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Post by jimmieray on Aug 2, 2018 8:04:27 GMT -5
Story in today's Newsday, maybe someone has a link? This was alluded to by some here, in previous threads about how effective the new defensive scheme and personnel fit would be. Given his effectiveness with the Jet's similar defensive system, and the big payday he got from it, I for one totally discounted the notion. But he claims it's a burden to him - and even requires him to adjust his body type for the switchover. You'd think with the past performance and rankings, everyone would be all in for the change. |
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Post by JoeBigBlue on Aug 2, 2018 8:08:55 GMT -5
Here ya go chief:
Welcome to the somewhat reluctant evolution of Snacks.
Damon Harrison, the Giants’ defensive tackle and self-proclaimed enemy of change, finds himself on a team where he is being asked to adapt to a lot of newness. From the players to the coaches to the scheme he’s going to be playing, Harrison is grappling with the adjustment. He’s also altering his game to suit not just the responsibilities of his place in the system but the natural limitations that are beginning to pop up as he pushes closer to his 30th birthday in November.
On a team where just about everyone is positive and optimistic about the dawning of a new era in Giants football, excited for what the immediate future holds, Harrison seems to be the lone voice in favor of status quo.
“I’m not a guy who likes change,” he said Wednesday, “so it’s a real difficult time for me.”
For him to succeed this year, though, he’ll have to embrace it. All of it.
He’s trying.
“To get to know people – new faces, new coaches, new players – I just find that difficult because I’m a very personal guy and I don’t like to,” he said. “I’m not good at talking, I’m just not, and that’s something that I have to break out of. I have to force myself through it to see how I fit in the new locker room. That’s the difficult part.”
On the field he finds himself having to adjust, too. Or maybe go back.
“It’s kind of like a Rex Ryan-type defense,” he said, comparing James Bettcher’s system to the one he played when he entered the league with the Jets. “It’s a lot of attacking, it’s not sitting around waiting, trying to read and see what the guys on the offense are doing. It’s playing defense with an offensive mentality. These are the types of systems that we love to play in.”
Even having said that, though, Harrison has reservations.
“I think it’s just more of an emphasis on attacking one gap and trying not to two-gap, which will be tough for me because I’m a two-gapper by nature,” he said. “You’ve got to change your body type to be able to do what Coach Bettcher is asking of the defensive line, which is to get up the field and attack, and anybody who knows me and likes me, that’s not something that’s been a strong point in my game. I can do it, I like to kind of use it as a changeup every now and then, so yeah. I do have to adjust, not only for the system but also for me getting up there each whistle.”
The one thing the Giants don’t seem to be doing is forcing Harrison to be a vocal leader. Last year he rejected the idea of being a captain for the defense and grudgingly wore the C at the end of the season after interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo bestowed it upon him. This year, the coaches seem content to allow Harrison to go about his business without having to deal with being the out-front personality.
“We talk frequently about leadership, that’s where everybody goes, but I also think we need to talk about followership,” coach Pat Shurmur said. “In other words, there are some guys that are outstanding players, and have been outstanding players their whole lives, and they want to come to work and do their jobs. We need to embrace those guys, too.”
The Giants also added and retained plenty of other defensive players who can be what people think of when they visualize leadership. They added Alec Ogletree and Connor Barwin and Michael Thomas, all of whom were captains for their former teams. And they still have Landon Collins and B.J. Goodson and even Janoris Jenkins, who is stepping further into that role.
Still, Harrison has tried to become more vocal. He’s flanked in the starting defense by second-year player Dalvin Tomlinson and rookie B.J. Hill. As Harrison enters his seventh NFL season, he’s the sage veteran.
“If the situation calls for it, then I’m willing to step up to the plate and be that,” he said. “But I think as an overall leader, we have some guys who would be perfect in that role.”
On that matter, it seems, Harrison’s mind is the one thing that won’t be changing.
