WR Taj Harris is returning

[SUFaninNJ]

 

[sutomcat]

I would like to think that a big reason for the awful start for the offense this start was that Sterlin did not have a chance to evaluate the players he had to work with during the spring and barely had a chance to see what they had to offer in the preseason.

So he went with what he thought was best and it turned out that approach was a really bad one. Got to think the disastrous series of injuries to the OL contributed to this as well.

I thought the quick passing game we saw late in the year was a return to the roots of the Baylor offensive scheme. It helps to mask the deficiencies of an OL that doesn’t pass block well and the emphasis on getting the ball out to the sidelines all the time helped to open up the middle for runs.

Maybe the biggest change was how often Sterlin targeted Taj. Mostly 5 yards or so past the LOS down a sideline, but sometimes on crossing routes. And some long passes here and there. You have to tailor your offense for what you have to work with and Sterlin finally started to do that late in the year. Hoping this is a harbinger of things to come.

If so, Taj could have a huge year in 2021. I think he has a great chance to break all the single season reception records for Syracuse. It could be a huge year for him. Might even see him voted first team All ACC preseason. When was the last time that happened for a player on the Syracuse offense? Pretty sure never.

 

[upperdeck]

Taj has 2 yrs left if he wants it too. He could in theory break all the SU records.

He is now 10th all time in yards and catches.

 

[upperdeck]

Also remember but uptick in arm strength with TD .. Some of these throws we saw late in the yr with Rex work better as the ball gets out quicker.. Even WR screens work better.

 

[Trueblue25]

Taj has every opportunity to have a monster season next year. Reminds me of a skinnier version of what we wanted Broyld to be

 

[Modern Coac]

Taj every opportunity to have a monster season next year. Reminds me of a skinnier version of what we wanted Broyld to be

Good news

 

[bigmike]

Glad he’s coming back. Taj is game and, despite his occasional drops, is slippery and elusive after the catch and determined to make plays. Looking forward to his continued improvement next year.

 

[JeremyCuse]

Biggest return so far, by far our best WR and our most dangerous bug play threat.

 

[EastCoast2]

This is huge news. Hands down our best WR, nobody else close. We need a huge year form him in 2021. He seems motivated to do so.

 

[RandomGuy]

Great news!

While many players considered opting out, but then changed their minds? I'm hopeful the rumored exodus has cooler heads prevailing, as well. I was worried he would try to make the jump to the NFL. Taj is smarter than that. He can make a bigger mark, next year. This is good for Cuse, and good for Taj. Bravo!

 

[PhatOrange]

I would like to think that a big reason for the awful start for the offense this start was that Sterlin did not have a chance to evaluate the players he had to work with during the spring and barely had a chance to see what they had to offer in the preseason.

So he went with what he thought was best and it turned out that approach was a really bad one. Got to think the disastrous series of injuries to the OL contributed to this as well.

I thought the quick passing game we saw late in the year was a return to the roots of the Baylor offensive scheme. It helps to mask the deficiencies of an OL that doesn’t pass block well and the emphasis on getting the ball out to the sidelines all the time helped to open up the middle for runs.

Maybe the biggest change was how often Sterlin targeted Taj. Mostly 5 yards or so past the LOS down a sideline, but sometimes on crossing routes. And some long passes here and there. You have to tailor your offense for what you have to work with and Sterlin finally started to do that late in the year. Hoping this is a harbinger of things to come.

If so, Taj could have a huge year in 2021. I think he has a great chance to break all the single season reception records for Syracuse. It could be a huge year for him. Might even see him voted first team All ACC preseason. When was the last time that happened for a player on the Syracuse offense? Pretty sure never.

yup the slants and passes across the middle started to utilize his strengths better and showcase his talent. I really hope they stick him in the slot full time. We need bigger stronger kids on the outside who don’t get muscled out of bounds. It seemed like Sterlin started to move the chess pieces around better as he learned their strengths and weaknesses.

 

[JRHEETER]

Alright, now we just need a BIG wr for the outside.

taj is the PERFECT slot receiver and could do damage on opposing defenses

 

[IthacaBarrel]

yup the slants and passes across the middle started to really utilize his strengths better and showcase his talent. I really hope they stick him in the slot full time. We need bigger stronger kids on the outside who don’t get muscled out of bounds. It seemed like Sterlin started to move the chess pieces around better as he learned their strengths and weaknesses.

agreed, he can be a huge asset in that role for sure

 

[McNabb2Brominski]

Good. Iffy and Rhino are two others that I think very impactful if they return.

 

[SoBristol]

I wonder about the excuse that Gilbert needed half the season to learn strengths and weaknesses. Babers spends 80% of his time with the offense. The offense is basically his design, he knows what he has. The prior OC (Lynch) remained with the staff, moving to RBs. Ferri and Lustig continued (receivers and TEs). These guys go over video and talk among themselves, right?

I suspect some of the adjustments made (slants and use of Queeley instead of deep to the sideline) were to accommodate Rex.

 

[All4SU]

Alright, now we just need a BIG wr for the outside.

taj is the PERFECT slot receiver and could do damage on opposing defenses

Hell! Let’s get TWO!

 

[money3189]

Good. Iffy and Rhino are two others that I think very impactful if they return.

Yes and Bear

 

[CA Monk]

He's an asset. Kinda slippery and exciting, if not exasperating at times. He can make something happen from nothing and occasionally vice-versa. If he keeps his head in the game, he'll be a contributing force and a difference maker. A complementary bigger and stronger counterpart would help - duh.

 

[JackBauer44]

I talked about this in my podcast this week. We need a big outside receiver to step up so Taj can be in the inside.

 

[Finwad32]

We ran quick game in the beginning of the season. We didn’t complete enough of them and didn’t sustain drives.

Its a great tool, but we’ve got to be efficient.

 

[Chip]

I talked about this in my podcast this week. We need a big outside receiver to step up so Taj can be in the inside.

Yeah, we're kind of all slot receivers now. It's getting harder and harder to imagine Hendrix ever being fully healthy. We need someone like Alford to be the player that reflects his offer list. If someone were available in the portal, and the numbers made sense, then you have to be aggressive.

 

[GoSU96]

Hell! Let’s get TWO!

there are four in this class if you count Morris. Hendrix and Alford can be that guy

 

[Orijinal]

I talked about this in my podcast this week. We need a big outside receiver to step up so Taj can be in the inside.

Hendrix/Alford?

Gadsden/Hatcher?

 

[Orijinal]

there are four in this class if you count Morris. Hendrix and Alford can be that guy

Ha! Beat me to it!

 

[Orijinal]

I want to add this:
Harris is much more than slippery. His slender frame betrays the fact that the guy is an oak tree. He doesn't go down on the first tug. Maybe it's low center of gravity

Harris has attitude problems, no doubt. I don't mind a little bit of the fire as long as he keeps himself out of trouble off the field. I hope he matures into next season

And I agree with what others have said. He is our best receiver, and there is a gap between him and number 2 ...Nyk Johnson. And Nyk can fly. And Queeley is just solid and dependable. We do not have a bad wide receiving core.