Regardless of which Pittsburgh Steelers player or coach one would ask, there is much optimism on rookie running back Najee Harris at this stage in the season.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin recently lauded Harris following his standout performance in Week 5 against the Denver Broncos, where he posted the first 100-plus rushing yards game of his career in the NFL.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is also much pleased with Harris' performances and development through the first five games of his career. In speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, the two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback offered his early takeaways of Harris.
“He's got the total package,” Roethlisberger said. “I think it's just now getting comfortable, getting used to playing in the NFL, and I think you've seen steps every week. Last week, getting his first 100-yard game and catching the ball out of the backfield and understanding of what it takes in the NFL.”
Many previous running backs who came out of Alabama had a difficult time in adjusting to the NFL right out of the gate. This is a matter that Roethlisberger has touched upon with Harris, but in the big picture, he is much confident that the rookie running back may soon be able to provide for grand success with the team.
“I've joked with him that in college, it was probably easy a lot of the time playing in a semi-pro team in college,” Roethlisberger said. “It's different. So, to have to come to the NFL after having so much success in college and understanding that it's not always going to be that easy, it takes some getting used to.
“I think he's getting that. I think we saw last week some really hard runs, some good catching. He's growing and I think he's just going to continue to get better.”
As it stands, Harris leads all rookie running backs in rushing yards with 307. The rookie running back will get his first taste of primetime action when the Steelers host the Seattle Seahawks in a Week 6 Sunday Night Football clash.
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