Bill Belichick Hints at Bigger Role For Damien Harris In Year 2 With New England

The New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has been looking at a larger role for Damien Harris in his second year. The Patriots have been busy so far this off season, trying to fill in some spots. Last year was a bit of a disappointment for fans as they failed to even make the playoffs.

But this is going to be a very different team this year. NFL legend Tom Brady has finally left the Patriots, signing with Tampa Bay over the summer.

But it sounds like some unexpected pieces are making some waves during training camp. Running back Damien Harris is one of the players that looks to have a much bigger role in 2020.

Bill Belichick Hints at Bigger Role For Damien Harris In Year 2 With New England

Harris was drafted in 2019 as a third-round draft pick. He failed to do much of anything in his first year. He logged only five total offensive snaps and five on special teams as well. Even though he was mostly healthy, he did not do much of anything. His final stats was four carries with 12 yards and no catches.

That is expected to change a lot in 2020. Coach Bill Belichick explained what he has seen in training camp.

“Well, he had a lot of opportunity to work as the scout team running back (last season) and do the things that those players did, whether it be in the running game or the passing game,” Belichick said before training camp Wednesday.

“He’s a smart player, and he has a lot of skills that I think we’ll be able to utilize. He’s had an opportunity to get quite a few reps here in the work that we’ve done to this point, so I think that’s helped him, but he seems like he’s in good shape and ready to go. Looking forward to seeing him.”

Harris has also explained what he has been trying to do himself.

“That’s what I think is most important, coming in and showing that I can be dependable, I can be competitive, I can play the game at a high level,” Harris said. “Just want to come in here and improve every single day no matter what is asked of me, no matter what coaches need me to do, I’m going to do it to the best of my ability.”