In February, the Lions released Damon Harrison with two years to go before his contract. Long before that, Harrison says he was looking for a way out of Detroit.
“I came into [2019 training] camp in shape, but during the first three weeks of camp I think I kind of worked myself out of shape because I wasn’t doing anything,” Harrison told Chris Long on a recent podcast (transcript via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “That was a time where, to be honest with you, we were trying to facilitate a trade. I was hell-bent on getting out of there.”
In fact, Snacks says he knew the Lions were a bad fit as soon as he came over via trade with the Giants. Harrison excelled as a run-stuffer for both New York teams, but he didn’t think that he could thrive in Matt Patricia‘s defense.
“To be completely honest with you, I didn’t want to go to Detroit because of some things that I heard from some guys in the past and some guys who were there,” Harrison said. “So when I got the call..I didn’t answer the phone for a couple hours. [Lions GM] Bob Quinn was calling me and I didn’t pick up the phone because I was trying to figure out a way to get out of it.”
Now, Harrison is free to find the team that fits him best. Still on the market, Snacks will likely land a deal sometime after the draft.
Here’s more from the NFC North:
- The Vikings have no reason not to draft a quarterback with one of their five picks in the top 105, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com opines. And, if Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa somehow falls to them at No. 22 overall, she says it would be “unconscionable to pass on him.” The Vikings extended Kirk Cousins through the 2022 season and the rest of their moves indicate that they’re taking a longer view on things. With that in mind, she feels the Vikings should at least invest a Day 2 pick in the position.
- Details are in on Darryl Roberts‘ new deal with the Lions. The ex-Jet CB will earn $2MM on his one-year pact, including a $1MM guarantee (Twitter link via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com). Before his release, he was set to earn $6MM from Gang Green.
- Over the last couple of years, former Vikings head coach Brad Childress has popped in and out of retirement. But, this time around, the 63-year-old tells Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press that he’s retired for good. “People say, ‘Is he really retired? Is he really, really retired?’” Childress said. “Yeah. Last year was my last year. I just felt like it was time to move on. It’s about time. I put my toe in the water in retirement and pretty soon you’ve got to jump in. It’s more about spending time with my family and grandkids and that type of thing.”
Snacks was horrible and dead weight. I’m glad he was cut. Go cry somewhere else
Or he’s a former All-Pro that the Lions–who are a very bad team with bad coaches and a losing culture–did not know how to utilize.
No he got paid and got out of shape. Who signs an extension but doesn’t want to be there. Now that he got released he’s making excuses. He was horrible last year and did perfectly fine the first year in Detroit so your comment is irrelevant.
His ‘first year’ in Detroit was only half a season and the coaching and team wasn’t as bad. 31st ranked defense in yards given up last year, but I’m sure that’s all Damon Harrison’s fault. Tough to play well when your teammates are horrendous and the coaching staff looks increasingly lost.
Yes it was. Before he got there they were at the bottom of the rankings in defense. After they acquired him that’s when they got better. I’m not saying the coaching isn’t bad as Matt P. doesn’t blitz and thinks his D Line is full of studs that can get to the QB..the fact is that they don’t have anyone. Even Flowers is only a good end he’s not great but when the other end is terrible and the tackles all sucked you can’t expect man to man all day to work and not get beat.
If he had an attitude that bad going in it’s not the lions fault
^All 4 of you are correct.
It’s hard to be good coaches when coach potatoes have bad attitudes and won’t play up to their capabilities. The lions have a good GM and good coaches, with a couple of other malcontents now gone let’s see what happens.
The Lions definitely, definitely DO NOT have good management or coaching
Snacks is the ultimate locker room lawyer along with Russell Okung. Constantly complaining about the coach, management etc. Maybe a team with an established culture that won’t tolerate that nonsense takes flyer. Chiefs or Ravens come to mind. It’s odd how Patricia caved and paid Snacks. Almost like he and Bob Quinn were trying to buy peace. That failed. Patricia enters Yr 3 still trying to replicate the “Patriots Way”- a fools errand.
Still on the market? I can’t fathom how a player who has done nothing but run down his former team since being released doesn’t have multiple offers on the table.
I hope he lands in Cleveland, he deserves it.
If your a pro athlete you should be working your butt off to earn your salary no matter who your employer is because you owe it to the fans and your teammates.
Cross is right. A little time off and no money incoming and lets see how well he does.
Lmao adorable
The Lions definitely, definitely DO NOT have good management or coaching
There are a handful of other teams you could say that about as well. I like Snacks but he didn’t do himself any favor by badmouthing his former team. Players come off as crybabies when they do that.