Horrible Harry Might Be The Most-Liked Viking
K. Joudry
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Don’t let the “Horrible Harry” nickname fool you: coaches, players, and fans all seem to really like Harrison Phillips.
Recently, the DT was wearing a mic for an OTA practice. As you’ll see, the veteran certainly brings a lot of charm to the practice field. Given all the rumors about how things were proceeding toward the end of Zim’s time, it’s encouraging to see the players enjoying their practice time
Some Vikings fans weren’t enthused about the Harrison Phillips signing. For some, he’s a mere one-for-one replacement for Michael Pierce rather than a true upgrade. Perhaps that’s true, and yet it’s hard to overlook how Pierce wasn’t available the majority of the time. Having a DT who is consistently on the field and a better scheme fit would represent a strong upgrade for the Vikings’ defensive front.
Last year, Phillips finished as PFF‘s 15th-best DT. That’s one spot below Green Bay’s Kenny Clark and one spot ahead of Dalvin Tomlinson. Replicating that level of play would be welcome news for the Vikings defense. His 78.9 run defense score was 6th-best in the NFL among DTs.
His statistics suggest he isn’t a tremendous pass rusher. Last year, he had one sack and eight pressures. It’s safe to say that his role in Minnesota isn’t to put up humongous numbers. One thing he has emphasized from the start, though, is that he wants to fit into the broader scheme. His opening presser emphasized that he’ll ensure he’s fulfilling his responsibility first and worrying about production second. Team success, for Phillips, matters more than individual accomplishment.
Harrison Phillips is going to play an important role in Minnesota. He’ll be tasked with shutting down the run on early downs so the defense can consistently find itself in advantageous third-down situations. The combination of his on-field play and off-field work has already made him a fan favorite.
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