Mike Tomlin didn’t sugarcoat the Giants’ decision to cut Najee Harris after the running back complained about his role in the offense, and that blunt edge was on full display during NBC’s Week 7 coverage.
The former Steelers head coach, now part of the Football Night in America crew, was talking through New York’s run-game turnaround during the Kansas City Chiefs-Seattle Seahawks matchup when he landed on one of his signature lines, describing Giants head coach John Harbaugh’s recent approach as “killing a mosquito with an axe.” But the quote that really got people talking came when Tomlin shifted to Harris, who was released after speaking out about the team’s rushing plan.
“Najee Harris spoke out about a lack of rhythm in run/carry opportunities,” he said. “And now he’s unemployed.
Message sent. You can always ease up and be buddy-buddy.
I just think it's important at the early stages to establish a rapport, and that's what he's (Giants HC John Harbaugh) doing.”
Tomlin coached Harris during the back half of the running back’s first four seasons in the NFL, so the comments carried extra weight. And while they certainly sounded sharp, they were aimed less at Harris himself and more at what a head coach sometimes has to do to set the tone early.
That’s the line Harbaugh has been walking in his first season with the Giants. He’s trying to install his scheme and shape the culture, even if it means making a harsh statement. The team took heat for its rushing issues earlier in the year, and things boiled over when Cam Skattebo, the Giants’ most impactful back, went through Week 6 without a rushing carry.
A week later, the ground game finally showed signs of life. Skattebo ran for 124 yards, Devin Singletary added 41 more, and Harris was no longer in the picture.
Tomlin’s point was plain: sometimes the message has to be loud, even if it looks extreme. The move may have felt like overkill, the kind of thing that looks like “killing a mosquito with an axe,” but the Giants did get the response they wanted. They improved to 4-2-1 after seven games, and Tomlin said the part many people would rather leave unsaid out loud on Sunday Night Football.
In Other News...
Auburn Walks Into A Huge SEC Test With Ole Miss Suddenly Shorthanded
Auburns trip to Oxford brings a notable SEC matchup back into view, with the Tigers and Ole Miss meeting for the first time in three years. The timing matters for both sides, too, because Auburn is trying to build on a win over Georgia after a loss to LSU, while Ole Miss is navigating a change in its backfield heading into a game that already carries plenty of weight.
Kewan Lacy will be unavailable for the Rebels after suffering a dislocated shoulder against Texas, leaving Ole Miss with a hole it has to fill against an Auburn defense that will be keyed on Trinidad Chambliss. The Rebels quarterback has piled up 1,926 passing yards this season, so even with the backfield shorthanded, Auburn still has to deal with the part of the Ole Miss offense that can tilt the game fastest. [Read more 🡒]
Auburn Could Be Getting A Needed O-Line Boost At The Right Time
Auburns offensive line might be getting some timely help as the season wears on, with head coach Alex Golesh saying sophomore Tai Buster could return to practice and play within a few weeks. Buster has been sidelined by a preseason injury, but he has stayed involved with the team during his recovery, keeping himself in the mix even while hes been unable to get back on the field.
For a line that always benefits from added depth, especially as the schedule tightens, Busters eventual return would give Auburn another option at a spot where bodies matter. He will miss the upcoming game against Ole Miss, but the possibility of getting him back later in the season gives the Tigers something worth watching beyond just the next matchup. [Read more 🡒]
Auburns International Signee Saga Ends With Bigger Questions For The Program
Mantas Rubstavicius will not suit up for Auburn basketball this season after voluntarily dismissing his eligibility lawsuit against the NCAA, ending one of the more unusual roster stories the program has dealt with in recent months. The international signee is now expected to pursue a basketball opportunity in Europe, and he thanked Auburns administration, coach and teammates as the path with the Tigers came to a close.
The bigger issue for Auburn, though, may be what happens around the decision rather than the decision itself. The school also confirmed that general manager Brian Kloman was fired, with reports indicating the move stemmed from a failure to disclose Rubstavicius prior college enrollment overseas, leaving the program to sort through how such a significant oversight occurred in the first place. [Read more 🡒]