The St. Louis Rams traded former Rutgers fullback Brian Leonard to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday, according to a Cincinnati Enquirer report for defensive tackle Orien Harris.

The Bengals sent defensive tackle Orien Harris to the Rams, his sixth NFL team. Harris played in 14 games last season and recorded 24 tackles.

(nj.com)

On Monday the Bengals officially announced the re-signing of defensive tackle Orien Harris, a second-year exclusive rights free agent. He played in 14 games in '08 and had 22 tackles and three QB hurries.



(bengals.com)

Below proCanes.com analyzes the NFL U free agent market and tries to give you, the fans, a better idea of where these free agents may end up for the 2009 season. First off, here are the different types of free agents defined in case you don't now the difference:

Unrestricted Free Agents
Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA) are players who have completed four or more accrued seasons of service and whose contracts have expired. They are free to sign with any club.

Restricted Free Agents
Restricted Free Agents (RFA) are players who have completed three accrued seasons of service and whose contracts have expired. They have received qualifying offers from their old clubs and are free to negotiate with any club until April 21, at which time their rights revert to their original club. If a player accepts an offer from a new club, the old club will have the right to match the offer and retain the player. If the old club elects not to match the offer, it may receive draft-choice compensation depending on the level of the qualifying offer made to the player.

Exclusive-Rights Free Agents
Exclusive-Rights Free Agents (ERFAs) are players who have completed between 0-2 accrued seasons of service whose contracts have expired. If tendered, they have no negotiating rights with other clubs and must sign their tender with their old club or sit out the season.

2009 UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Phillip Buchanon CB 5-11 186 7th Season Buccaneers:
According to members of the Buccaneers organization, many from within believe Phillip Buchanon was their most consistent cornerback last year. At the beginning of the offseason many people thought the Bucs would let Buchanon go because of the coaching changes and and change in defensive philosophy. That looks to not be the case though. The Bucs will be talking to Buchanon's agent Drew Rosenhaus this week and hope to sign before he hits the open market. After a rough beginning to his career, Buchanon seems to have settled and become a vital part of the Tampa Bay defense. Look for him to remain a Buccaneer.

Vernon Carey OT 6-5 350 5th Season Dolphins:
Vernon Carey actually never hit the free agency market despite not being franchised by the Miami Dolphins. Once the Dolphins elected not to franchise him most people began to speculate that they no longer wanted Carey and both the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings would go after him. One day later though, the Dolphins did sign Carey to a 6-year $42 million contract making him the highest paid right tackle in the league. Congrats to Vernon!

Bubba Franks TE 6-6 265 9th Season NY Jets:
Bubba Franks had a disappointing 2008 season despite being teamed up with Brett Favre again. Bubba's best seasons as a Green Bay Packer were with Favre, but they never seemed to to find that magic last year as Jets. Bubba fought through injuries during the season but missed 8 games. He finished the season with only six reception for 47 yards and no TDs. The Jets did released TE Chris Baker, which would create an opening for Bubba, but they do have Dustin Keller who they are pretty high on. If Bubba stays looks for him to be Keller's backup which is a possibility as long as he can show that he can stay healthy.

William Joseph DT 6-5 308 6th Season Raiders:
Joseph was signed last offseason by the Raiders to give them help along the defensive line with the loss of Warren Sapp. Joseph was cut right before the beginning of season, but was then signed in week 8 and played the last 7 weeks of the season accumulating 8 tackles. Since being drafted by the NY Giants in the first round in 2003, Joseph has not lived up to expectations. He will probably get signed by someone in need of DL depth and it very well could be the Oakland Raiders.

Ray Lewis LB 6-1 250 13th Season Ravens:
It is rumored that the Jets are making salary cap room to possibly sign Ray Lewis. The Cowboys have been rumored to be a destination Ray would potentially prefer as well. Ray has said before that he would like to end his career as a Raven and the Ravens would really like to sign him before the free agency period begins on February 27, despite being irked by his comments at the Pro Bowl which most people think were said to get him a bigger contract. This would be the first time Ray would hit the free agent market and the Ravens are afraid that if he does he will be gone. Look for the Ravens to sign him before he hits the market.

Darrell McClover LB 6-1 226 5th Season Bears:
McClover has been important cog in the Bears' special teams for the past few years, but he missed the last 6 games due to injury this year and the Bears do not seem to be interested in resigning him. He has been a career special teams player but also has the ability to play the OLB spot. If the Bears do not re-sign him, which looks unlikely, look for him to get picked up by a team with special teams needs like the Patriots, Chiefs, or Titans.

Jerome McDougle DE 6-2 2646th Season NY Giants:
McDougle has dealt with a lot of adversity during his short career and unfortunately has never lived up to expectations despite always performing well in training camps. More than anything, he is happy to be alive considering his near-death experience of being shot in the abdomen. McDougle didn’t contribute much to the Giants, and now Osi Umenyiora is presumably coming back to join what should be a three-man end rotation with Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka. Dave Tollefson (an exclusive rights free agent) figures to be the fourth. If there’s a fifth, it’ll come out of the draft. Look for McDougle to get one more shot in someone's training camp, he has shows great resiliency throughout his tough career.

Brett Romberg C 6-2 298 5th Season Rams:
Though a little undersized Romberg has been in the thick of the starting center position for the last few years in St. Louis. He started three games in 2006, nine games in 2007 and six games in 2008. Last year he broke his hand in training camp and lost the job to Nick Leckey. Romberg did end up starting the last 6 games of the season though. The Rams seems to like Romberg more than Leckey so look for them to re-sign Romberg.

