Attyla the Hawk":tu1mu8cl said:Couple things
1. He's not slow. He's actually pretty fast. Faster than DeAndre Hopkins and a whole slew of others. His quickness is actually very good. Comparable to Steadman Bailey/Quinton Patton. In fact by measurables, he's pretty indistinguishable from Patton in speed/explosion/agility. Except he is on another plane as far as physicality goes.
2. His route running is generally poor. The fact that he doesn't produce consistent separation can be partially remedied by just becoming better at his craft.
3. He has good tools. Good hands. Catches contested balls. Extends from his frame. Has 'World Theory' bulk and speed. He gives up a lot in height to a guy like Justin Hunter. But that guy plays physically like a 5'8" sissy. Harper plays like a man with a pair. Angry. Violent. Aggressive.
4. Seattle understands that these guys aren't as good as they WILL be. Harper has a lot of fight. A lot of tools to work with. And a reasonable expectation that he will continue to master his craft. You can become a better technician. But if you don't have the God given physical tools and equally the mindset to match -- those are things that can't be 'coached up'.
Harper is going to be a better pro than he was a collegian. Of that I have no doubt. This guys is going to grow and if he grows sufficiently well, he'll be Rice's successor.
Most seem to think Michael is this explosive home run hitter with exceptional size, meanwhile It's been bandied about around here that Harper isn't particularly fast.
The fact is both ran virtually identical 40 times at the combine. Michael's official time was 4.54, Harper= 4.55
Infact Harper is a pretty explosive athlete in his own right.
Harper= 20 reps @ 225, 4.55=40 time, 35.5" = vert, 116" broadjump, 6.89= 3-cone, 4.39= 20 yd shuttle
Michael= 27 reps @ 225, 4.54= 40 time, 43" =vert, 125" broadjump, 6.69= 3-cone, 4.02= 20 yd shuttle
I think both will have an impact this year.