Cory's Corner: 'Snacks' Gives Packers Missing Ingredient
Harrison is exactly what the Packers need to own the line of scrimmage.
The Packers went 13-3 last year and are a whisper away from the same finish this year.
But Green Bay closed out last season ranked 23rd vs. the run. The Packers are currently ranked 14th against the run, which is an improvement, however, they have been gashed for over 120 yards seven times.
That's where Damon "Snacks" Harrison comes in. The 32-year-old defensive tackle was claimed off waivers by the Packers on Thursday and could see action on Sunday afternoon when the Packers take on the Bears in Chicago. From 2013-2018, he was an elite run stuffer with 34 tackles for loss.
"He's going to be a guy who I think can give us a lot in terms of playing the nose," said Packers coach Matt LaFleur on Thursday. "He's a really good run defender and he has been for a really long time. Just excited to get him in the building."
Expecting Harrison to play like an elite defender is a lot to ask. In six games this year, he has played above average and has shown some impressive flashes. But the most important thing Harrison adds is depth. Montravius Adams was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 25 with a toe injury. Kenny Clark is one of the most underrated defensive lineman in the NFL by putting up plenty of production, despite consistently seeing double teams. Harrison's presence should allow some things to open for Clark.
"(I'm) glad that he's here and I get a chance to learn from him," Clark said on Thursday. "He's been a guy that's been playing at a high level since he entered the league and been one of the best nose tackles to play. So, excited to get a chance to talk to him, pick his brain and play with him."
For anyone that thinks this addition isn't a big deal, the line of scrimmage is stressed even more in the postseason. The Packers couldn't win the line and ultimately got torched on the ground to the tune of 285 yards in last year's NFC Championship Game.
The one thing this team was missing was an edge. You can have talent, you can have experience, but when it comes to the defensive side of the ball, you really need some nastiness. Harrison is the consummate leader that has respect in this league. Harrison only has one career playoff game — oddly enough vs. the Packers in a 2017 NFC Wild Card Game — and he knows the best way to put a stamp on his legacy is by getting fitted for a championship ring.
The Packers have all the ingredients for a Super Bowl run. Now all they have to do is take care of Week 17.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (76)
Hematite
January 02, 2021 at 06:29 am
I have to doubt that "Snacks" sees much of the field against da Bears on Sunday.
dobber
January 02, 2021 at 06:34 am
I think he plays 10-15 snaps--maybe even more--on Sunday. That's about what Brian Price saw v. Tennessee after being plucked off the wire the week before their game, and with Keke out there's a lot of snaps to be picked up.
Guam
January 02, 2021 at 07:47 am
Spot on Dobber. With Adams gone and Rush unable to even get to the active list, the only reserve DL's the Packers have are Price and Harrison. Harrison will see some playing time. How much will depend on how well he plays, but there is certainly potential for a lot.
Coldworld
January 02, 2021 at 08:43 am
Rush was ill last game so they used Price ... for 9 snaps ... in the heaviest line day under Pettine. Yes, Keke played more and us not available, but Lancaster is more comparable. Neither Snacks nor Lancaster are really comparable with the under 300 pound Keke, so while Snacks may play more than Price did (effectively) last week, on past tendencies, Lowry gets more snaps too.
Perhaps Snacks is still noticeably better than Price/Rush/Lancaster. Actually though Price and Lancaster, as used last weekend, were effective. Assuming Rush is healthy, he actually has some upside.
I’d love to be wrong, and LaFleur seems excited, so perhaps Pettine has a plan. If Snacks is what it takes to get Pettine excited by a run stuffing specialist, I guess that would in fact make it this signing well worth while.
Since'61
January 02, 2021 at 10:29 am
We should keep in mind that Snacks had played for the Lions so he has some experience playing against the Bears. Beyond that he has played his entire career in the NFC and has probably faced all of the OLs we can expect to face during the playoffs.
