""RELEASE FROM PACKERS SHOCKS HARRIS""

[RashanGary]

I fully understand the, "Packers did nothing wrong" sentiment. I buy it. But it's understandable that Harris is upset too. How quickly he gets over it and if he trys to retaliate are going to decide if he's in the wrong.

So far, he feels hurt (pride) and mistrust. I think that's pretty normal. The media gets him right after the cut and he's still feeling upset. . .


I don't think this is a huge issue. I don't think Al will make it one, but how he feels after getting cut. . . . We'd have to go through that to know how we'd feel. I know I'd handle it worse, so I don't even blink at what he said. It seems pretty normal. And I've listened to a lot of Harris interviews over the years. He's as honest and loyal of a guy as you'll find.

[Patler]

I fully understand the, "Packers did nothing wrong" sentiment. I buy it. But it's understandable that Harris is upset too. How quickly he gets over it and if he trys to retaliate are going to decide if he's in the wrong.

So far, he feels hurt (pride) and mistrust. I think that's pretty normal. The media gets him right after the cut and he's still feeling upset. . .


I don't think this is a huge issue. I don't think Al will make it one, but how he feels after getting cut. . . . We'd have to go through that to know how we'd feel. I know I'd handle it worse, so I don't even blink at what he said. It seems pretty normal. And I've listened to a lot of Harris interviews over the years. He's as honest and loyal of a guy as you'll find.

I agree completely, and I am not criticizing Harris because, so far at least, he has handled it well. But I still chuckle to myself every time an athlete, including Harris, says; "Gee, they cut ME!. I guess it really IS just a business!"

[denverYooper]

I think part of it is that the Packers, especially TT don't like to tip their hand in any way, so Al didn't think it was coming while he was practicing. The other part is that Al was told to prepare and practice like he would be the nickle-back. To him it meant they want him to play, to the Packers it meant that he was only worth keeping if he was the best option for #3 because he doesn't play ST.

If my guess is correct, I can't really find too much fault with the Packers handling of the situation, and I can't blame Al for being caught off-guard. No real winning options here.

It's unfortunately a bit of a downer, after coming into the bye week on a high not, but such is life in the NFL.

I think that is the actual context of the "They were definitely leading me on, telling me something else," quote that is left out of this article. I'm pretty sure I saw it in an earlier article in that context. I'm sure they wanted him to prepare, practice and compete for that spot and he was disappointed they didn't feel he qualified for it.

[pbmax]

Would you tell a veteran player who is trying to come back from injury that the only way we can keep you is if Woodson, Shields or Williams gets hurt or their performance collapses?

Or would you tell him he needs to prepare to play nickel and wait and see what happens with the roster?

If for no other reason, wouldn't you go with Option 2 to keep the pressure off Shields?

Thompson has a clear preference to developing his own players, so to devote on field preparation and practice to Harris would seem to indicate that he and McCarthy were serious. But that spot never opened up. Bigby's did the day Burnett got hurt.

As for the medical/performance angle, I do not think anyone can be trusted to report on their own motivation. So McCarthy could be saying it wasn't medical or performance for reasons that run from avoiding an injury settlement to helping Harris get tryouts.

[PA Pack Fan]

I suspect that in the near future this will rank among Ted's most regrettable decisions.

Hilarious! Would you just get a new avatar already?

[Tarlam!]

I suspect that in the near future this will rank among Ted's most regrettable decisions.

Hilarious! Would you just get a new avatar already?

What about the sig??

Ya, well, I'll always love AH for what he did.

[vince]

I don't think there's much to the notion that the Packers mishandled the situation. Obviously, Harris is miffed right now, but it will probably turn out for the best for him in terms of getting quality playing time this year.

What I think is questionable (although I don't subscribe to the argument) is whether the Packers could/should have kept him on the roster as insurance for injury to Williams, Woodson or Shields. There's little question that injuries at the CB position were a big part of the deathknell for the Packers last year. The argument I'm hearing is that they could have easily cut Nick McDonald and stashed him on the PS to have Harris on hand in case of injury.

