Philadelphia Eagles Acquire Jerome Harrison: Examining the Impact

Jerome Harrison was just acquired from the Cleveland Browns by the Eagles for running back Mike Bell. Both of these backs have been stuck on the bench for most of the year and needed a change of scenery to try to kick-start their careers once again. Harrison was riding the bench behind Peyton Hillis, the big Bruiser out of Arkansas.  

This trade is going to have major impact on both squads.

James Evens is a Purdue student and Basketball/Football Featured Columnist for the Boilermakers, along with being a Writing Intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, or like him on Facebook.

Mike Bell

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: Mike Bell # 21 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates with fans after defeating the Indianapolis Colts during Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Gett

Mike Bell had a short stay in Philadelphia after being traded to the Eagles from the Saints this past offseason after his Super Bowl run with the Saints.  He had a limited number of carries with the Eagles compiling only 16 attempts for 28 yards and no touchdowns.  

Although he had a limited number of carries from the Eagles, Bell is still an explosive back, and expect him to make a big impact for the Browns, who are looking for a finesse back to counter the Bruiser, Peyton Hillis.

Bell should make quite the impact, and it was a great trade for the Browns.

Jerome Harrison

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DETROIT - AUGUST 28: Jerome Harrison #35 of the Cleveland Browns tries to escape the tackle of Chris Houston #23 of the Detroit Lions during preseason game on August 28, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Jerome Harrison, the fifth year running back recently acquired by the Eagles from the Browns, didn't have a great year in Cleveland, only compiling 31 carries and having 91 yards with no touchdowns.

Harrison, however, did have a decent year last season, compiling 862 yards and three touchdowns.  Having this explosive back will be a good acquisition for the Eagles.

Impact on the Eagles

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BEREA, OH - AUGUST 04: Jerome Harrison #35 of the Cleveland Browns runs down field during training camp at the Cleveland Browns Training and Administrative Complex on August 4, 2010 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Harrison will be able to make a good impact on the Eagles from the start.  The Eagles' lead rusher this season so far is LeSean McCoy, who has had 68 attempts for 365 yards and five touchdowns.  

Although already set with McCoy, every NFL team needs that second rusher to come in and relieve the main back for a few plays.  Having Harrison, who is somewhat like McCoy in size, stature, and running style, will be a major benefit to the Eagles this season. It will allow for the Eagles to constantly run against opponents, basically hammering them until they are crying to their mothers.

When Michael Vick returns from injury, it will allow for the Eagles to have a triple threat running offense.

Impact on Opponents of the Eagles

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CLEVELAND - AUGUST 21: Jerome Harrison #35 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball against the St. Louis Rams at Cleveland Browns Stadium on August 21, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Now instead of just accounting for McCoy in the running game, the Eagles' opponents will need to be on the look out for a one two threat.  Not only will they not be able to cause the Eagles to quit running the ball to the fatigue of a back, but they will need to account for the added quickness added by Harrison.

Who Got the Better End of the Trade?

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CLEVELAND - JANUARY 03: Jerome Harrison #35 of the Cleveland Browns runs against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns Stadium on January 3, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

The answer is neither team.  Both teams needed this trade, and both teams will benefit from the acquisitions. 

The real winner out of this is Harrison.  Harrison has been playing in Cleveland, and giving him a good offensive line with the Eagles could really bring out how good he really is.  He is out of Cleveland and on the radar once again.

As for Mike Bell, he went from a Super Bowl team a year ago to one of the bottom feeders in the league.  It just goes to show that money isn't everything, and if you want to be on a winning team, you will need to make sacrifices.