Is Tommie Harris on the Hot Seat?
by Dane Noble on May 15, 2009 1:00 PM CDT
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Earlier, we brought you a story about Israel Idonije wanting a new contract. The Bears are expected to wait until the end of the 2009 season to look at that, and it could be because they want to see first what Rod Marinelli can do with our current starters on the DLine. That being said, ESPN thinks that veteran defensive tackle Tommie Harris is on the hot seat this upcoming year.
Defensive tackle Tommie Harris is only one year removed from an eight-sack season and could personally return the Bears to defensive prominence if he can reestablish himself as a premier interior pass-rusher.
I know a lot of us are excited about the addition of Marinelli to our coaching staff, and are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to see the impact he can have on our pass rushing scheme.
Harris is a three time Pro Bowler, and signed a 4 year/ $40 million contract last summer with the Bears. He has exactly what Lovie Smith likes to see in his defensive tackles- good speed and athleticism to get to the quarterback.
Do you think that Harris can return to his pre-2008 form?
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If he can stay healty, absolutely
everything on the defensive line waits until after this season. They are putting a lot on Marinelli.
Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!
thats the big issue
his health. And i don’t think its possible for him to even get healthy in the first place, let alone stay healthy.
If he had a injury free 16 game season, he’d require the double team that makes our ends that much better. When Tommy is drawing a single blocker, you know theres a problem.
I’ll be beyond happy if he gets back to form. But I’m not holding my breath.
"If God had wanted man to play soccer, He wouldn't have given us arms" - Ditka
He has only missed 6 games in 5 years due to injury.
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right
but he has nagging injuries that hold him back every season. and, allegedly, “the knees of a 40 year old”
"If God had wanted man to play soccer, He wouldn't have given us arms" - Ditka
Maybe,
but keep in mind too that after his knee/hamstring injury in 2006, he bounced back and made the Pro Bowl in 2007.
He might have some wear on his knees, and I hope he doesn’t hurt himself more, but I have to think that he still has plenty of tread let on his tires. And considering the Bears made him the highest paid DT in the league in 2008, maybe they think so too.
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8 sacks? I thought he had 5
8 is pretty good in my book, but I’ve always thought Tommie is still a top notch DT. No way can he be on the hot seat.
Think With Your Dipstick Jimmy!
by ifuwannacrownem on May 15, 2009 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions
1 season removed from an 8 sack year...
5 last year, 8 the year before.
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Half of his problems
are in his head. I don’t know if a coach can overcome that problem.
Tommie Harris was done in by a confluence of things
Conversion to a born again Christian, which somehow sapped his commitment to football craft is the one most plausible. I don’t understand it, but for whatever reason Harris found God and seemed to lose football all in the same breath. I’m not buying his injury history as a leading contributor to his demise.
I thought he was a very religious kid right out of college
so I can’t agree with the “born again” part of the statement. I think he had already been in that mindset when he first came into the league and if didn’t negatively affect him in the early part of his career. Am I wrong on that?
Ditto
It was the, self confessed, weakening of his faith (and some iffy new companions) that squirrled his head up BLou. At the end of the season he stated a renewed committment to his faith. Couple that with nagging injuries and you have a real off season.
Another point. He’s had some problems with wheels but …"the knees of a 40 year old " might be a little over the top EE.
by pete banachi on May 15, 2009 8:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes because Christian's are horrible football players.
Here’s an article taking about a few of them.
Notable names: Josh Brown, Tommie Harris, David Tyree and Michael Gaines. Tony Dungey is mentioned as well.
I know you say you don’t understand how that would work…. but you can’t really believe that converting to Christainity is why he can’t play to his formal high level.
Because as far as we're concerned, there is still no team in the history of the NFL that could beat the '85 Bears.
by Ditkavsworld on May 15, 2009 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Dont forget Reggie White
If you live in Chicago you are a bears fan, if you move from chicago you stay a bears fan, if you move to chicago you will be a bears fan.
Of course!
I was just highlighting the ones that were named in the article. Dieon Sanders is a Christian as well and I thought he was pretty good.
Because as far as we're concerned, there is still no team in the history of the NFL that could beat the '85 Bears.
by Ditkavsworld on May 15, 2009 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions
sorry just backing you up on this topic.
If you live in Chicago you are a bears fan, if you move from chicago you stay a bears fan, if you move to chicago you will be a bears fan.
In the dark
I’m not sure how injured/hurt he’s been, so it’s very difficult to gauge if he hasn’t played up to par.
"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus
No need to apologize.
I appreciate the insight!
Because as far as we're concerned, there is still no team in the history of the NFL that could beat the '85 Bears.
by Ditkavsworld on May 15, 2009 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions
you can’t really believe that converting to Christainity is why he can’t play to his formal high level.
