David Harris - Pro Football Rumors

Jets Re-Sign David Harris

March 6th, 2015 at 12:21pm CST by Luke Adams

Despite reportedly being a top target for Rex Ryan‘s new team in Buffalo, linebacker David Harris will stick with Ryan’s old team in New York. Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reports (Twitter links) that Harris and the Jets have reached an agreement on a three-year, $21.5MM contract that includes $15MM in fully guaranteed money.

Harris, who has spent his entire career with the Jets, played out a four-year, $36MM contract with the team and would have reached the open market next Tuesday if the club hadn’t worked out an agreement to keep him in the fold.

While an annual salary worth around $7MM isn’t exorbitant for the veteran linebacker, even as he enters his age-31 season, the fully guaranteed $15MM is a surprise. New GM Mike Maccagnan and the Jets front office may have been spurred to action by reports of Harris drawing interest from the Bills and others, along with the fact that he headed a fairly weak free agent class of linebackers.

Harris has played – and started – every single one of the Jets’ regular season games over the last six seasons, averaging about 114 tackles per year over that stretch. In 2014, he racked up 124 tackles, recorded 5.5 sacks, and forced a pair of fumbles. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) rated his performance as about middle-of-the-pack for inside linebackers, ranking him 29th of 60 qualified players.

Free Agent Rumors: Spiller, Suh, Harris

March 4th, 2015 at 5:14pm CST by Luke Adams

League sources tell Dianna Marie Russini of NBC 4 Washington (Twitter link) that C.J. Spiller turned down a contract offer worth $4.5MM per year from the Bills before the team decided to make a move for LeSean McCoy. It’s hard to evaluate Spiller’s decision without knowing how Buffalo’s offer was structured, but presumably the running back will be trying to top that number on the open market next week. More free agent rumors..

Russini also reports (via Twitter) that the Colts are expected to try to get involved in the Ndamukong Suh derby, if the star defender reaches the open market. Washington, Miami, and the Giants have also been identified as potential suitors this week.
Expect the Bills to put on a “full court press” for linebacker David Harris, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, using a cross-sport metaphor. Buffalo was already considered a potential landing spot for Harris due to the Rex Ryan connection, and the trade of Kiko Alonso makes it an even more obvious fit.
The 49ers are expected to be in the mix for newly-available edge defender Trent Cole, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). Cole would likely be a better fit in a 4-3 system, but he’s been effective enough in Philadelphia over the last two seasons that it looks like 3-4 teams won’t rule out pursuing him.
Former Packers wide receiver Kevin Dorsey had been scheduled to visit with the 49ers on Tuesday, but the two sides had to cancel the meeting due to bad weather on the East Coast, reports Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. San Francisco is hoping to reschedule Dorsey’s visit, but hasn’t done so yet, per agent Chad Wiestling.
Expect the Giants to kick the tires of Devin McCourty if he makes it to the open market, tweets Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. Giants safeties Antrel Rolle, Quintin Demps, and Stevie Brown are all eligible for free agency, so the safety position is wide open in New York.
Veteran defensive end Chris Canty, cut by the Ravens last week, is scheduled to visit the Jets on Friday and Saturday, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). New Jets head coach Todd Bowles and defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers were both on the coaching staff in Dallas from 2005 to 2007 when Canty started his NFL career with the Cowboys.

Dolphins Rumors: Clay, Odrick, Harris, WRs

February 25th, 2015 at 7:52am CST by Luke Adams

Barry Jackson’s Wednesday Buzz column for the Miami Herald is chock full of notable Dolphins-related tidbits, so let’s dive right in and see what kind of free agent rumors Jackson has for us today….

