PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Najee Harris has downplayed if anything is different with him this year. He would deflect credit to the blockers and say he's always had the talent. What we found out from Steelers running backs coach Eddie Faulkner is there is something else.
"Naj is on a mission, some things he's trying to do in his career and I'm in full support of that," Faulkner said.
While he didn't explain in more detail, it's pretty obvious why. After a trio of 1,000-yard seasons, the Steelers declined his rookie fifth-year option making him a free agent after this season.
There would be a time in football where that would mean an automatic desire to bring that player back. Looking deeper into the numbers, last season Harris averaged 60.9 yards per game with only 170 receiving yards. While he had eight touchdowns, his longest run was 25 yards.
The consistency wasn't there. The splash wasn't there. It is over the last three games and most of the season.
Looking specifically at the last three, Harris has three runs in those games over 26 yards including a 36-yarder where he took off down the sideline like a tailback Steelers fans have rarely seen.
Harris has three consecutive 100-yard games, first time in his NFL career. There is something different.
Faulkner said credit for the run-game success starts with first-year offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. He said his scheme has gotten guys to believe from the first days of offseason work. As Faulkner put it guys have bought into what he is selling and that's partially because of a blue-collar mentality he carries that makes him relatable.
Even with six different combinations in eight games, Faulkner credits Pat Meyer and the offensive line. Also, the details from that group, the receivers and tight ends for creating the space for Harris to run.
"We are a byproduct of what happens up front," Faulkner said.
Harris drew ire from Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin, who called him 'soft' after Najee flipped off the Colts crowd when the Steelers ran onto the field in Indianapolis. Faulkner said he is anything but.
"Naj has always been a guy that's going to give everything he's got between the white lines, nobody is going to question that," Faulkner said. "It's hard to say that all of a sudden, he's playing harder because he's always played hard. Of course, he's human. He's got some things he wants to accomplish."
Confidence has grown much quicker than in his first three seasons. Every one of those years it took time for the team to dig out of a hole offensively and finally find their identity in November or maybe not until December.
Najee Harris is the second-leading rusher in the AFC (592 yards) heading into the bye week. He has six runs of over 20 yards and the team is 6-2. Last season at this time, Harris had 382 yards rushing.
"When you are not having success early, he's had some frustrations and I live that with him," Faulkner said. "Watching him now have some success I'm happy for him. I'm proud for him. I want him to get everything that he wants to get out of life."
"That's for all of my players. I want them to get everything they deserve out of the game. When I see him individually (have success) especially being with him since he came into the league. I'm happy for him. I hope he gets everything he wants."