Plus he brings some of the nasty ingredient that our defense has been sorely lacking. He can still make plays
We should note that Reggie White was 32 years old when he was signed by the Packers in 1993. I’m not putting Snacks in the same category as Reggie White but with hopefully no more than 4 games left to play Snacks can still be effective for us. Thanks, Since ‘61
Coldworld
January 02, 2021 at 10:51 am
Reggie did not have the history Snacks does in terms of physical issues and was so much more of an athlete. Snacks was a UDFA who became a pro bowler on merit. Four years later he’s not been the same physically. I’d be as happy as anyone if he has a sudden revival. He can still stop the run if we use him. But whether he makes an impact is yet to be seen. Part of that is seeing if Pettine uses him in ways he has not used other DTs.
PeteK
January 02, 2021 at 11:35 am
Different type of player, but surprised he was that old, I would have guessed 28.
jannesbjornson
January 02, 2021 at 12:45 pm
They're not playing patty-cake. Harrison and Lancaster are pure NTs. Good inside rotation now, letting Kenny move from 2 to 5 tech. As Dobber noted , Keke will not be active this game. I look for a big game from Lancaster.
dobber
January 02, 2021 at 02:14 pm
Just a note: Packers cut Rush to make room for Snacks.
Coldworld
January 02, 2021 at 06:15 pm
Brought him back on the PS
Thegreatreynoldo
January 03, 2021 at 03:22 am
But they elevated Price, not Rush, for the Bears game. Unless Rush is still under the weather, that largely answers that question.
Coldworld
January 03, 2021 at 10:52 am
He may be. I like Price as a reliable depth player anyway. Rush had to be on the roster as a waiver pick up, but at the last game of the season, it doesn’t make any difference to availability in the playoffs as I understand it. We may also see Winn available shortly if we want him to return. Currently both Price and Rush are on the PS squad on Monday.
Let’s hope Snacks plays and we see why they see how they use him and why they seem excited by him as a difference maker over what we saw from Clark, Lancaster, Price and Lowry plus Keke last week. If it’s the same role as Price had last week, he performed well and it’s therefore marginal impact. If they use him in a way that unleashes Clark then I will be happily wrong.
EddieLeeIvory
January 02, 2021 at 06:31 am
In his prime, he was better than what we got from BJ Raji a decade ago.
The good thing right now is that our ILB play has gotten better with Krys Barnes.
And Kamal Martin has come a long way too.
Christian Kirksey is more depth when healthy.
Oren Burks & Ty Summers are merely used on special teams mostly now. Special teams is our big weakness.
Beat the Bears. That's all that matters this week.
The Bears are going to come out extremely physical. Extremely violent & will be dirty, trying to take our guys out.
Remember, they've cheap-shotted Davante & knocked him out the game with a concussion a few years ago. Treveython. They've also busted Rodgers collarbone.
The Packers better be 100% INTENSE & PHYSICAL & AGGRESSIVE & expect a war.
If not, we'll lose & lose the #1 seed & fizzle out, kinda like what happened in the end of the 2002 season when a win at the Jets in week 17 would give us the #1 seed. We didn't show up, got whipped, then weren't ready for the home Wildcard game & lost at Lambeau for the first time in Packers history, making Michael Vick look great & Favre & the offense looking cold & weak.
EddieLeeIvory
January 02, 2021 at 06:35 am
If any of you have social media, @the Packers players challenging them to bring the war attitude. They need to be physical as heII & need to expect the Bears are going to play past the whistles.
This will be no friendly rivalry. They want to kill us.
And their defense with Mack & Hicks, Roquan & Treveython will be seeking KO's from the first play.
We need to match, exceed their attitude & intensity.
PeteK
January 02, 2021 at 11:46 am
Unfortunately, I was at the Jet game. The Falcon game was a shocker as I thought a warm weather team would freeze on that cold frozen rain day. However, this team is much better balanced .
stormin
January 02, 2021 at 02:09 pm
It was Barr of the Viqueens that broke Rodgers collarbone !
dobber
January 02, 2021 at 02:20 pm
The second time...it was Shea McClellin of the Bears who broke it in 2013
FITZCORE1252
January 02, 2021 at 05:15 pm
I was just thinking about that Jets game and how confident I was going into it. Ugh.
egbertsouse
January 02, 2021 at 07:13 am
He told Seattle he was retiring to get out of his contract. He quit on his teammates. How long before he quits on GB? Nothing but Martellus Bennett 2.0.
