New York Jets: Thoughts on Brandon Marshall and David Harris

By Alan Schechter | Mar 7, 2015

Nov 9, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver

Brandon Marshall

(15) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 55-14. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Ah, what a day it was yesterday, wasn’t it? Mike Maccagnan certainly made a statement. The Jets needed a big play wide receiver, and they went and got one in Brandon Marshall. He made bringing David Harris back a priority, and got it done. Mike Maccagnan is clearly a guy that can something done when he wants to do it. The Jets have a roster builder on their hands in Maccagnan.

This morning I wanted to give some more thoughts on the acquisition of Brandon Marshall and the return of David Harris.

First on Marshall.

How can you look at this guy, strictly in the talent/production department, and not be excited? I personally think you can’t. Take a look at his career stats to date:

Since 2007, until he was injured last year, Brandon Marshall was a model of consistency. Every year, Marshall was good for over 80 receptions and over 1,000 yards. Marshall is just one year removed from a Pro Bowl appearance, and a 1,200 yard, 12 touchdown season. Even in an injury shortened season, Marshall posted 61 receptions, 721 yards and eight touchdowns. He had become a lethal duo with Alshon Jeffery.

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Standing at 6’4″, 229 pounds, Brandon Marshall is a perfectly sized target in the Red Zone, which has played out for his entire career. Out of 65 career touchdown receptions, 49 of them have been in the Red Zone. This is the type of consistency that Brandon Marshall, when healthy, provides. It’s also the consistent threat that the Jets haven’t had in many years.

A fifth round is a small price to pay for a receiver of his caliber. We don’t know what a draft pick is going to be, and we know what Brandon Marshall is. His injury is not one that he can’t come back from. It wasn’t an ACL or a hamstring. Marshall can get all the way back from this. He was not showing any signs of slowing down, so returning to his all-star form is not without possibility.

But the move does not come without concern in the back of your mind as a Jets fan. It has to.

It’s very interesting that Marshall has been acquired by the Jets in exchange for a fifth round pick, because that is exactly the same deal that Mike Tannenbaum made to bring Santonio Holmes to the Jets. There were great moments with Holmes, but we all know how that ended up. Could we be heading in that direction again?

It is Marshall’s third trade in five seasons. He has had documented legal trouble, and been a locker room concern. There is reason to be hopeful, as he is receiving treatment for “Borderline Personality Disorder”. So, Brandon Marshall could well be turning a corner, but the fact remains that he was traded away once again. In the back of a Jets fan’s mind has to be the question of why. Why is Brandon Marshall bouncing all over the league?

For now, you have to be happy about it. The healthy, attitude on right, version of Brandon Marshall is a wonderful football player, and all of a sudden makes the Jets offensive weapons pretty formidable.

My thoughts on David Harris on the next page.

Next: David Harris

Dec 28, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA;New York Jets inside linebacker David Harris (52) sacks Miami Dolphins quarterback

Ryan Tannehill

(17) in the first quarter at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

The “Hit man” is coming back to the Jets. David Harris has been resigned for three years at $21.5 million, $15 million guaranteed over two years. I have to say one thing.

I am over the moon with this. I love it.

Look at his numbers:

Talk about consistency, David Harris is it. Over the last three years, Harris has posted over 120 tackles, not showing any signs of slowing down there. His pass rush numbers were up as well, which is good to see. The Bowles system is “pressure-heavy”, so Harris will be counted on quite a bit.

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He may be slowing down in the speed department, but his pass coverage was not as bad as most think. Last season, he posted a Pro Football Focus grade in pass coverage of 1.8, which was up from -3.2 in 2013. David Harris still has game, folks.

The dollar figure is fine with me as well. You might ask me why? Isn’t that a big commitment for a 31-year-old linebacker? He’s going to slow down, why be so generous? I admit that it’s a fairly large commitment, but with money only guaranteed in the first two years, they can cut him with no risk before year three.

And, they have a long time Jets leader to help take the team into the future. It’s a win-win situation.

There you have it, my feelings on both moves. Be excited Jets fans. These are fun times, and it should get better from here.