SI.com: Harris a breakout player

[panchucko]

http://nfl.si.com/2013/06/04/breakout-player-to-watch-dwayne-harris/?xid=nl_siextra

The Dallas Cowboys have had the good fortune of a Miles Austin-Dez Bryant pairing at wide receiver ever since drafting Bryant in 2010. But they’ve had a lot less luck keeping a viable third WR option around to partner with Austin and Bryant.


The search for a No. 3 receiver, though, began anew as soon as Ogletree signed with Tampa Bay, with Dallas then using a third-round draft pick on Terrance Williams. While the Cowboys hope he eventually can become something special, Williams first has to fend off another competitor for playing time in 2013: Dwayne Harris.

Roy Williams fizzled out in Bryant’s rookie season, then Laurent Robinson (54 catches in ’11) and Kevin Ogletree (32 catches in ’12) both skipped town as free agents. Dallas’ frustration in all instances was minimized by the presences of ever-reliable tight end Jason Witten (110 grabs last season) and versatile RB DeMarco Murray (61 receptions over the past two seasons).

A sixth-round draft selection in 2011, Harris took over last year as the Cowboys’ primary punt returner and has seen work as a kickoff return man, too. He may be ready for a bigger role, if his close to the 2012 campaign is any indication.

And Harris is the first player in the spotlight as Audibles takes a look at this coming season’s breakout candidates. He’s there for a number of reasons:

 

[speedkilz88]

Kevin Ogletree was told to get lost.

 

[ufcrules1]

Kevin Ogletree was told to get lost.

Yet funny how they started Ogletree over Harris last year any chance they got. Ogletree was #3 in the biggest game of the season. So stupid when Harris was way better and smarter than Ogletree. So Glad Ogletree is off this team now. In fact I'm glad Jenkins, Sensablo, Felix, and Spears are gone too.

 

[Vintage]

I like Harris. I think he is an excellent PR. I think he can make plays once his hands are on tge ball. But I think his ceiling is at best, a solid #3.

 

[Eskimo]

I really like Harris. He has really shown a lot of improvement over his 2 years here and came here a bit raw as a WR as I believe he played more RB and QB throughout his HS and college career before making the shift. I think it is those RB instincts that we see when he is weaving his way through defenders on returns and RAC.

The one thing that makes me hesitant to put a major ceiling on him is that he reminds me so much of Hines Ward. He is about the same size and even though he isn't tall he is more thick like a RB than slim like a WR. He seems to be quite durable and apparently is a very good blocker, just like Ward was. He is about the same speed and he has shown an ability to make some plays down the field.

Right now I think he should be seeing a fair number of snaps per game working both inside and outside. I wouldn't take it as a given that Terrance Williams will beat him out in the long run as that will be decided on the field over time. I think Williams brings a new dimension to this team with his ability to get deep. Last year only Dez seemed to be a real downfield threat and can hardly remember Miles getting targeted deep except for a handful of opportunities. It was felt that having a big deep threat with Austin and Witten working underneath in the slot and Dez working the other side would put a tremendous strain on defenses. It might even force them to play 2 deep to contain them which should give both Miles and Austin 1-on-1 opportunities underneath.

I'm excited to see what he does this PS. He made quite a few plays last year which augured well for his development and he did eventually come through. I hope we see further evolution with some more dominant performances against #1 defenses.

 

[DFWJC]

IThe one thing that makes me hesitant to put a major ceiling on him is that he reminds me so much of Hines Ward. He is about the same size and even though he isn't tall he is more thick like a RB than slim like a WR. He seems to be quite durable and apparently is a very good blocker, just like Ward was. He is about the same speed and he has shown an ability to make some plays down the field.

.

This.

I've always thought the same thing. He reminds me a lot of Hines Ward.

Good instincts, not many drops, always improving, great RAC, and a very physical runner and blocker.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Yet funny how they started Ogletree over Harris last year any chance they got. Ogletree was #3 in the biggest game of the season. So stupid when Harris was way better and smarter than Ogletree. So Glad Ogletree is off this team now. In fact I'm glad Jenkins, Sensablo, Felix, and Spears are gone too.

Where is old Kevin nowadays?

 

[DFWJC]

Where is old Kevin nowadays?

Tampa Bay

 

[Nova]

"The Dallas Cowboys have had the good fortune of a Miles Austin-Dez Bryant pairing at wide receiver ever since drafting Bryant in 2010. But they’ve had a lot less luck keeping a viable third WR option around to partner with Austin and Bryant."

While this is somewhat true, I think it's a bit overblown. We always seem to find a guy that Romo can work with for the 3 spot, dating even farther back than 2010.


And really, with Witten at TE, the 3rd WR spot isn't all that important.

But I'm glad Harris is coming along. I really like him. In my ideal world, hopefully Terrance Williams will grow to be the new 2 and we'll trade Austin for some kind of value. I'm not counting on it, but it would be nice to be able to churn the roster and get future value for a change.

 

[visionary]

I really like Harris. He has really shown a lot of improvement over his 2 years here and came here a bit raw as a WR as I believe he played more RB and QB throughout his HS and college career before making the shift. I think it is those RB instincts that we see when he is weaving his way through defenders on returns and RAC.

The one thing that makes me hesitant to put a major ceiling on him is that he reminds me so much of Hines Ward. He is about the same size and even though he isn't tall he is more thick like a RB than slim like a WR. He seems to be quite durable and apparently is a very good blocker, just like Ward was. He is about the same speed and he has shown an ability to make some plays down the field.

