Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris didn’t always seem happy in Chicago last season, complaining at one point that the team sidelined him when he could have played and saying the team’s injury report “wasn’t true.”
But Harris seems very happy with the Bears’ off-season decision to elevate defensive line coach Rod Marinelli to defensive coordinator.
“I really learned the game from him last season,” Harris said of Marinelli, per Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune. “I understand the game now instead of just going out there. I think having him as defensive coordinator is a great move.”
With Marinelli moving up to the coordinator job, the Bears promoted defensive assistant Eric Washington to defensive line coach, and Harris seems enthusiastic about that move as well.
“Eric Washington is a great coach, too,” Harris said.
Harris had career lows in tackles (19) and sacks (2.5) in 2009, but he said the team doesn’t need a major defensive overhaul. It just needs to follow Marinelli’s lead.
“We’re fine with coach Marinelli,” Harris said. “He’s a monster.”
