[CBFF] Bear Trade Chris Harris

[Jerry Madsen]

Damn.

On 8/2/07, Tom Shannon <tshanno at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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."
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Check out the CBFF Blog:
> blog.chicagobearsfanforum.com
> CBFF Homepage:
> www.chicagobearsfanforum.com
>