Right now I think he should be seeing a fair number of snaps per game working both inside and outside. I wouldn't take it as a given that Terrance Williams will beat him out in the long run as that will be decided on the field over time. I think Williams brings a new dimension to this team with his ability to get deep. Last year only Dez seemed to be a real downfield threat and can hardly remember Miles getting targeted deep except for a handful of opportunities. It was felt that having a big deep threat with Austin and Witten working underneath in the slot and Dez working the other side would put a tremendous strain on defenses. It might even force them to play 2 deep to contain them which should give both Miles and Austin 1-on-1 opportunities underneath.

I'm excited to see what he does this PS. He made quite a few plays last year which augured well for his development and he did eventually come through. I hope we see further evolution with some more dominant performances against #1 defenses.

if harris turns into a version of hines ward, that would be absolutely great for the team

i always envied the steelers for having a reliable physical receiver in ward

 

[Future]

Yet funny how they started Ogletree over Harris last year any chance they got. Ogletree was #3 in the biggest game of the season. So stupid when Harris was way better and smarter than Ogletree. So Glad Ogletree is off this team now. In fact I'm glad Jenkins, Sensablo, Felix, and Spears are gone too.

I will say that, under the JG regime, the roster improvements have been really impressive. While I like some guys who have little character concerns and play with more of an edge, its easy to see that having football matter to you is important to being a RKG. I think that could be really beneficial.

 

[Doomsday101]

I see Harris in the same light as I saw Kelvin Martin. A role player as a 3rd WR and a return man. I doubt he will ever reach the status of star player but I think he can have a big role in helping a team. There is a lot to be said for the role players around the NFL who quietly go about their business week in and week out as they contribute to their team.

 

[kenco88]

Williams wasn't drafted to be the 3rd receiver. He was drafted to replace Miles next year. Harris will eventually be the slot guy I believe. Definitely has a little Ward in him and that's a good thing.

 

[ufcrules1]

Harris will eventually be the slot guy I believe. Definitely has a little Ward in him and that's a good thing.

I agree with this. I think he is perfect for the slot. Good solid WR you can count on and loves to block hard as well. Throw to him in the open field and he will make things happen for you.

Ogletree on the other hand was a big joke his whole career. It's sad it took so long to get rid of him.

 

[Wood]

you just get a sense Harris is going to be successful. On paper this is deep receiving group. Dez looks like he is emerging as leader and it will be interesting to see who follows his lead because this is becoming Dez team. Harris looks like a guy who could become apart of that group who are physical players who don't back down. I wouldn't go afar to call it 'thug' football but close to that. I think highly enough of Harris that he could become a #2 next year. Dez & Harris would form a highly competitive tandem with Harris hopefully in mix also.

 

[CowboyStar88]

I really like Harris. He has really shown a lot of improvement over his 2 years here and came here a bit raw as a WR as I believe he played more RB and QB throughout his HS and college career before making the shift. I think it is those RB instincts that we see when he is weaving his way through defenders on returns and RAC.

The one thing that makes me hesitant to put a major ceiling on him is that he reminds me so much of Hines Ward. He is about the same size and even though he isn't tall he is more thick like a RB than slim like a WR. He seems to be quite durable and apparently is a very good blocker, just like Ward was. He is about the same speed and he has shown an ability to make some plays down the field.

Right now I think he should be seeing a fair number of snaps per game working both inside and outside. I wouldn't take it as a given that Terrance Williams will beat him out in the long run as that will be decided on the field over time. I think Williams brings a new dimension to this team with his ability to get deep. Last year only Dez seemed to be a real downfield threat and can hardly remember Miles getting targeted deep except for a handful of opportunities. It was felt that having a big deep threat with Austin and Witten working underneath in the slot and Dez working the other side would put a tremendous strain on defenses. It might even force them to play 2 deep to contain them which should give both Miles and Austin 1-on-1 opportunities underneath.

I'm excited to see what he does this PS. He made quite a few plays last year which augured well for his development and he did eventually come through. I hope we see further evolution with some more dominant performances against #1 defenses.

Eskimo we always seem to share the same opinion on many topics and I think we have touched on this in the past. I really like what Harris has done I didn't have high hopes for him when we was drafted, but he was just one of those guys who grew on me a lot. I like Ogletree and really hoped he had put it together but he seem to have the ADD pop up again. But I must say that outside of Dez, Harris is the player I am most excited about this season. I think if Williams gets it then it will make Miles expendable next year and allow Dez, Harris and Williams to have a long career together as I think these 3 guys have a lot of talent obviously.

 

[CowboyStar88]

I see Harris in the same light as I saw Kelvin Martin. A role player as a 3rd WR and a return man. I doubt he will ever reach the status of star player but I think he can have a big role in helping a team. There is a lot to be said for the role players around the NFL who quietly go about their business week in and week out as they contribute to their team.

K-mart is one of my all time favorite Cowboys as a 12 year old I loved watching him play he was fun.

 

[CowboyStar88]

you just get a sense Harris is going to be successful. On paper this is deep receiving group. Dez looks like he is emerging as leader and it will be interesting to see who follows his lead because this is becoming Dez team. Harris looks like a guy who could become apart of that group who are physical players who don't back down. I wouldn't go afar to call it 'thug' football but close to that. I think highly enough of Harris that he could become a #2 next year. Dez & Harris would form a highly competitive tandem with Harris hopefully in mix also.

I had been saying the same, but after the drafting of Williams I believe they really want Harris to be the slot guy and PR/KR guy and allow him to use his skills in the slot.

 

[Clove]

If Miles could actually stay healthy an entire year, we could have a dominated trio of receivers. Harris, in particular, is an aggressive receiver with solid hands, and a great RAC receiver. But as some have said, I think he has the talent to be a two, IMO.

His hands are better than Austin, not as big as Austin, Austin has a tad more explosiveness than Harris, but Harris is no slouch.

 

[conner01]

i think the only thing that will hold harris back is the touches he gets. with the 12 he is going to get alot less chances to shine. but i do like the kelvin martin comparrison