Al Harris Signs With Dolphins

by Brandon on Nov 10, 2010 1:22 PM CST in Green Bay Packers News

After CB Al Harris cleared waivers, his agent confirmed that he signed a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins. It appears that Harris is slated to become the starter because the Sun-Sentinel reports that the Dolphins released their starting CB Jason Allen to make room for Harris. They also reported that it's a homecoming for Harris (a Florida native) and he chose the Dolphins over the Vikings, Lions, and Texans.

Those are a lot of teams that have shown confidence that Harris can still play, though the pickings are slim for any team looking at the waiver wire for cornerback help. I have absolutely no idea if he can still play because I haven't seen him play since he injured his knee last season. I had read (sorry, can't remember where) that he had been practicing with the first team defense over the past three weeks, and maybe that gave all those teams some extra confidence.

I'm not surprised the Vikings and Lions wanted Harris. They each have one more game to play against the Packers, so his knowledge of the defense sure couldn't hurt. Also, the Vikings have lost one veteran CB to injury this season while the Lions just released their former starter. Meanwhile Harris walks into a perfect situation that gives him a chance to show that he can still play. The Dolphins have been looking for a reliable starter across from CB Vontae Davis for months.

It's turning out to be a big week for the Dolphins. They released one starter (Allen) to make room for a new one in Harris. And it's been reported that QB Chad Henne has been benched in favor of QB Chad Pennington. That'll be something to watch: desperations moves by a losing team, or much needed changes to get them into the playoffs? I expect The Phinsider will have more on this throughout the week.

Tweet Comment 28 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Good for him

I’m happy for Harris. He gets to start (probably something he wants), gets to play in his home state and be close to his family.

I’m even happier that he’s not playing for the Lions(which I could deal with) or Packers-West.

by PackApologist on Nov 10, 2010 1:35 PM CST reply actions 3 recs

+1

by Darrell L on Nov 10, 2010 1:57 PM CST up reply actions

Definintely cheering for him

Glad that he a) found a team, and b) found one we won’t play again this year. Hopefully he can help them complete the NFC North division sweep. :-)

by Puddleglumed on Nov 10, 2010 2:31 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed.

Good luck Al! We’ll miss ya.

by Bush League All Star on Nov 10, 2010 9:37 PM CST up reply actions

Haha, another viqueens fail.

"Your wife swallows pineapples for donkey rides." - Orbit gum commercial

by mike_o on Nov 10, 2010 1:49 PM CST reply actions

Good luck, Al!

I’m gonna keep an eye on that game this weekend to see how he does.

Gotta love Sunday Ticket!

by Darrell L on Nov 10, 2010 1:56 PM CST reply actions

Damn.

Reading the comments in that Miami paper posting. Doesn’t look like Fin Fans are happy about them signing Al.

by Darrell L on Nov 10, 2010 2:09 PM CST reply actions

I'm really happy we signed him

the fans are just a little mad because henne got benched.

"Welcome to The Doghouse"
"The more people I meet the more I like my dog."
Winner of The Davone Bess Little Guy Award, 2010

by Kdog92 on Nov 10, 2010 7:26 PM CST up reply actions

wow…interesting…and they let go of their STARTER to make room for him? Strange. Maybe we should bring him in for depth as a dimeback! :-)

by TrevorR on Nov 10, 2010 2:37 PM CST reply actions

It's almost like he's been a quality starter in the NFL for the last 7 years or something! :)

BCB free since 8/24/10 and happier for it.

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Nov 10, 2010 2:41 PM CST up reply actions

Wow. Look at that.

A former Packer actually showing some class and not signing up with a division opponent to stick it to Ted while claiming he’s just doing what’s best for him and his family.

Who woulda thought that was possible?

BCB free since 8/24/10 and happier for it.

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Nov 10, 2010 2:43 PM CST reply actions

very classy by him!

by TrevorR on Nov 10, 2010 3:02 PM CST up reply actions

Al's always been a classy team first guy

I’m glad he found a team and hope everything works out great for him.

by Charlie Kelly on Nov 10, 2010 7:33 PM CST up reply actions

Jason Allen

Any chance he makes it as far as the Packers on the waiver wire? He could be a decent dime back. Hope he can play special teams.