First, the Packers have a history of losing linemen off their practice squad, and they obviously think McDonald is a keeper. Second, they already have a multi-million dollar vet taking up a valuable roster spot (Tausch is ready, but not playing) to protect against injury. Third, Harris likely wouldn't be happy in that role. Fourth, it's likely that Bush, Lee and Underwood are better special teamers than Harris at this juncture of their respective careers.

While Harris would be a great insurance policy against injury at the CB position, I tend to agree with the decision that this is the best move for everyone, including Al Harris.

[Bretsky]

On one hand, I'd rather have Al Harris on one leg than Jarrett Bush on two

But I'm sure Red is happy Bush is making it through another season

On the other hand, if Al was going to be the number four CB I'm sure TT did not want to pay him what he's getting so here comes the business side we all hate

It is upsetting that Harris felt like he was not communicated with well enough

[pbmax]

On one hand, I'd rather have Al Harris on one leg than Jarrett Bush on two

But I'm sure Red is happy Bush is making it through another season

On the other hand, if Al was going to be the number four CB I'm sure TT did not want to pay him what he's getting so here comes the business side we all hate

It is upsetting that Harris felt like he was not communicated with well enough

But even accounting for further injuries, how much would Harris play as the 4th corner? Bush is on every special team unit and while Bush in pass coverage is frightening, Harris on kickoff coverage is just as scary.

[pbmax]

Al has cleared waivers. Jack Bechta said he is negotiating with several teams.

[Patler]

On one hand, I'd rather have Al Harris on one leg than Jarrett Bush on two

But I'm sure Red is happy Bush is making it through another season

On the other hand, if Al was going to be the number four CB I'm sure TT did not want to pay him what he's getting so here comes the business side we all hate

It is upsetting that Harris felt like he was not communicated with well enough

But even accounting for further injuries, how much would Harris play as the 4th corner? Bush is on every special team unit and while Bush in pass coverage is frightening, Harris on kickoff coverage is just as scary.

If Harris was not to be the 3rd corner, and would be kept as "insurance" he would have been a game day inactive due to ST considerations. How would that have gone over?

[Bretsky]

On one hand, I'd rather have Al Harris on one leg than Jarrett Bush on two

But I'm sure Red is happy Bush is making it through another season

On the other hand, if Al was going to be the number four CB I'm sure TT did not want to pay him what he's getting so here comes the business side we all hate

It is upsetting that Harris felt like he was not communicated with well enough

But even accounting for further injuries, how much would Harris play as the 4th corner? Bush is on every special team unit and while Bush in pass coverage is frightening, Harris on kickoff coverage is just as scary.

If he's near healthy Al Harris helps this team; if he's not we saved some loot

IMO Bush is replaceable on specials

It comes down to whether Al Harris can provide the leadership and depth to help this team and whether that was worth some coin to the Packers

[vince]

Money is always a factor, but I personally disagree witht he notion that this was primarily a financial decision. This was about the 53 and 45 man roster. Shields has been surprisingly better than solid at nickel, and Bush has been the same on ST.

I've been as big a Bush basher as the next guy, but you have to say that, so long as he doesn't have to play defense, he's been very good on ST this year. It's a stretch in my opinion to say that Harris would be better on ST. Plus he wouldn't be happy there.

[Joemailman]

I think having Al Harris as your #4 CB would have been a difficult situation. It would have been difficult for Al who wants to play regularly. It would be difficult for Sam Shields, who would be keeping a fan favorite and team leader on the bench. If the Packers had told Al that he could stay in Green Bay, but would not be in the base or nickel defense, I'm not sure he would have wanted to stay.

[Patler]

IMO Bush is replaceable on specials

I wonder about that. I think it was Bedard who commented on a camp day dedicated to STs that Bush was head and shoulders above everyone else in all the drills they did. He said all the Bush-haters wouldn't want to hear it, but Bush's roster spot was pretty secure.

Maybe he really was worth the multi-million dollar contract.