Link: David Harris and Bart Scott Are Mix n Match
Dave Hutchinson wrote an interesting story about the new duo of inside linebackers, Bart Scott and David Harris and how they will work together in the coming season.
This season, Harris will be given more freedom. In the 3-4 scheme, he was solely a run stuffer. Now, he’ll be able to blitz, drop back into pass cover and play the run. Ryan calls him a ”complete” middle linebacker.
”All the linebackers are excited,” said Harris. ”Opposing offenses will never know what’s going to come. We’re going to be flying around. We think it’s going to be a special year.”
In Baltimore, Scott was the set-up man for Lewis, doing all the dirty work while Lewis got all the glory, and the tackles. This season, Scott will again play the role of the facilitator, crashing into lead blockers so Harris can make the tackle. But there will be a new twist.
Whereas Scott and Lewis weren’t interchangeable, Scott and Harris are. Thus, Harris will sometimes run interference for Scott and the pair will share the accolades.
”I’m hoping we can complement each other and be a dynamic duo in the middle,” said Scott, who has notched four consecutive 100-plus-tackle seasons. ”We want people to know it’s going to be tough sledding when they deal with either one of us.”
I love Harris too, and during his rookie season he showed that he’s not only a run-stuffer but a capable blitzer, when the opportunity arises. As far as using him in coverage, I still think there’s some room for improvement, which is why I admit that I’m surprised that Scott will be the Linebacker that Hutch notes above will be responsible for taking on the lead blocker in the scheme … it seemed like something that Ryan would relegate to Harris as he’s better moving forward than backwards.
While both players played with guys last year that were only able to play the MIKE, what is great is that both players can mix and match the TED – MIKE duties, which will cause some confusion for offenses over the course of the season.
It’s going to be fun to watch this defense …
Welcome to the party, Hutch, I’ve been writing about the Mike and Mike show since before we even signed ODB!
“As far as using [Harris] in coverage, I still think there’s some room for improvement, which is why I admit that I’m surprised that Scott will be the Linebacker that Hutch notes above will be responsible for taking on the lead blocker in the scheme”
If Scott is responsible for taking on the league blocker, then he’ll be the strongside guy, which means his primary responsibility is usually covering the tight end if it’s not a running play. Harris will therefore be able to play in space and so on a passing play he’ll either pressure the QB or drop into zone coverage, rather than having any specific man-to-man responsibilities.
I have seen highlights of Scott in coverage and he’s a stud against tight end and backs. I think he should be the one covering more.
If Harris can stay healthy he will have a monster year. The media will soon forget who Mayo is in NE. Harris is just a better player
Unless a player in camp emerges as a pass-rushing WILL, Harris and Scott will be providing a lot of the pass rush up the middle and, all things being equal, I’d rather have Harris laying out the QBs, he’s a little bigger and, IMO, a little bit more violent a tackler.
Dynamic Duo = Mad Backer and Mighty MIKE…
:-)