How did Jerome Harrison go from the Browns' leading rusher last season to a role player this year?
To Harrison, it does not matter. After being traded from Cleveland to Philadelphia on Wednesday for running back Mike Bell, Harrison is looking forward to a "fresh start."
"I still don't know the answer to that. I'm not too much worried about that," said Harrison when asked about the change in his role. "I'm here now and I'm glad to be here."
The fifth-year running back out of Washington State rushed for a career-high 862 yards and five touchdowns last season. In one of those games, at Kansas City on Dec. 20, he rushed for 286 yards and three touchdowns. That single-game total is the third-highest in NFL history. Harrison followed that performance up with two more 100-yard games to end the season.
The 5-9, 205-pound Harrison also caught 34 passes for 220 yards and two scores, which makes him an ideal fit for the Eagles offense. The Browns, meanwhile, turned to Peyton Hillis, a power runner, whose style more closely resembles Bell. The Eagles' other Bell, rookie Joique, could potentially fill the role of short-yardage back.
Harrison found out about the trade after Cleveland's practice on Wednesday. Before he left, he spoke to two former Eagles who are now in Cleveland in Chris Gocong and Sheldon Brown.
"They spoke highly of the city and the team and the organization," Harrison said. "They said I would love it over here."
Harrison will take part in his first practice on Thursday. As far as his role for this Sunday's game against the Falcons, Harrison is unsure of since he is trying to get acclimated to a whole new offense.
"I know I'm going to get after it tonight and just study hard," Harrison said. "I'm just going to try my hardest to learn it as fast as possible."
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 12:52 p.m., October 14
