Harper is a Solid Signing

[SgtJoo]

Harper on a conference call now. Says he's excited about being a Panther. His first jersey was a Tim Biakabutuka jersey.

 

 

Luke Kuechly called Harper the other day. Harper: “I was kind of starstruck. I was like, I know who you are!”

 

 

Roman Harper will wear the No. 41 that Captain Munnerlyn wore for #Panthers.

 

 

[cultclassiccat]

okay fug me sideways.. i might not hate him quite as much now

[SgtJoo]

Harper on going to Panthers over other team: I didn’t want to be cold and losing and making more money and miserable.

 

 

He also said his mind was blown when he heard Steve Smith would not be in Carolina anymore.

 

 

[Mr. Scot]

Probably also a little relieved :lol:

[rodeo]

I think he knew at this stage in his career Rivera is going to get twice as much out of him as any other coach or DC.

[Big A]

I think he knew at this stage in his career Rivera is going to get twice as much out of him as any other coach or DC.

Yeah Ryan is a pretty terrible DC that has trouble getting the best out of players. I'll be surprised if Saints retain him as DC.

[rodeo]

Yeah Ryan is a pretty terrible DC that has trouble getting the best out of players. I'll be surprised if Saints retain him as DC.

 

Compared to Ron Rivera, Ryan is garbage.

[therealmjl]

I think many are going to be pleasantly surprised as to what Harper brings at the SS position. McDermott/Rivera will bring out the best in him.

I was unaware about him leading DBs in sacks since entering the league...makes sense why he was brought in now. McDermott loves to blitz DBs, and is damn effective at it.

[Big A]

I think many are going to be pleasantly surprised as to what Harper brings at the SS position. McDermott/Rivera will bring out the best in him.

I was unaware about him leading DBs in sacks since entering the league...makes sense why he was brought in now. McDermott loves to blitz DBs, and is damn effective at it.

Harper has blitzed 102 times over past two years and recorded 0 sacks.

[rodeo]

Harper has blitzed 102 times over past two years and recorded 0 sacks.

 

Blitzed out of an inferior scheme behind an inferior line. We're talking about the #2 (barely) defense in the league with the most sacks in the league. Not your "Rob Ryan was finally ranked higher than 26" defense.

[saints4life25]

Blitzed out of an inferior scheme behind an inferior line. We're talking about the #2 (barely) defense in the league with the most sacks in the league. Not your "Rob Ryan was finally ranked higher than 26" defense.

This quote is laughable considering the Saints were #4 in the league in total defense and #4 in sacks. You're probably right though, there's so much of a difference between the #2 spot and the #4 spot that it's going to change everything with Harper.

Rivera makes Ryan look like garbage? Do you realize that Ryan took the worst defense in the history of the league to a top 5 defense? Without a major influx of talent. Rivera is an amazing defensive mind and so is Ryan. I don't understand why fans of other teams try to discredit one to build up another.

[Big A]

Blitzed out of an inferior scheme behind an inferior line. We're talking about the #2 (barely) defense in the league with the most sacks in the league. Not your "Rob Ryan was finally ranked higher than 26" defense.

Saints started last year without most of the guys that were going to be key in turnaround (Butler, Vilma, and Smith). Ryan also inherited worst defense in history of NFL, yet finished 4th, Panthers finished 2nd led by same key guys ( Kuechly, Johnson, Hardy, Davis)

Saints defense change, 2012 grade -93 to 2013 grade +41. Harper in 2012 -18.2 and 87 out of 88 graded safeties, 2013 grade -3.2 and 54th ranked, a 15 grade point improvement and one of his best recent years (2011 -11.6)

Grades from '09 to present:

+7.9, +3.8, -11.6, -18.2, -3.2

That looks like Ryan got the best out of a declining player!

You also say there is a big difference in Dline? Football outsiders is pretty respected and they rank Carolina 2nd and NO 4th in pass, and Carolina 9th and NO 14th against run.

Slightly better line, slightly better defense, not exactly the great divide you suggest. Actually the Dline performed better as the season went on and guys learned new scheme and guys that underperformed like Martez Wilson were eventually cut and replaced.

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/dl

[saints4life25]

As far as Harper goes I was never one that really hated him. In his younger days I thought he was one of the most under rated safeties in football. In the box I don't think there was anyone better for a few years. He's still a somewhat solid run defender but his lack of speed and stiffness in his hips just really keep him from the level he use to play at.

As far as coverage, he was never great. The most infuriating thing is his coverage would almost always (sometimes he'd get straight burned) be decent. He just has absolutely no ball skills. He can have blanket coverage on someone and the pass will still be completed beause he never gets his head around and locates the ball. He gets plenty of PI calls that way.

Anyway I guess I'll say he's a decent in the box safety at this point in his career. If a back gets him out in space and is 1 on 1 it's over though. But he's smart and a decent tackler. I can't say I won't hope he has to cover Graham a few times a game though. He really is horrible in coverage. But he fills a need and is a cheap stop gap!

[TANTRIC-NINJA]

Being that the Saints and the Falcons utilize a pass heavy offense..whatever Harper's "in the box" value is...the division will dictate coverage heavy defense.

So this signing is again..perplexing..at this stage of free agency..at the amount we paid him.

1year Vet min...ok.

2years for 4.5 million with a 1.5 million signing bonus? WTF? Ok dead horse getting beat here..