Harris Being Utilized In ALL Ways

[Steeler Nation]

This past week, we were able to see the Pittsburgh Steelers rookies put on the coveted black and gold for the first time in their young careers. Selfishly, as the loyal, diehard Steelers fan that I am, this rookie class looks particularly good sporting the legendary Steelers logo. There are high expectations for not only each player selected in this year’s draft, but for the team/organization as a whole for the upcoming season, and each player will need to do their part in making this year a success.

The intrigue with this rookie class is going to depend more on how different this offense is going to look with these new and improved faces, hopefully making their mark with this offensive unit. Both top picks in this year’s draft (2nd round pick TE Pat Freiermuth and 1st round pick RB Najee Harris) will seemingly both have roles on this offense that will be vital in determining whether this offense will succeed or not. What’s still left in question is the exact role both will have when the regular season kicks off. Although it’s early, I think it’s safe to say that Freiermuth will most likely be sharing his role with TE Eric Ebron, but the light was shed on the potential plan the organization has in store for not only the running game, but Harris himself.






If you were on any of the Steelers social media sites this week, I’m sure you have seen Harris’s interview where he seems to poke fun at the media by now. Let me just say, if you didn’t like Harris before you saw that interview, it has to be hard not to like him after the fact. Besides the point, what might have got lost in the entertainment aspect of the interview was what the potential overall plan might be for Harris’s talents might be.

Obviously, the exact plans for the future of this offense are going to be kept quiet up until Week 1 of the regular season. The suspense leading up to that first performance is something teams value more than you would think. In this situation, you have to take what you hear with a grain of salt. That being said, what did excite me was hearing how our first overall selection will be utilized in our game plan. Although nothing was particularly given away, Harris was quoted as saying, “I am going to be utilized everywhere”, and that is nothing more than a positive for this team.






In an era of a “pass first” offense, having a running back who can not only do damage out of the backfield, but also be utilized as a receiver in the passing game, is something that teams value now more than ever. An area the Steelers in particular seem to have missed since Le’Veon Bell was our starting running back in 2017. With the Steelers, Bell’s ability to adapt to playing the receiver position allowed for a mismatch on the outside for at least one other receiver, hopefully allowing a slower linebacker to either be matched up with him himself or another talented playmaker on the outside. We saw what having that type of player does for an offense, and with Ben Roethlisberger back at the helm with this talented group of receivers, I have no doubts we will get back to the glory days sooner rather than later. Harris has shown the ability to be used in more ways than one and the quote, plus the reports of the Steelers use of Harris, leads me to believe that he is the guy to turn it around.

I don’t think there is any doubt in my mind that Harris is special. There have already been reports that he is impressing in camp and he is drawing comparisons to different players left and right. The bottom line is, the Steelers did not draft him to be Le’Veon Bell or any other Steeler great running backs of the past. They drafted him to be the best Najee Harris he can be, and by utilizing him in both ways offensively, the Steelers are doing him justice.



How do you see the Steelers utilizing Najee Harris? More in the passing or running game? Comment below!

#SteelerNation

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[slashsteel]

I think the Steelers know what they have in Harris. He was picked over every other RB in this class not only on talent but how he would fit within a Oline trying to find themselves. He can run inside or outside of the tackles. He can pass catch. And he has good vision and the ability to create yards when seemingly there is nothing there. This last capability mentioned will come in handy.

 

[BLITZ]

Just dont run him until the wheels fall off

 

[Superman]

reeling's going to get his dainty panties twisted again

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Just dont run him until the wheels fall off

Bwahahahahah, I wish that were a thing

Head Coach MT doesn’t know another way...he’s 5 years from needing a new set of tires now.

 

[Drink IRON City]

I think Canada will have a say in how many touches HARRIS will have. If it's working he will get his fair share but M.Canada has been know to call what is least expected as well.

I don't worry about the number of touches durring the game but it's the number of touches after the game has been decided. TOMLIN has a knack of leaving players in for to long when he should be pulling & saving them for the next battle.



Salute the nation

 

[Coach]

This is on Canada, the new OC that Tomlin picked who has NO experience calling plays at the NFL level, at least officially.

Here's how I see it. There is is only 1 football so some groups and players are getting less touches.

Canada should have 3 go to guys.


Claypool long, medium, and a reserve runner, who is also one heck of an edge blocker. Would like to see more curls routes from his game and use that big body more often.

Ju-Ju, who is showing diva marks already now that he has been " paid " as a slot man / Outside receiver who's like Claypool is also one heck of a blocker.

Harris, running inside and out, catching the short stuff and getting RAC when he does so. He's really good at making a man miss.


Everybody else is complimentary. Johnson, beat the 3rd DB covering you, Washington the 4th. Don't throw too many deep balls on these guys. Use Ray-Ray as a gadget guy, he's a quick one.


