Chiefs Agree with Harris
 

Chiefs agree to terms with free-agent LB Harris
By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star

The Chiefs and unrestricted free agent linebacker Napoleon Harris agreed to terms this morning on a six-year contract.

Financial details were unavailable. Some still were being finalized.

The Chiefs plan to use Harris, a five-year NFL veteran with the Raiders and Vikings, as their starting middle linebacker. He would replace Kawika Mitchell, an unrestricted free agent.

The Chiefs may try to re-sign Mitchell, who has yet to make any free-agent visits. The Chiefs were discussing whether to move Mitchell to outside linebacker even before they signed Harris.

The 6-feet-2, 255-pound Harris was Oakland’s first-round draft pick in 2002. He went to the Vikings in the trade that sent Randy Moss to Oakland.

He visited with Tampa Bay before arriving for his visit in Kansas City.

For more on this story, see Wednesday’s editions of Sports Daily.

Great move. Very pleased. Great offseason so far IMO.

He's quicker and should be an improvement as a cover 2 Mike.

....If he only had some DTs to keep the Guard's off of him.

Nice, I hope he does well, how was he in Minnesota? I know he went there with alot ofexcitement, but I don't recall hearing his name too often.

I am surprised we got it done. I hope this kid can turn around his career.

i just hope we didn't pay a fortune

Excellent move. Look forward to seeing how he is at middle in Cover 2.

Now, do we resign Mitchell and put him outside, or bring Donnie Edwards back for his curtain call?

Thanks, Carl.

If he can simply maintain it, we're a lot better off than we have been.

Just a thought, why didn't we go after Brian Simmons? He only had a salary of 3.3 this year, probably got Harris because he was cheaper

Just FYI, not sure if anyone realizes because a lot of comments imply otherwise, but Harris played in a cover-2 defense last year. I'm about to dig up some Viking fan comments from the actual season (so there's bitter-type comments) and I'll post some thoughts, both for and against him.

I have a feeling we are going to bring back Edwards. He and TG might want to ride off into the sunset together. I would be happy with either tho...

Was it a true Cover 2 defense, or some type of hybrid? I keep thinking Minny played a ton of man-to-man.

Well, they led the league in run defense last year, so that's always a good thing if you're a MLB. And he played for Tomlin, who coached the Tampa scheme. Guess he fits. Can't be any worse than Kawika was last year.

Of course, this is where FA LB's come to die.

Good move. Interesting how Mitchell/D.Edwards play out

All I know is he got 52 total tackles last year, not solo, total. This after a year of 25 tackles (don't know if he was injured or not) he sure started his career out pretty well, first two years.

He went to my alma mater. I've always rooted for the guy. Unfortunately, Luis Castillo also went to my alma mater, so its hard to root against him even though he's a Charger.

Minn was very tough vs the run last year, has an excellent Dline and has spent some high draft picks on LBs the past couple of seasons. I think those young LBs are the reason Minn found him expendable.

My initial reaction is that I like this move but I will need to know more about how Harris played in Minnesota before I decide.

So far it looks as if we're going to play 07 without any competent DTs.

Here's a poll early in the season with quite a few contributions: http://www.kffl.com/forums/showthrea...ghlight=Harris

"What a game by him yesterday. I'm wondering what everyone thinks about this guy as our starting MLB this season after 2 games, because he looked solid against the Redskins as well."

"Through two games, Nap Harris has performed at a level higher than any LB we have has since Ed McDaniel."

Others:

"Harris and Henderson were all over the field as well,"

On EJ Henderson and Harris: "Does it strike anyone that these guys are really similar? Both have excelled against the run, are excellent inside blitzers, both are shaky but improved in coverage."

"These Three have not been the weakness that everyone anticipated.
I am simply liking Nap Harris and Ben Leber. If we could just teach old EJ to cover a TE or RB I think we would be on to something."

"Our LBs have surprised with their quality of play. Harris especially, many thought he would be cut."

FYI - the Vikes were last in the league against the pass last year and #1 against the run

I give our offseason a B so far.

Both players will elevate this team. Not yet into contention, but we've put a quick, solid fix on two positions that would be roadblocks to going back to the postseason.

Seems consensus from reading is that Harris is very, very good against the run and can seriously get after the passer but needs a little work in the coverage area.

Here comes the false hope in 3, 2, 1...

