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As we continue to look at Jason La Canfora’ overpaid players list, which was loaded with Jets, we examine another player he listed and whether it’s fair or not.
“Another case of chronic Jets overspending, (David) Harris is a nice linebacker but not an elite one and he hasn’t been for a little while now after absorbing so much abuse,” wrote La Canfora for CBSSports.com. “Particularly with inside linebackers being devalued, this is crazy money. Again, contract language with guarantees limited what the Jets could do here. Harris is making more money than young stars like Daryl Washington and James Laurinaitis, even though he renegotiated in 2011 and they have been paid since then.”
There is no question that Harris’ contract is high, but let me start out by saying that it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
Harris is a class act.
So in the regard, it’s good to see one of the good guys getting big money.
But there is no question that Harris’ contract was a case of largesse from former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum.
Here is the problem Tannenbaum ran into.
When Rex Ryan became the Jets’ coach in 2009, the first player he wanted the team to target in free agency was Bart Scott.
Remember, Ryan went to Scott’s house in Maryland at the start of free agency. It was a full court press.
Ryan felt he needed Scott to set the tone on defense.
So the Jets probably overpaid for Scott because they wanted to get this deal done at all costs, and gave him a six-year deal for $48 million.
That deal averaged $8 million per (even though he didn’t make it to the end of the contract).
So that $8 million figure was the benchmark for the Harris’ camp. I think we can all agree that Harris is as good as Scott, and probably a little better.
Harris received a four-year deal worth $36 million with $29.5 million guaranteed
So that deal averages $9 million a year, beating the Scott deal.
On the surface that makes some sense – the Harris’ camp wanted to beat the Scott deal, and they did.
But here is the problem – just because you overpaid Scott, why then overpay Harris? Why create double trouble?
Tannenbaum should have said to Harris and his agent, “The Scott deal was due to extenuating circumstances – we needed to get him in here to help establish the program. We can’t use that contract as a benchmark for your contract.”
$6-$7 million a year would have been fine for Harris, perhaps a little more than the the six-year, $32 million deal signed by Daryl Washington in Arizona.
But I think there was something else at work here.
Remember when Leon Washington fired Alan Herman because he said that agent was too close to Tannenbaum to hammer him for a big money deal.
Well Herman also represents Harris, so maybe, in some small way, the bonanza Harris contract was a shot across the bow at Washington and agent Alvin Keels.
Hey, Harris is a solid player. It’s not like the Jets aren’t getting plenty for their money. He’s not a star, but he’s very good – he’s instinctive, tough and hard-working.
I know he has issues in coverage at times against tight ends, but I’m telling you, so do most inside linebackers in the NFL when you ask them to cover too long. The Jets mediocre pass rush has hurt players like Harris some times, asking them to leave their comfort zone, and have to cover for five-six seconds.
In closing, it’s hard to argue that Harris’ contract is a little high.
But it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
June 7, 2013
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