has kind of helped me to get better.”

Harris has talked often about cherishing his opportunity. That might mean a little more to him as he returns to the place it started for him.

“It’s very important,” Harris said of his opportunity. “Just because going out there and competing for this team is something that I’ll never take for granted. Every day at practice, games, walkthrough, film, you name it, I’m glad to be here. I’m very thankful for this opportunity. I have been since I was drafted, but that word definitely means a lot to me and something that I don’t take very lightly.”

That opportunity might be affected soon. With Michel back at practice on Thursday after missing the last five games with a quadriceps injury, it seems like a matter of time before the backfield will be crowded again, and potentially fewer opportunities for Harris. But that isn’t changing his approach.

“I think no matter what, I know at least for me, my mentality is to go out there and compete to the best of my ability so I can help this team be successful,” Harris said. “There are a lot of external factors and a lot of things that I can’t control. And I understand that, but my mindset that I’m going to control what I can control is to go out there every day with the mentality of getting better, regardless of what the situation is ahead.”

More ghosts?

In the Patriots’ last meeting against the Jets, a 33-0 rout last season, Sam Darnold made the infamous comment — picked up by a microphone he was wearing during the game — that he was “seeing ghosts” after the Pats’ defense completely dominated him. Jonathan Jones was asked how the Patriots can replicate that performance against the Jets quarterback.

“Disguise will be huge,” the cornerback said. “Just trying to get after him and confuse him is going to be big for us. Like I said, find ways to confuse him, over and over and be able to switch it up, is going to be a big part of the game for us.”

Gase reveals Belichick friendship

Jets coach Adam Gase and Bill Belichick have developed an interesting relationship over the last few years that began when Gase was fired from the Dolphins after the 2018 season. Gase said Thursday that the Patriots coach called him after that, asking him what his next steps were, which Gase appreciated.

Gase went on to describe how his relationship with Belichick has evolved over the last two years, when he’s seen him at multiple Scouting Combines.

“I always try to listen as much as possible because I know there’s a lot of wisdom in things that he says,” Gase said. “And things that he’s always talked about when I’ve been around have been very helpful just as a professional growth-type deal for me.

“At the same time, I don’t think I’ve laughed harder being around somebody. Just some of the things that get brought up and some of the things he’s experienced in his life. He’s experienced some things that are interesting to hear. When you’re around him and Matt Patricia, those two guys together are funny to be around.”

Practice, injury report

Stephon Gilmore was among three Patriots’ starters who missed Thursday’s practice. The cornerback, who missed Sunday’s loss to the Bills due to a knee injury, joined wide receiver N’Keal Harry (concussion) and defensive lineman Lawrence Guy (shoulder, elbow and knee). Defensive lineman Carl Davis (concussion) and running back J.J. Taylor (illness) were also missing.

Thursday’s injury report was long, and included 12 players who were limited in practice. That list included Ja’Whaun Bentley (groin), cornerback J.C. Jackson (knee) and offensive linemen Shaq Mason (calf), Joe Thuney (ankle) and Isaiah Wynn (ankle).

New Patriots wide receivers Isaiah Ford and Donte Moncrief and defensive lineman Isaiah Mack were not at practice. It’s likely they’re going through COVID-19 protocols before joining their new teammates on the practice field.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3mX9MBX