Mailbag Hijack: Herm Waived To Spygate’s Camera
ESPN’s AFC East blogger Tim Graham held his weekly mailbag on his divisional blog and needless to say there were a few mentions of the Green and White. However, the most interesting bit to me had to do with a former coach.
I kept an open mind about the Spygate saga as it developed, but I’ve spoken to more than enough intelligent football people about it. I’m convinced the benefits of the verboten video were overblown.
ESPN analyst Herm Edwards is one of the discerning minds I’ve asked about it. Edwards, then the New York Jets’ head coach, was so unimpressed he was captured waving to the Patriots’ camera in one of the illegal tapes from 2004.
“If you’re naïve to believe that helped him win a Super Bowl,” Edwards said last week, “you’re kidding yourself. I don’t believe that.”
To hear what Graham had to say about the Jets’ WR dilemma follow after the jump…
Matt in Ramsey, N.J., and Mike in New York City wonder if it would be a good idea for the Jets to sign receiver Marvin Harrison. Mike thinks he can be a valuable veteran presence to help groom rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez for the NFL.
Harrison would be a bad idea. There’s a reason he hasn’t been able to find work yet. He’ll turn 37 in August and is in decline. He caught 60 passes for 636 yards last year despite 15 games in a pass-happy offense. He’s a shadow of the player we’ll remember when he enters the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
And…
Adam in Endicott., N.Y., would like to know if the Dolphins will pursue disgruntled Denver Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall, while Ian in New York City has a similar question from a Jets perspective.
I’m skeptical the Broncos will trade Marshall. When they decided to deal Jay Cutler, they had to consider Marshall’s gifts would keep their passing game potent. To jettison Cutler and Marshall would be gutting the offense. Also, when the Broncos fielded offers for Cutler, they seemed adamant about trading him out of the conference. That could be the case for Marshall, too.
But those are my theories. AFC West blogger Bill Williamson wrote an educated analysis on why Marshall should stay in Denver. I’d read that before harboring any dreams of Marshall joining your team.
To be honest, Bassett’s post earlier this week on Marshall sums up exactly how I feel. I mean, if you think Plax is a chracter concern, Mr. Marshall isn’t far behind and may even be ahead in terms of bad person-itude. However, I’m surprised I haven’t heard Harrison’s name mentioned more often. Yes, I know he’s not ideal in terms of height or speed, but he’s still an incredibly decorated wideout who can catch a troubled ball or two. His knowledge would be incredibly invaluable to both the young QBs and the young WRs and seeing as how he’s lasted this long in FA, his price should be in the affordable range.
Say what you want about his heigh but he still managed to catch double-digit TD passes for 8 straight years. Sanchez and Clemens aren’t Peyton Manning and Harrison’s productivy sagged last year, but he sounds to me like a guy worth taking a flier on. Also, regardless of how far along Stuckey and Co. are, he’d be a weapon defenses would have to respect and someone you could create problems with.
Finally, even with his down year last year, he still had a pretty solid year for a No. 2 or No. 3 WR. Now, he wasn’t being paid or looked at like a No. 2 or 3 last year, but with this team he would and could be. He would be just another sure-handed weapon for two QBs with questionable accuracy to throw to.
So how about it, Marvin Harrison anyone?
13 Responses to Mailbag Hijack: Herm Waived To Spygate’s Camera
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Jimmy Shnoogen says:
I’m gonna have to disagree with you on this one. While Harrison’s potential veteran presence and knowledge that he would bring are ideal for a young QB and WR corp, his knees are not in great shape, and he’s 37. The Jets need a legitimate downfield threat in a division that has Randy Moss, Terrell Owens and Lee Evans as opponents.
I hope that Plaxico Burress situation gets resolved, because I want the Jets to land a 6’5 WR that could make the offense a two headed monster. But if not Plax, I’d take Matt Jones, despite his drug issues, before I even consider looking up Harrison’s agent in my Rolodex.
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Nelson17 says:
Well why couldnt we get Harrison on the cheap and then after that also trying to get Plax or Marshall? Getting a vet like Harrison is better than trying to get the big fish and getting nothing. Not sure how much Harrison will cost but I imagine its affordable considering not too many teams have interest in him,
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Brad R. says:
I don’t want Harrison. There were a few times last year where he pulled up and ducked contact instead of making a play. I don’t want a player afraid of taking a hit. Brilliant career though.
Also, I just lost a lot of respect for Tim Graham for writing that Herm has a “discerning mind.” Herm might be legally retarded.
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dade county jets fan says:
if herm waved at a spygate camera he’s an idiot and thats why he got booted out of ny for mangidiot
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Vinny Interceptaverde says:
It’s ironic that Tim Graham uses Herm Edwards as an “authority” in determining how much benefit the Patriots got from cheating. Herm was 0 for the century against Belichick and Brady. He might have had one win againist them, but I can’t remember any off the top of my head. At least Mangini occassionaly beat the Pats. So in my opinion Herm may not be the best person to ask about this issue.
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ramble914 says:
Harrison’s knees are shot, he can’t run anymore.
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TJBfan says:
Patriots paid the price for what they did..so I won’t complain any further on that end. I will say though that while I may not be a “smart football person” I think common sense says the tapes don’t get destroyed if they prove it wouldn’t have made a difference in the super bowl.
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BigKatFan says:
With 3 or 4 good running backs, the WR problem may not be as bad as we thought.
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Josh says:
I really didn’t think I could hate Herm more than I already do…
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Johnny Hector says:
Herm is also the same coach who hired Dick Curl as his time management coach. Dick Curl (aka Father Time) was hired to help save precious seconds that could be used to call the right play to help win a game. If Herm believes a few seconds can make the diference in a game he should also believe calling a formation to counteract what your competition is about to do would also put you in an advantageous position.
Lets look at reality, Belichek is a superior coach to Herm. Belichek’s methods have continually produced success. So if Belichek is video taping opposing coaches on the sideline he doing so because it is part of his methodology that has produced winning. New England has been in 4 of the last 8 Superbowls and won 3. If Belichek felt it did not give him a competitive edge he would not be wasting his resources.
In a sport where winning or losing typically hinges on 2 or 3 plays. Any advantage you can gain over your opposition if beneficial. Herm is the naive one in this debate.
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Row says:
I agree with Jimmy. Would much rather have Jones than Harrison. Obviously I’d rather have Plax and Marshall (in that order) ahead of both.
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GoalieTJ1 says:
Jones = Interesting thought, experiment
Harrison = Old, knowledgeableI would much rather have a new, younger, intersting experimental WR than Harrison. All in all more upside with Jones
no harrison just get marshall