Al Harris Next Year

Tom Silverstein posted some random thoughts from down in Tampa regarding the Packers defense, and while they're all interesting, one that seemed particularly pointed was his thought on Al Harris and the Pittsburgh-style 3-4 that Capers will be implementing:

This is going to be a hard defense for Al Harris to play. It's not that he can't play it, but he loves playing bump and run and you have to be able to play zone. The Steelers corners did play some man on Larry Fitzgerald with a safety over the top, but that's the exception more than the rule.The Steelers corners are expected to be a big part of the run defense. It's why you don't see them give up many long runs. The corners are always facing the quarterback and they have to break on the ball once they see it's a run. Man-to-man corners sometimes don't see the ball until the running back is well past the line of scrimmage.

I tend to agree with Silverstein here. Just go back and watch the Cowboy game from last year or the Jacksonville game from this past season. In both games the Packers have their opponents in 3rd and long and Bob Sanders calls for a zone coverage from his secondary. (Cover 3 in Dallas on a 3rd and 19 and Cover 2 against Jacksonville) Both plays, Harris floats toward the line while looking at the quarterback, never aware of the recievers around him, or indeed, the reciever getting behind him for big gains both times. The play against Dallas was particularly painful as the Packers had gotten the Cowboys backed up deep in their own end, only to watch Patrick Crayton catch a 30 yard pass from Romo behind a completely-out-of-it Harris. The other point Silverstein makes, regarding run support, is more worrisome. One need look no further than the game last night to see how important the corners are in support of the front seven in defending the run in this defense, and Harris, while willing more often than not, is not even a good tackler. In fact, he's pretty terrible.

It will be interesting to see how Capers decides to use Harris next year or if Thompson tries to shop him this offseason. I know a lot of people have theorized/advocated the trading of Kampman, which makes no sense to me. Trading Harris makes much more sense, especially if the Packers land Jenkins or the like in the first round of the draft. Don't get me wrong - I love Al Harris and he is a warrior. But he was a perfect fit for Sanders' defense - I'm not so sure about how he fits in Capers'.

 

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Comments (19)

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Donald's Designated Driver's picture

February 02, 2009 at 11:32 am

What kind of trade value does a 34 year old cornerback have?

A good part of the rationale with trading Kampman is that the Packers could probably get something decent for him in return.

I just can't imagine (and I have an active imagination) any team giving up much of anything to get Al Harris. Sixth rounder maybe?

And if that's it, is it even worth it?

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Chicago Hooligan's picture

February 02, 2009 at 12:12 pm

Malcolm Jenkins is scouted as strong in run support, another reason to consider drafting him if he's available at #9.

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PackerAaron's picture

February 02, 2009 at 12:19 pm

DDD - "I just can’t imagine (and I have an active imagination) any team giving up much of anything to get Al Harris. Sixth rounder maybe? And if that’s it, is it even worth it?"
A sixth rounder that could turn into another Kampman or Jolly? Yes.

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Ron La Canne's picture

February 02, 2009 at 12:43 pm

Defensive front seven is the Packers biggest problem. Trading the only above average player (Kampman) in that group of seven seems counter-productive to me. Harris, regardless of age will have a playing value greater than his trade value. So a trade is out there. Of course, as long as there is a Minn. Vikings team P.T. Barnum's theory could hold up. You hope for one more year with him.

Unfortunately, GB has no easy way to fix their problems. The negligence in managing the D&O lines and LB's has come home to roost. They could trade a WR or two for draft choices. Maybe TT could get something for one of the backup QB's? To me the solution must be handled in the FA market to a large degree and then using their Draft Choises to fill specific roles ( I know this goes counter to TT best player philosopy - Can anyone say Justin Harrell?)

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PackerAaron's picture

February 02, 2009 at 01:03 pm

Ron - some good points there. However, I think they'll approach FA and the draft almost excatly the opposite way: using the draft to build up their overall talent base and fill specific holes via FA. Either way, you're right about the lines. They are the greatest problems in a sea of issues Thompson needs to deal with in the coming months.

