After playing in just two games in his rookie season, Damien Harris played in 10 last year (missing six due to injury) and racked up 691 yards to emerge as the Patriots' best running back.
Even coming off a season like that, Harris vouched to get even better this offseason.
“I just wanted to improve everything," he said in an interview with Patriots.com. "Every part of my game — physically, mentally, emotionally. You name it, I wanted to improve. Last year, having my first real opportunity to play in the National Football League, it was a great experience. It obviously could have gone better in a lot of aspects, but it’s a new year. It’s a new opportunity. I just wanted to build off of everything I did last year and continue to improve each and every day.”
Harris is part of a crowded running backs room that includes Sony Michel, James White, Brandon Bolden, J.J. Taylor and Rhamondre Stevenson.
Harris is one of five Alabama players on the roster, so he was asked what advice he would give to some of his younger former teammates.
“I tell it to myself every day, I’d tell it to anybody, just come to work everyday and put your best foot forward," he said. "Always have to live in the present. You’re never going to have any perfect days. Even on your best day it’s not going to be perfect. Even on your worst day it’s not going to be perfect. Everyday just show up with the mentality to work, show up with the mentality to get better. Most importantly show up with the mentality of out of myself and into the team. That is what this organization is about.”
The Patriots are off until training camp in late July.