Al Harris

Alshinard Harris, born December 7, 1974, is an American football coach and former cornerback who currently serves as the defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Chicago Bears. Over a 14-year NFL playing career (1998–2011), Harris suited up for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, and St. Louis Rams. He earned Pro Bowl selections after the 2007 and 2008 seasons while with Green Bay, and the Associated Press named him a second-team All-Pro in 2007.

Harris was known for his physical, bump-and-run coverage style and his long, stringy dreadlocks, which influenced other players around the league. He entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick (169th overall) by the Buccaneers in the 1997 draft, the 26th cornerback taken that year. He was one of two corners selected by Tampa Bay in 1997, following third-rounder Ronde Barber. Harris was the 40th player drafted from Texas A&M–Kingsville since 1967.

Before turning pro, Harris played two seasons (1993–94) at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas, where he was part of the 1994 national championship team. He then transferred to Texas A&M–Kingsville, starting for two years and earning first-team All-Lone Star Conference honors in 1996.

Harris signed a rookie contract with Tampa Bay on July 1, 1997. He competed for a roster spot in training camp against Tyrone Legette, Ronde Barber, and undrafted rookie Floyd Young. The Buccaneers released him on August 24, 1997, and after clearing waivers, he was assigned to the practice squad on August 26, where he stayed for the entire 1997 season. The following year, he returned to camp as a backup but was cut again on August 30, 1998, during final roster cuts.

The Philadelphia Eagles claimed Harris off waivers on August 31, 1998. Head coach Ray Rhodes immediately named him the No. 2 starting cornerback for the season opener after Bobby Taylor fractured his scapula in a preseason game. Harris made his regular-season debut and first start on September 6, 1998, against the Seattle Seahawks, recording four solo tackles in a 36–0 loss. In Week 3, he posted a season-high six solo tackles and two pass deflections in a 17–3 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He started the first five games before Taylor returned from injury. Harris finished the 1998 season with 41 combined tackles (40 solo) and seven pass deflections over 16 games, with seven starts.

In 1999, new head coach Andy Reid took over, and Harris competed with Bobby Taylor for the No. 2 cornerback spot under defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. He began the season as the nickelback and third cornerback, behind Troy Vincent and Taylor. On September 12, 1999, Harris made his first career interception off a pass from Jake Plummer in a 25–24 loss to the Cardinals. In Week 5, he recorded a season-high four pass deflections in a 13–10 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

On November 6, 1999, Harris signed a five-year contract extension through the 2004 season. In Week 10, he intercepted a Brad Johnson pass with less than five minutes left, helping the Eagles rally from a 28–27 deficit to win 35–28. In Week 15, he intercepted Drew Bledsoe in a 24–9 win over the New England Patriots. On January 2, 2000, Harris intercepted a Joe Germaine pass and returned it 17 yards for his first career touchdown, sealing a 38–31 victory over the St. Louis Rams.