Bears Cut Tommie Harris

[EmpireWF]

Bears cut Tommie Harris, Hunter Hillenmeyer, Kevin Shaffer | ProFootballTalk

Tommie Harris is headed out of Chicago.

A league source tells PFT that the Bears have cut Harris, a defensive tackle who has been with the team since Chicago selected him out of Oklahoma with the 14th overall pick in the 2004 NFL draft.

Early in his career Harris looked like he was on his way to becoming one of the league’s great defensive linemen; he was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

But Harris is coming off a sub-par 2010 season and was due a $2.5 million roster bonus this offseason. Now he won’t collect that money, and will be free to sign with any team that wants him.

UPDATE: The Bears have announced that they released Harris, linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer and offensive tackle Kevin Shaffer.

[Herm]

Vandy players can only play for the bears in the NFL, Hunter might as well retire if the bears cut him.

[1ke]

Lol Herm.

Saw this comin for a while now. Bye bye Tommie. Too bad you ripped your hamstring off you leg bone. Never the same after that.

[Kuzzy Powers]

I feel like we're going to regret this down the line. I know Harris has had some real problems the last couple seasons but hes so talented. But if he cant get healthy I guess hes useless to anyone.

[1ke]

Thing is....This was as healthy as he can ever be again. And we still saw him getting raped by average fat white men. Sucks, love him, he is the best personality they have and gives one hell of an interview, but he just cant make the cut anymore.

[FedEx227]

He'll never be healthy or anywhere near the level of play he was at ever again.

[SuperKevin]

Wouldn't be shocked to see him in Carolina with Ron Rivera

[MRN]

I feel like he deserved one more season, this was premature in my opinion.

[Mogriffjr]

I was just going to inquire about if Harris could fit with the Jets as a 3-4 end...doesn't sound like he has enough in the tank with his injury issues though...

[OnlyOneBeerLeft]

Wouldn't be shocked to see him in Carolina with Ron Rivera

You beat me to it I came in to say that... it fits need, Ron could use him for depth.

[Rush]

I thought he'd have one more season after his 2 sacks in the divisional playoff game.

[Guest]

I thought he'd have one more season after his 2 sacks in the divisional playoff game.

Agreed. Even if he isn't the primary playmaker, Harris can still make things happen. I'm sure someone will take a chance on him this off-season, and I think it will pay off. It just won't be in a 3-4 system.

[Aso]

I think it might be worth a shot trying him as a 3-4 end. I don't think he can ever be a starting 3 technique again.

[Senser81]

I think it might be worth a shot trying him as a 3-4 end. I don't think he can ever be a starting 3 technique again.

I don't know. Harris was at his best when he could go 1-on-1 in pass rushing situations. He was never very good against the run, and he'd get pushed around by bigger tackles. Lining him up as an end in a 3-4 where you need to be solid against the run and you don't get many 1-on-1 pass rushing opportunities probably wouldn't be a good fit for Harris.

[USCChifan]

I don't know. Harris was at his best when he could go 1-on-1 in pass rushing situations. He was never very good against the run, and he'd get pushed around by bigger tackles. Lining him up as an end in a 3-4 where you need to be solid against the run and you don't get many 1-on-1 pass rushing opportunities probably wouldn't be a good fit for Harris.

This
His knee troubles and ripping his hamstring off his femur have all but sapped his pass rushing ability. He already lost a ton of PT to Matt Toeaina and Henry Melton, and Toeaina just got a contract extension.