Is Al Harris the next Packer holdout?

[GBRulz]

Nice to see you here, LL !

I would like to see them give Barnett an extension before Harris. I'm tired of these guys signing a contract and then bitching about it with multiple years left on it.

At the game yesterday, many fans were bitching when Harris dropped (what looked like) an easy INT. I don't think he is deserving of an extension at this point IMO

[Bretsky]

Al Harris has been the best defensive player the last three weeks, hands down. We still are sitting on a lot of unused cap money; I'd have no problem if TT does some sort of restructuring a keep Harris along with a Barnett extension. Crud, put as much as you can on this year's cap as well.

Disagree on this. Harris has been burned on several occasions over the last 2 weeks, but drops and poor throws have bailed him out. Woodson has clearly outplayed him lately. Yes, Harris makes good plays, but I don't know if he's worth a large pay increase or not. If this is his FA year, he's not playing like it is.

Hmm; I don't remember them. Three weeks ago Harris had Holt the entire game. Last week he had Chambers. Yesterday he had Boldin. He pretty much shut down three of the top 12 or so WR's in the NFL. Well, nobody completely shuts Holt down but he covered him very well that game.

Maybe I'm forgetting some of the missed balls; I do remember some early season roastings but he's really stepped his game up lately. Being at the game yesterday, I think he should really have been called Boldin's blanket.

Woodson has made some big plays as well. And he's probably our best CB overall; but I still think Harris has been the top defensive player in the last three weeks.

[Bretsky]

Re: Give Harris a little dough

My first Packer Rat post. Not quite a newbie, to Packer forums. I was the one that provided a lot of eye candy as LambeauLeaper in the jsonline forums. I think the last avatar with a hot babe in a Favre jersey show her booty is what got me the boot. I can’t figure that one because you see hot buttocks in SI swimsuit issues and FHM magazines all the time. Oh, well. I haven’t read the fine print here so not sure if it will happen here.

On to the Harris situation. I agree that we need to see more of Blackmon before deciding what to do with his contract situation. It’s funny that he was happy with it 2 years ago, but now that Woodson is making big bucks he’s unhappy. That’s the way it goes I guess. Woodson is starting to earn his paycheck, but still has a ways to go to earn it all. I think Harris is an asset worth keeping around for a few more years, so if I was TT I would try to find a middle ground a pay him. The Packers need his veteran leadership and the younger guys are quite ready yet.

Hey LL2,

Welcome to Packerrats. I loved some of your avatar's over at JS; you were always a solid poster there and I hope you get into the mix here a lot as well.

I think we're pretty flexible on avatar's. And if we needed you to tone the pic down a bit I'm sure we'd PM you and discuss instead of a ban.

I'm one of the mods here so let me know if you have any questions.


Cheers,
Bretsky


B

[cheese_man]

i say we trade him next year on draft day for a second pick and sign nate. he is only 27 next year is better and faster than him. then we should sign df and draft a dt in the second round.

[Willard]

Harris is a solid CB for the Packers. I am in favor of adding incentive driven bonuses to his contract that expires in '09 (?). The Packers certainly don't have to do this. Afterall Harris signed his current contract without a gun to his head. He now realizes he left money on the table and is pushing for a redo.

While the Pack should not feel compelled to cave into the demands of a player who already is under contract, the fact is the Packers continued growth requires stability at the all-important CB position until suitable replacements can be found. During training camp I was hopeful that Carroll, Hawkins, and Blackmon would create an infusion of young talent at CB. Now only Blackmon remains on the roster and he remains only an intriguing question mark.

The Pack would be using its cap wisely by committing $5M in performance-based bonuses over the next 3 years to lock-up Al Harris. Compared to the cost of obtaining proven FA talent, and considering the poor track record of drafting a shutdown CB, this is money well spent. With Blackmon, and a day1 CB draft pick in '07 the Pack should be in better shape to replace Harris and Woodson in '08 or '09 when their deals run out. Trying to replace Harris before this is far too risky!

