The Packers cornerback is keeping a video journal of his rehab progress for the readers of the NFP. National Football Post
Al Harris holds up four fingers. That’s how far along he is in his rehab from major surgery on his left knee. The work is paying off, but the pain of his tortuous workouts gets no easier.
In Part 4 of Harris’ “Road to Recovery,” the Packers veteran cornerback continues rehabbing with his trainer, who works Harris’ leg to get more flexibility in his knee. At one point, Harris lies on his stomach on a training table, and both his legs are bent to show how they compare.
He’s getting closer, but it’s clear there is still considerable work to do. Harris can bend his left knee, but not with nearly as much flexibility as his right.
At an indoor facility at the Atlantic Rehabilitation Center in Miami, Harris is joined by several college prospects who are preparing for the NFL Combine in Indianapolis or their respective pro days. Harris, who is recording his video diary exclusively for the National Football Post, pulls aside Roren Thomas, a wide receiver from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo.
“There it is, another small school guy,” says Harris, who attended Texas A&M-Kingsville and has enjoyed a 12-year NFL career. “He’s from a small school, I’m from a small school. Be looking for this kid.”
Then you realize how similar they are. The rookie is starting out, Harris is starting over.
Click HERE to check out Part III.
Click HERE to check out Part II.
Click HERE to check out Part I.
Al will be fine. He hadn't lost a step last year. He was in the mist of one of his best years he had ever had. He has always been a technique and grit guy and will continue to be that guy.
Al, if you read this (and I'm pretty sure you do), you're the man. Keep it up and God bless you. We look forward to seeing you line up in the Green and Gold and seeing you on opening week.
Al.
Harris.
Is.
The.
Man.
Also...
No worries, Al. Your game wasn't about speed and acceleration anyway.
You are the master of leverage, timing, and positioning.
Hence why you have had so many pick-6's in Green Bay.
Just ask Matthew Hasselbeck!
Sirscorps:
I disagree. In the 3-4, CBs do not need to have outstanding speed.
Everyone knocked Harris for his lack of speed, yet I think it was unfounded. The guy ran a 4.4 coming out of college, and granted he doesn't have the freakish speed of Collins, his speed really was never an issue. Tramon gets beat far more often than Al on deep routes, and come to think of it, there have been few situations, if any, in which it was noticeable that Al was lacking speed.
These talking heads love to claim a lack of speed, but frankly, its unfounded.
I think Brandon Underwood after a year of getting stronger is going to get allot of playing time as a 5th defensive back.
Anyone who posts comments here that he is old and washed up is only adding fuel to his fire. Go ahead, please continue to post comments that he is too old, too slow, and will not be able to come back from this devastating injury and be the CB he once was. This will only continue to inspire him to prove you wrong, which HE will (not that he needs it though - the MAN is a machine). In fact, these videos are already starting to prove this.
You have no clue what AL is capable of. AL is one of the toughest SOB's in the game - dont forget his return from the season threatening kidney injury the year before. The MAN takes care of his body and I truly believe any pessimistic comment posted will only fire him up that much more. Go ahead, make HIS day. AL will be back and AL will be back with a vengeance.
Good luck AL- keep up the hard work and I look forward to seeing you in camp and proving all the naysayers WRONG! As my banner says, FEAR THE DREADS! Go Pack Go! Super Bowl 2011 baby!
Guys - Al Harris is done. He's ancient and he has a destroyed knee. There is no way he's coming back. And even IF he CAN come back, hopefully Thompson is smart enough to trade him or cut him (no salary cap this year). I mean, even when Harris was healthy last season, the only way he prevented any receiver from catching the ball was to interfere with him.
netteb16 -
Unfounded? Al gets beat, grabs the receiver's jersey. 15 yards. Are you forgetting this?
Billiam -
Al Harris gets illegal contact calls because thats his game. He is a hands on, jam at the line corner...his press skills at the line of scrimmage are second to none. Does he get called because he gets too grabby after 5 yards? Undoubtedly. However, I rarely seem him get straight up burned on vertical routes that seem all too common with Tramon Williams...a player whose speed is NEVER questioned (nor should it be).
Just because there is no salary cap does not mean that the team does not take a financial hit. Granted, the Packers have over 100 million in their rainy day fund, this however does not mean that they can simply throw away players, and good ones at that. Many of the top receivers in the game have stated that Al Harris is the top, if not THE top corner in the game over the past few seasons.
Remember, last year our nickleback played on over 65% of defensive snaps. Even if Tramon is moved into the starting role opposite Woodson, we still don't have a nickleback. Billiam, are you really willing to trust Jarret Bush? I'm not. Pray that Harris gets healthy, and can contribute next year.
Just watched all 4 videos and the song that starts and ends the videos has really grown on me, who is it (googled the credits in the video and came up empty handed) and where can I buy the whole song?
Looin' good,Al! Show the doubters.
Al,
Keep bustin it, Al. Your too young to be coaching...for now, continue to let those docs coach you and do 10% more. See you in GB!
All the people busting on him prob never watch games anyways... the man is a beast and is a true physical corner. He isn't the freak athlete that woodson is but they compliment each others games.. off coordinators wet themselves watching woodson on taape but there is al "bumpin and runnin"... my fav quote of al's is that he came out of the womb bumpin and runnin. That's him. He's a physical corner. Tramon is a stud that can learn from al and wood... those three corners are flat out scary. Get healthy al, The Pack need you Back!
netteb16-
"Packers have over 100 million in their rainy day fund" -- I'd say when a 35-year-old corner has an injury that takes 2 years to come back from and he's taking up a roster spot, that's a pretty rainy day. And if there's ever a year to take the financial hit, 2010 is the one in which to do it. It would be a wasted opportunity to not cut Al Harris.
"Al Harris gets illegal contact calls because thats his game." -- I didn't say anything about Illegal contact. I'm talking about PI.
"are you really willing to trust Jarret Bush?" -- Apparently you're new to this league and have some catching up to do, but there's this event in about a month ... It's called the Draft. During this event, teams choose players who will replace guys who will no longer remain on the roster. Jarret Bush should no longer be on the team in 2010/11. And if he is, a first- or second-round CB pick should be ahead of him after OTAs, training camp, and the preseason. Or, at least, if Thompson and his scouts know what they're doing, they'll find a guy who will be.
You the man Al, you give much inspiration to Packer Nation out here, keep your eyes on the prize cause Superbowl XLV is right around the corner, and I just left Dallas this weekend, the weather was beautiful. 31 All Day Baby!
I really hope the Al can get back to 100%. He is such a great talent and is a big part of the defense. His rehab looks so good.
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Mar 11, 2010
03:22 PM
It's too bad that he may not be 100% until it's too late. I know Harris is a great person with a dynomite (JJ Walker style) work ethic but he's also too old, in general, to be a CB & already had lost a step even before the injury. It's common knowledge in the NFL that it takes 2 years to really recover 100% so I hope Tramon Williams takes another step in his play cause it's a possibilty that he takes over the starting gig opposite Woodson. Then there's Lee, who's coming off of IR for the 2nd straight year & the oft injured but talented Blackmon that are returning. I'm not sure he'll be a key player in the secondary but he's a really good return man with good instincts & he was really missed last year. Even though 2 of the FA CB's Ted signed later last season are still on the roster, no one knows if they'll stick. Ted should still draft at least 1 CB & a S to compete with Bigby.
I do hope Harris still has a year or 2 in his legs to play CB cause he doesn't have the bulk to play S like Woodson does.