I can see it now… “Who Would Jesus Sack?” t-shirts.
by Spongie on May 15, 2009 9:39 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Don't call me Shirley
Jesus not only saves people, but also football careers.
"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus
"Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack." - Sun Tzu
The future of the 3 technique....
Is Marcus Harrison!
When I played I was a triple threat.... Stumble.... Fumble.....Grumble....
"Marcus Harrison iz in ur Backfield sackin ur Quataback!"
Had 5 sacks in 2008 - 8 sacks in 2007
Only one other DT finished above him in 07 and four finished above him in 08 in that category. But since they paid him that much money, some people believe ‘8 is not enough’ and he should be performing even higher. Personally, I think he will have a great year, no matter if he’s on the so-called hot seat or not.
- Smudgers
I'm gonna come at you like a spider monkey!
sorry
meant to hit reply – I’m a noob!
- Smudgers
I'm gonna come at you like a spider monkey!
by David Taylor on May 15, 2009 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Tommie Harris either SIGNIFICANTLY rises to the ocassion, or 2009 will for sure be his last with the Bears
There is zero chance the Bears will continue to pay him on that contract if he has yet another awful season. If not for his historical performance and name then Tommie Harris would have already been cut by the Bears.
And enough with placing all the burden on coach Rod Marinelli. Fact is these defensive lineman are the most accountable for their own performances. Marinelli can have a positive impact and light a fire under some asses, but he can’t go out there on the football field and perform for these guys.
No, but he certainly is on charge of the scheme that the players run.
They are not responsible for coaching themselves, nor the schemes that they run.
Be nice. Flag comments that you think are offensive. Use the "reply" button. Drink plenty of water. Compliment others. Rec comments and posts you like. Don't call people names. If you don't like someone's comment, attack the comment and not the commentor. Learn the difference in your/you're, then/than, to/too. Exercise. Relax. Stretch often. Find good in the world.
Good grief
This is the same ignorant mindset that lead to morons bashing Ron Turner 24/7 even though Turner had VERY LITTLE to work with in terms of offensive talent.
Look, Rod Marinelli is a nice addition. And yes, I think he will have a good impact. But for crying out loud enough with all this innuendo that Marinelli by himself will magically transform our cast of dubious and untested defensive linemen into a reincarnation of the Steel Curtain.
I draw the line "no pun intended" here
if you’re going to compare us to anyone, at least use the ’85 Bears D-Line…this is a BEARS blog after all!!!!
Okay,
1- Choose your words a bit more carefully next time you don’t agree with someone’s opinion.
2- My response was to this comment:
Fact is these defensive lineman are the most accountable for their own performances.
I’m not saying that they can’t be accountable, but I’m also not ignoring the fact that Bob Babich was not doing his jorb last year either.
Be nice. Flag comments that you think are offensive. Use the "reply" button. Drink plenty of water. Compliment others. Rec comments and posts you like. Don't call people names. If you don't like someone's comment, attack the comment and not the commentor. Learn the difference in your/you're, then/than, to/too. Exercise. Relax. Stretch often. Find good in the world.
Cut?
Come on, when would they have cut him? They sign him to the richest per year contract for a DT ever in June of 2008. He has the fifth highest sack total of all DT’s during the 2008 season. Then in May of 2009 they cut him? I understand saying Tommie under achieved in 2008, but to say a he would have been cut for his performance last year is laughable.
If God had wanted man to play soccer, he wouldn't have given us arms.- Mike Ditka
by Hurricanes becoming Bears on May 15, 2009 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions
All about health with Harris
His talent is undeniable, I question his motor at times but am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt that he hasn’t been healthy enough to go all out. That said, if you’re the highest paid at your position, you need to overcome that. If Marinelli, is as advertised and Harrison/Idonije/Gilbert/Melton/DvorachekAdams or whomever they put next to Tommie can also improve under his tutelage, than there are no excuses. I hope I’m wrong but I get the feeling he is not one of those players who does well even with minor scrapes & bumps, and you can’t have that with a player of his status. Also, with Madden retiring, he won’t be praised on national TV as much, because Madden made him sound “All-World” even if he happened to trip and fall on top of a ball carrier.
HE still has some tread...
And I think with Coach M this year he will learn that he can be dominate. His knees are the issue, and if he has another setback with injuries this year, it could very well be his last as a Bear.
I’d hate to see him go, but everyone knows, this is a “young man’s sport” and injuries set guys back, fast.
I will wear my #91 on Sundays still. I like Tommie a lot and I hope he has another 8 sack year. BEAR DOWN!
