The production from Andrew Harris can easily be replaced. 4.7 yards per carry really isn't that great. Harris was at his best in open space on the outside, he is not a pounding type back that can get the tough yards up the middle such as Jerome Messam.B.C.FAN wrote:I agree too. I would have no problem with paying Harris $200,000 to $220,000 a year. Manny Arceneaux is in that range. I just think other teams are more willing to pay Harris what he's worth. Harris was the focal point of the offence in the past with Lulay at QB. Arceneaux is the focus now with Jennings at QB. A cheaper international RB who can pick up tough yards inside and help protect the QB is more in line with the Lions' needs in 2016. Ideally, some of Harris's salary can be redirected to Chris Rainey as a kick returner and backup RB who can get into space and make people miss.Hambone wrote:That's my thinking too. This is all about the economics of working in a cap system, determining the role of the player and how that and the money fit. You have to get full value from the salary. I don't know how accurate the $200K demand rumour is but that sort of money for a tailback is only justifiable if the offence is going to be built around that player. After watching Jennings last year and seeing his strengths and the style of game he plays I don't see the role of the running back being the focal point of the offence. To me if the tailback is going to be the focal point that means he's getting 15+ carries per game plus another 3 or 4 receptions out of the backfield. I don't think Harris has that sort of durability. He does well when he gets the ball in space but struggles when being asked to go between the tackles to get the really tough yards when the defence knows that's what's needed. Guys like Cornish, Sheets and Pringle seemed to be able to power through when a hole isn't there. Harris not so much.maxlion wrote:I disagree that this is all about Wally reacting to Harris' media outbursts, though I agree that it is a factor. The bigger factor is the cost/benefit analysis relative to on field performance.
The difference between Harris' contract demands (200,000?), and what we would pay a decent international (100,000?) is much greater than it would be for a starting db, safety, ol, etc.. It's a lot of money for the passport factor. Also, Harris' performance as a rusher is average, definitely below the top rushers over the past few seasons, ol struggles notwithstanding. His pass catching ability is above average, but he complains to the media when put in a blocking or supporting role. He's not over the hill yet, but has carried the ball a lot over his career, and may be more susceptible to injury. In addition, without a viable backup national rb, any injury causes ripples throughout the team. It's not as simple as just subbing in a backup with a small dropoff in performance. The whole structure of the team needs to be rethought.
Add in Harris' negotiating in the media, publically criticising coaches, and me-first goals, and Wally's decision becomes very understandable.
I don't see Harris as being able to provide the sort of value that is absolutely necessary to pay in the $180K-$200K range Two very basic factors (in my opinion) jump out at me. 1) At this stage of his career (29 this year, 30 in 2017) Harris is not the sort of physical beast runner to excel as the offensive focal point over an 18 game schedule. 2) With Jennings at the helm this offence is going to change to be less reliant on a tailback to carry the team. From the combination of the two I'm saying Harris wouldn't deliver the sort of value that salary would command partly because I don't think he's the type of runner to do it and partly because I think the offensive scheme won't put him in the position to do it.
Say what you want about Wally, but he has always been able to find a decent running back who can get the job done.
