When the Chicago Bears made a run at Larry Ogunjobi in free agency, that tipped their hand. They were on the hunt for a three-technique interior pass rusher for Matt Eberflus’ new defense. Unfortunately, the deal fell through because of a failed physical, forcing the team to pivot to veteran Justin Jones. This has opened the door for the possibility the team may look to address the problem in the draft. If anybody knows about that position, it would be Tommie Harris.
For three years from 2005 to 2007, the former defensive tackle was one of the most dominant interior forces in the NFL. He was the Bears’ defensive front engine and collected 16 sacks in 44 games. It was a crime against football when knee and hamstring injuries robbed him of his trademark burst, forcing him to retire before his 30th birthday. He made three Pro Bowls, but it feels like he could’ve been a Hall of Famer if he’d stayed healthy.
Harris isn’t bitter about it. He’s grateful for what he accomplished.
Now the Bears are bringing back the same defense that made him a star under Lovie Smith. He understands the vital role a three-technique plays in the scheme. During an appearance on the CHGO Bears Live Show, the subject of Perrion Winfrey came up. He’s considered one of the top defensive tackles in the upcoming 2022 draft. Being a fellow product of Oklahoma, Harris knows him well and thinks he has the chops to bring what the Bears need.
Winfrey is an interesting topic. His production in 2021 was okay but nothing special: 5.5 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss. The defensive tackle insisted in interviews over the past few months that Oklahoma coaches never utilized him properly. When others finally did that during the Senior Bowl, he dominated the entire week. After looking like a Day 3 pick, many see him as a possible 2nd or 3rd round option.
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Tommie Harris is correct in that coaching will be key.
His point about Rod Marinelli changing how he saw the game and making him more effective despite only one functional leg is poignant. The Bears recently hired Travis Smith as their new defensive line coach. Smith spent the previous two years with the Las Vegas Raiders as an assistant under Marinelli. So he got an excellent education on what the longtime coach demanded from the position and will know exactly what to teach and how to teach it.
Perrion Winfrey casually using a Guard to force a fumble..😤 pic.twitter.com/h5XM2lOxsm
— The GOAT House (@GoatHouseNFL) April 16, 2022
That makes Tommie Harris a man of his word. Winfrey has the talent to be a legitimate interior pass rusher in the NFL. His length and explosiveness are there, and he flashed the kind of motor that is easy to like. Under the direction of Eberflus and this defensive staff, he could realize his full potential.
It will be interesting to see where he lands.
The Bears have three picks between the 2nd and 3rd rounds. So it isn’t a stretch to think they might use one on Winfrey. It will depend on how high he is on their board and how pressing they feel the need for an interior rusher is.