Or maybe he’ll end up being Minnesota’s consolation prize.

I’m happy for Al Harris that he is getting a shot to start in his home state, and wish him luck. Thanks for the memories.

PS – if you could stick it to the Bears on the Thursday the 18th that would be wonderful.

"We've got Hank Baskett"

by I voted for Kodos on Nov 10, 2010 3:07 PM CST reply actions

Doubt it, unless he’s got an overvalued contract. I’m surprised that the Dolphins got rid of him. I think he had a couple of picks against the Vikings and possibly one against us?

by packallday555 on Nov 10, 2010 3:23 PM CST up reply actions

Man that would be sweet. He’s younger (28ish) so he could be a nice depth filler for the year. I just don’t see why they would release a decent 28 year old corner for one that is 36 and coming off a major injury. Why didn’t they cut the lowest man on the totem pole…must be a ST thing.

by TrevorR on Nov 10, 2010 3:56 PM CST up reply actions

From reading Dolphins' fans

Jason Allen sounds an awful lot like Jarrett Bush. lol. He was drafted as a safety and switched to corner — has that “tweener” body like Bush. He is good in special teams, like Bush. But is a liability at times on defense — mental lapses usually, since he has good speed and natural ability (he’s a former first round pick)…

So, I would definitely pass on him. Lee and Underwood are younger, now the system and have more upside.

by PackFaninFL on Nov 10, 2010 5:56 PM CST up reply actions

Might be worth a look as a safety!

Don’t want him at CB but if he has good athletic ability, and ball skills he might be a good safety w/ a good coaching staff teaching him!

You've been Stroh'd!!!

by Strohman on Nov 10, 2010 7:31 PM CST up reply actions

But everything there makes him a nice candidate for the team. He’s a special teamer, he has natural ability and skills (things you can’t teach), etc. Maybe he’s just in the wrong system and would excel in ours…ya never know! :-) Maybe he’s a safety candidate too…or maybe he’s a guy who could cover both in a pinch. Certainly he’s not going to be starting! :-)

by TrevorR on Nov 10, 2010 11:14 PM CST up reply actions

"Miami is not anticipating he will compete for a starting job."

From the article on the Miami Herald. They say he is a short term stabilizer in their nickel and sub packages.

...in accordance with the prophecy.

by Twins4Life on Nov 10, 2010 3:23 PM CST reply actions

That makes more sense to me.

I feel very strongly that we should’ve kept Harris, but I don’t see him being a starter for somebody right now. I mean, if he can, then great! But I just wouldn’t expect it, and I’d be a little nervous if I was a Phins fan and he was starting in anything other than an emergency capacity.

They’ll need to use him right too. He’s definitely in the “no zone” zone.

by Curly Lambeau on Nov 10, 2010 3:50 PM CST up reply actions

Vikings

I could see Allen catching on with the Vikings… even though I would love TT to look into him.

by Chief Oshkosh on Nov 10, 2010 3:30 PM CST reply actions

I think I would have rather seen Harris go there cause he would have been a poor fit for their system. I hope this doesn’t backfire on us with the vikes getting a bump to their CBs.

by TrevorR on Nov 10, 2010 3:57 PM CST up reply actions

Henne is hanging 'em up for now and Pennington's hanging on for another shot

Hanging Chads in Florida? No, there’s no news here… ;-)

Statistics: A bunch of numbers looking around for an argument. G. Burgy, Rockville, MD

by heybatterbatter on Nov 10, 2010 6:12 PM CST reply actions

Hey Packer's fans

Phin fan here. Just like to clear this up. Jason Allen lost his starting job to Sean Smith. Smith is slated as the starter. Harris will be a backup.

Thanks, and good luck the rest of the season.

"Welcome to The Doghouse"
"The more people I meet the more I like my dog."
Winner of The Davone Bess Little Guy Award, 2010

by Kdog92 on Nov 10, 2010 7:25 PM CST reply actions

Thanks.

And good luck to you folks with Al. You got a real great person there. Hope his skills haven’t declined too much. Class person, he is. Should be great in the locker room.

by Darrell L on Nov 10, 2010 8:49 PM CST up reply actions