Justin Harper

[flynismo]

So, since no one started a Marshall or Boldin thread all week, thought I'd take a moment to talk about my new main man fiddygrand Justin Harper.

I'm not quite sure what to make of this kid just yet. All throughout TC we've heard that he's been catching most everything coming his way. He's shown flashes of potential through the first two weeks of pre-season as well.

From the limited action I've seen of him; here are my observations (please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong; as I said, I haven't seen a whole lot of this guy):

1) Seems to have very solid hands and good technique; but an occasional lack of concentration.
2) Very good size and physique.
3) Useable acceleration, not a lot of top speed.
4) Seems to have solid football smarts and a good grasp of the fundamentals.

I think a great comparison would be Jerricho Cotchery of NYJ, at least as far as style of play and measurables are concerned.

While I seriously doubt he'll ever become a gamebreaker, or maybe not even a true #1, he does look like a keeper, at least so far.

Any opinions on him?

[Alexir]

He runs amazing routes and can get open a lot. He is great for a jump ball. But I can't say he has solid hands, he may have looked that way last night but he has been making some easy drops at training camp and during the redskins game. He will definitely make the team though.

[berad]

He's a work in progress because of his inconsistent hands, concentration, and [i](sometimes)[/i] effort. That said, he has tremendous potential and has all the skills to be a top-tier receiver. Now, with Marcus Smith sidelined, he should get more attention from the coaches and hopefully develop his talent into production for us.

[Runnin Raven]

I agree with what others have said. Potential to be very productive but has been known to lack consistency. Last night showed me good progress, unless I missed something. If we're not dealing for a big name wideout then he's gonna be one of the guys we throw out there. Right now I'm feeling pretty optimistic about him.

[RoflDogs]

Something I want to see more from him is physicality, he should be going over the middle and getting YAC for a dude with his size

[lowrider]

Harper and Williams have the frame and talent. They just need to step it up. We need them to play well this year and be our future.

[Ravensfan23]

Harp is a good route runner that will only get better. I want to say he has good hands, but he is too inconsistent so I'll say he has soft hands.

If you put this guy on the field in the redzone he will score some points this year.

Harper made good progression from game one to game two. Now he has to be able to go through a regular practice where he won't be as involved as he was in trianing camp, work hard, then come out Saturday and prove he can be consistent.

The starters should play 2 1/2-3 quarters Saturday and I would like to see him get some work with Flacco. Maybe a couple of 4 Wide sets from Cam. Mason, William, Washington and Harper with Rice in the backfield. I think that would be nice

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

At least he can work on his hands. You can't train the physicality or instinctive abilities he has; whatsmore he is a young prospect. I'm excited to see what he can do for us this season.

Marshall who? We got Mason, Clayton, Washington and the up and comer, Harper

[TSizzle00]

well he was drafted in the 7th round so if he does not pan out he cant really be considered a bust lol

[JEEPercreepermd]

I'm happy with what Harper has shown so far. That being said, it can take a few seasons for a WR to fully develop fully and be productive. I think he deserves a roster spot, I don't think he will see very much time this season but hopefully he continues to improve and can compete for a top 3 spot next year

P.S. I know this is off topic slightly but didn't Mason look like he had some suprising speed monday night?

[bce086]

[quote name='JEEPercreepermd' date='26 August 2009 - 09:28 AM' timestamp='1251293303' post='224776']
I'm happy with what Harper has shown so far. That being said, it can take a few seasons for a WR to fully develop fully and be productive. I think he deserves a roster spot, I don't think he will see very much time this season but hopefully he continues to improve and can compete for a top 3 spot next year

P.S. I know this is off topic slightly but didn't Mason look like he had some suprising speed monday night?
[/quote]

He was able to pump BOTH of his arms comfortably while sprinting down the field this year

But no, you're right, Mason came bang in full-stride without missing a beat. Mason is a soldier and a half.