NickPerry
January 02, 2021 at 07:33 am
Ummm...No offense but NO he didn't...He wasn't starting and from what I've gathered from the few things I've read, SINCE he wasn't starting or getting more snaps he ASKED Carroll for his release. He didn't want to sit on the bench, especially since Seattle had gotten healthier along the D-Line.
SHOW ME one article from a trustworthy site that says he quit.
Coldworld
January 02, 2021 at 08:50 am
Carroll was downright convinced that Harrison had retired on Monday. I’m happy to see Carroll fooled but I don’t think that detracts from the point made. Harrison was no happy being the 4th DT on the depth chart and, in their mind, persuaded them he wanted to retire if not needed.
Tundraboy
January 02, 2021 at 04:08 pm
Thanks NP for putting that to rest. Happy New Year by the way.
NickPerry
January 02, 2021 at 04:34 pm
Thanks TB...Happy New Years! Happy New Years to EVERYBODY!
NickPerry
January 02, 2021 at 04:51 pm
LOL...I hadn't read that but if that's true then GOOD for Harrison. He worked Pete Carroll and got out and came to the one team that I'm sure scares the hell out of Carroll. Not only can the Packers outscore Seattle, but our defense is better too.
Minniman
January 02, 2021 at 09:05 am
Add to that Nick (per reports too) he wasn't being used as he wanted to be used (or was unable to adapt to how Seattle wanted their DT's to play).
Some may consider the way that he went about leaving as a shade mercenary, but another perspective is being decisive - as surely both parties had conversations on expectations whilst he was doing workouts - and at 32 and 9 years of playing at a high level I'll give him that he knows how he can be best used.
...... I see this as an addition that will strengthen the team and a small measure to counter the overall team strength loss due to the injury to Bakh.
Minniman
January 02, 2021 at 09:15 am
.... it's also a good acquisition to get some valuable inside intel on a playoff opponent that GB may inevitably play in the next 4 weeks.
jannesbjornson
January 02, 2021 at 12:50 pm
The Man Who Went Into the Cold ?
Minniman
January 02, 2021 at 02:24 pm
Tinker. Tailor. Soldier. Nose Tackle!
jlc1
January 02, 2021 at 03:24 pm
And he'll Carre a load.
Ferrari-Driver
January 03, 2021 at 12:36 am
N.P. I posted this in another area, but this is a quote from his radio show:
“He’s decided to stop playing,” Carroll said during his radio show on ESPN 710 Seattle. “He’s done playing.”
Coldworld
January 03, 2021 at 10:54 am
Demovsky had more at espn.
PF4L
January 03, 2021 at 08:58 am
SMFH
Demon
January 02, 2021 at 08:07 am
I wouldn't go that far. I would assume that he thought his best chance of winning a title, short of the chiefs would have been the seahags. When it became clear that he wasn't in Seattle post season plans, and green bay was having a very good year, suddenly green bay looked more appealing. I don't think he quit on his teammates,, he made a superbowl ring decision.
dobber
January 02, 2021 at 02:25 pm
Remember he was subject to waivers, so he couldn't bank on being picked up by the Packers...but a team that was out of it was unlikely to claim him for the last week of the season.
Leatherhead
January 02, 2021 at 08:48 am
So you’re on a playoff team and you ask for your release? Sure sounds like what he wants for himself is more important to him than the team. That’s quitting in my book.
PeteK
January 02, 2021 at 11:50 am
It will cost us 61 grand, with a possible big upside.
Ferrari-Driver
January 02, 2021 at 01:17 pm
I don't know the details, but this is a quote of Pete Carroll:
“He’s decided to stop playing,” Carroll said during his radio show on ESPN 710 Seattle. “He’s done playing.”