Freiermuth, learn how to block for Harris running tendencies and add on 10 pounds to push smaller LB's around.. Help out in the TWO TE sets when called upon. Get ready to be the man next year who's catching it 40- 50 time. not much more. Also be ready to be the 2nd man option in the red zone.

Ebron, stock down. Catch the ball, don't fumble or drop it, and at least block to the level of Claypool if possible. Sorry kid, I see a overpaid TE not fitting this offense and too mistake prone. A non blocker with lousy yards per catch, that drops his share and seines act like a punk. Get ready for a number change on the Steelers. 86'd works in 2022.

OL, Green is rather mobile, when healthy DeCastro is too. Play action might work nicely this year, IF we call it. So should screens pass plays to Harris. I tend to think Dan Moore is staring material. Our tackles suck wind.

 

[slashsteel]

This is on Canada, the new OC that Tomlin picked who has NO experience calling plays at the NFL level, at least officially.

Here's how I see it. There is is only 1 football so some groups and players are getting less touches.

Canada should have 3 go to guys.


Claypool long, medium, and a reserve runner, who is also one heck of an edge blocker. Would like to see more curls routes from his game and use that big body more often.

Ju-Ju, who is showing diva marks already now that he has been " paid " as a slot man / Outside receiver who's like Claypool is also one heck of a blocker.

Harris, running inside and out, catching the short stuff and getting RAC when he does so. He's really good at making a man miss.


Everybody else is complimentary. Johnson, beat the 3rd DB covering you, Washington the 4th. Don't throw too many deep balls on these guys. Use Ray-Ray as a gadget guy, he's a quick one.


Freiermuth, learn how to block for Harris running tendencies and add on 10 pounds to push smaller LB's around.. Help out in the TWO TE sets when called upon. Get ready to be the man next year who's catching it 40- 50 time. not much more. Also be ready to be the 2nd man option in the red zone.

Ebron, stock down. Catch the ball, don't fumble or drop it, and at least block to the level of Claypool if possible. Sorry kid, I see a overpaid TE not fitting this offense and too mistake prone. A non blocker with lousy yards per catch, that drops his share and seines act like a punk. Get ready for a number change on the Steelers. 86'd works in 2022.

OL, Green is rather mobile, when healthy DeCastro is too. Play action might work nicely this year, IF we call it. So should screens pass plays to Harris. I tend to think Dan Moore is staring material. Our tackles suck wind.

Hey if you want to stare at Dan who am I to question your sexuality. What you do on your own time is your business.

 

[Badcat]

Freiermuth, learn how to block for Harris running tendencies and add on 10 pounds to push smaller LB's around..

WTF are you talking about? He's already 260lbs (Avg LB weight) and has outstanding blocking technique as he seals and walls off the defender. He's a ******* tight end, meaning he isn't going to move people like a road grader. I guess it isn't obvious to you concerning your lack of understanding when it come to body composition, right? Is Troy's head still too big?

 

[Drink IRON City]

This is on Canada, the new OC that Tomlin picked who has NO experience calling plays at the NFL level, at least officially.

Here's how I see it. There is is only 1 football so some groups and players are getting less touches.

Canada should have 3 go to guys.


Claypool long, medium, and a reserve runner, who is also one heck of an edge blocker. Would like to see more curls routes from his game and use that big body more often.

Ju-Ju, who is showing diva marks already now that he has been " paid " as a slot man / Outside receiver who's like Claypool is also one heck of a blocker.

Harris, running inside and out, catching the short stuff and getting RAC when he does so. He's really good at making a man miss.


Everybody else is complimentary. Johnson, beat the 3rd DB covering you, Washington the 4th. Don't throw too many deep balls on these guys. Use Ray-Ray as a gadget guy, he's a quick one.


Freiermuth, learn how to block for Harris running tendencies and add on 10 pounds to push smaller LB's around.. Help out in the TWO TE sets when called upon. Get ready to be th
man next year who's catching it 40- 50 time. not much more. Also be ready to be the 2nd man option in the red zone.

Ebron, stock down. Catch the ball, don't fumble or drop it, and at least block to the level of Claypool if possible. Sorry kid, I see a overpaid TE not fitting this offense and too mistake prone. A non blocker with lousy yards per catch, that drops his share and seines act like a punk. Get ready for a number change on the Steelers. 86'd works in 2022.

OL, Green is rather mobile, when healthy DeCastro is too. Play action might work nicely this year, IF we call it. So should screens pass plays to Harris. I tend to think Dan Moore is staring material. Our tackles suck wind.

Coach, as usual you are about 1/2 right and 3/4 wrong.

JuJu may be showing DIVA but he didn't get his payday. do you realize he gave up a near 4million dollar differential in offers from other teams to what he signed here for........ NOT a diva move.