(article added by Rosie - hope you don't mind Big Joe)
www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/giants-tackle-damon-harrison-not-comfortable-with-new-defensive-scheme-1.20241159 |
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Post by JoeBigBlue on Aug 2, 2018 8:13:08 GMT -5
He comes off as being a bit of a whiner. Just play the damn game Snacks; no, you don't have to be a captain. Jeez.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2018 8:30:13 GMT -5
A precise example of why I can only sigh when people talk about the 3-4 defence and needing a NT to take up blockers. As Snacks said, this defence predominantly functions as a 1 gap system, which requires DTs who can penetrate (I.e. not him). Thinking of this D like a Parcells 3-4 with 3 2 gapping down-lineman is not the reality of what will be happening.
I like Snacks but it won’t surprise me if the team moves on from him next year.
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Post by jimmieray on Aug 2, 2018 8:30:25 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2018 8:39:09 GMT -5
“I’m not a guy who likes change,” he said Wednesday, “so it’s a real difficult time for me.”
For him to succeed this year, though, he’ll have to embrace it. All of it.
He’s trying."
I really don't see the need for anyone to get bent out of shape over this. It's a slow time right now, so someone is going to write and article to get people who fall for this kind of thing all riled up. This won't be a story by the time preseason and the regular season kicks off. Nothing to see here, IMO.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2018 8:43:17 GMT -5
“I’m not a guy who likes change,” he said Wednesday, “so it’s a real difficult time for me.” For him to succeed this year, though, he’ll have to embrace it. All of it. He’s trying." I really don't see the need for anyone to get bent out of shape over this. It's a slow time right now, so someone is going to write and article to get people who fall for this kind of thing all riled up. This won't be a story by the time preseason and the regular season kicks off. Nothing to see here, IMO. He will be fine but he isn’t going to be the player he was. There will be a lot more rotation on the interior I suspect . Snacks is kind of a one dimensional player (as he alluded to) and this D does not employ a traditional 2 gapping NT (as he stated) Much like when Washington tried to turn a penetrator (Haynesworth) into a 2 gapping NT, a 2 gapping NT typically will not perform his best being asked to attack and get upfield to the QB. |
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Post by Roosevelt on Aug 2, 2018 9:21:39 GMT -5
I guess this is why Snacks avoided mini-camp. No reason to give any extra effort or put in the extra work. As long as he knows he'll fail in this system is good enough for him.
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Post by NAVY2323(ret) on Aug 2, 2018 9:23:14 GMT -5
How did we go from loving Snacks to painting him as a malcontent? Until he doesn't show out on the field I'm open to giving him the benefit of the doubt. He was honest in his speaking, I'm fine with that. He's been a great addition for us.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2018 9:35:35 GMT -5
How did we go from loving Snacks to painting him as a malcontent? Until he doesn't show out on the field I'm open to giving him the benefit of the doubt. He was honest in his speaking, I'm fine with that. He's been a great addition for us. I’m fine with it also. He is being honest and to be fair he has performed well in a similar type of system (Rex). But this is very common with DTs (disgruntled) as the roles between a 2 gapper and 1 gapper are very very different. So it is a big change in many ways for a player. And it doesn’t play to his strengths. But that’s the way it is and I’m sure he will find a way to contribute at a good level. |
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Post by KingCap88 on Aug 2, 2018 9:41:12 GMT -5
What I got from the article is that Snacks isn't a person who likes change, but he's adapting to that change. Nothing to be worried about.
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Post by Bigjeep on Aug 2, 2018 9:41:41 GMT -5
I guess this is why Snacks avoided mini-camp. No reason to give any extra effort or put in the extra work. As long as he knows he'll fail in this system is good enough for him. :-X |
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Post by boxcarwillie on Aug 2, 2018 9:45:21 GMT -5
Part of his trouble is personality based. Some people don't like meeting a bunch of new co-workers and changing the company's systems. I understand that. I think he'll be fine in this regard, as time passes and the games begin.
The other part is scheme. He's being asked to do that which is, apparently, not his strongest skill set. Again, I get it. It's more fun to kick butt doing what you're really good at than to struggle to do something else.
As long as he does his best at what they're asking him to do, with a can do attitude, all will be well.
I don't condemn him just for being honest about how he feels about things.
Go Giants!
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BigBlue58
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Post by BigBlue58 on Aug 2, 2018 10:00:19 GMT -5
I see nothing wrong with Harrison voicing his difficulty acclamating to the new system!