PF4L
January 03, 2021 at 08:55 am
Egbertsouse has it right. He isn't saying snacks can't help the Packers. He's questioning his integrity, his character....which is valid. You people give him a thumbs down for that? Gimme a break.
.
Read, and learn something.....
.
Seattle picked up Snacks to help out with injuries. When Mone came back off of IR, Snacks was made inactive. Snacks got upset (mad). He went to Carroll and asked for his release. They gave it to him. So instead....of being a team player, instead of waiting for his number to get call. HE GRABBED HIS MARBLES AND WANTED TO GO HOME.
.
Snacks quit on his team, his teammates, and the #12's. It's that simple.
.
Snacks tweeted he was done with football. But then he signs with the Packers. What motivated that move? My only guess is...he wants some revenge on the Hawks if the Packers face them.
.
To say (think) he is a team player, is having your head buried in the sand.
.
egbertsouse, hold your head up my man, you are correct.
.
HighPlainsDrifter
January 03, 2021 at 09:41 am
Aw, Snacks quit on "the 12's". What an immature comment. Harrison asked for his release after being made inactive. If you had a job, you'd probably be upset if you were told you were not wanted.
I checked Harrison's Twitter, he never tweeted that he was done with football. You're a liar.
PF4L
January 14, 2021 at 08:29 am
Listen up junior. Listen up good. Snacks is a big boy right? He's a grown man?
.
Did snacks not know he was signed for fill in duty because of injuries?
Did he think he was signed to be a full time starter?
If Snacks is smart as a 5th grader, he wouldn't have cried when the starter came back...to start.
.
He pouted, whined, grabbed his marbles and ...........QUIT....on his team, and yes, the fans.
PF4L
January 14, 2021 at 08:37 am
Liar?..You must have a big set calling someone a liar in a blog.
.
Jason Wilde..Wisconsin State Journal.
"Harrison indicated as much on Twitter, saying he did not want to be claimed by any teams on waivers and suggesting he would not report if he was claimed. But apparently the opportunity to play for another contender with Super Bowl aspirations appealed to him.
.
Highplains....You are a keyboard punk.
You never heard of a player deleting a twitter post? Idiot
PF4L
January 14, 2021 at 08:47 am
www.thenewstribune.com/sports/nfl/seattle-seahawks/article248129465.html
.
“He’s decided to stop playing. He’s done playing. I talked to him this morning,” Carroll said on 710 ESPN radio.
.
Maybe Carroll's a liar too...right?
.
Maybe you're the only one that knows the truth....right?
PF4L
January 03, 2021 at 09:05 am
Snacks didn't like how he was used?
So was that his (new) job, deciding how the team is run?
.
He quit in week 17. He's a quitter (period)
stockholder
January 02, 2021 at 07:20 am
Anything to make the packers a better team, should be explored. Revolving door or not. If he can fit in. It's a win for everybody.
Coldworld
January 02, 2021 at 08:55 am
The assumption is that he is better. He certainly was better a few years ago. He was the 4th DT, not DL, on the Seattle depth chart when he asked for his release. We will see. I hope he persuades Pettine to use run stuffers more confidently.
NickPerry
January 02, 2021 at 07:39 am
I really like this signing. It's a smart move which gives the Packers depth, insurance, AND they actually got better. Sorry but getting better with a wavier pickup just before week 17 doesn't happen very often.
What I'm looking forward to is how much this frees up Kenny Clark. Between Harrison and Clark there's going to be some real ass whooping going on at Solider Field Sunday and moving forward through the Playoffs. I bet Montgomery doesn't even SNIFF 100 yards this weekend!
#16 quarters!
Coldworld
January 02, 2021 at 08:57 am
If we played with Lancaster/Price/Rush behind Clark as we did last week in any significant way that would still be a reasonable expectation. Snacks doesn’t change that for me.
Guam
January 02, 2021 at 02:05 pm
Does Clark slide out to DE and play some snaps there with Harrison/Lancaster taking the snaps at NT?
Cheesehead_in_Boston
January 02, 2021 at 07:55 am
It's been a long time since he was elite. He was even down the depth chart for Seattle.
