Thread: Harris, Hillenmeyer, Shaffer Released

Bears nearing crossroads with Tommie Harris


By Brad Biggs

One of the many uncertainties about the NFL's labor situation is what will happen, in the event of a lockout, to players who are due to receive roster bonuses.

Take, for instance, the case of Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris. The veteran's status for 2011 isn't known yet and his future is something coach Lovie Smith or general manager Jerry Angelo might shed some light on later this week at the scouting combine in Indianapolis.

Harris was the first draft pick of the Smith era and the coach always has looked out for him, helping push through a contract extension in June 2008 when some in the organization questioned the player's health and the worthiness of an investment.

PHOTO GALLERY: Tommie Harris in action

The Bears appear to be at a crossroads with Harris, who had 18 tackles, two stops for loss and 1 1/2 sacks in 2010. He's due a roster bonus in June of $2.5 million and has a workout bonus of $500,000. That means he stands to collect $3 million before the first snap of training camp. Factor in a base salary of $2,312,500 for 2011 and you know why some believe it's unlikely he'll be around, not at that price anyway.

But if the Bears don't make a move with Harris before the end of business March 3, and if there's a lockout the next day, what happens if the labor matter isn't resolved until July? The owners and players have been meeting for six days in Washington with hopes of reaching a new collective bargaining agreement before March 3. What if they don't?

The Bears have concluded organizational meetings at Halas Hall, where they sort through their roster while also laying the groundwork for offseason plans in both free agency and the draft. Surely, they have an idea what they want to do with Harris. There was discussion about releasing him instead of defensive end Alex Brown last year when the club looked to cut costs after adding Julius Peppers.

For the second straight year, Harris made a late-season push that drew praise from coaches and teammates. He had two sacks in the divisional-round playoff victory over the Seattle Seahawks. But no one would say there was consistency with Harris' game. He plays the signature position in the Cover-2 scheme, the under tackle. And it's not like the Bears have a star in the waiting on the roster to take over for Harris, who was dominant before injuries impacted his play.

If the Bears have Harris, who turns 28 in April, on the roster after the first week of March, they may be planning to keep him at a price tag of $5.23 million next season. The benefit of having a roster bonus delayed like this is it gives the Bears a chance to explore replacements in both free agency and the draft and then evaluate those players in an offseason setting before having to cut a big check.

Typically, players have roster bonuses due in March, close to the start of the new league year. That is when safety Chris Harris is due a modest $500,000 roster bonus. The Bears forced Tommie Harris to push back the roster bonuses in his contract, and the calendar would indicate they have time to make a decision. But in this odd year when the offseason itself could be wiped out by a lockout, do the Bears have time to make a decision with the three-time Pro Bowl performer?

Maybe we'll find out soon. Team aren't certain yet what will happen with offseason bonuses in the event of a lockout. But surely, the Bears must know if Tommie Harris figures in their future.