NKeal Harry
The New England Patriots fanbase and media seem to have had it with 2019 first-round pick N’Keal Harry. He was the object of wrath all over social media after Sunday’s 18-12 loss to the Denver Broncos.
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N’Keal Harry’s Stat Line Vs. Broncos
Despite playing 51 of the Patriots’ 57 offensive snaps on Sunday, Harry didn’t have a reception and was only targeted twice.
Had you not seen the game, you might think this was due to poor quarterback play. Cam Newton was playing for the first time since testing positive for COVID-19 two weeks ago, and with just one practice under his belt since, but Harry’s poor performance was more about him failing to gain separation and perhaps running the wrong route on the most crucial play of the game.
As bad as the Patriots played, they had a chance to win on the final drive. It appeared Harry might have run an in-route instead of an out route which caused Newton to throw the ball out of his reach to the receiver’s left.
Just as Harry seemed to be showing a few flashes with a TD reception against the Kansas City Chiefs, he might have had the lowest point of his career against the Broncos. In his defense, he too was without practice as the NFL’s ridiculous COVID-19 policies deprived Harry and the rest of the Patriots of the proper preparation for Sunday’s game.
Unfortunately, most weren’t cutting Harry any slack.
The Sharks Are Out in Force
CLNS’ Evan Lazar breaks down Harry’s misstep on the crucial play.
Here was Cam’s answer to what happened on that play. Notice where he says “defender on the interior part stealing the field.” That’s Harry’s cue to break out instead of in. #Patriots
Though unintentional, Newton’s post-game comments seem to support Lazar’s position.
That was one of the nicer post-game comments on Harry. Others brought more heat with their criticism. NBC correspondent brings up a supposed issue Tom Brady had with Harry last year when it is believed the future Hall-of-Famer lost confidence in the then rookie.
USA Today’s Henry McKenna used this play from Newton as a way to take a dig at Harry.
Things got progressively worse from there.
Can’t believe the Patriots picked N’keal Harry over DK Metcalf
I’m sure the physics of slowing down your body to try to adjust to a tipped pass are such that balance is affected. Still, N’Keal Harry looked like he stepped on one of those human launchers from MTV’s Sandblast after the gentle touch from Bryce Callahan.
@picmitch Ive started PCing N’Keal Harry but lately I’ve been feeling like Cam when I look at him
It’s unclear where Harry goes from here, but the more we see wide receivers like DK Metcalf succeed, and who were drafted after him, it makes the embattled Patriots pass-catcher look even worse.