jeanpierre

Sean Payton explains CB De'vante Harris' lack of defensive snaps

By Herbie Teope, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
on September 28, 2016 at 12:26 PM, updated September 28, 2016 at 9:38 PM

New Orleans Saints rookie cornerback De'Vante Harris experienced a decreased role in Monday night's loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

After totaling 90 defensive snaps the first two games (60 in Week 1, 30 in Week 2), the 5-11, 190-pound Harris didn't see action on defense in Week 3.

Instead, the Saints leaned on B.W. Webb, who recorded 20 defensive snaps, to play outside and shifted Sterling Moore to the nickel position, where Harris often lined up.

"We like the progress of Harris," coach Sean Payton said of Harris during Wednesday morning's conference call. "We feel like he's a young, talented player, and, yet, there are some experience factors that go into that."

Webb, who signed a free-agent deal on Sept. 13, was inactive in Week 2 and Payton said he wanted to get the fourth-year pro involved against the Falcons. The 5-11, 190-pound Webb finished the contest recording a tackle, while also contributing six snaps on special teams.

The 5-10, 202-pound Moore lined up outside in the 4-3 base defense, but moved inside when the Saints deployed the nickel package with Webb outside. Moore finished the game with two tackles and a pass defensed.

Payton was quick to indicate the Saints have not lost confidence in Harris, and Webb's insertion was based on what the Falcons like to do on offense.

"We got a young, young corner who we think plays the nickel and we think plays it pretty well," Payton said. "And, yet, we felt this past week, putting Webb outside, and then moving Sterling inside – it's a team that runs the ball and Sterling's stature and size playing that nickel is, I think, a little bit bigger than where Harris is."

While Harris didn't see action on defense, he played on 17 special teams snaps, including having the dubious distinction of running into teammate Tommylee Lewis during a punt return in the first quarter.

Harris then attempted to field the punt, but muffed the ball, which Atlanta recovered at the Saints' 11-yard line.

"That's a young mistake," Payton said. "It was costly and there's really no excuse for it."

The Falcons scored a touchdown three plays later to tie the game at 7-7, and went on to produced 217 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 31 attempts in the 45-32 win.

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

K Major

Unfortunately for Harris, that blunder was a huge momentum swing in the ball game.

Cruize

Moore needs to be on the #1 WR and then let everything else fall from there. Moving inside and outside is out-thinking yourself. Moore on the #1, Crawley on the #2, and go from there. Make it simple for the young guys. Not harder.

ChrisXVI

He's still learning how to play in the slot so I can cut him some slack there... But it sure hasn't been pretty. I'd like him to spend some time on the practice squad and call up Brian Dixon to take his spot on special teams.

saintshrimp

Harris don't wanna tackle anyone if you have watched him he can't tackle

ChrisXVI

Unless it's Tommylee Lewis!

jeanpierre

Harris would be snatched up in a New York minute; he needs to play to get better; this practice, practice, practice play in Year 3 crap is Mora regression thinking; let the other teams develop players, put 'em on the field and let play, gain experience, improve - if they don't, find their replacement...

Harris was doing fine, didn't see the need to f*** with it; but I'd also didn't see the need to bring in castoff Webb when Dixon was there on our squad, has been a special teams standout, and clearly isn't the problem in coverage when passers have 4 seconds or more to throw...

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

blackangold

Why should anyone trust Sean Payton when it comes to defense?
Might as well let my 4 year old make decisions for our defense, she can't do any worse.

jeanpierre

If the punt debacle is going to be used against Harris, then just spare everyone the agony and cut him; or let him learn from it and get him back on the field...

Cruize

Amazing what happens when the defense attacks. When DB's cover receivers instead of turf. NO MORE ZONE! If you go down, go down singing.