Not expecting much. But maybe he can clog the middle at nose and allow Clark to win at tackle.
Leatherhead
January 02, 2021 at 08:42 am
Not good enough to play for a defense worse than Green Bay’s.
PackerBacker77
January 02, 2021 at 10:49 am
Not true in terms of the run defense. When the Seahawks signed Harrison there run defense was much better then the packs
Coldworld
January 02, 2021 at 10:55 am
Which is no doubt why they made him inactive as soon as their third DT came off IR. If he was that important to their overall D he would not have been inactive and therefore not here.
Leatherhead
January 02, 2021 at 10:59 am
Seattle surrenders about 15 yards and one first down less on the ground than Green Bay does. Not a huge difference, IMO. They’ve allowed more rushing TDs.
PeteK
January 02, 2021 at 12:04 pm
They're only one of five teams to allow less than a hundred yds rushing per game. Come on LH, last few weeks you were defending the Pack defensive stat ranking and now your saying rankings are not important. Be fair, remain consistent and give credit when it's due.
10ve 💚
January 02, 2021 at 09:08 am
Lots of Packers fans were clamouring for Snacks to be picked up by the Packers earlier in the year (should say "last year" now :)).
Hopefully those fans will be delighted on Sunday night, as well as through the play-offs.
PeteK
January 02, 2021 at 12:15 pm
This is much better because he comes cheaply, well rested, and with little time to negatively effect team attitude ( not an issue for me).
Tundraboy
January 02, 2021 at 04:13 pm
No possible argument here.
murf7777
January 02, 2021 at 10:15 am
Yes, he is on the back side of his career and had a few nagging injuries, thus I believe one of the reasons Detroit sent him packing. Of course, I question why Seattle stopped using him.
So, as I think thru it more and do some research on his past there doesn't seem like much of a downside. If he was a cancer then I'd be against this, but after reading the attached article it seems like he will be GREAT locker room addition and one who might mentor some of the young DL prospects we have.
I know this was a while ago, but you are who you are and things don't normally change too much. He blamed himself to the whole locker room after the game to Pittsburgh for the loss. By the way, in that game, he had 9 tackles and led the team in that category. Now, that's leadership!
https://www.nj.com/giants/2017/01/damon_snacks_harrison_giants_leadershi...
Good to have you "Snacks", now show some leadership and play well when given the opportunity.
SpikeHyzer
January 02, 2021 at 10:32 am
He won't make the slightest difference (except to give Keke time to get healthy).
He has nothing left in the tank.
Tundraboy
January 02, 2021 at 04:15 pm
And you know this how?
FITZCORE1252
January 02, 2021 at 05:22 pm
Anny flex
Stickfish
January 03, 2021 at 08:16 am
For starters the guy has maybe one of the all-time great nicknames in the NFL, how can you not want him on the team?
Possibly the only meaningful question to be asked is whether his addition makes the defense better or worse, and it’s hard for me to to guess the latter. Anything, I mean anything to help the D will yield dividends this year for the playoff run. Do nothing and regret not taking a chance or sign someone who might help in ways tangible and others not as easy to measure i.e. relief to double-team on Clark.
Can you imagine Madden announcing the game with Snacks in the line? Priceless.
Happy New Year to all, GO PACK GO!
Tundraboy
January 02, 2021 at 04:15 pm
A h..
Since'61
January 02, 2021 at 10:37 am
Apparently no one remembers that Reggie White was 32 when the Packers signed him back in 1993. That worked out pretty well.
I’m not saying that Snacks is the same level of player as Reggie but over the next (hopefully) 4 games he can still be an effective player for us. He is certainly worth giving a try
for the price. Thanks, Since ‘61
GregC
January 02, 2021 at 04:48 pm
There's a big difference between a 32-year-old player who has maintained his level of play and a 32-year-old player who used to be very good but has declined to the point of almost being out of the NFL. Still, I am hopeful that he can be our Howard Green and clog up the middle.
pilot67
January 02, 2021 at 11:32 am
how much will his addition offset losing #69? i know he is Def and Bak is offense. but it the big picture of things.
