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Chris Harris Moves to Strong Safety........
Bears moving Harris to strong safety
Free agent Danieal Manning's days as Bear could be done
Chris Harris celebrates an interception against the Jets on Dec. 26, 2010. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Tribune photo)
By Brad Biggs Tribune reporter 1:07 a.m. CDT, July 26, 2011
In a move that signals the Bears are not likely to re-sign Danieal Manning, veteran Chris Harris will be moved to his more natural strong safety position when the Bears hit the practice field for the first time Saturday in Bourbonnais, Ill.
That will clear an opening for Major Wright, the club's third-round pick a year ago, to slide into the starting lineup at free safety.
"I don't think Danieal will be back, to be honest with you," Harris told the Tribune. "That will leave myself, Major, Craig (Steltz) and (Chris) Conte. And I'm pretty sure they'll go and get somebody else."
Harris started all 16 games at free safety last season as the Bears felt Manning, although a better athlete, was better for them at strong safety, something that put him in the box defending the run more regularly. The Bears like to say their safety positions are interchangeable in the team's base Cover-2 defense. However, the Bears played an abundance of single-high safety last year, including Cover-3 and Cover-1 looks that call for the free safety to be along in the middle of the first. The free safety in those schemes needs to take proper angles, understand route schemes and have a vision for where the ball will go before it is snapped.
Manning settled into the strong safety role and played well, starting 16 games. With his value as a returner, he should have no problem finding work. The second-round draft pick in 2006 from Abilene Christian has 56 career starts and has been a model of durability. But the Bears have been high on Wright, who excelled in training camp last summer before injuries derailed him until the second half of the season. He has the instincts to be more of a playmaker at free safety than the Bears have had the last few years.
"I think Major is ready," Harris said. "He's a young guy. He's an athletic guy. He's definitely got the talent. I think you'll see Major Wright make an impact."
Meanwhile, Harris, who was fourth on the team in tackles with 96 in 2010, could be in position to make a greater impact. The Bears have Steltz in a position to potentially play both safety positions in a reserve role, and Conte, the third-round draft pick from Cal, figures to work with the second team at free safety. It's possible a veteran with some starting experience is added to the mix in free agency.
bmbiggs@tribune.com Twitter @BradBiggs
Copyright © 2011, Chicago Tribune
chi-spt-harrismove 
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. 
Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Pretty much wraps it up as far as Danieal Manning is concerned. It's also why they felt the need to draft Chris Conte.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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He was always better at SS anyway.
And Steltz is still in the NFL? go figure.
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Originally Posted by
Jimmors 
He was always better at SS anyway.
And Steltz is still in the NFL? go figure.
Yeah that's what concerns me if Harris gets hurt and maybe why he said he thought they'd add another guy. Steltz wouldn't be so bad if they put wheels on him and turbo charged his ass. The guys got good instincts and he can hit but he sure as hell is slow.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Losing Manning as ST returner hurts, IMO. He'll be picked up because of his ST skills alone.
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Originally Posted by
BigClaws Losing Manning as ST returner hurts, IMO. He'll be picked up because of his ST skills alone.
I dunno, he is good, but how much of it was him, and how much of it was our awesome ST coverage? tough to say.
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Originally Posted by
BigClaws Losing Manning as ST returner hurts, IMO. He'll be picked up because of his ST skills alone.
You're right he won't stay unemployed long. Despite the change in the kick off rules the guy is still one of the best KR in the NFL and there are quite a few teams that could use than part of him to go along with his abilities at safety. I surely wish that we could have kept him but I knew when he turned down the Bears earlier offer that would probably be it. I just hope we're not sorry we didn't keep him and that he goes on to become an all-pro somewhere else, LOL.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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look for the teams that lost out on Weddle to go after Manning at least that is my guess. I think Dallas would want him. I dont think he is much of a loss as long as we keep that dline kicking ass.
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High Fives / Like - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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My head would explode if he went to Indy.
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Originally Posted by
BigClaws My head would explode if he went to Indy.
They lost Sanders so they're probably looking at alternatives. I'll miss him as a Bear. It's been nice seeing him develop his game over these past couple of years. Guys like Manning remind of the need to be patient. Some players take a little longer to develop than others but if they have the basic skills and some athleticism they usually make it.
I guess that's why I'm not ready to give up on CWill and call him a bust just yet. Just like Manning he bounced around a couple of different positions before he locked it up a SS so there's still hope.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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High Fives / Like - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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