About

I am a multimedia nut, journalism, photography, videography, radio broadcasting and production. I’ve done it all, but I love to write and have a lot to say. I live in the Chicagoland area now and have always had an extreme love and passion for the Chicago Bears
Bears Film Defense Notes: Tommie Harris
Written by Brett Solesky   
Wednesday, 04 November 2009 04:32
The level of jaded anger that Chicago Bears fans feel towards Tommie Harris has probably reached an all time high after he was benched for the game against the Cincinnati Bengals.  He's hurt he's not hurt, he's causing problems is lazy needs motivation whatever it is or whatever it was, it was enough to cause Bears fans to gag themselves with a spoon. 

Now after the Browns game the last thing Bears fans want to hear is smoke blown up their butts about Tommie Harris.  The Tribune already ran a piece from the Bears staff proclaiming that Harris plays well in return.  Nothing like the sun shine media to take anything the staff says upon their film review when they say one of their own made an improvement.  I'm the first to stand up and call bullshit when I hear it and that was my initial reaction upon reading this Tribune article earlier tonight. 

Then I did my own film review and finished it and focused in on Tommie Harris.  Well I can say this pretty emphatically and back it up with a big wow.  Yes Tommie Harris did play well in his return and in this game against the Cleveland Browns.  But you say sure it's JUST the Cleveland Browns.  But here's the catch to it being JUST the Cleveland Browns, Harris played well against Joe Thomas and Eric Steinbach.  One of perhaps the best left offensive lines in the league is what the Browns offer up and what Harris faced in the game. 

Tommie HarrisHarris more than held his own and often times forced Thomas' hand into holding him to keep him from making the play.  Harris got penetration was disruptive and attacked the gaps and the direction the play was headed.  It was actually remarkable to see Harris playing so well and the only time the Browns were having success was when they lined up and double teamed him or hit him with a combo block.  Harris looked good as crazy as it sounds he did play as well as the coaching staff proclaimed. 

His performance also let other around him make plays. Notably in the fourth quarter the Browns chose to block Harris with their best blocker Joe Thomas which put Mark Anderson out on the edge alone with either a TE or a FB blocking him.  This led to Anderson stuffing two consecutive run plays followed by his own pass rush that got a major hit on Anderson who threw a pick to Tillman which went for six.  Yeah it's like six degrees of separation to say that Harris was responsible for that play, but when the Browns make the choice to attack Harris with their best blocker out of his ability to disrupt and attack the gaps and get penetration like he did in this game, it allowed Anderson to make the plays he did. 

Yes it's only one game, no not much showed up on the stat sheet from Harris' efforts, as far as tackles and sacks.  But Harris should have had a sack were it not for the weak effort on a tackle.  Rightfully so Harris is labeled a fool for that lack of effort on that tackle, but that is not the point.  The point is that Harris was even in that position in the first place, blowing past Steinbach and getting the pressure. 

Hopefully this is a real sign of things to come from Harris.  Hopefully the smoke screens and the double speak can stop and we can see a somewhat return to form from Harris starting this week as the Bears get into their stretch run.  Harris playing well against the next three teams likely means the difference between the playoffs and no playoffs.

Comments (1)Add Comment
Tommie Harris
written by Dana Morgan, November 11, 2009
Tommie Harris is one of the best players. I met him at training camp and he soooo NICE!!!!!!! Our whole team has to step it up!!! We have a great QB. I love Jay Cutler and he is not the problem. Lovie needs to get the boys ready and win these damn games. All we needed was a QB and now our team is falling apart. I don't understand how we are just average when our team can be the BEST!!!!!!!!!!

Write comment

busy
< Prev   Next >
 

Search Midway Illustrated

 

About Bloguin

Bloguin is the revolutionary blog network specifically focused on helping bloggers get the most out of their websites. We're currently working on building a large network of online communities and hope to expand our blogging coverage to include a wide range of topics.

Advertisers

The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.

Bloggers Wanted

The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. We're specifically looking for blogs in the sports, entertainment, and video games field, but are open to adding any type of quality site. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.

The Bloguin Login

The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer.  Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites.  Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account!