The Legendary Harrison Smith and The Possibility of The Bench
Is legendary Vikings safety Harrison Smith — the one affectionately known as The Hitman — bound to hit the bench?
Not likely, but the possibility may not be as far-fetched as some think. The 36-year-old defender isn’t as good as he was when he was 26. No controversy within that claim. What could nevertheless be controversial is a move toward a safety trio of Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson (recently healthy), and Jay Ward.
Harrison Smith & MIN’s Struggles
Minnesota’s defense finds itself sitting at 18th in the NFL by allowing an average of 23.7 points against per game. By no means is that all on Mr. Smith.
In fact, one could make a persuasive case that the Vikings’ offense is a key factor in what is an underperforming group for defensive coordinator Brian Flores. By refusing to run the football, head coach Kevin O’Connell often refuses to win the time of possession battle. And by refusing to win the time of possession battle, the Vikings refuse to make conditions more ideal for the defense.
But while the nuance of football’s interconnectedness needs to remain at the forefront, there must still be a consideration of changes capable of being made within the defense itself. Maybe one of those changes is a personnel tweak.
Consider the available options at safety:
- Harrison Smith
- Josh Metellus
- Theo Jackson
- Jay Ward
- Tavierre Thomas
Furthermore, there could be a greater reliance on the team’s corners, as fraught as that could be. Sitting atop the corner crew are Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers. There’s then Fabian Moreau alongside Dwight McGlothern. Other options are the injured Jeff Okudah (when he is healthy again) and the few corners operating on the practice squad, which includes a new addition.
In seven games and four starts, Harrison Smith has picked up 31 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 3 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery.
Smith’s coverage numbers, per the advanced defensive statistics on PFR, aren’t pristine. Passers going after Smith have completed 17/20 throws (85%) for 249 yards and 2 touchdowns. That’s a 14.6 yards-per-catch average alongside a passer rating allowed sitting at a near perfect 151.9.
Per PFF, Smith is sitting on a 56.6 grade, a poor assessment that comes in second-last to his 55.1 grade as an injured sophomore back in 2013. Worst of all within the different parts of his game is the pass coverage, a grade that arrives at 53.4.
Jay Ward’s sample size is considerably smaller; his grade (72.6) is considerably healthier. The 6’1″ safety who is 25 is mostly unproven. He may, nevertheless, be a better option. Does a spot on the bench for Smith make more sense for the team as a whole? How much does Smith’s endless wisdom and experience matter for the on-field play?
Smith may not even be taken off the field, instead dropped down into the box for more linebacker duties so as to lessen the pass coverage burden. In that scenario, Eric Wilson would be freed up for more edge rusher responsibilities while Blake Cashman operates as the lone traditional off-ball ‘backer.
Next up for Harrison Smith and the Vikings is a Week 11 game versus the Bears. Winning means climbing up to 5-5, keeping the hopes of making the playoffs alive.