[esoxx]

It's bad form to complain about your "situation" after a game. He's harshing the buzz of a fabulous team win with his remarks. He made his point missing the OTA's. It's no secret he wants his deal re-worked. TT knows this. Bringing it up in the locker room after a rousing victory is lame, but probably more a sign of "todays" NFL than anything. I don't like the trend.

BTW, Harris has no leverage given his age and length of time left on the contract. If he sits out, he's cutting his own throat. He should have given more consideration to his "window" and his skill set before inking that deal in '04.

[Bossman641]

If all Harris wants is bonus money that is dependent upon making the Pro Bowl then go ahead and give it to him. He doesn't make enough picks to get voted in as a Pro Bowler anyways.

In addition, throw him a little bonus money as long as it's under this year's cap. If he's asking for much more than that, or a complete reworking of ius contract, forget about it.

[SudsMcBucky]

I second the bonus option. This way, he is actually getting paid for the way he performs and isn't if his output slacks in future years. Paying him a good bonus for pro bowls is a win-win. He wins with the money and the Pack wins, because it means he will have perfomed at a level where coaches and players think he is one of the top corners in the league, even if he were invited due to injuries to corners originally voted in.

[Tarlam!]

Sounds to me like he wants out of GB. Not sure if TT will want to pay him enough to keep him, but, I don't get the vibes that Harris is a happy camper.

[MadtownPacker]

Re: Give Harris a little dough

My first Packer Rat post. Not quite a newbie, to Packer forums. I was the one that provided a lot of eye candy as LambeauLeaper in the jsonline forums. I think the last avatar with a hot babe in a Favre jersey show her booty is what got me the boot. I can’t figure that one because you see hot buttocks in SI swimsuit issues and FHM magazines all the time. Oh, well. I haven’t read the fine print here so not sure if it will happen here.

Welcome to PR!

That was a great pic, who is that chica??

[Partial]

Re: Give Harris a little dough

My first Packer Rat post. Not quite a newbie, to Packer forums. I was the one that provided a lot of eye candy as LambeauLeaper in the jsonline forums. I think the last avatar with a hot babe in a Favre jersey show her booty is what got me the boot. I can’t figure that one because you see hot buttocks in SI swimsuit issues and FHM magazines all the time. Oh, well. I haven’t read the fine print here so not sure if it will happen here.

On to the Harris situation. I agree that we need to see more of Blackmon before deciding what to do with his contract situation. It’s funny that he was happy with it 2 years ago, but now that Woodson is making big bucks he’s unhappy. That’s the way it goes I guess. Woodson is starting to earn his paycheck, but still has a ways to go to earn it all. I think Harris is an asset worth keeping around for a few more years, so if I was TT I would try to find a middle ground a pay him. The Packers need his veteran leadership and the younger guys are quite ready yet.

Welcome to the boards!

[pittstang5]

I'm tired of whinny Players - Mac, Walker, now it seems Harris wants to start some crap. Hell! The Season ain't even over yet and it sounds like he's starting crap.

Harris just has too many years left and is too old to have a deal re-worked. I'd be very surprised if TT gave him anything. Quite frankly, if Harris doesn't want to play for the Pack....let him sit.

[SkinBasket]

The Pack would be using its cap wisely by committing $5M in performance-based bonuses over the next 3 years to lock-up Al Harris.

That's just the thing. He is "locked up." What's he going to do if the Packers don't grant his demands? Threaten to sit out until '09?

[Bretsky]

He could do what Mike McKenzie and Javon Walker did.

[run pMc]

I can understand his beef -- DD got an extension, Woodson got overpaid.

HOWEVER

In a perfect world, Harris would shut up and play.

In a semi-perfect world, TT and Harris would work something out.

Ultimatums and stupid talk like "I'm a free agent after this year" aren't negotiation, and not a good stance to take, so I'm not optimistic.

That said, an extension would be a mistake. After this season, Harris will be 32 and Woodson 30, so GB's starting CB's are getting old. Roy Williams and Troy Williamson will start looking REAL fast if GB doesn't do something. Reworking the contract with additional incentives or a roster bonus and reducing the salary might work out...as usual, it depends on the details.

There's also the issue of the message it sends the players...