Tommie Harris disappears down the tunnel after his ejection. (Chris Sweda/Tribune)
By Vaughn McClure
Bears coach Lovie Smith said he would wait for the NFL to look into Tommie Harris' punch before deciding on any further discipline.
Smith implied that Harris' ejection was enough punishment for the defensive tackle. Harris apologized earlier today.
Smith also addressed the team's running back situation.
With Garrett Wolfe hospitalized with an apparent kidney problem, the Bears might have to move forward with two running backs. Or they could look outside for help, and Kansas City just released troubled running back Larry Johnson.
Smith believes in giving players second chances, so maybe landing Johnson isn't such a stretch.
"Larry Johnson was released? Any player that's available, we'll look at,'' Smith said. "That's been our standard policy throughout. That will be the case with Larry. No more than that.
"Again, that's kind of low priority right now.''
In other news, Smith confirmed cornerback Charles Tillman should be OK coming off a left shoulder injury. He was a little vague regarding the injuries suffered by Al Afalava (shoulder) and Kevin Payne (back).
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Good Day,I came across this blog a few weeks ago and I have to admit that I have gained some good points so far.I was just hoping if you could put some more useful tips about the right way to manage weight.
Coach Smith has lost all credibility. The inmates are funning the asylum at Halas Hall. Professionals must be accountable.
the sad part is that Lovie, his staff, the organization, players and some fans really think he is a leader. Harris has been a joke for the last three years and the only place he can play it out is the Bears, Lovie has not idea he has been Tommies b&^&H all season.
I have to check the tape to see what Tommie did!
Maybe Anita Alvarez should look into it. Battery is battery.
Fine him the equivalent of one game's salary.
Yup. When you have stupid people working for you doing stupid things and you are stupid you don't punish them for atrocities. Harris should be banned for the season. He should be arrested for assault. If NFL players want to be neighborhood druggies who kill kids, that's what they should be! Don't let them embarrass the educated players by acting like murderers. Harris should be suspended for 20 years! What he did was assault! Anyone covering up his assault, whether it be Smith or some dumb Chicago reporter should be banished from the Chicago sport scene. Tolerating such gross behavior is accepting inhuman, barbaric, uncivilized existence. Go to the middle east and die!
Lovie needs to go, he's acting like a jilted Goth teenager completely lost as to what his job dictates he should do. Punish Harris for the pathetic play and lack of discipline he has shown. It's all about the team and Lovie does not represent the leader of this team, as he should.
Harris sure as hell would have had immediate punishment if he was still at the University of Oklahoma under head coach Bob Stoops.
I am not going to say that players are not trying. I think most every athlete in the NFL is competitive and gives their all to the team. I just don't think this team is good enough. So all of you that say Lovie and Peanut are not trying look like idiots to me. I just think they are outmatched physically and mentally. It is not a lack of heart. Heart won't win football games. You need physical talent, mental toughness, and a good coaching scheme. The problems with the bears are in player development, scouting, coaching, and exectution. These problems plague us on both offense and defense. other than that, we are golden. Jerry and Lovie will get a few good picks in the first two rounds next year and we will be all set.
To Jeff Mangano
You are so right about Tillman. He had a very good rookie season and thats the only thing people seem to remember. Each season since then, he takes two steps back. All of a sudden he gets an interception and, wow, hes a pro bowler. The problem is everyone conveniently forgets days like yesterday. He doesn't even belong on the same field as a Larry Fitzgerald. I wouldn't be surprised if the injury was phoney just so he could get off the field.
The issue isn't with the RB's, or the QB's, or the WR's, or the TE's.
We need an offensive line and to get rid of Turner.
The Bears reflect the attitude throughout the NFL. I am getting paid no matter haw I perform. Slackers, would be Felons, and egotist's play in the NFL. But golly the NFL has to keep the likes of Rush Limbaugh out of this league.
TH -- Stop hiding behind the good book and then do something stupid. Where is your inner peace and love for the fellow man? FYI -- raking my leaves has become more important than watching Lovie do nothing!
DW- What fan(s)said they wanted to keep Benson? He had his chance and blew it. The guy played in a Super Bowl and stunk it up. I don't care how good he does in Cincinnati the bottom line is he loafed when he was a Bear and had to go.
U people are unbelievable, you are all the same people with the same complaining who said the same things about Cedric Benson. Fine him, suspend him, cut him, was what you say, and then complaining that the Bears should have never cut him. We could have the worst media in the world in this town. Thats why you are writing. Yea, what Harris did was stupid, but the guy can play, and this is the first thing like this he has done since he got here. Here's a guy who's career took a turn when he was cheap shotted by ex-Bear Marc Columbo on a leg whip, and i'm sure is a bit frustrated about that, and is sick of being cheap shotted by lineman. Was he wrong, yes, but come on stop it with the media roller coaster please.
D
Who cares about the pathetic Bears, or any other member of the National FELON League? This team has a complete lack of character, honor or anything else positive. They only care about two things, money and their own personal profile. Winning doesn't enter into it, and their near-constant lack of achievement proves it. Lovie Smith and the rest of the staff should be ashamed, but then again they're cut from the same sack cloth, so nothing of consequence will happen.
Uh, yeah, Lovie, go after Larry Johnson--haven't you had enough bad luck with players named Johnson? Particularly when THIS ONE has all the signs of being another accident waiting to happen. Oh gosh--the inmates are running the asylum over there.
Aw gee, Lovie.........ground Tommie for a day, take away his TV privileges............but don't be TOOOO tough. Make sure you wait for the NFL..........and whatever you do..............don't have any gonads!
How soon is too soon for you (and Ron Turner) to see Chicago in your rear view mirror?)
Will someone please become an owner of this team, hire a coaching staff, and maybe we can have a respectable franchise?????
Hard to imagine that some people think Lovie's too soft.
Harris might as well ride the bench the rest of the season. It doesn't look like there will be a post-season to worry about. Get a kid some experience. Get this dumb@&& off the team.
"Larry Johnson was released?"
Thank goodness Lovie attended his own press conference, or he might not have learned of Johnson's release until the Seahawks signed him to a three-year deal.
Charles Tillman got beat like a drum yesterday, again. Did he have a legit injury issue or did he just go down with a loser limp and give up on his team? I suspect he just flat out gave up. Glad you got your millions peanut! Take your money and run you heartless hack. This team is being exposed as having very little talent and just can't compete. Troy Aikman's comment is right on, "Bears need better players"! Way to go Jerry Angelo.