Negotiations between the Dolphins and tight end Charles Clay are active and the team is cautiously optimistic that something will get done. There’s no certainty at this point, but Miami would like to keep its Clay/Dion Sims TE duo intact.
The Dolphins intend to make an offer to free-agent-to-be Jared Odrick, and have told him as much. However, the team has confided in people that the defensive tackle may command more than what the club is willing to pay — a contract worth $7MM+ per year isn’t out of reach for Odrick.
Miami wants to add a starting linebacker, and David Harris of the Jets figures to be a prime target. New Dolphins president of football operations Mike Tannenbaum drafted Harris back in 2007 when he was the Jets’ general manager. If Harris ultimately ends up out of the Dolphins’ price range, Mason Foster of the Buccaneers may be Plan B, per Jackson.
The Dolphins would like to re-sign prospective free agent defensive backs Louis Delmas and Jimmy Wilson, as well as tackle Jason Fox.
While the fate of specific players like Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline still hasn’t been made clear, the Dolphins have told people that there will be some turnover at the wide receiver position, according to Jackson.
Although Miami would like to bring back Samson Satele, he will likely find a better opportunity elsewhere now that the club is moving Mike Pouncey back to center.

Falcons, Bears Interested In David Harris

February 20th, 2015 at 5:58pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

If David Harris hits the free agent market next month, the longtime Jets middle linebacker is expected to be among the most sought-after defenders available. Two of his possible suitors could be the Falcons and Bears, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com tweeted Friday. According to McClure, both teams will “definitely” be interested in Harris should he become available on March 10.

The 31-year-old Harris has been a key piece for the Jets since they drafted him out of Michigan in 2007. The 2014 season, Harris’ eighth in the NFL, saw the 250-pounder play in a whopping 99% of defensive snaps for New York and total 124 tackles and six sacks.

Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reported earlier this week that the Jets aim to retain Harris, who is coming off a four-year, $36MM deal.

“I would say that David is a player we would very much like to get back in the mix,” said Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan at this week’s combine, according to Dom Cosentino of NJ.com.

If the Jets are unable to re-sign Harris, it seems either Atlanta or Chicago would make sense as destinations. Both finished in the the bottom three of the league in total defense last season. Moreover, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Harris would be an improvement over the clubs’ current starting middle linebackers – the Falcons’ Paul Worrilow and the Bears’ D.J. Williams.

Jets Met With Josh McCown At Combine

February 18th, 2015 at 2:25pm CST by Luke Adams

We can add the Jets to the list of potential suitors for free agent quarterback Josh McCown. Per Brian Costello of the New York Post (via Twitter), new general manager Mike Maccagnan confirmed that he met with McCown in Indianapolis today, joining the Bills, Browns, and Bears as teams with interest in the former Buccaneer. Head coach Todd Bowles had said during his press conference this afternoon that it’s “possible” the Jets will add a veteran QB to their roster this offseason, and McCown would certainly fit that bill.

Here are several more highlights from Maccagnan’s and Bowles’ conversations with reporters today, with all links going to the Twitter accounts for various scribes in Indy, including Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com:

While a veteran is one possibility, a rookie quarterback is also on the table for the Jets, and Maccagnan confirmed today that the team will meet with both Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota at the combine.
Bowles was noncommittal about Geno Smith as New York’s starter, suggesting that he wanted to sit down and talk to Smith before making any decisions. The new head coach didn’t commit one way or the other to Percy Harvin either, telling reporters that the team is still evaluating the situation. Maccagnan said that the Jets will meet with Harvin’s agent at the combine, and hinted that they may ask the wideout to rework his deal.
Maccagnan, who said last month that he anticipates the Jets being “very active” in free agency, took that a step further today, suggesting that the club will potentially be in on one or more big-money players.
Both Bowles and Maccagnan expressed interest in re-signing linebacker David Harris, who is eligible to reach the open market next month.
Asked about positions of need, the new general manager unsurprisingly singled out the cornerback spot as an offseason priority.

