Napoleon Harris Surprised By Speculation About His Job Status

by Joel Thorman on May 30, 2008 7:54 AM CDT

Kansas City Chiefs middle linebacker Napoleon Harris has been startled by the speculation that he may not be a part of the starting squad in 2008 . Judging by the fact that he was the team's leading tackler last year, he has good reason to be surprised by recent media reports indicating he's out in the middle. But, as it currently stands, he is the starting middle linebacker for the team, at least according to the coaches.

"Coaches tell me one thing, I read another," said Harris. KC Star reporter Jeffrey Flanagan even received an e-mail from someone claiming to be Harris expressing concern over the Demorrio Williams signing. Harris, though, claims that e-mail didn't come from him. "It might have been my brother — he does that stuff. I don’t know."

He might be the victim of Herm Edwards movement to completely overhaul the roster after a pathetic 4-12 campaign in 2007. Or the criticism might be valid.

One theory has Williams occupying one of the outside spots with Donnie Edwards moving to the middle. Harris is convinced that, even though he led the team with 123 tackles last year, all the speculation is "last year's news."

So, will our starting LB crew look like Williams, Edwards, Johnson or Edwards, Harris, Johnson?

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Don't set me on fire just yet

but what if our starting LB crew looks like this?

Will – DJ
Mike – Harris
Sam – Williams

by PVChiefsfan on May 30, 2008 8:26 AM CDT reply actions

Dumb comment,

but shouldn’t the middle linebacker be high, if not leading, in tackles anyhow?

by Mully on May 30, 2008 8:55 AM CDT reply actions

Yeah...

And he was the leading tackler. He did his job, isn’t that the point?

by Joel Thorman on May 30, 2008 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions

If O-linemen

hadn’t been able to run through our interior almost at will, Harris might have looked a little better too…in fact, better DT play will make ALL of our LB’s look better.

by PVChiefsfan on May 30, 2008 9:15 AM CDT up reply actions

I guess I just don't see

why people won’t admit that perhaps we grabbed Williams to eventually replace Donnie Edwards…they are both fast, slightly undersized LB’s who have good range, and Edwards is our oldest LB…in a youth movement, wouldn’t replacing him make the most sense? (these are rhetorical questions…of course I know the answer why no one is saying that – we all will be upset to see Donnie go, but it is bound to happen sometime – probably before Tony retires…though it would be nice to make a run with the two of them as a last hurrah! )

by PVChiefsfan on May 30, 2008 9:18 AM CDT reply actions

Exactly

I see Williams as being Donnie’s eventual replacement. I can’t see him forcing Donnie out of the role and I don’t see a reason why Harris should lose the starting position.

I imagine that Donnie will retire within the next couple of years and Williams will step right in. For now, he’s probably just a backup or situational guy.

One possibility: They say that Williams has great speed. Donnie’s a good coverage guy. Why not have Johnson/Edwards/Williams in on obvious passing downs? This will give you your best coverage guys and give Naps a rest if he needs it. Let him concentrate on being the run-stopper.

TOUCHDOWN! KAN-SAH-CITY!!!

by TheScootness on May 30, 2008 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Look for some rotataion

With Edward’s age, I think we’ll see Williams filling in at spots for both Edwards and Harris. Williams will step in when Edwards gets injured. They may alternate LB packages based on down and distance. I think we’ll see improvement due to an improved D-line (as someone mentioned above).

by Ochophosphate on May 30, 2008 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions