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**curtis loew** · 11-08-2010, 01:16 AM

why wouldn't we at least IR him and see if he can progress and get stronger?

**jmbarnes101** · 11-08-2010, 01:34 AM

What and why? He's got to be better than Underwood or Anthony Smith. At least IR him or something. Too good and classy to go out this way and really puts a damper on what was a great night.

**Patler** · 11-08-2010, 02:21 AM

My guess is that the Packers do not think he can play with his knee, he thinks he can, so they are releasing him to give him the opportunity of trying to catch on with someone else.

I expect the Vikings to make an offer. They have with just about any packer of significance that has been available.

**3irty1** · 11-08-2010, 05:07 AM

The Vikings would make sense. They could pick his brain before playing us and get a sure tackling corner to help them play cover-2.

The Ravens, Browns, or Jets are all perhaps better fits. Too bad.

**Freak Out** · 11-08-2010, 05:34 AM

Sad day in Packerland.

**vince** · 11-08-2010, 05:40 AM

Packer Hall of Famer no doubt and legend in my eyes. Al Harris was an elite corner during his tenure here. So good teams didn't even throw his way for a few years there. The way he worked to get back on the field was incredible. His attitude - incredible.

His unique talents were somewhat neutralized by Capers' D, which makes him expendable. The play of Shields means he can't get back on the field, and he's just not a special teamer.

Good luck Al Harris. I hope you catch on with a winner. You deserve it.

**Joemailman** · 11-08-2010, 05:57 AM

This is a tough business sometimes. Hopefully, Woodson, Williams and Shields stay healthy, or the second guessing will reach epic proportions.

One of the great Packers is no more.

**Little Whiskey** · 11-08-2010, 06:06 AM

I can't believe the news. I really thought he would retire a packer. You would think they would have a roster spot somewhere.

**Tarlam!** · 11-08-2010, 06:12 AM

Originally posted by Freak Out

Sad day in Packerland.

Yup. You absolutely nail led it.

Thank you, #31. You were a joy to watch. Thank you.

**Scott Campbell** · 11-08-2010, 06:17 AM

Great Packer. Al did everything the right way, and I even liked the way he want about complaining. He's one of my all time favorite players and I'm going to really miss him.

**packrulz** · 11-08-2010, 06:35 AM

Jason Wilde
Nov 8, 2010 12:19am
End of the line: Harris says he'll be released
By JASON WILDE
jwilde@espnwisconsin.com

GREEN BAY – Al Harris’ career with the Green Bay Packers is about to come to an end.

The team plans on releasing the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback on Monday, the deadline for deciding his fate after three weeks of practicing with the team.

“Yes, that is what they are going to do,” Harris said in a text message late Sunday night. “I lost my job to injury, but I have only good things to say about Green Bay and everyone I worked with.”

Harris, who began practicing on Oct. 19, was not activated from the physically unable to perform list for the third straight eligible week, as the Packers beat the Dallas Cowboys, 45-7, without him on Sunday night.

Harris, who’ll turn 36 on Dec. 7, tore the anterior cruciate ligament, the lateral collateral ligament, the IT band, the fibular collateral ligament and the lateral hamstring in his left knee and leg last Nov. 22 and underwent reconstructive surgery by team physician Pat McKenzie eight days later.

He endured a rigorous rehabilitation but missed all of training camp and was placed on the PUP to start the season.

Without him, replacement starter Tramon Williams has played at a Pro Bowl level, and undrafted rookie free agent Sam Shields has played well as the No. 3 cornerback in the nickel defense, including making his first NFL interception Sunday night.

The uncertainty of Harris’ future with the team was an uncomfortable subject in the Packers’ locker room after the game.

When asked about Harris’ status, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said only that “We'll evaluate that tomorrow. We'll go through the film, evaluate our rosters, see these two injuries, see what happens there. We haven't made a decision on Al yet.”

Safety Atari Bigby, one of Harris’ closest friends on the team who was activated from the PUP list and did play against the Cowboys, said Harris has been frustrated by not being cleared to play.

“I spoke to Al (Friday). It’s killing him,” Bigby said. “He’s very frustrated. Naturally anybody would be. He’s been practicing, and of course he wants to play. It’s a frustrating situation for him.

“I think he can definitely be a big asset to our team. But I’m not the one who makes the decisions.”

Asked if he thought the team might cut Harris, cornerback Charles Woodson replied, “I’m not going to touch that. I can’t say anything about that. Because I don’t know. I’m going to leave that alone. Honestly.”

Defensive coordinator Dom Capers also wouldn’t say if the team was considering releasing Harris.

“I certainly can’t comment on that. I’m not the head coach. Those are head-coaching decisions,” Capers said. “Obviously we didn’t activate him tonight. Those decisions are certainly going to be Mike’s decision. We’ll meet on Monday and decide what direction we go.”

Harris joined the Packers in a March 2003 trade from the Philadelphia Eagles and has played in 102 regular-season and five postseason games for the team, registering 15 interceptions, including the 52-yard interception that he returned for a touchdown in overtime to beat the Seattle Seahawks in the 2003 NFC Wild Card playoffs at Lambeau Field.

Last week, he said that whenever his time with the Packers came to an end, he had enjoyed his time in Green Bay.

“It’s been an awesome, awesome ride. Will I play again? Yes. I just have to wait it out, see how it goes,” he said. “I don’t know how it’s going to go. We’ll just wait and see.”

Listen to Jason Wilde every weekday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on “Green & Gold Today,” and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/jasonjwilde.

**pittstang5** · 11-08-2010, 06:50 AM

This move comes out of the blue to me. It’s a move as fans, we hate. Al Harris is one player that I have enjoyed watching and always knew you could count on. Was he perfect? No, nobody is, but he gave 110% on every play.

In his tenure here, one thing we all know is Ted likes to fill holes with youth. We also know that Ted can and will solidify certain areas with proven veterans, especially our own – (See Clifton and Tauscher). Knowing this, my only sensible reason that I can think of as to why Harris is being let go is that the knee must not be as good as what we were being told. That and maybe the Packer’s brass thinks the youth on the roster is enough to keep going. Personally, I’d rather see ole # 31 on the field then Shields, Underwood or Lee. But, that’s why I’m a fan and not a GM.

Good luck to you Al if this is for real.

**red** · 11-08-2010, 07:11 AM

WTF?????

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

**pbmax** · 11-08-2010, 07:15 AM

Wow. I thought Bigby was in more trouble. I wonder if they feel more he has been replaced OR he has declined/not recovered enough due to injury. You would have thought even old as he is, healthy he could beat out Underwood or Lee (who is injured himself).

JSO speculates he'll clear waivers (and that the Pack won't IR him) because of the $2 million salary.

Announcement

Packers releasing Al Harris

Packers releasing Al Harris

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