Napoleon Harris Signs With Raiders, Now Back Where He Started

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

This morning the Oakland Raiders and Napoleon Harris agreed on a one-year deal to bring the seven-year veteran back to where his NFL career began in Oakland.  Harris started 38 games for the Raiders from 2002 to '04.

Harris had 250 total tackles with the Raiders in his three seasons.  His tackle total dropped from 107 in '03 to just 61 in '04, and then the Raiders sent him with the No. 7 overall pick to the Vikings for Randy Moss.  Boy, we could have used that pick on something better than Moss. Like a toaster or something.

Harris then played for the Vikings for two seasons, tallying just 84 total tackles but did manage three interceptions.  From Minnesota, he went to arch rival KC and had a "comeback" season, if you will.  He racked up 117 tackles and picked off one pass in 2007.  Last year he ended up back with the Vikings, where he started five games and had 34 total tackles.

That brings us back the present.  Harris is now back in the AFC West.  Hopefully he returns with a chip on his shoulder.  You know he'll be fired up to get a crack at the Chiefs a couple of times this year.  He seemed to be motivated the last time he returned to the division with KC as he had his best career season with 117 tackles. 

At 6'3" 255 pounds, the Raiders could definitely use him to help shore up the run defense.  He can play both middle and strong-side linebacker.  He also brings much needed experience to a relatively young group of linebackers. 

I wonder what this means about Morrison's injury?  Harris gives us quality depth in case his injury takes longer to heal than initially thought.

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