First Seahawks impressions of ‘Snacks’ Harrison? ‘Big, big, strong man.’ Yes, double bigs
The Seahawks now have their third All-Pro on their defense. The biggest one yet.
No, truly, their biggest one yet.
Damon “Snacks” Harrison put on a new, white jersey number 78—size: lot of Xs—and practiced for the first time with Seattle Wednesday afternoon. It was hours after the 2016 All-Pro defensive tackle signed a contract earlier in the day that will be prorated over the final dozen games of the regular season.
He joins middle linebacker Bobby Wagner and currently injured safety Jamal Adams as All-Pros on the Seahawks’ mostly remade defense.
Asked for his first impression of his new run-stopper in the middle of his defense after his first practice with the team, coordinator Ken Norton Jr.’s face lit up.
Norton used the word big. Three times.
“You see a guy that big, and that strong, you certainly know that he’s a guy when it comes to taking on blocks, knocking people back and taking up space, he’s certainly a guy to help us up front,” Norton said.
“Big, big, strong man.”
Yes, double bigs.
The 6-foot-3 Harrison gives new meaning to “350 pounds.”
“With ‘Snacks,’ you know, Damon has been a real force in the league,” Carroll said. “And he’s got a real special style—and it’s all big, and so strong and stout in the middle.”
Harrison will immediately help a Seattle defense that has lacked depth on its line and hasn’t really been tested inside in run defense yet this season.
Bryan Mone, a 2019 undrafted rookie, and recently signed Anthony Rush each played more than one-fourth of the snaps at tackle Sunday in the Seahawks’ win at Miami. Relatively undersized Poona Ford, another undrafted rookie last year, and Jarran Reed are the starting tackles.
No running back has rushed more than 14 times against Seattle in a game in 2020. Cook had 15 carries in the first half last weekend in Minnesota’s win at Houston.
Harrison could also help a needy Seahawks pass rush. He has 9 1/2 of his 11 career sacks since the start of his All-Pro season of 2016 with the New York Giants.
Wagner knows exactly how Harrison is going to help him in the middle of the defense. “Sbacks” is renowned for devouring offensive linemen before they can reach linebackers off the ball.
“I think he’s somebody that definitely (has to) be accounted for. You know, makes any linebacker’s job a lot easier,” Wagner said. “Because if you (as an offensive lineman) try to come up to me really fast, he’s able to get in the backfield and make plays.
“I’m excited to have him be on our team. Can’t wait until he’s out there.”
Will that be Sunday against NFL rushing leader Dalvin Cook and his Minnesota Vikings? Seattle sure could use his run-stuffing ability against Cook, who is coming off consecutive 100-yard games.
The Seahawks announced they signed Harrison to their practice squad. For now.
New league rules for 2020 allow teams to put players of any experience on the newly expanded, 16-man practice squad. Previously, only players with less than three seasons of service time could be on practice squads.
After he made his official free-agent visit Tuesday, Harrison decided to maximize his possible game checks for this season by signing with a 4-0 Seahawks team rather than take his scheduled visit Wednesday to the 4-0 Green Bay Packers. Green Bay is on it bye this week, and he couldn’t have signed with the Packers until next week. That’sbecause he would have had to pass the league’s six-day coronavirus testing protocol for newly signed players.
The Seahawks are using the practice squad as a stowaway place right now for Harrison. Should he prove fit to play Sunday night, he will be promoted to the active roster for the game against Minnesota.
“This is an opportunity to get them now and get him on the practice squad is to give him some chance to work and get ready and learn what we’re doing and see where you can fit in as soon as possible,” Carroll said.
“It’s an expanded roster in this new format, and we’re trying to take full advantage of that. ...
“Damon...he’s a he’s a player it’s got a big character and in the locker room, his attitude and personality that you add to the team is really special. So, whenever we can do that we’re trying to get better.
“Hopefully, he’ll be able to add in right now.”
Carroll didn’t answer if it’s realistic Harrison would be ready to play Sunday four days after signing, and 9 1/2 months since last playing, for the Detroit Lions.
The coach said he couldn’t answer that. Not yet.
“Let me see him on the practice field first,” Carroll said. “I don’t know. I’ll see what it looks like running around. Learning the defense, he’ll be he’ll be fine there. He’ll meet. He’s a really smart football player. That’s not going to be a problem.
“It’s just how fit he is and all that.
“He’s big man, you know.”
