Chicago Bears Key To Success: Tommie Harris
Published by John Berardi on August 7, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Since his injury a few years back, Tommie Harris has been a shell of the player he once was. Going to the Pro Bowl for three consecutive years in 2005-2008 to hardly practicing, and playing just over 50 percent of defensive plays has truly characterized Tommie’s steep decline.
Some begin to question why the Chicago Bears even kept him around. This year, Tommie Harris looks to answer those questions without saying a word.
If you go back to watch the games where the Bears defense really struggled, there is a common link to them all: Tommie Harris was completely ineffective. Last season draws two perfect examples. The Arizona game and the Cincinnati game. Both games were complete blow outs. Common denominator: Tommie Harris.
In the Arizona game, Harris punched an Arizona lineman in the face and got ejected early in the game. That lead to no pressure and a complete blow out. The week leading up to the Bengals game, Harris was unable to practice and was benched to try and save his knee for later in the season. The result was catastrophic.
Those two games are just a few examples. There are also games where Harris played very well and the defense, even without Urlacher, was very solid. Anyone who watches the Bears realizes that an effective Harris makes for a good day on defense.
This year, Harris isn’t hiding any offseason surgeries or taking off practices due to a sore knee. He has suited up for ever single practice and has been working hard all offseason to be in shape and healthy for 2010.
This is a new Tommie Harris. One that claims to be better than he was in his pro bowl days. I can’t remember the last time I’ve heard him so confident in his game. Last offseason his comments were always about just going out and getting better and that he had surgery. Now he is all business.
I usually don’t buy into players claiming they are 100 percent after injuries, because the offseason isn’t a reset button. It’s actually a short amount of time to heal from injury. Most players say generic things to ensure fans they are okay.
This year, however, I’m fully buying into Tommie Harris. He hasn’t practiced like he has been this season in a very long time. He feels he can fully trust his knee and is better than ever. I feel Harris has matured enough to know how to take care of himself and is primed for a great year.
Is anyone really worried about Julius Peppers being dominant? I sure as hell won’t be. Peppers will command double teams like Harris did almost every time he was on the field last year. This will give Harris a true chance to shine again. Anthony Adams can handle single coverage which is all he is going to see next year. Much like Ray Edwards on Minnesota, whoever plays opposite Peppers is going to become effective for the Bears.
Look for Harris and Peppers to overwhelm offensive lines this year along with their solid supporting cast. This puts ease on the secondary and should lead to many more turnovers.
Bottom line, Tommie Harris is a solid indicator of the defense. If he continues down the road he is on now, the bears are in for a good season. I expect a big bounce back and hopefully another Pro Bowl for the big man on the D line.
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