Del Rio Lowers Expectations for Harvey

Del Rio Lowers Expectations for Harvey

by Cole Pepper
iJax.com Sports Editor
Jack Del Rio said that fans shouldn’t expect Derrick Harvey to be a big time sack producer, at least not right now.  The former 8th overall pick has recorded 3.5 sacks last season and did not get to the quarterback in the opener against the Colts.

Jaguars defensive end Derrick Harvey recorded 3 1/2 sacks as a rookie.

“I think what’s going to happen until people understand that he’s a big strong tough football player,” Del Rio said. “If people want to see–just because of where he was selected–want to see the sexy sack monster, that’s just not what he is. Hopefully he’ll become that someday and get more sacks, but I don’t think the fact that he’s not the 20 sack guy like [DeMarcus] Ware in Dallas or like a [Dwight] Freeney in Indianapolis…those guys are very rare.”(I have to agree here. Anyone who thought Harvey was the next coming of Mario Williams was out of their minds. What you have in a Derrick Harvey even as a Rookie Prospect prior to the draft was a kid with a large frame gobs of strength and a nose for the ball carrier. Was extremely effective at Florida as an every down DE providing pressure on passing downs but still able to stuff the run and sniff out screens. The Freeny's of the NFL cannot say they are "3 down linemen" Freeney rarely stuffs runs or sniffs out screen passes. Derrick is a big boy with a big motor and puts the pedal to the metal every play)

Rare was the word used by former Jaguars personnel boss James “Shack” Harris when talking about Harvey’s athletic gifts.  That was last year when the Jaguars traded up to select Harvey with the eighth pick of the draft.(I think we all know by now that Harris' did not have greatest mind in evaluating talent in certain regards. Too think Harvey could be a stud DE out of college is one thing but to tout him as a sack monster is not the same as a physical specimen with loads of athletic talent. Harris' comments regarding the pick set the bar too high for Derrick as the impression to the franchise and fanbase was that he would be an imediate impact 10+ sack a year guy. Watching the film of him at Florida shows is gifts but a QB's nightmare was not one of them.)
What do the Jaguars think they have in Harvey now?
“What we have is a good, solid, tough defensive lineman who is about 6′5″, 285 and he plays hard,” Del Rio said.  “So let’s appreciate what he is and stop worrying about whether he’s measuring up to a standard that has been set by somebody else beside me, Gene Smith or his teammates. Once we do that, we’ll be in better shape.” (I agree Jack. Forget what he is not. Forget what you think he should be right now. Instead focus on the fact that after missing all of training camp last year and only one game into his 2nd season Harvey has shown he can be a fixture on the DL for the Jags on everydown for years to come.)
This pre-season, Del Rio raved about the progress that Harvey had made, and some believe that those words established a higher expectation for Harvey this year.
“No, that didn’t set the expectation,” Del Rio said. “Where he was drafted set the expectation and I understand that.”

Despite the lack of sacks, and the apparent lack of expectation of sacks, Del Rio isn’t totally down on Harvey’s play.

“He’s playing well despite not having huge numbers.  He’s been stout, been solid, been tough, been rugged.”

But he’s not getting sacks.  So where do the Jaguars get the pass rush?

“We’ll see,” said Del Rio. 

In conclusion, I believe Jack Del Rio is correct. Derrick has been strong and stout. He has not been hampered by any injuries and the growth in his technique is apparent on a weekly basis. Right now he may just be a Paul Spicer clone but let's not forget that Paul Spicer in his prime made many a Jaguars fan pleased. Second season folks. If, by year 4 he has not picked up the nuances to take the next step to becoming an elite pass rusher than yes it will have been proven he was picked to high or missed expectations. However, in my oppinion, 6+ sacks a year plus all the pressures, hurries and strength he provides on the strong side of the line makes him a rock solid DE. After all a Mario Williams, Julius Peppers, Richard Seymour or a Dwight Freeney does not come around but every few years and the "Sure Fire pick" rarely are sure fire picks. 

Backing up the Harvey pick with the, much more popular at the moment, Quentin Groves was a brilliant move. They drafted the big strong every down LE in Harvey and then took Groves to be the pass rushing RE we have needed since Heyward ruptured his achiles after being signed from Denver.

Give it time. The whole team is young. Another year of growth and developement plus the influx of more young talent around him shoul allow Harvey to flourish and meet the expectations we as fans have set for him however lofty they may be.

Michael B. Williams