Rumor: Tommie Harris To The Colts Once Lockout Ends

by Brad Wells on Apr 14, 2011 2:42 PM EDT in 2011 Colts News

Negotiations are back in full swing as the federal court appointed mediator is sitting down with the players and owners to, hopefully, iron our the differences between both parties. The hope is a new CBA will be agreed to before the NFL Draft, which starts two weeks from today.

It's a faint hope, but still possible.

The reason this is such a big deal is that with no CBA currently in place, teams cannot sign free agents or trade players under contract for other player, or draft picks. This dramatically affects the decisions made in team 'war rooms' on draft day.

But, even though teams cannot sign players or trade for them, that doesn't mean people like Vaughn McClure at the Chicago Tribune can't speculate on where certain players, like current Bears free agent Tommie Harris, could land once the lockout ends.

From McClure, via Twitter:

Don't be surprised if Tommie Harris signs with the Colts once the lockout ends.

Well, I'd certainly be surprised. For starters, the last time the Colts signed a veteran free agent defensive tackle of Harris' pedigree, it didn't work out to well. Second, Harris plays the same position Fili Moala plays on the defensive line. He isn't a 'nose tackle' type DT. He's the type that shoots the gap and tries to get into the backfield. What the Colts need is a rock in the middle, someone like Booger McFarland who sustains his block and frees up the other tackle to make plays. McFarland did this with tremendous success in Tampa Bay (allowing Warren Sapp to earn an astounding 29 sacks in 1999 and 2000).

Harris, in his youth, was more the Sapp-style player. But Harris is a long time gone from the days when he was considered a 'force' as a DT. His best year was 2007, when he earned 8 sacks and 31 tackles. Last year, he got 1.5 sacks, and started only six games.

Now, this doesn't mean I'm against the Colts signing Harris. The team needs all the help it can get at DT. But, Harris certainly does not solve the issues at that position, and he's a far cry today from what he was back in '06 and '07.

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We need more than one 3-tech

On passing downs, Moala could move to RDT and Harris to LDT.

BTW, if the RFA tenders would stick, Muir would get close to 2 million. So why not pay Harris 2-3 million, and get better 3-tech play. He is only 27 and could get close to his old self on a fast surface.

by Ty46 on Apr 14, 2011 2:57 PM EDT reply actions

yes if they can get him for a good price

I would give him a shot

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Apr 14, 2011 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions

In passing situations,

The colts sometimes put 4 DE’s on the line, so there wouldn’t be any DT’s. Muir played well at 3-tech DT in 2009.

by RamblinWreck7 on Apr 16, 2011 2:31 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah we need to lose muir's contract

i don't give autographs

by muncie_in_this on Apr 14, 2011 3:01 PM EDT reply actions

Why not?

Give him a try, at the right price. If he can’t cut it, cut him. I’m for it. Of course, this would be very out of character for the Colts. Maybe their stance on Free Agents is changing with Peyton’s career winding down?

BeerBrunch.com @coldy4goldy

by beerbrunch on Apr 14, 2011 3:04 PM EDT reply actions

Rather, there is a realization, that drafting late doesn't fill the need for talents

by Ty46 on Apr 14, 2011 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes it does.

You just can’t miss as much. That’s how you sustain a great team for long periods of time.

by RamblinWreck7 on Apr 16, 2011 2:33 AM EDT up reply actions

worth a shot!

He could be motivated by Freeney and Mathis’ presence and actually TRY in Indy! But hes also a Sanders-esque injury risk. I’d be happy if we signed him, but he better not get a huge contract like that sloth Corey Simon!!

by bigpony on Apr 14, 2011 4:28 PM EDT reply actions

Corey Simon had Polyarthritis.

And as far as I have heard, it doesn’t help with playing football.

by RamblinWreck7 on Apr 16, 2011 2:41 AM EDT up reply actions

definitely worth it.

by bob-log sandtits on Apr 14, 2011 5:15 PM EDT reply actions

at least I can watch my man Ken Duke

Golf is not on strike, 2006 Nationwide Tour- #1
                                  2007 PGA #37
                                   2008 PGA #28
                                    2009 PGA- didn’t keep his card
                                       today 66 tied for 2nd Nationwide Tour with a hole in one on # 6

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Apr 14, 2011 6:26 PM EDT reply actions

Can't he play some DE...

Possibly more suited for a 3-4 DE? Well, at least that’s where I played him in Madden :)

Seriously though, he’s very undersized for a DT, and could spell Freeney/Mathis for 10-15 running plays (situations, at least), and switch over to DT for 10-15 passing plays (situations). It would help keep Freeney & Mathis fresh throughout the game, help out our running defense from the ends, and help out our pass rush up the middle.

I don’t think this turns our defense into a dominant group, but I love the idea of adding more talent through FA. This would also allow us to address more pressing needs in the first 2-3 rounds of the draft (OT, OG, Safety, WR).

by kmbryant09 on Apr 14, 2011 8:03 PM EDT reply actions

Sorry but I can’t stand it when some yutz says, “Dont me surprised if X happens.” It’s so overused and stupid it hurts my brain everytime I read it.

First off, whether or not the Colts signed him wouldn’t be a surprise anyway, at least not in a shocking way of “holy cow why would they do that?!”. Secondly, when someone uses “don’t be surprised…” they’re usually full of shit, and I’m willing to bet this guy is too. It’s pure speculation to the nth degree, and I don’t think information like this should garner any attention personally. I’m not saying BBS shouldn’t have posted it, I’m just saying it’s really nothing newsworthy.