DuJuan Harris 2014 Report Card – Packers Player Grades

Green Bay Packers Report Cards, Player Grades

1) Introduction:  A rags to riches story, DuJuan Harris was selling cars in Jacksonville, Fl and apparently out of NFL opportunities when the Packers came calling in 2012. Harris at times flashed enough to tease coaches and fans alike that they had a genuine NFL diamond-in-the-rough on their hands.  He went on to beat out Michael Hill and become the Packers third down back.  The 2013 season was to have been the breakout year when injuries shut down his season early.  He came back healthy to compete in 2014.

2) Profile:

DuJuan LaTroy Harris

  • Age: 26
  • Born: 09/03/1988, in Brooksville, FL
  • Height: 5’8″
  • Weight: 203
  • College: Troy
  • Rookie Year: 2012
  • NFL Experience: 3 years

Career stats and more

3) Expectations coming into the season:  Head Coach Mike McCarthy was obviously distraught when Harris went down with a season-ending injury derailing his 2013 season.  Fast forward to 2014 when a healthy Harris was poised to compete for playing time as an illusive change-of-pace back and kick returner for the Green Bay Packers.

4) Player’s highlights/low-lights:  Harris had few highlights this season after playing only 51 total snaps, mostly on special teams as the primary kick returner. His 8 carries for 52 yards rushing in week 10 vs. Chicago was by far his most notable contribution.  His lowest point came during the final playoff run when he was inactive for the critical season finale vs. the Lions and both playoff games.

5) Player’s contribution to the overall team success:   Harris was unable to make a meaningful contribution from scrimmage and was relegated to kick returns.  He never seemed to catch his stride while  frustrating fans and coaches alike who viewed his running style as more dancing east-to-west rather than becoming the true north – south runner that the Packers needed.  His season kickoff average was a modest 20.7 yards with a long of only 41 yards and zero touchdowns.

6) Player’s contributions in the playoffs:  Harris was a healthy inactive for both playoff games replaced by WR Randall Cobb.

7)  Intangibles: Harris is unsigned for the upcoming season and is the Packers only Exclusive Rights Free Agent.  Given his lack of playing time in the offense and late season benching it would be a major surprise for the Packers to bring him back this next season.

Season Report Card (Player Grades):

(D) Level of expectations met during the season

(D) Contributions to team’s overall success.

(F) Contributions to team during the playoffs

Overall Grade: D-

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Jeff Albrecht grew up just north of Green Bay and was lucky enough to attend some of the Lombardi Era classic games, like the 1962 championship and the Ice Bowl. Jeff went on to play HS football in the Green Bay area and College ball at UW - Stevens Point. Jeff is retired but still does some writing for his local paper. Jeff is a writer with AllGreenBayPackers.com and you can follow him on twitter at @pointerjeff .

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10 thoughts on “DuJuan Harris 2014 Report Card – Packers Player Grades

  1. I agree with the comments. The grades are reasonable. They could have been lower. The emergence of Lacy as a 3-down back hurt Harris’ playing time. MM’s comfort zone both helped and hurt Harris. MM’s preference to use a back for a whole series or even for a whole drive hurt Harris’ chances to be inserted solely on 3rd downs. MM’s stubbornness/loyalty caused him to use Harris on KR long after Harris had shown me that he wasn’t much good at it. Harris was supposed to be a scat back, a change of pace back, but I never really saw a lot of scat in Harris this year. He did not look that fast or quick to me. Maybe he lost a half step. As an ERFA, they don’t come much cheaper than that. Unless GB feels Harris lost a step, I see no reason not to let him come back and compete with Raijon Neal and a draft pick.

    1. I actually see RB as a position of mild-to-moderate need for the Packers at the moment. Sure, Eddie Lacy has entrenched himself as a 3-down, workhorse NFL back, but his running style leads to short lifetimes in the NFL (for all backs not named Lynch or Bettis). We’ve also seen two — albeit not severe — concussions in two seasons. Starks has been effective in bursts, but he’s not exactly young anymore (as RBs go) and has had injury issues of his own.

      Croatpackfan mentions Melvin Gordon below. I like Gordon, but he’s not going to be an option for the Packers, and they shouldn’t be using a day one (or even day 2 pick) on a back, IMO, given the presence of Lacy and how backs have devalued in recent years. I actually think that Gordon and Tevin Coleman (Indiana) might be guys who play split out a lot in the pros as hybrid WR-RB types to get them into space. Same thing for Abdullah from Nebraska. Thomas Rawls from CMU is an intriguing guy (a local guy who looks great on the hoof) from a mid-level program who has played well against power conference competition, but has character issues…probably a mid-late round prospect as a result.

      1. Very deep draft for RBs. As many as 20 RBs drafted this yr. are expected to make a NFL 53-man roster. Should be able to pick up someone in the 4th to 6th.

  2. I was one of those fan who expected lot from DuJuan. Unfortunately for him, you are right in every point of your review and in your grade… Pity . Maybe his injury influenced his abilities. I say let him compete. If Packers bring that running back from Badgers, forget DuJuan. Again, pity!

  3. Are we grading the guy poorly for not being used or being misused? McCarthy never called the plays or packages that might include the player. If Lacy or Starks had gone down, we might have got the chance to see the man play. He is our change of pace back but all we know how to do is pound it between the tackles. Give the coach a D and the player and INC

    1. Gotta agree with that. Once you get in MM’s doghouse, it is tough to get out. I noted MM’s propensity to play a RB for a whole series or drive, and not to sub in on 3rd downs with Harris.

  4. Raijon Neal has been kept on the PS for a reason. DH, time to bone up on the features and spec’s of the 2015 models.

  5. Back to car sales in Jacksonville! Time to move on, especially if we can fill his spot with a real Kick returner. Thanks, Since ’61

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