I have to admit, I didn’t expect this to happen until rumors of him visiting the Saints happened last week. Harper’s sport management firm made the announcement.
Two Pro Bowls. A Super Bowl Championship. @Harp41 is headed back to where it all started. #WhoDat #Saints pic.twitter.com/Azjv0bYS05
— SportsTrust Advisors (@_SportsTrust) June 7, 2016
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It’s interesting to see Harper back in New Orleans with Jairus Byrd, Von Bell and Kenny Vaccaro on the roster. There doesn’t really seem to be a clear place on the roster for Harper and he’d likely battle with Jamarca Sanford and Erik Harris for a reserve role. Harper’s leadership and experience in the locker room is an asset, though, no doubt – and the Panthers benefited from it greatly the last two seasons. He has not missed a start since joining the Panthers in 2014. Harper is 33 and had a career high 4 interceptions in 2014 with the Panthers, and though his playmaking production dropped off last season, his tackle numbers were higher (73 vs 62).
I don’t see a clear path to the 53 man roster for Harper unless the Saints insist on having him around for vocal and mentorship reasons. Unless he’s willing to go back to playing special teams?
Either way, it’s nice to see Harper back where he belongs in black and gold.
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