Harris -- the Incarnation of the Steelers Failed Philosophy

[zeke5123]

Harris is a polarizing figure. He does two things really well: (i) he doesn't fumble and (ii) he is available. That is all well and good, but he kind of sucks at getting yards. He averages approx 3.9 Y/C. His best season in this stat was 4.1 Y/C. This last year, he finished 36th amongst RBs with at least 100 attempts in that record. He also adds less than 300 yards a season in the air (and isn't a big play threat there either). Nor is this merely a function of the offensive line. Warren has consistently out performed him on these metrics (yes even when taking into account the score and down and distance). He also isn't a great blocker.

In short, Harris is a very inefficient back. You hand him the ball and he won't get a lot of yards. But he will do two things: (i) he won't fumble and (ii) he will be available to run the ball. Tomlin and the Steelers love this. It means when they run the ball they know something really bad won't happen. It means when they are thinking about the season they don't have to worry too much about RB depth because they know Harris will be there. Their risk is minimized. But by minimizing the risk, they give the ball ALOT to a guy who isn't even a top 30 RB in the NFL at getting yards. So the offense becomes "safe" but neutered. They won't get yards, but they won't make a mistake.

But this ignores second order effects. Sure, when you run the ball ALOT with Harris you won't fumble, but you will be in 2nd or 3rd and long situations a lot. That has its own risks (e.g., increased odds of a strip sack or interception, increased odds of your defense giving up a big play, etc.). And it fully eschews reward.

You can't win in the NFL by being inefficient but safe. Inefficiency puts your team in a risky situation consistently. I hope Harris is not back (I hope to be able to say good riddance to bad rubbish) but even if the person leaves the spirit of Harris remains whilst Tomlin rules the roost.

[StillerInCT]

I'd argue you can't win anything meaningful in the NFL by playing it safe. We are the poster child for a risk vs reward argument.

[Deebo]

Tomlin and his staff don't even know what the word "efficiency" means.

I'm kinda being serious or else they wouldn't sub optimize every single fucking thing they do.