Draft cold for locals
It was a long NFL draft weekend for players from the Inland Northwest.
Only one, Jerome Harrison, had his name called by an NFL team – and even he had to wait longer than anticipated.
Harrison, who emerged from obscurity to become an All-America running back at Washington State, was drafted Sunday in the fifth round, 145th overall, by the Cleveland Browns. He became the first WSU running back drafted since Steve Broussard was picked by Atlanta 16 years ago.
“We’ve been trying to get a running back,” Browns general manager Phil Savage told Cleveland reporters. “We were real fortunate to get Jerome Harrison from Washington State. He rushed for 1,900 yards, the second most in the country. He came on a visit as well.
“He just had a really strong two years at Washington State.”
The Cougars’ single-season rushing record-holder had been expected to go in the third or fourth round, and Harrison had said leading up to the draft that the second round could be a possibility. Instead, he watched as 11 other running backs went before him and he slid into the fifth round.
Cleveland could be a good spot for Harrison, however. Reuben Droughns rushed for 1,232 yards last season and signed a three-year deal in March, but beyond him Cleveland has only oft-injured Lee Suggs and William Green to provide significant competition. Suggs and Green combined to rush for 93 yards last season, and as a team, Cleveland was 25th in rushing and had just four touchdowns on the ground in 2005.
“Reuben is a great back,” Harrison said. “He’s a veteran. I don’t mind learning from him.
“I think I’ll be able to catch the ball a lot. You can put me in the slot or out on the end. I’ll play on third down. I’ll play on special teams. I just want to do what I can to help the team.”
As soon as he was drafted, speculation began on ESPN that Harrison could end up being a second-day steal. A picture of Harrison anchored Sports Illustrated’s Web site for a time on Sunday, highlighting him in a similar light.
Still, with Droughns in the picture it’s likely that the most Harrison can hope for at the start of his career is a niche as a third-down back, with the chance to improve that standing as things progress.
“He’s 5-9, 200 pounds, so the reason is size,” Savage said of Harrison’s drop through the draft. “His production was good. … He catches the ball well. They didn’t necessarily use him as much as a receiver. He probably would not be a guy down the field. Certainly on check-downs or things on the perimeter.”
Though Harrison was the only player from a local school drafted, a number of others already have or are expected to sign free-agent contracts.
Eastern Washington quarterback Erik Meyer, who thought he might be taken in the late rounds, signed with Cincinnati, and wideout Eric Kimble signed with Miami.
WSU tight end Troy Bienemann signed with New Orleans.
“They’ve got guys coming back, but everyone does,” said Bienemann, who expects his injured knee to be fully healthy by training camp. “I think I’ve put myself in a good position to make the team, and that’s all you can ask for.”