Can Jerome Harrison be counted on to produce solid fantasy numbers?
The Browns gave Harrison a three-game audition as an every-down back to close the 2009 season. First time out, Harrison carried the ball 34 times for a franchise-record (and "franchise" includes Jim Brown, Leroy Kelly, Marion Motley), 286 yards and three touchdowns against the Chiefs. Then it was 39 carries for 148 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders. Finally, he recorded 33 carries for 127 yards and a touchdown against the Jaguars. Three-week totals: 106 carries, 561 yards, five touchdowns.
Not bad, kid. But don't call us, we'll call you.
Huh?
Harrison had to be wondering what a guy's got to do for a little job security when the Browns invested heavily in the running-back position in the offseason. First, they acquired Peyton Hillis, the Broncos' leading rusher on limited touches as a rookie in 2008, in the trade that sent erstwhile starting quarterback Brady Quinn to Denver. Then Cleveland moved up 12 spots in the 2010 draft to select Tennessee's Montario Hardesty in the second round.
The immediate inclination is to consider the 6-foot, 225-pound Hardesty's bruising power a change of pace to the 5-foot 9-inch, 205-pound Harrison's shifty running. But general manager Tom Heckert seemed to signal otherwise when he said that the Browns envision Hardesty as a feature back-though, he quickly added, "we'll see what happens."
"What happens" is the big wild card for Harrison's fantasy value. The most likely scenario involves some sort of a timeshare. The least likely is that Harrison keeps carrying the ball 30-plus times per week.
To be fair, the Browns' brass was certainly impressed by Harrison's closing burst in 2009. In fact, team president Mike Holmgren described his late-season contributions as "remarkable." But the offseason moves spoke louder than words. If the Browns don't believe Harrison can be an every-down back, neither should you.
And even if the learning curve proves too steep for Hardesty or his injury history catches up with him, Harrison's value takes a hit by the acquisition of Hillis. While he doesn't pose the same every-down threat to Harrison as Hardesty does, Hillis likely will see the short-yardage and goal-line work. With Hardesty in the picture, though, Hillis' value is negligible to start the season.
Bottom line: While Harrison proved last year that he can be an occasional fantasy contributor, he can't be counted on to produce solid fantasy numbers on a week-to-week basis.