They can't help him adjust if he blows smoke up their ass that all is well.
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Merc
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Post by Merc on Aug 2, 2018 10:10:09 GMT -5
He doesn't like change. That doesn't mean he can't make changes. He will be fine.
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Post by nysports98 on Aug 2, 2018 10:11:29 GMT -5
At 340lbs+ he's more of a NT/0Gap than a DT in a one Gap. We wondered if he could play in a 4/3 b/c he came froma 3/4. Now he doesn't want to change? Maybe the 0 GAP is tougher on his body. Otherwise, what's the problem?
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Post by Roosevelt on Aug 2, 2018 10:17:14 GMT -5
How did we go from loving Snacks to painting him as a malcontent? Until he doesn't show out on the field I'm open to giving him the benefit of the doubt. He was honest in his speaking, I'm fine with that. He's been a great addition for us.
I haven't been a huge Snacks fan. After playing great his first year along side Hankins, he began last season looking like he had spent the off-season reading his press clippings.
He seems like a good guy that doesn't always put his best foot forward.
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Post by Parademon1 on Aug 2, 2018 10:29:44 GMT -5
Wow, a millionaire athlete whining about having to do a different job on the DL. Joe Klecko played 3 different positions on the DL for the Jets & was an All Pro at all 3 positions! Guys like Snacks couldn't carry Joe's jockstrap. And why is Klecko still not in the HOF? Howie Long wonders that as well.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2018 11:04:58 GMT -5
At 340lbs+ he's more of a NT/0Gap than a DT in a one Gap. We wondered if he could play in a 4/3 b/c he came froma 3/4. Now he doesn't want to change? Maybe the 0 GAP is tougher on his body. Otherwise, what's the problem? He is best suited to 2-gap. As he stated. 3-4 / 4-3 has nothing to do with it. You can have down linemen playing 1 gap or 2 gap in 3-4 and 4-3 fronts. A 3-4 under uses 1 gapping for example. Since the aim of the game in today’s league is to have “multiple” fronts you will see all techniques being used. What he is being asked is similar to what he was doing for Rex Ryan..but again it has nothing to do with the 3-4. It’s just that Rex and Bettcher run a very aggressive d focused on getting upfield and after the QB with many multiple looks. But Snacks will not be sitting back to play the run and take up space as he was for Spags most of the time.... |
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Post by Blue Hulk on Aug 2, 2018 12:50:12 GMT -5
A precise example of why I can only sigh when people talk about the 3-4 defence and needing a NT to take up blockers. As Snacks said, this defence predominantly functions as a 1 gap system, which requires DTs who can penetrate (I.e. not him). Thinking of this D like a Parcells 3-4 with 3 2 gapping down-lineman is not the reality of what will be happening. I like Snacks but it won’t surprise me if the team moves on from him next year. The pieces are there to move on from snacks. No big deal. Shoot, we can go get Hankins |
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Post by Sarcasman on Aug 2, 2018 12:55:50 GMT -5
Snacks will be fine. I was never a huge fan, but that doesn't mean I didn't like him. I thought his hype was always a bit taller than his game but he's very solid. It's a bit easier to be considered a great player when you're one bright light on a very bad team. I expect him to step up this year and I think his results will be fine. I don't give a crap what players say, they're not being paid to talk.