AFC Notes: Jets, Hoyer, Broncos, Jags, Titans

February 18th, 2015 at 12:37pm CST by Luke Adams

We heard yesterday that new Jets GM Mike Maccagnan will meet with Muhammad Wilkerson‘s agent this week in Indianapolis, and a sit-down to discuss the team’s most obvious extension candidate isn’t the only noteworthy meeting on Maccagnan’s schedule for the combine. According to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com, the general manager will also huddle with the agent for linebacker David Harris, who is perhaps the club’s top free-agent-to-be. As Cimini points out, it should be an interesting negotiation, since Harris is coming off a four-year, $36MM and is now 31 years old — he also plays a position which typically doesn’t produce big paydays.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

Brian Hoyer had hoped to sit down with Browns GM Ray Farmer by now to gauge Cleveland’s interest in re-signing him, but that meeting hasn’t happend yet, sources tell Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com. In Grossi’s view, it looks increasingly unlikely that Hoyer will return to the Browns.
New Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak said today that he expects the team to be on the hunt for a fullback this offseason, tweets Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com. “Obviously I’ve had one on my team all the time,” Kubiak said.
A talent upgrade should be coming to Jacksonville, according to Hays Carlyon of the Florida Times-Union, who writes that Jaguars owner Shad Khan wants to take advantage of the team’s huge chunk of cap space by targeting “the better players.”
Titans general manager Ruston Webster has a much better idea this offseason than he did a year ago what sort of players the Titans should target from a personnel standpoint, writes Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. Most notably, as the team continues its transition to a 3-4 unit, linebacker will be an area of focus for Tennessee at the combine and in the draft.

Cole’s Latest: Murray, Harris, Maxwell

January 23rd, 2015 at 5:02pm CST by Luke Adams

Free agency is still about a month and a half away, but rumors are already starting to swirl about some of the players that could reach the open market on March 10. In his latest video report, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report weighs in on a few of those players, including the top running back eligible for free agency. Here are the highlights:

Reiterating that the Cowboys will use their franchise tag on wide receiver Dez Bryant if necessary, Cole says that if the team wants to re-sign DeMarco Murray, the running back probably won’t come cheap. Cole’s sources expect Murray to command between $7-10MM annually on a new deal, and at this point, Dallas seems unwilling to go that high. Cole echoes a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, which suggests that at last check, the Cowboys’ best offer was worth just $4MM per year, though I’d expect the club to increase that offer before letting Murray walk.
David Harris is viewed as the top inside linebacker eligible for unrestricted free agency this offseason, and he’s not overly committed to re-signing with the Jets, according to Cole. While a return to New York is possible, Harris would like to play for a contending team, and may be open to taking a little less money to make that happen.
The Seahawks have locked up impact players like Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Michael Bennett, and others, and a big extension for Russell Wilson is around the corner. Given the commitments to those players, the team may have to part ways with cornerback Byron Maxwell. Per Cole, Maxwell is expected to reach the open market and will be a “hot commodity” if he’s available.

Bills Notes: Harris, Pace, Ryan

January 12th, 2015 at 3:12pm CST by Zachary Links

Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter) tells Bills fans to keep an eye on free agent linebacker David Harris, a favorite of new head coach Rex Ryan. Mehta says Ryan will also want to make a play for outside linebacker Calvin Pace, if the Jets cut him loose. More on the Bills, who are suddenly one of the most intriguing teams to watch for 2015..

A league source tells Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee (via Twitter) that the Bills have interest in 49ers offensive line coach Mike Solari. He’s been with the 49ers since the 2010 season.
Bills quarterback EJ Manuel has left his agents at Dimensional Sports, according to Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal (on Twitter). Manuel is currently without an agent. The FSU product is under contract with the Bills through 2016.
There’s a ton of buzz about Ryan going to the Bills and amping up their rivalry with the Jets, but Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com says that’s nothing for Gang Green to fear. Buffalo is already an elite defensive squad and the odds of Ryan turning Manuel into an elite quarterback are slim.

