[CBFF] For now, Tommie Harris in no rush :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Bears

[Ryan Dietzenbach]

Good, God.  What a bunch of whiny babies.

RD

On Sat, May 31, 2008 at 7:33 AM, Tom Shannon <tshanno at gmail.com> wrote:

>
> http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/980243,CST-SPT-bear31.article
>
> BEARS | Contract issues aside, all's according to plan at minicamp
>
> May 31, 2008
>
> BY BRAD BIGGS bbiggs at suntimes.com
>
> All hands were on deck for minicamp Friday with Brian Urlacher reporting to
> Halas Hall, but that doesn't mean the Bears don't have a host
> of unresolved issues -- and we're not even delving into the quarterback
> derby.
>
> Tommie Harris did not participate in team drills, and one team source said
> it was a surprise the three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle
> showed up, saying Harris' inactivity in organized team activities led the
> Bears to believe he would be AWOL.
>
> » Click to enlarge image
> [053108harris]
> Bears DT Tommie Harris attends mini camp in Lake Forest Friday afternoon.
> (Richard A. Chapman/Sun-Times)
>
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>
> Coach Lovie Smith downplayed Harris' lack of participation, indicating the
> plan is to work him in slowly. Harris didn't have a problem
> doing only individual drills conducted in shorts and helmets. He underwent
> arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in January, and although
> he has been cleared medically for a full return and is feeling great, he
> wants to preserve his body for when it counts.
>
> ''We have a plan in place for Tommie,'' Smith said. ''He did what we wanted
> him to do today. We're taking a precaution with him. He's
> coming off a few things in the offseason. We have a lot of players who
> didn't take all of the team part.''
>
> Urlacher, who was involved in all drills, and Harris are seeking new
> contracts, and they're not the only ones. Count Devin Hester among
> those who wants a raise. It's good to have everyone on the field, but this
> is far from a big, happy family at this point.
>
> ''I outplayed my contract,'' Hester said of his four-year, $2.61 million
> rookie deal. ''It's kind of tough. Two years straight, I am the
> lowest-paid Pro Bowler.
>
> ''It's hard going out and playing football right now. I'm frustrated. But I
> need to be out here because I need to get better. I'm
> gradually learning receiver, and I don't want to miss any days because I
> know what my expectations are and I know what I can do when I
> succeed.''
>
> Harris' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, was at Halas Hall on Thursday and had some
> ideas involving Harris during the visit, but the trip from
> Miami had been scheduled for a month to complete a contract for fifth-round
> draft pick Kellen Davis. The sides are still talking, but
> Harris is more pessimistic than ever about the chances of something being
> worked out.
>
> The Bears have proposed an extension, and Harris wants his current contract
> ripped up. Ideally, the 25-year-old would like a four-year
> deal so he can be back at the negotiating table before he is 30, similar to
> what his friend Larry Fitzgerald received from the Arizona
> Cardinals.
>
> ''I know they're going to tag me [after this season],'' Harris said. ''I'll
> just play that out. I can live with $7 million.''
>
> The franchise-tag figure for defensive tackles actually dropped to $6.363
> million for 2008.
>
> ''Six million -- so what?'' Harris said. ''What am I going to do about it?
> I'm going to take a low offer? No. I'm better than that. I
> don't have any control over [contract talks], so there is no need for me to
> worry about it.''
>
> Harris was upbeat in discussing his health, saying he hasn't felt this good
> in a long time. This time last year, he was working his way
> back from surgery to reattach his left hamstring. His play is crucial to
> the defense, and now his projected running mate, nose tackle
> Dusty Dvoracek, is sidelined again.
>
> Dvoracek was held out of team drills with a large wrap on his left hand.
> It's believed to be a minor injury for the former third-round
> pick, who has missed all but one game in two seasons.
>
> If the Bears franchise Harris for 2009, he'll have to be at the top of his
> game for two seasons before he can receive a free-agent
> bonanza. The club could tag him for a second year at a 20 percent pay
> increase, meaning if the numbers were similar, the Bears could have
> him for $6.4 million in 2009 and less than $8 million for 2010.
>
> He's not thinking that way.
>
> ''I can do just what Jared Allen did in Kansas City,'' Harris said. ''I can
> have a great year, and [they will tag me and then] someone
> will give two first-round picks for me or a first and a third. That's why I
> have to ball out. That's what I will do.''
>
> Smith was all smiles when he said contracts were not on his mind. He talked
> like a man focused on a season that's a little more than
> three months away. He doesn't anticipate restrictions for Harris by the
> time training camp begins.
>
> ''We had our entire football team here today, ready to get better,'' he
> said. ''All is good.''
>
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