Last years OC had several years NFL experience and look what he did. Matt Canada is definately a step up and to what degree is still unknown.

Freiermuth already knows how to block and catch and maintain possesion (said to be the MOST complete TE in the draft), like any pro he MUST hone those skills durring practice to continue to get better.

Ebron stock is still debateable until our rookie TE establishes himself.

DJ Johnson is our MOST explosive WR on the roster. If the opposing team has their #3 DB on him, that is the matchup we want, big year for DJ........... A-N-D yes, he improved immensly with the use of the JUGGs machine and his drop rate lowered late season.


This TEAM has a lot to get excited about




Salute the nation

 

[slashsteel]

Coach, as usual you are about 1/2 right and 3/4 wrong.

JuJu may be showing DIVA but he didn't get his payday. do you realize he gave up a near 4million dollar differential in offers from other teams to what he signed here for........ NOT a diva move.

Last years OC had several years NFL experience and look what he did. Matt Canada is definitely a step up and to what degree is still unknown.

Freiermuth already knows how to block and catch and maintain possession (said to be the MOST complete TE in the draft), like any pro he MUST hone those skills during practice to continue to get better.

Ebron stock is still debatable until our rookie TE establishes himself.

DJ Johnson is our MOST explosive WR on the roster. If the opposing team has their #3 DB on him, that is the matchup we want, big year for DJ........... A-N-D yes, he improved immensely with the use of the JUGGs machine and his drop rate lowered late season.


This TEAM has a lot to get excited about




Salute the nation

He easily has the worst football analysis I have ever seen from a fan. I try not to pile on him but some of the things he says is far out there like cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs wacky ****.

 

[Drink IRON City]

He easily has the worst football analysis I have ever seen from a fan. I try not to pile on him but some of the things he says is far out there like cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs wacky ****.

I totally hear yaz slash and appreciate all of your analysis that you offer. I know I'm no expert but on occasion I try to keep Coach with-in reality of what he says. Occasionally he has some pretty good stuff but that seems to get lost on all the other crap analysis / patting his own back / luxury car driving.................

I truely do hope he can come to terms of not always having to be right and accepting that and build from there.



Salute the nation

 

[Drink IRON City]

Hey if you want to stare at Dan who am I to question your sexuality. What you do on your own time is your business.

I had to go back and re-read Coach's post twice before I cought what you was throwing. Good catch regardless of the author but special when the author is special.



Salute the nation

 

[Steel Maniac]

Harris will hopefully make our offense two dimensional again. And that helps Ben. And if our offense can stay on the field, that helps the defense. Now, it’s up to the O-line to be improved for all that to happen.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

He easily has the worst football analysis I have ever seen from a fan. I try not to pile on him but some of the things he says is far out there like cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs wacky ****.

Agreed but this was one of his more lucid and reasonable takes. Maybe he is on new meds.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Harris will hopefully make our offense two dimensional again. And that helps Ben. And if our offense can stay on the field, that helps the defense. Now, it’s up to the O-line to be improved for all that to happen.

I know i'm not a coach or there on daily basis to see but START Moore from day one at left tackle. Get as many TC / Pre-season game snaps as possible before the season starts. He will do fine. chuks back up and Banner RT



Salute the nation

 

[Steelworth]

Beast Mode 2.0

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

If they plan on using najee in all ways. Split out etc. Doesn't it make sense that jaylen Samuels is that much more valuable as a back up?

 

[wig]

Good to see you back Coach. I know you take a beating around here, but you're still family.

I'm not sold on any of the rookies until the season starts. Every year in offseason and then TC we hear about how f'n AMAZEBALLS so-and-so is doing in camp, only to never see or hear from them again in the regular season. I put zero stock in training camp.

Personally, I think if the running game can at least be competent, the Steelers have a very solid receiving corps. JuJu is reliable in the middle and every now and then he surprises you with great angles and sneaky speed.
Diontae is always about 1 step away from being amazing. If he can put it all together and hold on to the ball, he can be a tremendous weapon.
If Claypool can just get a little more consistent in those deep contested catches, he's clearly a deadly weapon.
James did much better last year actually finishing plays, catches and yac, I have always really liked him. I think he's under-rated.
Ebron... meh. He's a body. He makes some catches, but geez... does he have mental lapses.

I think Ben is officially at the stage of his career where he's generally simply going to take what the defense gives him and rely on the playcalling to keep the offense out of tight situations. His days of extending plays and scrambling around working a downfield receiver open are done, I suspect. It will be up to North Montana to call plays that help him and the receivers out. We'll see. I trust nothing until I see it in the regular season. Coach T. has beaten any shred of optimism out of me over the years.

 

[TDX27]

Just announced they already signed Harris. Getting 'er done!