[CBFF] CT - 5-year, $25 million deal thrills tackle

[Tom Shannon]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: cbff-bounces at chicagobearsfanforum.com [mailto:cbff-
> bounces at chicagobearsfanforum.com] On Behalf Of Phil DeNomme
> Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2007 8:35 AM
> To: post at chicagobearsfanforum.com
> Subject: Re: [CBFF] CT - 5-year, $25 million deal thrills tackle
> 
> Harris still has 2 years left too.  it's not like he'll be a FA after
> this
> year.

They'll treat him like Briggs.  Try to negotiate a new contract before the
draft this year.  If you can't get it done, move on and start planning for
the future.  Draft a tackle and try to develop him while you still have
another year with Harris.

Harris' situation is different because he's a much more valuable player.
They might not necessarily take the hard line stance they did with Briggs in
terms of not negotiating after the final year.  But nevertheless the Bears
will be preparing to move on if it doesn't get done this year.

You are right that the need isn't immediate.  But they aren't going to be
waiting around to start talking, either, because they'll want it done before
March.  They are almost certainly thinking about it right now.

Tom S.