Kindly interpret the meaning of that first sentence please
“And I think with Coach M this year he will learn that he can be dominate.” What the frack does that mean? Before Marinelli arrived Tommie Harris suffered from low self esteem?!? Learn that he can be dominate??
Looks like a misspelling
probably meant dominant. Get off everyones ass, disagreeing is one thing but being a jerk is another. How hard is it to figure out his sentence. Do you really need someone to walk you through it, holding you hand, and teach you context clues.
"Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. "---George S. Halas
by Halas is God!!!!! on May 16, 2009 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Personally I don't care if Tommie Harris only gets two sacks this season.
As long as he’s pressuring the QB and being double teamed. It isn’t a DT’s job to get sacks. If Tommie can draw the double teams again our ends should be loading up on sacks.
Absolutely right.
That was my problem last year… is there wasn’t enough pressure up the middle… Sacks are a bonus, but putting pressure on the QB, making him rush throws and scramble into DE’s is where he needs to earn the dollars. That is the form I think that was lacking.
- Smudgers
I'm gonna come at you like a spider monkey!
by David Taylor on May 15, 2009 8:54 PM CDT up reply actions
tread on the tires?
he is too young to have that statement pointed at him, that phrase is reserved for 30+ year old players. Now if you want the skinny on Harris and his level ask or should I say read posts from other dominant d-tackles from the league, as well as other coaches. You will see quotes like," One of the best" ,“top 5”, “One of my favorites” “very dominant” and on and on…..the man is a beast and one bad season is not enough to be pointing fingers. End of story!! GO BEARS!!!!!!
If you live in Chicago you are a bears fan, if you move from chicago you stay a bears fan, if you move to chicago you will be a bears fan.
By the way
The picture on this post. Get used to seeing alot of those pics this year!
If you live in Chicago you are a bears fan, if you move from chicago you stay a bears fan, if you move to chicago you will be a bears fan.
Tommy Harris still the man!
I think that #91 will return to his probowl form. We need to have another dt establish themself as a dominate threat. With gilbert coming in i hope he can take some pressure off of harris. dusty just didn’t do much to help the middle of the line enough. I almost wish we still had Tank in there to help. I predict a top 5 defense this year.
by LasVegasBearsFan on May 15, 2009 11:15 PM CDT reply actions
Here, let me help you with this...
I think that #91 will return to his probowl form. We need to have another dt establish themself as a dominate threat. With gilbert coming in i hope he can take some pressure off of harris. dusty just didn’t do much to help the middle of the line enough. I almost wish we still had Tank in there to help.
See the trend?
I predict a top 5 defense this year.
No, you’re hoping for a top 5 defense this year, as do we all. A whole bucketload of hopes, wishes and needs doesn’t add up to much more than that.
Sorry to BUTT in
My belief is that Marinelli will get this unit back to dominance. I believe that because this nearly exact crew (other than Tank) that was dominant (2005-06). When you look at game tape from those years, Chicago’s D-line was ferocious, driven, and played with something to prove. Then they proved it, NFC Champions, Super Bowl, and Pro Bowls. They got comfortable, arrogant, and soft. When you combine that with the coaching changes, it really altered the drive to be the best. When you believe that you’re the best at what you do, being coached by somebody that you think is in over their head, will really destroy the motivation you have. IMO that is what has happened. For lack of better words, Marinelli is just what the doctor ordered. I think the D-line will buy what Marinelli is selling, re-igniting the fire that made this unit the best.
At the very minimum
Marinelli will make them competitive again. I’m hoping for dominance again, but I’m a little skeptical in regards to the long-time veterans because they’re getting long in the tooth.
"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus
"Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack." - Sun Tzu
his knees will tell the tale in '09
…and I’m not hopeful about his resurgence, specifically for the following reasons:
- there were indications that he didn’t disclose to the Bears how injured his knees really became last season. That could’ve been the result of the pressure on performing after the big contract extension, but his knees may have deteriorated even more severely as a result.
- he saw very limited time in practice during the mini – camp earlier this month.
I hope I’m wrong about all of this, of course – but the early signs are not encouraging.
either he has a good season
or he should be gone. we don’t need him to have a lot of sacks or tackles, but we do need him to be a disruptive force. he hasn’t been that for much of the past two years. yes, i’m sure most of it is injury-related, but the thing is, i don’t care. for the premium salary we’re paying him, we need healthy tommie harris production. if we aren’t going to get it because of his injury problems, get rid of him and pay similar money to someone who can produce at that level. he’s not on a rookie contract or anything. and if he’s healthy enough to produce, this is a moot point, because when he’s right, he’s a beast. but if he isn’t going to be right anymore, get somebody else who will.
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