Shortly after the Bears dropped their season finale Sunday in Houston, defensive tackle Tommie Harris talked about what he needed to improve to return to his old self.
"Just one thing," he said. "All I need is to get healthier. Then I'll be just fine."
Harris' left knee has nagged him since last season, when he sprained his medial collateral ligament in a Week 3 loss to Dallas.
Harris was voted a Pro Bowl first alternate and said he planned to play in Hawaii, assuming Minnesota's Pat Williams sits out due to a shoulder injury.
But some thought Harris was unworthy of such consideration after finishing with a career-low 33 tackles and five sacks.
"At times Tommie played very good Football," coach Lovie Smith said. "The consistency wasn't probably there as much as we would like, just like our entire Football team."
Secondary concerns: Smith tap-danced around the futures of safety Mike Brown and cornerback Nathan Vasher, both of whom suffered season-ending injuries.
"It's just about them rehabbing and getting back," Smith said.
Smith was asked if Brown and Vasher still have opportunities to return next season.
"Sure," he said. "All of the guys will have an opportunity to do that: Mike, Nate, Brandon [McGowan], Zack Bowman, for that matter."
Coaching carousel: Detroit's firing of coach Rod Marinelli left Smith with a question to ponder: Would he consider adding his friend to his staff?
"Rod Marinelli is an excellent Football coach," Smith said. "I've worked with him. But that doesn't have anything to do with what we're doing right now. I was just sad to see an excellent Football coach [fired]."
