3irty1 breaks up a pass intended for Bernard Berrian Sunday in the Metrodome.
Minnesota’s top wideout – Bernard Berrian – entered Sunday’s game on a hot streak.
The fifth-year receiver from Fresno St. had caught a touchdown pass in four consecutive games entering Sunday’s contest with Green Bay. But Al Harris and the Packers secondary made sure Berrian exited Sunday’s game with a lot to think about: Zero touchdowns. Zero catches. And zero yards.
Harris harassed Berrian all over the field Sunday and the result was impressive, and almost unbelievable: The Vikings completed just four (4!!!) passes to their wide receivers Sunday: Four receptions for a measly 27 yards.
Yes, the Minnesota passing attack began using its backfield and its tight end as the game progressed, realizing they weren’t going to get any business done vs. Harris and Company. And the Vikings ultimately won the game, 28-27, in what was actually a defensive battle by both teams.
But despite the loss, it’s hard to overlook the phenomenal job Harris did in shutting out one of the speediest wideouts in the game.
Nick Collins, the Packers DB who returned an interception 59-yards for a score Sunday, said there was no secret to shutting out Berrian:
“We didn’t change a thing,” he said. “[Cornerbacks] Al Harris and Charles Woodson play physical at the line of scrimmage.”
Indeed, the famous bump-and-run coverage employed by Harris and Woodson even impressed Fox announcer Troy Aikman:
“Getting Al Harris back has been really big for this unit,” Aikman said. “I think you can make the argument they are the best pass defense in the NFL when you look at what they have done to opposing quarterbacks.”
And lest you forget: Sunday’s game was just the second for Harris since he was sidelined with a lacerated spleen in September.
SOMETIMES, WE’RE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM
If you watched Sunday’s game, you know Vikings cornerback Charles Gordon had his ankle broken in a grotesque manner while returning a punt. The injury was so hard to watch the Fox cameras decided not to show a replay of Gordon’s foot basically being turned completely around.
But which Packer was the first to approach Gordon and check on his status? The photo below tells it all:
Al Harris shows concern for the health of his Vikings counterpart.
DOING YOUR HOMEWORK
We talked with Al last Thursday night during the Browns/Broncos game. Figuring all NFL players would be glued to the TV, we asked him if he was watching the game, hoping to pick his brain about Brady Quinn’s first start and more.
“Nah,” Al responded. “I’m studying, then I have to go to bed.”
Wow, we thought. He’s studying for Sunday’s game, and he’s talking about going to bed at 10pm?!? That’s some impressive discipline.
“So that’s how you become a Pro Bowler, huh?” we asked.
Al’s response?
“That’s right, dog.”
PRO BOWL VOTING IS UNDERWAY!
Did we mention you can vote for the 2009 Pro Bowl team right now?
Cast your vote for Al and the rest of the Packers here.
Al was a Pro Bowler for the first time last year. He represented the Packers along with Chad Clifton, Brett Favre, Donald Driver and Aaron Kampman.
And don’t forget, you can vote every day until voting closes on Tuesday, December 9th at 12:00 p.m. (ET).
Posted by lindab on November 11, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Way to go Al, as usual. Always impressed and very proud! You rock, keep it coming. Glad your doing great, stay healthy.
Linda