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jerseypackfan's picture

February 02, 2009 at 01:37 pm

So if the Packers gets Asomugha. We will all know then that Al Harris`s outstanding career as a Packer is over.

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Andrew in Atlanta's picture

February 02, 2009 at 01:50 pm

Has anyone seen the "*izz in my pants" skit on SNL? Well, go look it up, 'cause that's what will happen to most of us if we get Asomugha.

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scrumptrulesent's picture

February 02, 2009 at 02:24 pm

Good stuff Andrew. "Open the window, feel the cool breeze, and I *izz in my pants".

I think Green Bay will get priced out on Asomugha in about 5 seconds if he doesn't get franchised. If TT were to pull it off I would *izz, no doubt. I'd *izz if they got Suggs too.

I do think Jenkins would be a perfectly fine pick at #9, then maybe they could get lucky with an OLB or an OL in the 2nd.

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Donald's Designated Driver's picture

February 02, 2009 at 02:33 pm

"Defensive front seven is the Packers biggest problem. Trading the only above average player (Kampman) in that group of seven seems counter-productive to me."

As does playing him out of position and hoping for the best does to me.

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Andrew in Atlanta's picture

February 02, 2009 at 02:47 pm

I'm confused DDD (which comes remarkably easy to me). If you don't trade him and playing him out of position is bad, what point are you making?

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Andrew in Atlanta's picture

February 02, 2009 at 02:48 pm

Ah, sorry. You were responding. Duh. My bad

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scrumptrulesent's picture

February 02, 2009 at 02:48 pm

DDD: It hasn't been stated where Kampman would line up in a pure 3-4 if that's what they run. Dom Capers has run a hybrid defense, where he get's his best players in the best positions to make plays ala Jason Taylor in Miami. Kampman hasn't played a down at OLB in the pros yet so why don't we take a wait and see approach to how this plays out?

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Donald's Designated Driver's picture

February 02, 2009 at 03:14 pm

"Kampman hasn’t played a down at OLB in the pros yet so why don’t we take a wait and see approach to how this plays out?"

A couple reasons:

(1) He has trade value now. Will he have anywhere near the same trade value in a year if he is a flop in the 3-4?

(2) He is under contract now. He is a free agent in 2010. Of course, the Packers could tag and trade him next year if he doesn't work out at LB but keep in mind that right now the Packers will have a lot of free agents to sign next year (Kampman, Jennings, Collins, Pickett, Jolly, Colledge, and some others). There are not enough tags for all of those guys.

Maybe, Kampman is the next Jason Taylor. That would be spiffy. But, my gut tells me that is just a little unrealistic.

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PackerAaron's picture

February 02, 2009 at 03:16 pm

DDD - That's a very good point about Kampman's contract status, one I hadn't thought of. Silverstein brings up a similar point in his latest blog post, though he thinks the Packers will keep him this year and then let him walk.

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Ron La Canne's picture

February 02, 2009 at 04:41 pm

The only way a Kampman trade could make sense is that the Packers get back a DT or Middle Guard of equal quality. Any ideas?

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IPBprez's picture

February 02, 2009 at 08:26 pm

Kampman as the next Jason Taylor - hope dancing with the stars ain't on the List. Still, with his energy on the field, who says it couldn't happen? Aside from Bradon Chillar and a few others, Kampman is just about the only real force out there. AJ Hawk is who might have real issues being kept on the Active Squad. Nick Barnett, being about 15 pounds light, could also have some issues. I compared who the Steelers have active versus who we have on our List ... and Nick doesn't make the cut. Average weight was around 243lbs, so the Packers do have some personnel - it's a matter of athleticism now.

Anyone?

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Keith's picture

February 02, 2009 at 10:20 pm

Energy has nothing to do with anything. Kampman is not on Taylor's talent level.

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IPBprez's picture

February 03, 2009 at 04:38 am

That's an opinion .... nothing more!
From this side - all options are open at this point because no one has seen this group play in the 3-4 at all. You'll have to come up with something more than a dismissive retort.

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czarapara's picture

February 10, 2009 at 11:00 am

Im sure Harris can make the ajustment,don't get rid of a guy that has leadership qualities as well as a great football player.

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