Al Harris

Infobox NFLactive
currentteam=Green Bay Packers
currentnumber=31
currentposition=Cornerback


caption=Al Harris signing autographs.
birthdate=birth date and age|1974|12|7
birthplace=Pompano Beach, Florida
heightft=6
heightin=1
weight=188
debutyear=1998
debutteam=Philadelphia Eagles
highlights=
* Pro Bowl selection (2007)
* All-Pro selection (2007)
college=Texas A&M-Kingsville
draftyear=1997
draftround=6
draftpick=169
pastteams=
* Tampa Bay Buccaneers* (1997)
* Philadelphia Eagles (1998-2002)
* Green Bay Packers (2003-present):*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Tackles
statvalue1=286
statlabel2=Sacks
statvalue2=3.0
statlabel3=INTs
statvalue3=19
nfl=HAR337785

Alshinard "Al" Harris (born December 7, 1974 in Pompano Beach, Florida) is an American football cornerback who plays for the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. Harris is known throughout the league for his physical, bump-and-run coverage style. [ [http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=682207 JS Online: Defensive backs hold the line ] ]

Education

Attended Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach, Florida.

College career

Al spent two seasons (1993-94) at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas where he was a member of the 1994 national championship team. He then transferred to Texas A&M-Kingsville where he was a two-year starter and letterman (1995-96). Al was a first-team All-Lone Star Conference pick in 1996.

Professional career

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Harris was chosen in the sixth round of the 1997 NFL Draft with the 169th pick overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

While in Tampa, Harris failed to make the team's regular season roster and was waived on August 24th, 1997. Two days later he was signed to the Buccaneers' practice squad and remained for his entire rookie season. [cite web
title = Al Harris Bio
url=http://www.packers.com/team/players/harris_al/
accessdate = 2008-03-29 ]

His practice squad contract expired after the 1997 season, but he was resigned by Tampa Bay on January 22nd, 1998. Harris was released again on August 30th, 1998 a day before the final roster reduction of training camp. [cite web
title = Al Harris Bio
url=http://www.packers.com/team/players/harris_al/
accessdate = 2008-03-29 ]

Philadelphia Eagles

After being waived by Tampa Bay the day before, Harris was claimed by the Philadelphia Eagles on August 31st, 1998. He became an immediate contributor. Harris made his NFL debut a week later against the Seattle Seahawks as the starting right cornerback in place of injured Bobby Taylor. He started seven games and played in all 16 during the 1998 season. [cite web
title = Al Harris Bio
url=http://www.packers.com/team/players/harris_al/
accessdate = 2008-03-29 ]

Over the ensuing four seasons, Harris settled into his role as the team's nickelback and occasional starter at cornerback.

On November 6th, 2000, Harris signed a 5-year contract extension through 2004 with the Eagles. [cite web
title = Al Harris Bio
url=http://www.packers.com/team/players/harris_al/
accessdate = 2008-03-29 ]

Green Bay Packers

Following the 2002 season, Green Bay acquired Harris and a fourth round choice in that year's draft in exchange for the Packers' second round selection. Harris went on to start all 32 regular season games over the next two seasons for Green Bay, where he became a solid mainstay of the secondary.

In overtime of the Wild Card round of the 2004 NFL playoffs, Harris intercepted Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and ran the ball back 52 yards for the winning touchdown.

In 2005, Harris only allowed 1 touchdown in coverage (The Packers had the #1 Pass defense in the NFL, And Harris finished the season with 3 sacks, 10 pass deflections, and 3 interceptions (1 for touchdown in a 52-3 win over the New Orleans Saints.)

In 2006, Harris only allowed 1 1/2 touchdowns in coverage. One was on a slant route by Rams Wide Receiver Torry Holt. The half was a busted coverage against Bills Wide Receiver Lee Evans. Harris finished the season with 3 Interceptions and 14 Pass Deflections.

On February 13, 2007 it was announced that Harris signed a two-year contract extension with the Packers. The deal is an add-on to the five-year, $18.7 million extension that Harris signed in 2004, a contract that included about $7 million in guarantees. That extension still has three seasons remaining on it, through 2009. Financial details of the new extension were not yet available, but Harris told the Wisconsin State Journal that it includes two roster bonuses totaling $4.5 million, along with some Pro Bowl incentives. [cite web | last = Pasquarelli
first = Len
title = Packers add on to Harris existing multiyear deal
url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2764187&campaign=rss&source=NFLHeadlines
accessdate = 2007-01-14 ] As of week 14 (in 2007-2008 season), he has had 2 interceptions; one in Week 13's game against the Dallas Cowboys, and the second coming from an interception on the Oakland Raiders in Week 14.

Harris played in the 2008 Pro Bowl, along with teammates Chad Clifton, Donald Driver, and Aaron Kampman, as well as head coach Mike McCarthy. Brett Favre was scheduled to play too, however he was replaced by Jeff Garcia. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3212177 ESPN - Garcia, Schobel, Dockett, Cole, Albright added as injury replacements - NFL ] ]

Harris was originally thought to be out for the remainder of the 2008 season due to a ruptured spleen suffered during the first quarter of the game against Dallas, when he collided with fellow Green Bay Packer A.J. Hawk. However, reports indicate that he will miss only 3-4 weeks, and will be back on the field before Thanksgiving.

NFL statistics

References

External links

* [http://www.packers.com/team/players/harris_al/ Al Harris at Packers.com]
* [http://www.3irty1.com Official Website of Al Harris]