HARRIS IS TEH SAVIORE!!111!1!11

I can't believe how much they overspent for this guy.

he's been a underachiever most of of his career

Defensive Stats
Year Team --- G Tkl Ast Sck Int Yd Avg Lg TD Pass Def
2002 Raiders 15 081 59 22 .5 _00 00 0.0 00 00 02
2003 Raiders 16 107 74 33 02 _00 00 0.0 00 00 02
2004 Raiders 14 061 47 14 00 _00 00 0.0 00 00 01
2005 Vikings 15 025 18 07 01 _00 00 0.0 00 00 03
2006 Vikings 14 059 42 17 2.5_03 20 6.7 11 00 01

Poor Chiefs fan :)

I just bought my S.B. tix

Thanks Mecca

Print 'em.

I think part of the reason, well actually a big reason, why they were great against the run last year was Pat Williams.

I love this move. I have been a Harris homer since his days at Northwestern and I am excited to see him in the red and gold.

He is an upgrade at either MLB or OLB depending on what is done the rest of the offseason

Great start to the offseason.

Chiefs have made two solid free agent signings. Nothing to make ESPN headlines or break the bank, fill a couple of holes. Harris is still young enough that it wont hurt the youth movement.

It just doesn't matter. Herm is still coaching right?

FORGIV THYE' HARRIS, HE KNOWETH KNOT WAHT HE DOZ. HE IS TEH SORY FOR PLAYNG WITH DA RADIERS, HE WIL STOPP UNDERACHEVING WITH DA CHEIFS!!111!!

I want to know the money, he should cost us less than KM would have and even if his coverage came under question with vik fans last year, I am sure he's better than KM at the pass, I have a buddy that's a vik fan and from what I've watched of him.

I noticed earlier that last year he had more sacks and more INT's than mitchell (double even - 1.5/1 for KM and 3/2 for Harris :p) But he's taller and better for our scheme than KM.

where's the youtube experts at? Lets see some film on Harris.


yeah, NH caused two fumbles and KM did not cause any.

I've said it, not a huge upgrade, but an upgrade, and shouldn't kill our cap either.

NOW we need a real DT to stick in there.

Here's actual analysis, as opposed to Mecca's whining....

http://vikings.kfan.com/sports/nflgu...2-6EC6F2731A31

Napoleon Harris – Final Stats:
Solo – 71 / Ast. – 25 / Total – 96 / Sacks – 2.5 / INTs – 3 / TFL – 7 / FF – 2 / FR – 0

If Henderson’s performance was the most impressive among Vikings defenders, then Harris’ resurgence was the easily the most surprising in 2006.

Hounded by nagging injuries ever since his best year in 2003 when he was a member of the Oakland Raiders, Harris had quickly fallen out of favor with most Vikings fans after a disappointing 2005 campaign.

Even after Harris showed signs of life during training camp, most people figured he would fall flat once again. But Tomlin showed faith and confidence in Harris’ veteran leadership and handed him the responsibility of playing the middle spot in his “Tampa-2” defense.

As he did with most of the defense, Tomlin seemed to bring out the best in Harris and the fifth-year player responded with a very good season.

In week 2 Harris had one of his best games in a nail-biting win over the Panthers, racking up a season-high 12 tackles and a sack, the first of what would be a career-high in the sack department.

Harris continued his solid play throughout the season, despite being sidelined for two games due to injury. Harris showed toughness that many felt he did not have when he returned after the two weeks sporting a cast on his injured arm. In fact he was able to pick off two passes despite the injury, giving him three interceptions on the year.

Like Henderson, Harris sprinted down the stretch, totaling 30 tackles, a sack and two forced fumbles in the final three games of the season.

Under contract through 2008, Harris should continue to be a key piece in the Vikings’ defensive puzzle. He may see a bit of a diminished role however depending on how injured rookie Chad Greenway returns from a torn ACL.

Regardless of what his role is, Harris should continue to provide leadership and play-making ability for a defense that has become the strength of the Vikings.

ROFL

I will temper my excitement.

........It's fine as long as the contract is reasonable.

sign donnie or mitchell for MLB and put Harris at SOLB?

Harris has ALWAYS been a MLB, if Edwards were to sign he'd be the weak side OLB. And Mitchell isn't coming back.

Most of the playmakers anymore are 3-4 rushers, I think sometime within the next century we need to change to a 3-4 and get some hybrid QB crushers on our team, ala the Chargers.

Hopefully he can get 40 tackles again this year.

