Fann: Shelby Harris has been a sensational addition for Seahawks defense

When you first heard that Russell Wilson had been traded, your preliminary thought was more likely to ask what number of first-round picks the Seahawks acquired from the Broncos.

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Once you learn the pair of first-round picks, the 2 second-rounders and the 2022 fifth-rounder, you’d have reached the trio of gamers Denver was sending to Seattle: quarterback Drew Lock, Noah Fant and defensive lineman . Shelby Harris.

Lock, as a younger quarterback who may compete for the beginning job in 2022 in opposition to Geno Smith, drew essentially the most consideration. Fant was the primary as a former first-round decide who continues to be solely 24 years outdated.

Harris was form of an afterthought. And that is no disrespect to what Harris had achieved throughout his first seven seasons within the NFL. He had been a regular inside linebacker for years who excelled in opposition to the run and posted 22.5 profession sacks as a go rusher.

But with most individuals (everybody?) anticipating Seattle to enter a probably multi-year rebuild, a 31-year-old defensive sort out would hardly be a constructing block for the longer term.

Now with the Seahawks at 5-3 and in first place within the NFC West as one of many league’s most stunning contenders, there is no arguing that Harris has been essentially the most impactful participant of the three acquired within the blockbuster commerce with Denver.

Harris has recorded 20 tackles, three tackles for loss, two passes defensed, three quarterback hits, one sack and 15 whole pressures in seven video games this season. His game-tying shot got here throughout the fourth quarter of final Sunday’s win over the Giants. New York confronted third-and-9 with 8:30 left to play, trailing 20-13.

Daniel Jones, the quarterback with the third-fastest dashing yards this season, scampered to his proper to attempt to scramble for a first down. Harris ran down the sideline and hit Jones in entrance of the road for the win. Had Harris misplaced, Jones would have certainly gone down first and most probably a lot extra. It was a game-winning, most effort that epitomized what Harris has meant to Seattle’s defense. He’s been a key cog within the drastic turnaround for a group that went from backside of the league to the most effective within the NFL over the previous three weeks.

BIG MAN STOP! Shelby Harris retains the Giants from shifting down the sphere and the 12’s adore it.

📺: #NYGvsSEA on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/E4IpTg1hqp pic.twitter.com/yAX0wE9HCy

— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2022

Pro Football Focus has given Harris a 69.7 grade on 254 snaps this season, good for the fifth-best on Seattle’s defense.

Beyond his defensive manufacturing, Harris has been a welcome veteran addition to the locker room, who hasn’t masked his feelings or his phrases since arriving within the Pacific Northwest.

You’ll keep in mind his spirited interview after the Seahawks beat the Broncos in Week 1 at Lumen Field in a sport that featured two goal-line stops by Harris and the defense.

“This is what happens when you trade one of your D-lineman to the other team,” Harris told NFL Network’s James Palmer after beating his former crew. “We sit here and put on a show, all of us.”

He ended the dialog on the bottom with a fast jab on the man he was traded for.

“All I have to say is ‘Let’s ride,'” Harris stated, referring in fact to Wilson’s notorious tag.

Expectations in Seattle have shifted from rebuilding to profitable now given a 5-3 begin coupled with mediocrity surrounding them all through the NFC. Harris has but to play within the postseason, and he he made it clear to FOX13 after the Week 8 win over the Giants.

“This is the best record I’ve ever had in my career,” Harris stated. “I’ll be damned if I let this go to waste.”

Staying true to kind, Harris signed off with a message to critics who wrote Seattle off earlier than the season began.

“Write us if you want, we’ll come and punch you in the face,” he pointedly informed FOX 13.

For all of the feel-good tales inside Seattle’s locker room proper now — Geno Smith, the success of the rookie class and Pete Carroll main the best way for head coach of the yr amongst them — Harris’ contributions are definitely on the listing.

He has been a useful member of the crew’s early season success, and the Seahawks will want his continued productiveness with the intention to keep within the playoff image. Selfishly, I hope the colourful quotes hold coming too.

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