New England Patriots: Veteran LB David Harris signs with Super Bowl champs
The New England Patriots add depth at linebacker by signing a veteran linebacker from the rival New York Jets.
If you can’t beat them, join them. As first reported by ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter on Wednesday, the New England Patriots have signed veteran linebacker David Harris to a two-year, $6.75 million deal.
The former New York Jets linebacker was released on June 6 after spending 10 seasons with the team. During his 10-year tenure, Harris has had many battles with the Patriots as the Jets starting middle linebacker. To say the two sides have familiarity with each other would be an understatement.
The 33-year-old Davis was released by the Jets on June 6 after he refused to take a pay cut. For a team in rebuild mode, the decision to cut the veteran linebacker isn’t too shocking from the outside looking in.
With a lack of dependable depth at the position, the Patriots taking a look at Harris was a no-brainer. Not only does he have valuable experience as a signal caller on defense, his durability symbolizes a player who will be reliable on the field.
As his performance on the field speaks for itself through his number, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has been a fan of the former 2007 second-round pick of the New York Jets.
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"“He’s a very instinctive player, which unfortunately we’ve seen firsthand,” Belichick said of Davis in 2014, via the Boston Herald. “He does a good job for them. He’s been very consistent, durable, dependable, productive over a long period of time. How long has this guy been there? Like eight, nine years – yeah, it seems like he’s been there a long time. He’s done a real good job for them.”"
What the signing means for the Patriots
In signing David Harris, the New England Patriots will add another veteran who can play alongside Don’t’a Hightower and also step in for him in case of injury.
He joins a linebacker group that consists of Hightower, Elandon Roberts, Shea McClellin, Jonathan Freeny and Kyle Van Noy. His veteran leadership should help a younger player like Roberts and his competitive nature will push McClellin, Freeny and Van Noy for playing time.
The signing is also reminiscent of veteran linebackers Belichick has added in the past. Most notably Bryan Cox and the late Junior Seau.
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Overall, this is the type of signing that keeps the Patriots a contender. Davis will still have to fight for a job, but if he is anything near the player he has been with the Jets, then he should be a very nice attribute on the Patriots defense.