NFL Rumors: New York Jets Use Their Franchise Tag Wisely

The New York Jets will be faced with several crucial decisions over the course of this offseason, as many of the team's key pieces are set to become free agents.

One decision that has already been made is the immediate future of linebacker David Harris.

The Jets announced today that they have assigned their franchise tag to Harris.

While Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Antonio Cromartie, just to name a few, are also set to become free agents, the Jets felt Harris was too valuable to risk losing to free agency. 

Simply put: They got this one right.

Here's why.

No Distractions

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Matt Spaeth #89 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a touchdown pass in front of David Harris #52 of the New York Jets during the game on December 19, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Ge

While there is no denying the talent that Holmes, Edwards and Cromartie bring to the table, each player also brings along with him some unnecessary baggage.

Both Holmes and Edwards have recently been in legal trouble, while Cromartie hasn't been making any friends by insulting the National Football League Players Association.

Harris is the polar opposite.  He is a quiet leader in the locker room and chooses to let his play do the talking.  On a team filled with players who love to talk, Harris chooses to remain silent.  When Nick Mangold and Darrelle Revis were making headlines by signing their new contract extensions, Harris kept quiet, even though his contract status was still in limbo.

Unlike the others, Harris avoids putting on a sideshow.

Team Needs

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears looks for a receiver as David Harris #52 of the New York Jets rushes at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jets 38-34. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Get

As of now, the Jets' defense is filled with uncertainty.

The Jets are in desperate need of a pass rusher, as the team struggled to get to the quarterback much of last year.  Veteran Jason Taylor has likely played his last game in the NFL.  Nobody is really sure if defensive tackle Kris Jenkins can come back from a second straight ACL surgery.  The safety position was a weakness for the Jets much of last season.  Finally, the team's second best defensive player, Cromartie, is also a free agent and could land elsewhere.

The Jets couldn't lose Harris.  Not when fellow inside linebacker Bart Scott is struggling to tackle and is on the decline.  Not when the secondary is in flux.

Harris provides a stabilizing force.

Position

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 21: Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans runs the ball against David Harris #52 of the New York Jets on November 21, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

If the Jets lose Holmes or Edwards this offseason, so what?

The day the season ended in Pittsburgh for the Jets, it was common knowledge that Holmes and Edwards had likely played their last game together.

If they lose one of the receivers there are still viable options available.  The Jets could look to sign players such as Steve Breaston or Terrell Owens.

Replacing a player at middle linebacker would have been much more difficult.  There is far less depth in this year's free agent class at linebacker than there is at wide receiver, or even cornerback for that matter.

The Jets pride themselves on defense, which is why they needed to make sure Harris stayed with the team.

Age

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19: David Harris #52 of the New York Jets tackles Aaron Hernandez #85 of the New England Patriots during their game on September 19, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/

The Jets are relatively young on the offensive side of the ball.

Players such as Mark Sanchez, Shonn Greene, Dustin Keller, D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold provide a promising future for the Jets.  Losing Holmes or Edwards wouldn't be that much of a significant setback.

However, the Jets are aging on defense.  Harris is only 27 and will provide a young anchor every defense needs in order to be great.

Better Chance to Sign Long-Term

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FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 22: Coach Rex Ryan of the New York Jets chats with David Harris #52 before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on November 22, 2009 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

The franchise tag is only good for one year, meaning a player can become a free agent again the next year.

However, both the Jets and Harris have spoken publicly about their desires to work out a long-term deal.  Placing the tag on Harris not only provides Harris with a significant raise, but also gives both sides more time to work out a deal.

The Jets can't afford to sign both Edwards and Holmes to long-term extensions, so they are better off letting one of them go now instead of waiting a year.

If they had signed one to an extension and placed the franchise tag on the other, that would have left little money to work out a deal with Harris, making it likely that he would have left.

In the end, the Jets just couldn't let that happen.