Bears Release Tommie Harris, Hunter Hillenmeyer, and Kevin Shaffer

by Brandon on Feb 28, 2011 4:00 PM CST in Green Bay Packers News

Here's the official statement from the Chicago Bears website. Over at Windy City Gridiron, Dane Noble said that DT Tommie Harris's "late-season surge" wasn't enough to prevent his release. He's certain to catch on with another team, but at a much lower salary. While he wasn't part of their future, his release leaves them looking for a replacement.

OL Kevin Shaffer has been battling ineffectiveness for a while. In his two seasons with the Bears, he'd only started seven games for an offensive line that could have sure used the help. LB Hunter Hillenmeyer was originally drafted by the Packers, but he's been battling injuries for the past couple seasons. He only played in one game in 2010, and while he used to be a solid contributor, I expect his NFL career is over.

These three players were not part of their plans in 2011. While they have some depth at linebacker, they'll have to do something this offseason to add depth and improve their offensive and defensive lines.

Tweet Comment 7 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I don't know what you're talking about.

The Bears were just fine on their offensive line ;-D

Editor at BT Powerhouse, a Big Ten Basketball blog.
Author at Acme Packing Company, a Green Bay Packers blog

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Feb 28, 2011 4:28 PM CST reply actions

WOW...

They didn’t release Cutler for ineffectiveness :-D

by The Delivery Guy on Feb 28, 2011 4:51 PM CST reply actions

this is why I'm not as worried about Chicago next season

they’re D will be decent, but when Harris was dominating it was a great defense. Now, its an average line with good linebackers.

Their offense isn’t good enough to make up for it

by rip_city_swagger on Feb 28, 2011 5:46 PM CST reply actions

Yay!

Another Trail Blazers fan!

Editor at BT Powerhouse, a Big Ten Basketball blog.
Author at Acme Packing Company, a Green Bay Packers blog

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Feb 28, 2011 6:20 PM CST up reply actions

I would rate

any line with Peppers well above average. Tommie Harris didn’t dominate at all this year save for a few plays he decided not to take off. While I’m no GM, I think he got cut because he underperformed nearly every snap.

"Flopped out my old fella."
-- New Zealand lawn bowler David File, on exposing himself to teammates because they were playing poorly

by Prince Fielder is Skinny on Feb 28, 2011 6:42 PM CST up reply actions

Harris..

Never seemed to recover from a severe hamstring injury. His game was exploding off the line, and thats tough to do after you’ve torn the hammy completely off the bone. I would doubt he ever returns to pro bowl form, but you never know. Bears were right to cut the cord. He was due some decent money if I recall correctly.

I love wins. Wins are good for the soul.- Barry Alvarez Sep 25, 2005

by White92 on Mar 1, 2011 1:08 PM CST reply actions