LeotisHarris
January 02, 2021 at 05:58 pm
Aw, crap! How much will it offset the loss? I was all set to commit to "maybe not a whole lot" and then you added the caveat of the big picture of things.
I think big picture perspectives are best handled by the CHTV poster who's well-versed in astrology. Where are ya, big guy? Got a question for ya.
mattgsx
January 02, 2021 at 01:32 pm
One big thing this signing does is give the Packers another option at NT to let Clark move up or down the line. I expect the Bears will counter the Packers' heavy looks with zone read option and RPO plays, so it would be helpful if they could get Clark off center to try to get into the backfield to blow those up.
Failing that, it may help get Clark off the field for a few more snaps to keep him fresh.
This is a signing everyone wanted to see before the season started - now we are getting a Snacks who has stayed in game shape, but who has played minimally (and as such should be fairly fresh) just in time for a playoff push.
flackcatcher
January 02, 2021 at 03:05 pm
Allows a full DL line rotation, lets Pettine play his 3-5 base (which he plays 5-2 presnap) covers the gaps in run fits and as you say, will allow the SS to play in the box without fear. It's a win win win for the defense. This is what winning organizations do in playoff runs. What is wrong with that...
porupack
January 02, 2021 at 02:06 pm
Risk vs reward. I applaud taking chances and pursuing an acquisition vs conservative status quo based on assumptions and foregone conclusions like a lot of posters here seem to relish. LIke one author said in an earlier article; if he prevents just a couple big plays in a game, it can change the momentum and influence the game. One or two big run plays can ignite an offense with momentum. Key 3 and outs in the early quarters can bog down that offense, and allow GB to run up a 2 TD lead....and that has a big effect.
Seems wise to play him heavily this game, and see what he has in the tank; and whether worth playing him in the playoff games. Only way to know is to give him ample playing time with a strong sample of work.
flackcatcher
January 02, 2021 at 02:57 pm
To think that the Packers front office, would not do their due diligence on a veteran like Harrison, is damn silly. I said this before, but this Packer GM is one of the most cold blooded personnel guys in this game. (Yes, he may be a bit slow in getting rid of his own guys. But the number of Packer cuts pickup by other teams shows how much Gute is thought of by other GM, player pro guys etc) By any measure picking up a veteran DL of quality like Harrison is a win for this organization in this playoff run. And that is all there is to it.
Tundraboy
January 02, 2021 at 04:06 pm
Yep, nice to have a big load in the middle just in time for the playoffs. I must say it's nice to have a veteran experienced DL instead of some scrap heap retread like the bargain bin items that Ted sometimes would go after.
PhantomII
January 02, 2021 at 04:32 pm
I hope snacks sees 2-snaps, trots off the field, pass break up and punt, WE SCORE, REPEAT. All game long.
PackerBacker84
January 02, 2021 at 11:03 pm
I understand everyone’s apprehension for all in excitement, but we need to realize the strategic move here. From a factual standpoint, Snacks has SOMETHING left in the tank. He was moved down on the depth chart due to players coming off IR and in Carrol’s favor. He wanted more time but received the opposite. If any of us were in a position of opportunity to offer your specific talents at whatever juncture of your career, you’d make the most critical decision of your remaining years to better yourself and the organization that could produce immediate results. We had one good defensive game against a team that was thought to be superior. We came out on top. I consider this a move of magnitude on many different levels. We got Rush back on the practice squad. WIN. We acquired a veteran presence to impact and mentor the young bucks and be that “piece” to help solidify a position group in need of a boost. WIN. Now we have an opportunity to continue the ascension of our D so that come Playoffs, they can contribute and create that “2010” momentum to a team that could use a shot in the arm after a tough blow. Go Pack Go!
wildbill
January 03, 2021 at 11:12 am
Well now we can maybe put some real beef up front on 3/4 and short. Don’t know the stats but our win % on those downs defensively seems poor
raedwallaceee
January 03, 2021 at 12:56 pm
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