Jets Links: Ryan, Idzik, Decker, Casserly

December 27th, 2014 at 3:18pm CST by Rob DiRe

Jets head coach Rex Ryan has cleaned out his office at One Jets Drive, reports Dom Cosentino of NJ.com. With the team set to finish the season no better than 4-12, most fans and pundits believe that it will be Ryan’s last game with New York.

Team owner Woody Johnson has hired Charlie Casserly to serve as a consultant, likely in an effort to help him to hire replacements for both Ryan and general manager John Idzik.

Here are some other notes from around Jets camp:

While Ryan has already cleaned out his office, many of his players are still giving their full support and effort to their head coach, reports Kimberly Martin of Newsday. One of his newest additions, Percy Harvin, was adamant about how much he likes playing for Ryan. “I love him. I loved him before I got here and I’m that much more in love with him now that I’m here,’‘ said Harvin. “I don’t think anybody in this locker room has anything negative to say about Coach. That’s why you see guys still playing hard these last few games, still giving their all for Coach. He’s a players’ coach and definitely a guy you want to play for.”
Idzik could very well be joining Ryan in packing up his stuff, and if he does get fired, he will have his 8-8 2013 to blame, writes Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com. Fitzgerald surmises that the surprise 8-8 season is more damaging than a three-win 2014 campaign because it elevated and highlighted Ryan’s gifts at a coach to take a bad roster to the brink of playoff contention, and it blurred the line between whether Ryan or Idzik was more to blame for the lack of success, and cost Idzik a chance at a high draft pick and a new coach this past offseason.
If Casserly has been contacting potential coach and general manager candidates, he may have committed tampering, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. He notes that the league has made no comment about the situation or the conflict of interest, as Casserly sits on the Career Development Advisory Panel. Florio’s source tells him that Casserly is calling about candidates, not contacting them directly. The influence Casserly has from sitting on that panel could be invaluable, and is considered a rare genius move by Florio.
This Sunday’s game against the Dolphins could be the last in green for a few of the Jets’ veteran player, writes Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. Some players who may not be back include Michael Vick, Willie Colon, Dawan Landry, Bilal Powell, and David Harris. Cimini also writes that Harvin, Chris Johnson, and Calvin Pace could be cap casualties this offseason.
Although Eric Decker will be missing the playoffs for only the second time in his NFL career after signing with the Jets this past offseason, he has no regrets about the decision, according to Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post. “I don’t have any regrets. When I made my decision to come to New York I wholeheartedly felt it was the best decision,’’ Decker said. “Even though the record is not the same and the stats aren’t the same [as they were in Denver], I still believe that my purpose is to be here. I believe there is a greater plan for me. I realize that is probably hard to see that in the moment.’’

AFC Mailbags: Jets, Chiefs, Jaguars

December 20th, 2014 at 8:55am CST by Ben Levine

It’s Saturday morning, and ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening their mailbags and answering questions from readers. Let’s take a look at some interesting notes out of the AFC…

According to Rich Cimini, the vibe around the Jets organization is that owner Woody Johnson wants to replace general manger John Idzik. However, the writer suggests that Idzik could stick around in a reduced role.
Cimini writes that the majority of the Jets upcoming unrestricted free agents are replaceable, but he believes linebacker David Harris “still has value.”
As the Chiefs‘ contract negotiations with linebacker Justin Houston drag on, Adam Teicher is under the impression that the upcoming free agent is “headed for the franchise tag.”
Of the Jaguars upcoming free agents, Michael DiRocco gives defensive end Tyson Alualu the best chance of returning. The writer is not very optimistic about Cecil Shorts, Alan Ball or Marcedes Lewis re-signing.
Meanwhile, DiRocco focuses on positions the Jaguars will likely pursue in free agency. He points to offensive line, tight end and wide receiver as particular areas of need, and he throws out Patriots safety Devin McCourty as a “name to watch.”