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THU., JUN 22, 2006 - 12:26 AM
Packers: Harris threatens camp holdout
JASON WILDE 608-252-6176
jwilde@madison.com
GREEN BAY - So much for Green Bay Packers veteran cornerback Al Harris not following the Mike McKenzie-Javon Walker unhappy-with-my-contract playbook.
After skipping all of the team's voluntary offseason workouts - the late-May minicamp and all 14 of the club's organized team activity practices - Harris said Wednesday he won't report to training camp July 28 and, if the Packers don't rework his contract, he doesn't want to play for the team again.
"Under the current deal now, I can't see myself playing there. I feel real strong about this thing," Harris said when reached on his cell phone while his teammates went through Wednesday's final OTA practice. "I'm going to do what I need to do.
"Either we make it happen in Green Bay, or we make it happen elsewhere. I know there's teams out there that would pay me what I'm asking for. I'd love to be with the Packers, though. It's not like I'm trying to kill 'em."
In September 2004, Harris signed a $18.635 million extension, which added five years onto his existing deal and contained $7 million in bonuses. Thus, Harris is under contract through 2009 and is scheduled to earn base salaries of $1.5 million this season, $2.2 million in '07, $2.85 million in '08 and $3 million in '09.
Asked if, with four years remaining on his contract, he's negotiating from a position of strength, Harris replied, "Not really. But I think I've got a strong case from (the standpoint of) how I've played and what I'm asking for. I'm pretty sensitive to the general manager (Ted Thompson). He doesn't want everybody coming up there after they just signed a deal. I understand. But I'm not even asking for any money this year."
Instead, what Harris wants is a pair of roster bonuses - the first payable next March and the second payable in March 2008 - worth $4 to $5 million and incentive bonuses worth $1.25 to $1.5 million if he makes the Pro Bowl.
Harris, who hasn't missed a start since coming to Green Bay in March 2003 in a trade with Philadelphia, has intercepted eight passes (three of which he returned for touchdowns) for the Packers and was chosen as an NFC alternate for the Pro Bowl last year. Pro Football Weekly recently rated him the No. 12 cornerback in the NFL.
New coach Mike McCarthy, whose only interaction with Harris was at the mandatory three-day post-draft minicamp in early May, said: "All the conversations I've been a part of as far as Al Harris, I've been told over and over again he's nothing but a true professional. He's always come in in shape, extremely hard worker, and I don't think that's going to change."
Earlier this month, Harris' agent, Jack Bechta, said his client planned on taking part in all of the team's mandatory practices, meaning Harris wouldn't miss training camp. Bechta told The Associated Press Wednesday Harris will report for the start of training camp.
"Oh, yeah. That is not an issue," Bechta said. "We'll be in training camp."
Bechta said he spoke with Harris earlier Wednesday and had assurances from his client he wouldn't be staying home in five weeks.
Even though Harris' stance has obviously changed, Thompson refused to comment on the reversal.
"I never talk about things like that. We don't ever talk about any discussions we have with our players along those lines," said Thompson, adding he hasn't spoken to Harris recently and doesn't expect to talk to him before camp opens. "It doesn't make sense for me to go tit for tat and say, 'Oh yeah? He said that, well, I say this.' So I'm not going to."
Still, Harris sounded Wednesday like a man whose mind is made up.
"I'm not a selfish dude. It's the principle with me. If Ted goes out and gets a free agent, he's going to spend a lot more than what I'm asking for," Harris said. "The economics don't make a lot of sense to me. Because no doubt, I personally think I've outplayed my contract -and if not outplayed the whole deal, I think it's time for a little boost."
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