Jamie Harper

Correct and I thought about that, but since I've done all of the basic training, I don't think his service hurts his case when discussing his wear and tear. Those were 4 years his spine and brain weren't taking a pounding. A year as a FB ages you like 3 years. In fact, unless Hall joined the Marine Corps, he's more than likely NOT playing NFL football. How much of a beating does a field radio operator really go through? He set up and tuned radio equipment, and maybe had to fix a missile here and there. It wasn't like Hall was on the front line shooting Iraqi soldiers. He was smart enough to pick a relatively safe job. He was hanging around learning what it means to be a leader, working on teamwork skills, and figuring out how to make a plan & see it through.

 

You are making the assumption that what the Titans want from the FB position is primarily a lead blocker. That's what Jeff Fisher wanted.

If Munchack and Chris Palmer want a Larry Centers type, then maybe that's what they think they can get from Harper. Maybe they think he can do what they used Robert Holcombe for a few years. Or what the 49ers had with William Floyd. He's is a good receiver. He's apparently a good pass blocker. He's a good ball carrier. Just because I have no idea if he can lead block doesn't mean he can or he can't.

Hell, they may want him as a 3rd down back and not as a lead blocker at all. We just don't know. Maybe Palmer wants to use a 2-back set on passing downs. Harper could be useful as either a blocker or a receiver in such a formation. We only have 2 reputable TEs right now, so maybe they plan on using more 2-back sets and fewer 2 TE formations but want a guy who is a dual threat in the backfield.

We just don't know yet. And we probably won't get a clue until free agency starts and they either re-sign Hall or let him go elsewhere. Harper clearly isn't a big, bruising lead blocker like Hall or Lorenzo Neal. But we don't know they even want that any more.

 

Yeah I'm just thinking doing some physical stuff in general with the Marine Corps for 4 years might pan out to an extra season of wear or so on the joints. I don't think it's exactly game-changing stuff but clearly his service puts a bit more wear on him and he's obviously older than a 6 year guy out of college. Something they may factor in.

 

I'm betting every coach would like their FB to be the Jeff Fisher type of FB, better known as a lead blocker, otherwise you just plug in a TE or RB. TE's aren't typically amazing run blockers at full speed, FB's are. Or should be, that's what sets them apart.

 

Totally wrong. Lots of teams have simply minimized use of a pure lead blocker, but a number of them have gone with someone who is less of a lead blocker and more of a receiver out of the backfield. Even the Titans did for a while, as I mentioned, with Robert Holcombe. Larry Centers was the best example. Denver was famous for it with a number of guys.

Either way, Hall is pretty much limited to lead blocking in general. So we just have to see what Munchack and co want.

 

Okay you need a wake up call badly because you don't know whats going on. FB's seem like they're being phased out because there are no true FB's anymore. A true at heart FB is rare because of the physical punishment they endure, THAT'S why you think the league is shying away from them because these "FB's" coming up are anything but FB's. Small Guards are no longer wanting to be skill players because they're seeing they can have better football careers as lineman, and won't die by the age of 60 if they stay upfront. It takes a special person to be a FB, you've got to be a little crazy. Players nowadays have no heart. It's a me me me league now. IF there were more real deal FB's out there for teams to sign, I promise you all, we'd be seeing more teams play yesteryear's football games. A 1960's game plan works just as good as any of today's if you have the personnel. Why was John Conner the highlight of last summers Hard Knocks?

Nobody on Earth is dreaming of finding a hybrid FB, what are you talking about? Teams dream about finding themselves a Chris Johnson. But if kids grew up wanting to be FB's, then we'd see more teams featuring one. Because of fans like Starkiller, the perception is that teams are choosing to get away from FB's, but in reality they have no choice since very few FB's do what a FB should do.

 

if Harper ends up being as good as Hillis i'll be happy.

so does this mean Harper and Ringer are competing?

could Ringer be cut?

 

A couple random thoughts:

One thing all the scouting reports mention is Harper's receiving skills. I'm thinking Harper was drafted not to compete for Ringer's spot, but as more of a situational player and third-down back. He has the hands to be effective as a receiver, and he possesses enough size to be effective in pass protection.

(Let's face it....pass protection is one of CJ's weakest areas, and he frequently finds himself overpowered by bigger LB's or DL.)

I also suspect that the drafting of Harper could be an indication as to the direction of the offense. Munchak has already suggest that we'll see more of a WCO-oriented scheme....and in virtually every west-coast offense, the RB also acts as a primary receiving target. This could be an indication that the team is finally moving away from the relatively conservative "Fisherball" mentality.

Finally....while Harper appears to be a decent enough runner, he does remind me a bit of Lendale. He's a bigger guy, but doesn't run with as much power as his size would suggest. Not that he's not a physical runner....he clearly doesn't mind getting hit. However, he tends to run with a fairly high pad level; this not only limits his power, it also allows defenders to get into his body....and as a result, he often goes down easier than a runner who drops his hips and runs behind his pads.

Personally, I see Harper's upside being somewhere between Lendale White and Chris Brown. And while that might sound unflattering on the surface, let me remind you that both players possessed the talent to be good players, and were excellent players at times. If Harper can avoid Lendale's laziness and Brown's injuries and ball security issues, he should be just fine.