Rex Ryan calls David Harris most underrated LB in NFL
By Cory Buck
The New York Jets have sported one of the staunchest defenses in the NFL since the arrival of head coach Rex Ryan. Even in years when the team has failed to make the playoffs, the defense has put forth a top effort with matching results in that ballpark. One of the only players to start in Ryan’s defense in all 86 games of the coach’s tenure has largely been overlooked in his time in New York and Ryan has had enough.
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“David Harris is the most underrated player in the league,” Ryan told the Daily News. “It ain’t close! It ain’t close! You could have a top 100… and he’s not even mentioned. And I’m like, ‘What?!’”
Ryan referred to the NFL Network’s Top 100 list that counted down the 100 best players in the league. David Harris was absent from that list, which irked Ryan. Such a reliable cog in the middle of the defense is sneakily valuable, especially to a coach like Ryan who relies so heavily on his veteran linebackers.
As the Daily News piece notes, “[Harris] finished in the Top 10 in analytical website ProFootballFocus.com’s run defense rating and quarterback hurries (12) in his seventh season in the league.”
Harris had a bit of a down year in 2012, but came back strong in 2013 to lead the team to an improved record. He has been excellent against the run throughout his career with 2013 being no exception, but the pass has been another story. The piece notes that, “Quarterbacks had a 119.2 passer rating throwing into Harris’ coverage last season. Only six linebackers allowed a worse rating.”
David Harris will have a chance to prove his coach right in the coming week as training camp is set to open for the New York Jets on Thursday at SUNY Cortland.