Whoever compiled those tackle stats was very liberal as compared to what NFL.COM shows.

Why the hell would you move Harris OUT of his position?

**** Mitchell altogether (he's horrible) and Edwards works as an OLB in a 4-3.

I think one of the 2 will be resigned. Kawika is younger and might be cheaper considering the lack of interest but for some reason I feel that Donnie is on his way back.

If Donnie is signed Harris moves outside; if Kawika is signed Harris stays in the middle and Kawika moves outside IMO.

He's an OK acquisition, but it will continue to not matter who is there until we install some DTs.

I believe Harris played OLB in Oakland. I might be wrong though.

what makes anyone think that Harris can be good enough in coverage for our system?

seems like we have signed a player with the intention of playing him towards his weakness ....... again.

Perspective, douche.

He'll have a lot more than that this year as the unquestioned starter.

The way I see it:

Out - Kawika Mitchell average MLB that stays healthy.

In - Nap Harris underachieving MLB that can't stay healthy.

Doesn't look like a good move to me. I'm hoping Willis is around at 23 and KC takes him.

Combine the front office's persistent inability to project players into positions at the next level with the increasingly high demand on 3-4 ends, OLBs, and NTs, and you have a recipe for disaster.

because in our system the linebackers drop in coverage a ton


our middle linebacker is expected to turn a run with the tightend a ton.


IF Harris is strong against the run and weak in coverage then putting him at MLB in our system will basically turn him into Kendrell Bell.

I agree with that concept. Except I'd rather have Donnie for MLB, than Kawika.

There really aren't any other options and Mitchell proved that he can't play at all in this system, he doesn't even tackle well.

We can't sit around and wait for Willis in the draft either seeing as his 4.4 range 40 puts him ahead of our pick now.

Very good point. Harris was not that good in coverage last year for the Vikings.

Best thing for this team to do is sign Donnie Edwards to play MLB.

Yes.....putting a 227lb man in at MLB on a team with no DT's is brilliant, I can't wait to see him get obliterated by guards. Edwards is not a MLB in a 4-3.

No 34 year old long term solutions please.

second that.


Are we keeping anyone from last year? reed or edwards - I thought edwards did pretty well, and I'm not sure I like the idea of two rookies. I hope we hear something in this area.

Harris simply won't play OLB. PERIOD.

He may need work in coverage. He'll work. But he can stuff the run and we NEED that.

There's no way in hell we move him to OLB where he'll have to cover just as much (if not more) and may also be less effective against the run (he's a good upfield player, not so much laterally although he has the speed to).

He is a good fit for a cover 2 defense. That's the reason why i said they should sign him, and put him there. In cover 2, you need a MLB that can drop back and play coverage. Like Laz said, we do that ton. And I agree. If Harris is weak at coverage, then that's like just signing somebody that neglects the team need, and asking him to do something he is not good at. It'll be like the Kendrell Bell situation all over again.

Dirty Raider Scum.

If we have a LB lineup of DJ-Edwards-Harris, we are going to fucking blow against the run.

Stopping the run > stopping the pass.

signing a less talent guy can work out IF you put him him a system that specifically targets his strengths.

(see the patriots)


but putting a guy into a system that doesn't fit him is a bad thing.

signing a lesser talent and then putting that lesser talent into a system that emphasizes his weaknesses is simply "retarted"

Would Mitchell be good in Bell's place or should be sign someone else?

Is it safe to assume you are being a smartass as usual? Or do you have some financial terms you would like to share?

And we are going to blow against the run if we don't address the DT positions. No matter who we have lining up at LB.

I can't believe the amount of bitching already.

Harris>Kavvvvveka

LOL...But he is the best fit for the defense we are trying to run.

oh hush ...... people are discussing



or can't you tell the difference?

No one's really bitching, we just don't know what we're going to do with the other LB spot. Edwards is too old and is a MLB, and would Kawika do well in place of Bell? I'm not a fan of putting a MLB at OLB.

.,.,

Pollard is perfect for an outside linebacker in the Cover 2. Heck I went back and read his scouting reports from the draft and said he should move to lb in a cover 2.

I think he would be a better fit at OLB than MLB in this scheme. He would be better than Bell no doubt in my mind.

We go from Jubilation of yeah we got a good one, to hey wait a minute, to Damnit Carl !!!! :cuss: in under 80 posts. That may be a record here.

ROFL ROFL ROFL

Man I love this place in the off season