In April of 2007, the New York Jets did some draft day dealing, and came up with two first day picks in the NFL Draft. The first of those picks was Darrelle Revis, and the second was Michigan's inside linebacker, David Harris.
Expert analysis' touted Harris as an immediate threat to the opposition's running game, and according to KFFL he would be "an ideal fit as an inside linebacker in a 3-4 defensive alignment."
Harris arrived to New York without much fanfare. Critics of his abilities identified his aggressiveness as a potential weakness in his game. However, he received praised for his ability to close distances quickly, and for his coverage skills.
With some impressive performances during the preseason, Harris earned opportunities to showcase his speed and talents on special teams. By the halfway mark of the season, he was named a starter against the Buffalo Bills, filling in for the injured Jonathan Vilma. From that moment on, Harris has shown Jets' fans what an inside linebacker is truly capable of in the 3-4 scheme.
That's not intended to be a cheap-shot at Vilma, either. He is an exceptional athlete, and he represented the Jets' uniform well during his time here. He should build on his excellent rookie and sophomore seasons with the New Orleans Saints. But to say he was ineffective in the 3-4 defense would be an understatement.
The common misconception is that David Harris replaced Vilma. The transition was actually reported as an interior shift with Eric Barton sliding into the vacancy left by Vilma, and Harris being placed in Barton's former location.
No matter how the adjustment is explained, the important information lies in Harris' statistics for that Buffalo game. In his first start, he tallied 17 tackles, 10 solo, and one sack! Jets' fans hadn't seen that kind of production from a linebacker in two years!
As the season went on, David Harris saw totals of 127 tackles, with 90 solo, five sacks, three passes defended, and two forced fumbles with one recovered in only nine NFL starts! Don't act like you're not impressed.
Taking a moment to play the comparison game, Harris' stats compare admirably to those of the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year, Patrick Willis, of the San Francisco 49ers.
Willis had the benefit of starting all 16 games in his rookie season, amassing 174 tackles, 135 solo, four sacks, and two forced fumbles with one recovered. Willis' numbers are certainly impressive, and he deserves his honors and accolades.
It's difficult to play the "could've and would've" card in the NFL, since there are so many variables that contribute to one's successes and failures. However, had David Harris been named a starter from week one, both Willis' and Harris' statistics would have made for a much more interesting vote for the Defensive Rookie of the Year.
A writer named "R_in_CT" of TheJetsBlog.com did the dirty work, and calculated what Harris' statistics could have been had he started from week one.
Averaging Harris' statistics from his nine starts, it was determined that he could have potentially amassed totals of 176 tackles with 128 solo, nine sacks, three forced fumbles, and five passes defended. While the numbers don't eclipse Willis, it certainly closes the gap most NFL analysts believe Willis established.
All comparisons aside, what the Jets certainly have here is a hard-nosed linebacker of a monstrous caliber. Harris is going to be an essential element to the New York Jets' league leading defense in 2008.
Angel Navedo is the Head Writer at NYJetsFan.com, boasting Jet Fuel Radio, frequently updated news and opinions, and a premier fan community.
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