Analysis of Ra'Shon "Sonny" Harris' performance....

[Zcustom]

versus the Panthers last thursday night.

Rather than spend my afternoon pissing and moaning I decided to go back and look at how well our new DT played against us.

Here's what stuck out to me:

- Sacked Matt Moore on our FG drive putting us in 3rd and 24 all but eliminating a chance for a TD. He was unblocked on the play but showed good speed and the ability to tackle in the open field.

- On the same drive occupied two blockers and shed them to tackle Jamal Lee for a short gain.

- Consistently showed good push on running plays and was in the backfield often.

- He was playing DE in a 3-4 so he looked a little slow on passing downs but he should translate well to our scheme. Ran quite a few stunts and was a factor in all but one pass play that I saw.

- On our last offensive possession he blew up our O-line on one play and pushed the guard into our QB. Cantwell actually hit his hand on Harris' helmet and was noticeably in pain, I heard his hand hit Harris' helmet clearly.

- He also showed the ability to get vertical and try to block passes once he realized the QB was about to throw, came close to knocking down a couple of passes.

Overall this guy has good potential and the ability to help right away, in rotation. Granted he was playing against a lot of guys who are unemployed right now, but given our options I don't know that we could have done better. His only weakness seemed to be speed but as I said before we aren't going to line him up at DE and ask him to beat a tackle with speed. He did what we will ask him to do very well.

You may now return to freaking out.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

Great post, thanks for the analysis.

[Fiz]

from a blog

I told you Harris could play before you even realized he could. When I blogged about how surprised I was with what he showed against the Skins, you said that one game wasn't going to beat out Eason or Kirschke.

Well, he played well the whole preseason and should have been on this squad. Tomlin has repeatedly said he wanted to get young and bigger at DE and they draft one in the 6th round that surpasses everyone's expectations.

And you cut him for Nick Eason and Travis Kirschke? That's just stupid. You got a young kid with that type of talent for cheap for the next 4 years that John Mitchell can mold. Kirschke and Eason are nothing more than backups in this league and both are in the last year of their deals.

Normally I agree with the Steelers personnel moves, but I think they made a mistake this time. Good young 3-4 DE are hard to find in this league and the Steelers just gave Carolina one for free.

[Kevin Greene]

Good stuff.

[megadeth078]

did you just change your avy?

Nice, now we don't have to get all butthurt over wasting a pick if Hayden doesn't work out.

[Fiz]

okay apparently this guy was really good and all the steelers fans i know are confused as to why he was let go. they wanted him on their practice squad.

He looks pretty promising. With the injuries to your line he might be able to make a name for himself this year

Sonny Harris is pretty underrated because at Oregon his role was the big-body DT plugger. He's a coach's favorite and teammates' favorite as well. He could see time if the DL is as bad as you say it is, or he'll just be a PS stash.

remember that last year's Defensive MVP started on the steelers practice squad so they know what they're doing.

regardless im going to start irrationally hyping this guy as the answers to all our prayers.

[megadeth078]

is the ' really needed?

[rayzor]

thanks for the analysis. i'm going to watch that game again. i remember getting mad at that guy now that you mentioned the plays he was involved in. i just didn't put 1 and 1 together.

thanks for filling in the blanks. i like this.

[PhillyB]

i am suddenly more hopeful than i was five minutes ago... what blog is that from, fiz?

[mountainpantherfan]

versus the Panthers last thursday night.

Rather than spend my afternoon pissing and moaning I decided to go back and look at how well our new DT played against us.

Here's what stuck out to me:

- Sacked Matt Moore on our FG drive putting us in 3rd and 24 all but eliminating a chance for a TD. He was unblocked on the play but showed good speed and the ability to tackle in the open field.

- On the same drive occupied two blockers and shed them to tackle Jamal Lee for a short gain.

- Consistently showed good push on running plays and was in the backfield often.

- He was playing DE in a 3-4 so he looked a little slow on passing downs but he should translate well to our scheme. Ran quite a few stunts and was a factor in all but one pass play that I saw.

- On our last offensive possession he blew up our O-line on one play and pushed the guard into our QB. Cantwell actually hit his hand on Harris' helmet and was noticeably in pain, I heard his hand hit Harris' helmet clearly.

- He also showed the ability to get vertical and try to block passes once he realized the QB was about to throw, came close to knocking down a couple of passes.

Overall this guy has good potential and the ability to help right away, in rotation. Granted he was playing against a lot of guys who are unemployed right now, but given our options I don't know that we could have done better. His only weakness seemed to be speed but as I said before we aren't going to line him up at DE and ask him to beat a tackle with speed. He did what we will ask him to do very well.

You may now return to freaking out.

Great post. I posted this in another thread.

I just watched the 2nd half of the Panthers/Steelers game again and focused on Harris. He was #73. Started the entire 2nd half at RDE in Pittsburgh's 3-4. IMO he was good. Usually demanding double teams on running plays and was able to get good pressure on passing downs. He was also the one who sacked Moore in the 4th quarter (about 11:40 on the clock).

Most Steeler fans were excited about him. Most thought that he could end up being Hampton's replacement next year if he leaves. I think most saw him more of a NT and not a DE but I think the Steelers were playing him there to see if he could get a spot on the team there because of the depth they have at NT. Hocka is there backup at NT now but while a great backup isn't really considered starting talent.

I'm very suprised they cut him and so were most Steeler fans that I know. I doubt that he would be able to start week one but it would not surprise me if he didn't eventually become the starter into the season. I also think that Lenord could also push Lewis for his starting spot as the season progresses.

[megadeth078]

this is all the video I could find on the youtube:

two plays lol, and they're college.

[joemac]

regardless im going to start irrationally hyping this guy as the answers to all our prayers.

In true Huddle fashion.

[2jakefansinva]

from a blog

I told you Harris could play before you even realized he could. When I blogged about how surprised I was with what he showed against the Skins, you said that one game wasn't going to beat out Eason or Kirschke.

Well, he played well the whole preseason and should have been on this squad. Tomlin has repeatedly said he wanted to get young and bigger at DE and they draft one in the 6th round that surpasses everyone's expectations.

And you cut him for Nick Eason and Travis Kirschke? That's just stupid. You got a young kid with that type of talent for cheap for the next 4 years that John Mitchell can mold. Kirschke and Eason are nothing more than backups in this league and both are in the last year of their deals.

Normally I agree with the Steelers personnel moves, but I think they made a mistake this time. Good young 3-4 DE are hard to find in this league and the Steelers just gave Carolina one for free.

This can't be......................another NFL team cutting a player that might be good, according to their fans.

[Dingo_ate_Babies]

hey look I can make up stupid names too..May'shon!