Briggs wants Bears to bring back Harris

Lance Briggs would welcome Tommie Harris signing - NFL.com

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Lance Briggs would welcome Tommie Harris signing

The Chicago Bears could use defensive tackle depth. The man that helped them win the 2006 NFC Championship is out there, looking for a job. A potential reunion between Tommie Harris and the Bears makes a lot of sense.
The Chicago Tribune reported previously that the Bears have "talked about" bringing Harris back into the fold. That would be welcome news to former teammate Lance Briggs.
"Absolutely he could help. Tommie will make any defensive line better, any team better," Briggs told Vaughn McClure. "Having him, you know that you're getting an elite defensive tackle."
That is overstating things at this point in Harris' career. Released by the Colts before last season, Harris, 30, was a useful contributor to the Chargers. He would add veteran know-how and leadership to the Bears line.
Harris and coach Lovie Smith remain close. Smith attended the funeral for Harris' wife, who tragically passed away in February. Don't be shocked if Briggs gets his wish and Harris is a co-worker once again.

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Too bad he wasn't talking about Chris Harris. ^^

What's your guys take on this? Could Tommie eventually end up in Chicago or is it just another crazy offseason rumor?

I believe we've discussed this before. It is a possibility, because they need to do something about the defensive tackle situation.

"An Elite Defensive Tackle."

good one, Lance. I bet you *almost* said that with a straight face.

I'm sure Drew Rosenhaus, who represents both Tommie & Lance, had nothing to do with this little tidbit

He would be a cheap, experienced backup to add to the mix. I'd be all for the move.

Well whatever the relationship between what Briggs had to say and the Rosensleaze connection when the Bears signed McCargo and Pressley it looks to me like they stepped away from the sign Tommie Harris table. Those guys are younger than Tommie, have better knees, and are getting the vet minimum for 4-6 year vets, $700k.

Tommie Harris is no more an "elite" DT than I am at this stage of his career but what he can be is an effective inside pass rusher if they use him sparingly. But if they plan on using Paea more in that capacity this year how does that affect his growth as an NFL DT? The guys they just signed along with Jordan Miller are basically NT type guys as far as I can tell. I may be completely off base here but to me Paea is one of those guys who could play both NT and UT in the Bears scheme. He's more the size of a UT but with that incredible natural strength he has he's able to stack and shed blockers like a NT as well as penetrate the way we ask our UT's to do. If they plan to team Paea and Melton more this year the need to have another inside pass rusher decreases some.

Don't get me wrong. I'd love to see them bring Tommie in at least to see what he's got but if Rosenhaus is representing him is he asking for more money than the Bears are likely to want to pay? Will he come in and play for a vet minimum of $825K? It's early yet and if Tommie doesn't hook up elsewhere then maybe there's still a chance. Having Briggs alone pleading his case won't help but if Urlacher and Pep got on board too it might. You also have to figure that Rod Marinelli has a lot to do with this decision as well and if he still believed in him why did they let him go last year?

Probably depends on which way they go with Paea. If Melton and Paea are UT then we need a NT. If Paea is doing double duty with UT and NT then another rotational guy is needed. Like several of us have said in the other Tommie thread that spot should be used for some hungry up and comer.

If the O line can have 10-12 projects the D-line can have one. :lol-027:

Paea is so much better an UT than a NT. The Bears are making a mistake by putting Melton at UT. Paea was a beast at UT in college.

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Originally Posted by BigBadPapaBear

Paea is so much better an UT than a NT. The Bears are making a mistake by putting Melton at UT. Paea was a beast at UT in college.

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Melton is THE UT/3 technique on the Bears line. He's the penetrator and pass rusher that Harris used to be in his prime. You wouldn't play him at NT. Toe and AA were the NT's and Paea actually played both last year but more NT because we had Okoye.

We didn't re-sign Okoye and we didn't really replace him either unless they think McCargo may actually do something with himself for that first time ever. So far the guy is a slug but teams keep giving him a shot so there must be something there they like.

My guess is that Paea will still be used both ways but what we should be doing is playing both him and Melton on the passing downs. I'd love to see what they can do together. Melton is already ranked as one of the top 10 DT's in the league and I think Paea is just scratching the surface of what he can so. With his strength and that incredibly quick first step of his he's gonna be a beast to keep blocked once he gets his game down.

Bet Rex is pissed.