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Green Bay Packers: Making sense of RB Alonzo Harris

By Keegan Matheson

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The Green Bay Packers’ decision to roster undrafted rookie running back Alonzo Harris over Rajion Neal and John Crockett was the surprise of cutdown day. Neal had run as the third-string back for much of the offseason while Crockett’s dynamic skill set offered the Green Bay Packers potential on all three downs, but now that the dust has settled, we’re beginning to see the logic behind Harris.

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Standing 6’1″, 237 pounds, the University of Louisiana Lafayette product is a physical hybrid of Eddie Lacy and James Starks, with his long frame still capable of holding added weight as he matures professionally. Many had expected the Packers to value a different style of back than Lacy with their third-string job, most likely one who could work as a receiver out of the backfield. Instead, Harris’ presence suggests that Green Bay is committing to the power run in all possible scenarios.

With 44 career college touchdowns and 3,330 yards, Harris is the type of no-nonsense back that could quite easily stay afloat in the Packers running scheme. While he’s an unlikely candidate to break off a 20-yard gash, he should be a reliable source of two-to-five yards when the blocks appear in front of him. As Green Bay looks to keep Eddie Lacy fresh for a playoff run, this could earn Harris some garbage time touches.

Oct 15, 2013; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns running back Alonzo Harris (46) rushes against Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defensive back Arius Wright (21) and defensive back Cam Thomas (19) during the second half at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Louisiana-Lafayette won 37-20. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

If 2015 goes anything like last season, the Packers will find themselves with a handful of comfortable leads late in games. Instead of tacking unnecessary carries onto Lacy or Starks, coach Clements and coach McCarthy may choose to ease in Harris with games out of reach, whose style could lend itself very well to chewing up play clocks.

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While Harris was clearly the least dynamic and experienced receiver of the three backs in training camp, it seems we gave too much value to that factor. Lacy proved in 2014 with his 42 receptions that he is more than capable of handling basic pass-catching duties, and when the point in a game comes that Harris will be seeing the field, it’s likely that the aerial attack has already been scaled back for the night.

When a situation arises where the Packers do need a make-him-miss weapon out of the backfield, they still have the option of turning to Randall Cobb or rookie Ty Montgomery. This is a strategy Green Bay has experimented with in the past on the rare occasion that their offense sputters, and with both players there exists the potential to surprise defenses with a traditional handoff or end-around play.

Keep in mind, too, that James Starks is set to walk in free agency next offseason. I’d mentioned earlier in training camp that Green Bay may choose the back that they believe is likeliest to grow into a primary backup for 2016, and if Harris can develop a similar playing style to that of Lacy between the tackles, he becomes the obvious favorite to earn the job.

Harris will work within a very defined role barring any injuries ahead of him, a role that may seem inconsequential throughout the early stages of the season. If he is able to steal bruises from Lacy and find the yards that are blocked for him, though, Packers fans may soon become familiar with the rumbling rookie.

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