Chris Harris strips the ball from Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman last season. (David T. Foster/MCT)
By Brad Biggs
After yet another season filled with turnover at safety, the Bears are hopeful that the re-acquisition of veteran Chris Harris and the selection of Major Wright will buoy the position for the first time since Mike Brown became brittle.
The Bears traded reserve linebacker Jamar Williams to the Carolina Panthers for Harris nearly three years after dealing him away to the NFC South club. Carolina was going to release Harris if it couldn't find a trading partner and the Bears stepped up, figuring he knows the scheme well and can step in immediately. Harris had to agree to re-work his contract.
Wright was drafted with the team's first pick in the draft, 75th overall in the third round with a selection many figured the team would invest in a safety. He left Florida a year early and with a strong training camp and preseason, he could push for immediate playing time considering the track record of the coaching staff when it comes to playing rookies. For now, Danieal Manning is paired alongside Harris, the same duo the Bears had when they were in Super Bowl XLI. That was Harris' final game with the Bears. He's back to a new group now. Let's take a look:
I like the Wright/Harris pickups but I feel Brad said it, The Bears draft too many positions over and over - trying to get them right and never getting them right. Finally having to Trade/Sign a player. The Bears will never catch up with the Defensive players and be able to draft some Offensive Linemen higher than 7 with this method of drafting.
Having to trade a LB for Harris is crazy, we should have had this position filled a long time ago with all the Safety's/DB's we have gotten the past few years.
All in All - this is a position that should be adequate this year, Not too worried about this position now with Harris in.
The Main 2 positions that we will have to worry about are:
Offensive Line
Defensive Line
The Very bad news is these 2 positions are the most important positions in Football.
All Positions should be better than last year, thats very good news, hope Lovie/Rod get Harris out if he falters early. Same with Olin.