Losing patience with Harris!

BC Lions
1

While I respect Harris' contribution to the team effort with his tenacity when carrying the ball as he fights and claws to gain whatever yardage he can I am really beginning to wonder about this guy's attitude. The coaching staff are using him more for blocking to hopefully deal with the chronic blitzing problem the Lions have. A team player will do what he's asked and never criticize or question his assignment. Harris needs to learn what that means and know the game is not all about him. I was unimpressed with how he sounded off about Khalif Mitchell after Mitchell was let go. It was unprofessional and unacceptable. I am unimpressed with how he is whining about being asked to do some blocking.

I remember when I was a kid playing Little League. I was the teams best pitcher. I wasn't a great pitcher but I could pitch. Our short-stop got injured so I was inserted into that position the next game. Instead of feeling honored that the coach had that kind of confidence in me and would choose me to play one of the most important positions in the infield I sulked. He benched me! Good for him. I would have done the same! I learned a valuable lesson from that and obviously I've never forgotten the experience. Maybe the coaches need to bench Harris for a game or two because as tenacious a player as he is he obviously has a different perception of himself than those around him. This guy needs to grow up a little.

2

Every athlete wants to play their position- However there comes times where the player has to block or run DECOY routes to get other receivers open. Qbs sometimes are unable to throw the ball deep because the offensive plan is to run or throw only short-

This happens many times in sports where a player has to SACRIFICE personal gain for the betterment of the team--

Geroy SIMON is a good example of this- To SIMON's credit he will always block and will never say anything and takes pride in blocking-- SIMON looks at it like this-- He says I am the senior leader on this team, and I will do anything to help the team win- I will lead by example- Also SIMON will never complain about not getting the ball enough- Simon is a professional player with a professional work ethic and attitude--

Harris is concerned because if he is a blocker he will not be able to be used as a running back-- This has 2 major implications-

1-As Harris would be used as a blocker he wouldnt get the carries so WALLY may decide to waive him and not give him a good contract because Harris has no production-

2-Harris's bread and butter is running the ball- How can he be expected to have a good career and get paid good money if he is a blocker?

Granted a smarter player would realize that YOU NEED TO BE PATIENT at times- Relax and be patient and your carries will come once BC gets a few good O LINEMAN-- Nothing is PERMANENT---
One thing for sure is that we need HARRIS kind of like a person needs a bandaid- When your finger is bleeding you use a BANDAID, when your O line cant block you use HARRIS to block (bandaid).

I would assume that because HARRIS is the only CANADIAN running back who didnt play university ball and took an unconventional route to the CFL, he has been praised and worshipped into local celebrity status.
HARRIS has always had his way, he has dominated the junior ranks, had instant success at the CFl level and now things are levelling out and he is facing some adversity.

Beaglehound to further add to your post, it was known that HARRIS did not have the best attitude, but to his credit he has behaved pretty good with the LIONS until now--
A player is tested and the true character is revealed in times of adversity. Adversity tests the player and tests the players resolve and coping skills.

Harris also is not the most ideal player to block because he is not strong enough to block the oncoming blitzers. A simple solution that makes sense on all fronts is this----
Bring in an import #1 running back who is over 200 lbs and has played in NCAA at a DIVISION 1 school-- Then we can have flexibility to use HARRIS like Montreal used Brandon Whittaker. Harris could get the odd carry but could be used as a receiver out of the backfield-

This solves 2 problems-- It will make teams who are blitzing think twice as HARRIS would be running out of the backfield for a screen pass. #2 it also would give us a real power runner as a legit POUND THE BALL and move the CHAINS type of running back-

3

"Harris also is not the most ideal player to block because he is not strong enough to block the oncoming blitzers. A simple solution that makes sense on all fronts is this----
Bring in an import #1 running back who is over 200 lbs and has played in NCAA at a DIVISION 1 school-- Then we can have flexibility to use HARRIS like Montreal used Brandon Whittaker. Harris could get the odd carry but could be used as a receiver out of the backfield-

This solves 2 problems-- It will make teams who are blitzing think twice as HARRIS would be running out of the backfield for a screen pass. #2 it also would give us a real power runner as a legit POUND THE BALL and move the CHAINS type of running back-"...by Gridiron

I like that suggestion Gridiron! :rockin:

4

I'm sure glad you guys aren't the coach and GM. Would be "great" to have a team that inserts players based upon where they previously played ball instead of their actual performance and potential. Wally has a great eye for finding talent and has pulled more than one guy out the obscure junior ranks. That sort of biased assessment of players is what I'd expect from anti-CFL types not fans of the Canadian game.

5

You’re going over the top Robsawatsky. I don’t need to defend my loyalty to the CFL nor do you need to question it. I’m not questioning Buono’s talent. In fact I’ve defended the guy many times when others have tried to throw him under the bus. However, I will say this… Wally is not immune to making some bonehead decisions. He made them on the field and he has taken ownership for making such dumb decisions. He is only human after all. The one decision I will never understand is letting Arland Bruce go. That to me was simply dumb.

But this thread is not about Buono, it is about Harris. I’ve already explained why I’m losing patience with Harris. I’m talking about Harris’ present attitude. He is not playing like a team player. He needs to do whatever the coaching staff requires of him and he needs to do it graciously- not play the role of coach. He also needs to learn to keep his flapper shut. He is only one of 46. He is not the entire team.

If you do not like GridIron’s suggestion on how to deal with the blitz problem the Lions O-line is plagued with fair enough. But rather than call people anti-CFL try coming up with some of your own ideas. Quite frankly coming from you I’m quite surprised you would make such a comment.

6

My comment is solely on the explicit bias against a player for no reason other than they got their pre-CFL training in CJFL. That is what is “over the top” and in my opinion, diametrically opposed to the perfectly logical development and selection of quality Canadian talent.

7

Good post Beag. I think Harris goes as our offensive line goes. It's as simple as that. The best running back in any league only gets two yards if the hogs don 't bust holes for them. They move a D lineman out of his position and we get yards, first downs and TDs.

Unlike in minor athletics where kids might sulk or pout, but it's fundamentally about getting them activity and building character, in the pros showing a bit of emotion isn't always a bad thing. I like seeing Harris a bit steamed, anxious to get the rock and make plays.He can use that as added motivation. And showing frustration for losing close games, or not performing on the road, is natural.

Dooger in Surrey :cowboy:

8

I agree with all of that Dooger. It’s fine to want the rock and make plays. Most players who are passed or handed the ball want that opportunity. Paris Jackson would love to be out on the field playing more. He is used sparingly but when he is given an assignment be it blocking or receiving a pass or acting as a decoy he does not complain or whine. He shows maturity and professionalism. I guess part of my bias against Andrew has to do with comments he made when Mitchell was acting crazy. Harris dissed him publicly when Mitchell was released. That is just plain unprofessional. Now Harris was given blocking assignments, I assume to help thwart the blitz. Instead of doing his job without complaint he subtly criticizes coaching decisions by saying that when 7 guys are rushing someone has to be open. And who is he talking about? Himself! In other words don’t use me as a blocker, let me get out in the open and give me the ball. Those are two examples where I think Harris is not playing as a team player. He is saying, he will get the job done for the team rather than the team getting the job done.

He needs to mature and not throw people under the bus.