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Post by jimmieray on Aug 2, 2018 13:01:11 GMT -5
Snacks will be fine. I was never a huge fan, but that doesn't mean I didn't like him. I thought his hype was always a bit taller than his game but he's very solid. It's a bit easier to be considered a great player when you're one bright light on a very bad team. I expect him to step up this year and I think his results will be fine. I don't give a crap what players say, they're not being paid to talk. To be clear, I only started this thread because in previous discussions here about how the new defense will do, and what players were an area of concern, some of our members brought up Snacks. I didn't see that, with him seemingly doing so well in the past Jets scheme. But now he's saying some of the same things. Huge concern - not really. |
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Post by paperbackwriter on Aug 2, 2018 13:16:32 GMT -5
How did we go from loving Snacks to painting him as a malcontent? Until he doesn't show out on the field I'm open to giving him the benefit of the doubt. He was honest in his speaking, I'm fine with that. He's been a great addition for us. Just doesnt come off all in. kinda of un happy with new role |
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Post by nysports98 on Aug 2, 2018 13:17:46 GMT -5
At 340lbs+ he's more of a NT/0Gap than a DT in a one Gap. We wondered if he could play in a 4/3 b/c he came froma 3/4. Now he doesn't want to change? Maybe the 0 GAP is tougher on his body. Otherwise, what's the problem? He is best suited to 2-gap. As he stated. 3-4 / 4-3 has nothing to do with it. You can have down linemen playing 1 gap or 2 gap in 3-4 and 4-3 fronts. A 3-4 under uses 1 gapping for example. Since the aim of the game in today’s league is to have “multiple” fronts you will see all techniques being used. What he is being asked is similar to what he was doing for Rex Ryan..but again it has nothing to do with the 3-4. It’s just that Rex and Bettcher run a very aggressive d focused on getting upfield and after the QB with many multiple looks. But Snacks will not be sitting back to play the run and take up space as he was for Spags most of the time.... Of course it has something to do with a 3-4. The 0-tech job is to jack up the center and clog it. Since when is a NT a pass rusher? It makes no sense as their first step is up rather than forward. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2018 13:26:26 GMT -5
He is best suited to 2-gap. As he stated. 3-4 / 4-3 has nothing to do with it. You can have down linemen playing 1 gap or 2 gap in 3-4 and 4-3 fronts. A 3-4 under uses 1 gapping for example. Since the aim of the game in today’s league is to have “multiple” fronts you will see all techniques being used. What he is being asked is similar to what he was doing for Rex Ryan..but again it has nothing to do with the 3-4. It’s just that Rex and Bettcher run a very aggressive d focused on getting upfield and after the QB with many multiple looks. But Snacks will not be sitting back to play the run and take up space as he was for Spags most of the time.... Of course it has something to do with a 3-4. The 0-tech job is to jack up the center and clog it. Since when is a NT a pass rusher? It makes no sense as their first step is up rather than forward. Did you miss this part of the article: “I think it’s just more of an emphasis on attacking one gap and trying not to two-gap, which will be tough for me because I’m a two-gapper by nature,” he said. “You’ve got to change your body type to be able to do what Coach Bettcher is asking of the defensive line, which is to get up the field and attack, and anybody who knows me and likes me, that’s not something that’s been a strong point in my game. I can do it, I like to kind of use it as a changeup every now and then, so yeah. I do have to adjust, not only for the system but also for me getting up there each whistle.” He is not playing nose tackle in a 1980s 3-4 front. |
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Merc
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Post by Merc on Aug 2, 2018 13:28:07 GMT -5
He's making the changes to accomodate the new role. He is a team player, even if he doesn't like to change.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2018 13:32:54 GMT -5
He's making the changes to accomodate the new role. He is a team player, even if he doesn't like to change. I agree. This really isn't a story at all. |
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Post by paperbackwriter on Aug 2, 2018 13:51:19 GMT -5
Look, It came off as complaining.
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Post by Roosevelt on Aug 2, 2018 13:56:46 GMT -5
How did we go from loving Snacks to painting him as a malcontent? Until he doesn't show out on the field I'm open to giving him the benefit of the doubt. He was honest in his speaking, I'm fine with that. He's been a great addition for us.
I don't think it's too much to ask of the players to act like they are all in. In addition to the OTA's Snacks gave some cryptic message about why he chose to be absent.
Any questions that are being raised about him have been brought on by his actions as far as I can tell.
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Post by Fletch842 on Aug 2, 2018 14:22:32 GMT -5
this is a whole lotta nothing. This is from the Giants home page, at the bottom he talks about the scheme: www.giants.com/news/d-line-turns-to-snacks-for-leadership“It just takes me back to my first years in the league,” Harrison said. “It’s kind of like a Rex Ryan-type defense. It’s a lot of attacking, it’s not sitting around waiting, trying to read and see the other guys on the offense are doing – it’s playing defense with an offensive mentality. For the guys like myself and O.V. (Olivier Vernon) and Dalvin and Robert, these are the types of systems that we love to play in.” |
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