[CBFF] Bear Trade Chris Harris

[Tom Shannon]

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?STORY_ID=3652

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. - With six talented safeties in training camp and only
five job openings, the Bears knew that they would ultimately be faced with a
difficult decision.  

So rather than cutting someone they felt could play in the NFL, the Bears
solved the dilemma and received something in return Thursday when they
traded Chris Harris to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for an undisclosed
2008 draft pick. 

 
Bears coach Lovie Smith said that safety Chris Harris took the news of
Thursday's trade "like a pro." 
"You can only keep so many safeties," said coach Lovie Smith. "We felt like
on our roster, we had six that we felt real good about. You can't keep six
safeties; it's as simple as that."

The Bears' top five safeties are starters Mike Brown and Adam Archuleta, top
reserve Danieal Manning, third-year pro Brandon McGowan and rookie
fifth-round pick Kevin Payne.

While Harris' departure likely will benefit Manning most in terms of playing
time, McGowan and Payne will also receive more opportunities to get on the
field.

"We wanted to get Brandon more reps," Smith said. "I think he's a good
football player. We want to get more reps for Kevin Payne also, and this
should allow them to get a few more.

"McGowan has played for us, and when he's played he's played well. We like
Kevin Payne quite a bit."

Harris departs after playing in 25 games with 20 starts in two seasons with
the Bears, registering 124 tackles, five interceptions, one sack and one
forced fumble. The 2005 sixth-round draft pick became a surprise starter as
a rookie, replacing veteran Mike Green after a Week 1 loss in Washington. 

"Chris has meant a lot to us while he's been around here," Smith said. "He's
played good football for us. We have quite a bit of depth at the safety
position, though, so it's a great opportunity for him. I know Carolina has
liked him for a while, and at the same time we feel good about our safety
situation with the numbers that we have. 

"It's a part of the business, but when you're a good football player,
there's always a place for you to play, so we're happy for Chris."

Harris was informed of the trade while practicing with the Bears Thursday.
He left the field with senior director of pro personnel Bobby DePaul after
an embrace and brief chat with Smith. 

"The gist of it is I thanked him for everything he's done for us and we
talked about the next move for him," Smith said, "how exciting that could be
for him to have an opportunity to play.

"[He took it] like a pro. Chris is a pro. He knows that there's a business
side of it. Guys want an opportunity to play where they have their best
chance to play, and I think this will be a good move for him."

Bears veteran safety Mike Brown said that it was difficult to see Harris go.


"I'm kind of bummed out about it," Brown said. "He was a big part of the
secondary, not only the way that he played but his personality. He was fun
to be around; one of the guys who kept the room loose, so he's going to be
missed."