Packers: How addition of Damon Harrison improves defense
By Parker Moes
How Damon Harrison helps the Packers defense.
Per Albert Breer of The MMQB, the Green Bay Packers have claimed former Seahawks and Lions defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison off of waivers from Seattle.
The move comes just a month after Green Bay failed to sign him from the Seahawks’ practice squad, as well as a failed an attempt at a potential contract in the offseason, per Packer Report’s Ross Uglem.
Let’s take a look at how this addition can help solidify the Packers‘ defensive line as well as their defense as a whole.
Reason #1: Harrison can help take pressure off of Kenny Clark
Kenny Clark, a star player for Green Bay on the front lines of their defense, requires double- and even triple-teaming by the opponent’s offensive line.
Having Harrison as a second option would lessen the pressure on Clark and open up free rushing opportunities for him. It would also improve on Green Bay’s already impressive pass-rushing ability in the last eight weeks of the season.
As it stands now, Green Bay has the seventh overall defense in the NFL, which is a far cry from where they started at the beginning of the season.
Reason #2: Harrison helps solidify the Packers’ defense
As noted, Green Bay’s defense has drastically improved in the last eight games. Adding Harrison to an already-improved defense overall helps solidify it prior to a potentially deep postseason run.
Harrison adds yet another big-bodied defensive lineman for opposing offensive lines to try to neutralize — which won’t be easy in the brutal cold of Lambeau Field in late January.
Reason #3: Packers secondary will be less reliant on turnovers
This will in turn also improve the pass rush as a whole as well as lessen the pressure on the secondary to have to force turnovers to win games for them.
The Packers’ defense is giving up 23.5 PPG (15th), 332.5 YPG (seventh), and 113.4 RYPG (14th). If they can continue to improve heading into the postseason, Green Bay likely could be representing the NFC in Tampa on February 7.
This was a great move by GM Brian Gutekunst to nab Harrison before the postseason begins. He adds a big-bodied run-stuffer across from Kenny Clark — of which Green Bay’s defense has so desperately needed.