[TSizzle00]

[quote name='JEEPercreepermd' date='26 August 2009 - 09:28 AM' timestamp='1251293303' post='224776']
I'm happy with what Harper has shown so far. That being said, it can take a few seasons for a WR to fully develop fully and be productive. I think he deserves a roster spot, I don't think he will see very much time this season but hopefully he continues to improve and can compete for a top 3 spot next year

P.S. I know this is off topic slightly but didn't Mason look like he had some suprising speed monday night?
[/quote]

That was a good double move but Jets fans say that was a dime back so dont look to much into it.

[BuckWilds]

I'm curious who is mentoring Harper. Logically, you'd think Mason is, but from their interviews they don't seem like they'd be the 'Master/Padawan' pair you'd hope for Harper's sake.



Edit: And yes, I just Star Wars'ed you.

[ravensgirlx88]

Harper reminds me of Mcgahee. Seemingly Inconsistent. Dropping balls in games is UNACCEPTABLE. He looked GREAT at camp. But I think Kelly Washington is really stepping up. I dont think we can really judge any players though until we see them in regular season game situations.

[REEDrulesall]

I'm happy with Kelley Washington, the guy will catch pretty much everything going over the middle. I just wish he had caught that tough pass from Flacco in the end zone, then I'd really be excited. If Harper works on those hands,which certainly looked better against the Jets than the Deadskins, he may have a bright future ahead of him. Derrick Mason as a Jedi would be totally awesome

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='TSizzle00' date='26 August 2009 - 09:40 AM' timestamp='1251294016' post='224782']
That was a good double move but Jets fans say that was a dime back so dont look to much into it.
[/quote]

See this is my problem with that arguement. Jets or Ravens fans can say, oh he beat a Dimeback it's not a big deal. But the way i see it is, if Harper sees the field in the regular season. He will probably not be Flacco's number 1 option. It is very likely that he will be lined up against Dimeback and a Safety.

That's just like our situation. People can say, oh Frank Walker getting beat doesn't matter because he is only a Dimeback. But that Dime back was our starting CB in the AFC Championship game.

So i give Harp all the credit for not only beating the defender with the double move, but running a good enough route to give his QB the room to fit the ball down the sideline and not throw it out of bounds.

If he is given the chance to get on the field his year, he will rarely line up against teams top CBs. It's like Figurs cacthing that long TD last year. He didn't beat the Top CBs on that defense, he just ran through the zone and was open.

[JEEPercreepermd]

Let's give Harper some time here. He is still young and inexperienced, very few WR's have a huge impact this early in their career. It takes time for a WR to develop all of the skills necessary to be productive. It takes time to go from focusing on knowing the Offense,and just the basics of running routes and catching the ball to already knowing what you need to do and focusing on reading the defense. He already runs great routes, right now he is a good raw young talent he just needs to be refined and that takes time. Now if he's dopping passes next pre-season then there can be cause for worry but for now let's just wait and hope for the best.

[SackinU]

Harper is pretty good, like this thread, good, not great, heh

[JoeFlax]

[quote name='Zhamtao' date='26 August 2009 - 09:41 AM' timestamp='1251294075' post='224783']
I'm curious who is mentoring Harper. Logically, you'd think Mason is, but from their interviews they don't seem like they'd be the 'Master/Padawan' pair you'd hope for Harper's sake.



Edit: And yes, I just Star Wars'ed you.
[/quote]
I read in Baltimore Sun a few weeks back Clayton's been mentoring him

[tweety]

Harper 51 yards against the Jets

1:40
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxrWENPjFz4
He is FAST!!

[kash96ravenstotalfan]

I saw Harper at training camp this year and was really impressed with his size and route running ability. He was inconsistent, dropped a number of easy passes, but made some great catches. I wonder if that was due to lack of focus. I think he has a great deal of potential, but needs some work. Hope he makes the team.

[ravensgirlx88]

[quote name='kash96ravenstotalfan' date='26 August 2009 - 07:09 PM' timestamp='1251328174' post='225121']
I saw Harper at training camp this year and was really impressed with his size and route running ability. He was inconsistent, dropped a number of easy passes, but made some great catches. I wonder if that was due to lack of focus. I think he has a great deal of potential, but needs some work. Hope he makes the team.
[/quote]

He's so up and down. I think it'd be good to sign him for one season and see how he works out. At this point we need all the WR help we can get.