By Ralph Mancini, NFL Draft Bible Senior Writer
Fresh off an 11-5 season in 2006, most ardent Jets fans had visions of their team continuing its ascent in the AFC as smart, workmanlike team capable of executing clutch, game-deciding plays late in games that would put them over the top in an extremely competitive conference.
Those grandiose expectations soon turned ominous in head coach Eric Mangini’s second campaign as New York was painfully exposed as a talent-deficient squad who had overachieved the year before.
Among the few things Gang Green aficionados can take solace in is the infusion of young blood in New York’s otherwise flimsy defense that has really given the team a much-needed shot in the arm.
Much like fellow rookie teammate Darrelle Revis, inside linebacker David Harris gave little indication of his inexperience when called upon to assume starter duties.
New York’s week eight contest versus Buffalo proved to be Harris’s coming-out party as the 47th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft made an unanticipated impact in place of Jonathan Vilma who suffered a devastating knee injury that prematurely ended his season the week before.
The former University of Michigan standout opened some eyes with a series of bone-crunching stops en route to recording 17 total tackles, three and a half of which resulted in lost yardage.
His punishing style immediately evoked memories of Marvin Jones, Mo Lewis and other stellar linebackers who once donned the green and white.
Harris followed up his promising start by authoring an astounding 24 tackles (20 solos) against a superior Washington Redskins team that many predicted would walk all over the hapless Jets.
Instead, the 6’ 2” 243-pound linebacker was a key component in helping his team make the game a tightly-contested matchup.
Harris’s inspiring takedown of running back Clinton Portis late in the fourth quarter enabled the Jets to trot their offense back on and drive for a game-tying field goal which forced overtime.
Ranked second overall among inside linebackers in the latest version of the NFL Draft Bible, the Grand Rapids, Michigan native’s on-field attributes went far beyond his physical qualities.
On the collegiate level, Harris was widely known as a uniquely discerning athlete who saw the field well which contributed to his aggressiveness when shedding blocks, finding the ball and stuffing oncoming ballcarriers.
He closed the book on his college career with a total of 196 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception and one fumble recovery.
His efforts were recognized when Harris not only became a finalist for the Butkus Award, but was also voted the team co-MVP along with tailback Mike Hart in his senior year.
When looking to revamp an undersized linebacking corps in their 3-4 scheme, the Jets front office were enamored both with his prototypical size and his technically-sound mechanics used to perfection when wrapping up opponents.
Despite lackluster speed and undeveloped coverage skills, Harris more than made up for his shortcomings with his natural leadership and thorough understanding of the sport.
“He’s got a good feel for where the ball is going prior to the snap and then adjusting post-snap,” said Mangini.
Since replacing Vilma, Harris has compiled 83 tackles with two sacks and a forced fumble.
To date, the precocious phenom is the team leader in tackles with 108 with only seven starts under his belt.
Also noteworthy is the fact that the youngster has taken a liking to calling plays and setting up the defense.
By all accounts, it would be safe to surmise the soon-to-be 24-year-old to be a complete package at linebacker, but playing behind a stamina-deprived nose guard in Dwayne Robertson has prevented Harris from becoming a weekly dominant presence.
With added beef to the front line, there’s little doubt that the rookie could flourish into an All-Pro in 2008.
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