David Harris is playing on a new level this year.

He's healthy and he has Rex Ryan. Bart Scott has been less than stellar.

 

He did, a preseason sack is a HUGE difference from last year.

 

I doubt that was his motivation. He never played badly enough to jeopardize his job security anyway.

 

Agreed, he was playing well before Scott got here. I think the main part is that he's playing next to [Not Eric Barton].

 

Or it could just be that he was a beast his rookie year and he improved, last year he was injured most of the season so this is pretty much his 2nd year.

 

He played his rookie year next to Barton and was almost as good as he is now. I think Sutton v Rex/Pettine was the biggest difference.

edit: Plus in 07 he was playing behind D-Slob, with Hobson and Thomas outside.

 

Harris has been lights out this year. All over the field making plays vs the run, in coverage and rushing the passer. He already has 100+ tackles, 5.5 sacks, 3 FF, and 1 INT with 4 more games to go. Huge season.

 

I remember reading somewhere that Mangini asked Harris to bulk up to 260 last year. Could be why he was good not great, and fucking great this year.

 

Scott was brought in to play the "Ted" position which is what Harris played last year, taking on blockers and letting the "Mike" backer attack the run. Harris played the "Mike" role his rookie season and excelled. For some reason (rampant stupidity/incompetence?) Mangini switched Harris to the Ted spot last season, giving him fewer opportunities to make plays. Ryan pretty much gave Harris his old spot back, but still likes to switch them back and forth.

Edit:

Plus this. Which could also explain his injury problems. I don't think that Harris was ever asked to play that heavy in college. The extra weight and the position switch really messed with him last year.

 

I wasn't aware of that one. It reminds me of when Herm asked Ellis to bulk up to 300 to take over the 3T and then when the experiment failed before the season even began, he moved Ellis back to DE overweight and hung him out to dry.

 

Harris is playing at all time beast mode

 

Yeah. I remember reading an article that said Mangini asked Harris to bulk up to 260 for '08 to play the "thumper" ILB role which asks the ILB to take on more blockers.

 

Mangini really knows how to make square pegs from round holes.

 

He turned a hole into a peg?

Holy shit, he created matter.

 

Now if only he could come up with a defense that created pressure.

 

good catch.

i meant round pegs.

my typo created humor, so it stays unedited.

 

He should Twitter all the fans to vote him to the Pro Bowl.

 

Bart Scott has been OUTSTANDING. He takes on the blockers, he's a leader and a coach on the field. He's worth alot more than the Jets are paying him.

 

plus harris knows he has no free safety help behing him (rhodes).

 

We may need a Harris house of worship thread in the near future