carolinatony

Veteran cornerback Al Harris, arguably the league's best coverage player who has never been selected to a Pro Bowl, has signed a two-year contract extension with the Green Bay 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.


How does this affect our situtaion with Samuel or does it?

EnglishPatriot

I assume I am missing the reason why it possibly would?

carolinatony

The money he signed for.
Is this what Samuel will be looking for and will we pay it?

Brownfan80

It sure doesn't hurt Asante's bargaining chips, that's for sure. I think the final outcome of this situation will either be that Samuel leaves straight away for a higher paying club or the Patriots tag him and risk a redux of the Branch saga.

D-cleater

well, we can at least appreciate the thought that he is recognized as the best cover corner not selected to the PB. You could make a case for Asante being the second. I'm sure Shavers is .

Extension....hmmm. What is that again? Something about extending the relationship with your valuable players and maintaing consistency on the team, thus avoiding difficult negotiations when they're in a contract year, or close to it? I suggested one time on this message board that the Patriots consider such a strategy and it was immediately suggested that I go follow the Redskins. Guess I'm still missing the boat on that one.

Brownfan80

Which team has maintained consistent success lately, the Packers or the Patriots?

The Packers have maintained consistency: They've been consistently horrid.

The Patriots have a plan. They follow the plan even in cases where the fans will throw a fit. They are consistently a team that has a shot at a Superbowl. I'll trust the plan.

But that's just me.

patsox23

I think a fairly comparable player - good but hasn't made a Pro Bowl - is a legit reason to look at this deal as a gauge for Samuel. He'll likely want more, being younger and all, but I wouldn't be surprised if this sets some parameters for a deal, to some degree. Bottom line, though - I think Samuel is gone, hopefully for a draft pick.

JediMind

Well said.

carolinatony

I guess we will all find out soon which way BB goes with him.
They do have a value system and stick with it.

PatsFanInVa

I guess it is worth remembering that nobody has talked numbers yet. There's a big difference between $10M/year (elite status) and $3.5M/year (Harris' original 5-year deal.) If we're looking at the $5-6M APY, welcome back, Asante, sorry I was such a prick. I somehow doubt it though... and I don't think we get Asante without getting into the $7+M APY range, which is just too high if you ask me.

Of course nobody's asking me, which is a good thing (still a kool-aid connossieur here.)

PFnV