Rod Harper Deserves Debut

by Dave Cariello on Sep 26, 2009 6:00 AM CDT

It was just a few weeks ago when Saints fans were being dazzled by the exciting punt return touchdowns and nifty catches being made by undrafted free agent and former arena football player, Rod Harper, during the pre-season. He was the talk of training camp. But since the regular season has started, Saints fans have seen nothing from Harper other than his pacing up and down the sideline, football in tow.

To be honest, the Saints have been fortunate enough not to need the extra play making ability that Harper seems primed to bring; the points have flowed freely. But with Lance Moore officially listed as "out" for this weekends battle in Buffalo, now is as good a time as any for Harper to make his regular season NFL debut and show the rest of the league, not just well-informed Saints followers, what he can do.

So will this week be a key part of the continuing Cinderella story that is Rod Harper's career? If so, will he be just a punt returner or will Payton incorporate him into the offense as well? And with Roman Harper also on the roster, will the equipment staff need to put Rod's full first name on the back of his jersey to differentiate the two players? Questions abound on the eve before game day.

Be sure to check back later for my "Saints @ Bills: What to Watch" post which will wrap everything up before the big game.

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Yeah Baby,

suit him up

"Indecision may or may not be my biggest problem" - Jimmy Buffet

by Philinwood on Sep 26, 2009 7:22 AM CDT reply actions

Would Rod run 20 yards backwards like Reggie does on punt returns? Probably not.

by jeremy_smith on Sep 26, 2009 10:28 AM CDT reply actions

and I'm beginning to think that Lance

may suffer a fate similar to Jamar Nesbit in that there may not be a starting position for him when he finally heals…

Smell Greatness

by Hans Petersen on Sep 26, 2009 12:10 PM CDT reply actions

and I'm not sure how I feel about that

Smell Greatness

by Hans Petersen on Sep 26, 2009 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Lance will have a job this year. But what about next year? Will we have too many skill players to keep happy? We have 5 WR’s that could be a legit #1 for any team in the NFL. With Mike Bell’s resurgence, will we be able to keep 4 RB’s on the roster?

by jeremy_smith on Sep 26, 2009 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions

4 RBs, almost for sure. May not be these four but there will be four. Payton knows by now that he needs depth there too badly.

But keeping all 5 of the WR might not be an option unfortunately. I kind of hope I’m wrong, but we’ll just have to see.

by FriarBob on Sep 26, 2009 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions

The Saints should have players

who play both sides of the ball!

Wanna say something? Sign up! It's free!

by Dave Cariello on Sep 26, 2009 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions

like

How Devin Hester used to be? Yeah i agree.

by LocoSaint on Sep 26, 2009 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions

except

devin hester was a horrible cornerback

by knucklesmalone on Sep 27, 2009 3:26 AM CDT up reply actions

The Saints have one ace in the hole when it comes to keeping wide receivers

He’s called Drew Brees. If I were a receiver, I’d be willing to take a significant pay cut in order to start for a team that had Drew Brees throwing to me. Who wants an extra million to play for Oakland? Bleeehhh…

Super Bowl 44: "If you play in this league and it's not your goal, there's something wrong with you." -- Marques Colston

by MtnExile on Sep 26, 2009 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs

Very good point

by FriarBob on Sep 27, 2009 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree with Jeremy

let Harper return punts, he earned it in the preseason, and Reggie has not been effective with his sideways running.

by kssaints on Sep 26, 2009 3:13 PM CDT reply actions

I’d love to keep Reggie next year, but with our RB depth, I’d almost rather his money go to increased defensive depth. If we have to trade Reggie, do we sign PJ Hill and use the money for some LB depth? DE depth?

by jeremy_smith on Sep 26, 2009 3:22 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

yeah I’m wondering as well if Reggie is becoming expendable. I’ve never been a Reggie hater, and undoubtedly he will make a few spectacular plays this year, but is he worth the money? If Harper can be our return guy, that’s just one more area where he will not be needed. There is always the “decoy” argument, that defenses have to account for him, but with our weapons I’m not sure that is really necessary either. I wonder what kind of trade we could get in the offseason…maybe a good, young, impact defensive player at LB like you suggested.

by kssaints on Sep 26, 2009 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions

At the same time, I’d miss Reggie. He has done so much for this city. I’d be happy if we used Bell and Thomas as a replacement for a Deuce-type which will allow us to use Reggie in his ’06 role.

by jeremy_smith on Sep 26, 2009 4:58 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I'd love to see what Harper can do with it.

by SaintsFan-KS on Sep 26, 2009 5:01 PM CDT reply actions

i'd like to see harper taking back kickoffs

Superbowl bound!!!...I know! do you?! Go Saints!!

by skinnykinney on Sep 26, 2009 8:29 PM CDT reply actions

damn Peyton

he doesn’t want anyone to return punts except for Bush because then he will have no reason to keep Regina Bush. Only way another player returns punts is WHEN Bush is hurt… again

by J Rock on Sep 26, 2009 9:35 PM CDT reply actions

Harper in the slot

I think Harper may occasionally line up in the slot tomorrow, and possibly outside. With his speed, I wouldn’t be surprised to see an end around or even reverse handed off from Reggie. He’ll probably be the #2 kick returner next to Roby as well, since he’s got decent size and should be able to provide blocks and catch the shorter kicks.

by HB-NOLA on Sep 26, 2009 9:46 PM CDT reply actions