July 27, 200421 yr http://www.suntimes.com/output/bears/cst-spt-bear27.html Bears talking, but Harris likely to hold out July 27, 2004 BY BRAD BIGGS Staff Reporter The Bears continued to talk at length Monday with the agent for first-round draft pick Tommie Harris, but it is a near-certainty the defensive tackle will not be in training camp on time. Players are due at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill., by midnight, and the first practice is Wednesday afternoon. Harris' agent, Eugene Parker, would not say if his client is in the area. "He'll get there when it's time,'' Parker said. "We've been talking. I don't know [if that means progress]. "We're trying to get the deal done right. I will say this about the Bears, [contract negotiator] Cliff Stein has been very proactive in at least talking about things.'' The Bears open camp earlier than most teams, and soon Parker will be facing deadlines with the three other first-round picks he represents, including Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, the third overall selection. Stein did reel in one pick, signing defensive end Claude Harriott, a fifth-rounder, to a four-year contract with a signing bonus of $154,000. That should make negotiations with quarterback Craig Krenzel easier. Krenzel was taken one slot behind Harriott. Also unsigned is wide receiver Bernard Berrian, a third-round selection. The unsigned players' status does not come as a surprise, as less than one-third of draft picks leaguewide were signed as of Monday evening. NOTES: The Bears are expected to place offensive tackle Marc Colombo on the physically unable to perform list, perhaps as soon as today. Colombo is working his way back from a dislocated left kneecap suffered 20 months ago. Tight end Robert Johnson, recovering from foot surgery, is another candidate for the PUP list. *Defensive lineman Darrell Campbell, a Thornwood and Notre Dame product, will go on the non-football injury list for the season as he rehabilitates his surgically repaired left knee. The first practice of the Lovie Smith era is set for Wednesday afternoon at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill. Admission is free with the exception of the afternoon practice Aug. 14, which is Olivet Appreciation Day. Parking is also free, but fans are encouraged to arrive early to avoid remote lots.
July 27, 200421 yr This pisses me off. Harris better get his ass to camp fast or else he's gonna at least be in my doghouse to start the season, and probably all of the coaches' and players' too.
July 27, 200421 yr This pisses me off. Harris better get his ass to camp fast or else he's gonna at least be in my doghouse to start the season, and probably all of the coaches' and players' too. IIRC didn't Grossman and Haynes both miss a couple of days last year because of a holdout? And two questions - Did the Bears sign Tank Johnson, their second pick? What does the PUP list mean?
July 27, 200421 yr IIRC didn't Grossman and Haynes both miss a couple of days last year because of a holdout? And two questions - Did the Bears sign Tank Johnson, their second pick? What does the PUP list mean? Physically Unable to Play, and does Columbo EVER stay injury free?
July 27, 200421 yr Physically Unable to Play, and does Columbo EVER stay injury free? It's still that injury of two years ago - it's not multiple injuries. Ugh - I could see that replay in my mind. One of the Bears lineman fell down right behind Columbo who was blocking, landing basically on the back of one of his ankles. Columbo then fell backwards, while having the guy on his ankle. Aghhhhh. BTW - I know PUP means Physically Unable to Perform, but does that mean he won't play again this season, or what?
July 27, 200421 yr Where's Big Cat when you need him. We could have gotten him back last year, but NO.
July 27, 200421 yr Where's Big Cat when you need him. We could have gotten him back last year, but NO. How about it. That was weird how the Bears just ditched him last year
July 27, 200421 yr IIRC didn't Grossman and Haynes both miss a couple of days last year because of a holdout? And two questions - Did the Bears sign Tank Johnson, their second pick? What does the PUP list mean? Physically Unable to Preform
July 27, 200421 yr When Columbo was injured I said that it looked like it would be career ending. Just the way he fell, it looked as if the whole knee was going to have to be reconstructed. As for Harris, I hope you dont get to far behind Tank, because I think many in the Bears organization feel he can replace you pretty easily. SB
July 27, 200421 yr According to what i heard Colvin is on the pup list for the Pats but it doesnt mean he will miss any playing time. Although I doubt it matters in Columbos case.
July 27, 200421 yr How the hell can you holdout when your a rookie? Doesn't make sense...way to get off to a good start.
July 27, 200421 yr How the hell can you holdout when your a rookie? Doesn't make sense...way to get off to a good start. It's the norm, these days. Most of the teams first round picks haven't been signed yet. It's when it becomes week long, multiple week long holdouts that I start to become worried.
July 28, 200421 yr It's the norm, these days. Most of the teams first round picks haven't been signed yet. It's when it becomes week long, multiple week long holdouts that I start to become worried. Tuesday Morning Quarterback, an awesome column that used to be on ESPN page 2 and now NFL.com, did a good commentary once on rookie holdouts. He basically said that agents are at fault for concentrating too much on the short term, trying to help themselves (by getting a huge contract, they get a cut of everything obviously) more than the player. A rookie who signs early gets a lot more practice and can be integrated into the system a lot easier and earlier, allowing him to perform better for a longer period of time and earn more money the next time his contract is up.
July 28, 200421 yr Any rookie that holds out i wish nothing but bad luck. Yjeu have not earned a damn thing, they have no right to hold out whatsoever.
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