Jonathan Vilma LB 6-1230 5th Season Saints:
Re-signing MLB Jonathan Vilma is the Saints' top priority. Vilma, who was traded to the Saints a year ago, is said to be very interested in re-upping with New Orleans, but the team will not strike a deal with him until Feb. 27 — the start of free agency — at the earliest, guaranteeing that Vilma will hit the open market. Signing him before then would force the Saints to give up higher draft picks to the Giants and Jets — first- and second-rounders, respectively, instead of second- and third-rounders — per the deals for TE Jeremy Shockey and Vilma. The Saints are optimistic he will be back and so are we. Unless someone throws a lot of money in Vilma's direction look for him to sign with the Saints as soon as he hits the market.

Nate Webster LB 6-0 232 9th Season Broncos:
Webster beat out free-agent Niko Koutouvides for the starting MLB spot last fall which was a huge surprise to many considering the large contract that was given to Koutouvides. The Denver defense last year was bad. Many people blamed Webster but the problems ran much deeper than him. The DL was atrocious and injuries took their toll as well with DJ Williams missing time as well as Webster. Koutouvides was recently cut by the Broncos, which could mean that the Broncos are interested in keeping Webster. If they do, look for him to be more of an insurance policy as he can backup all three LB positions or if Williams is moved back to MLB then Webster could find a spot on the outside.

2009 RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Rashad Butler OT 6-4 309 3rd Season Texans:
Butler is well-respected in the Texans organization because of his ability to overcome the disease: ulcerative colitis. This was the reason for Butler's inability to keep weight on during his days in Carolina. Since then he has been able to control the disease and played in 8 games in 2007. He didn't see much action in 2008, but look for the Texans to resign him for a league minimum resulting in 3 offensive lineman from the U on the Texans (Chris Myers, Eric Winston, Rashad Butler).

2009 EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS

Orien Harris DL6-3 300 1st Season Bengals:
Harris was a standout in Saints camp in 2008 and was surprisingly released before the season started. The Bengals though, snatched him up quickly and Harris saw action in 14 games and started Week 6 against the Jets. He is an exclusive rights free agent; the team has already signed FB/TE Daniel Coats, who was the other player in that category. Look for the Bengals to re-sign him and in the off chance they don't, the Saints will be in the running for his services.

RELEASED

Ken Dorsey QB 6-4 215 6th Season Browns:
Dorsey struggled towards the end of last year when he was forced into action for four of the last five games of the season throwing zero touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Dorsey has always been limited physically but has been a great tutor for Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn. If he lands anywhere it will probably be with Rob Chudzinski and the San Diego Chargers to mentor Phillip Rivers.

Najeh Davenport RB 6-1 247 7th Season Colts:
Najeh played 4 games for the Steelers last year in the middle of the season after being released in the offseason. He was then released by the Steelers and signed by the Colts where he played in two games before being released before the start of the playoffs. Davenports has shown he can still play both as a running back and also as a kickoff return man. In week 17 he had 8 carries for 26 yards along with four receptions for 54 yards. The knock on Davenport has always been his ability to stay healthy and stay in shape. Look for him to get signed by someone in need of RB depth and also special teams player.

Defensive tackle Orien Harris (6-3, 300, second season) saw action in 14 games and started Week 6 against the Jets. He is an exclusive rights free agent; the team has already signed FB/TE Daniel Coats, who was the other player in that category.


(news.cincinnati.com)

Another key inactive is starting defensive tackle John Thornton, who had an MRI Friday on an Achilles tendon. Orien Harris will start in place of Thornton, and rookie defensive tackle Pat Sims will be active today for the first time in six games.


(news.cincinnati.com)

After being cut by the New Orleans Saints, Orien Harris one day later was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals.





(sportingnews.com)

Injuries to Saints DTs Brian Young (knee) and Hollis Thomas (shoulder) have opened the door for Orien Harris, and he’s taken full advantage of the opportunity, the way we hear it. New Orleans considered its DT corps deep when camp began, and Harris appeared to be on the outside looking in. That has changed, and his strong showing in the preseason games will make it hard for the Saints to move on without him when it’s time to trim the roster.

(pfw.com)

Saints defensive tackle Orien Harris has quickly made himself known among his coaches and front-office personnel, putting together statistics that even he did not think he would have through two preseason games.

Harris, a 25-year-old who was signed by the Saints in December, has 11 solo tackles -- best on the team -- and a sack this preseason.

"He's been one of those guys that's been durable," Saints Coach Sean Payton said. "He's been steady. He's a try-hard guy that gives a lot of effort on each play. Even today, he made some plays in practice. So he's caught the attention of a lot of us, the guys on defense and myself included. He comes to work every day, and he showed that last week in the game."

Since coming into the league from the Miami (Fla.) in 2006, Harris has played in two games, both for Cleveland in his first season. But Harris figures to find more playing time this year with the Saints, especially with other defensive tackles, such as Brian Young and Hollis Thomas, dealing with injuries.

Harris had six tackles in the Saints' loss to Houston, just after speaking with his family about the improvements he wanted to make.

"My mom and my sister, I was telling them I was not really where I wanted to be as a football player, and so they heard my sob story and they came back the next day and they called me," he said. "They were like, 'Ah, don't be so hard on yourself. Just try to build.' And that's what I've been trying to do."

(blog.nola.com)

Orien Harris This kid has been consistently delivering so far in the pre-season. Add the fact that fellow DT's Hollis Thomas and Brian Young are both dealing with their own individual injury problems and the fact that the team apparently decided to take a pass on "Booger" MacFarland, and he might have a good shot at making this team.

(canalstreetchronicles.com)

With Hollis Thomas out for two months and Brian Young coming back slowly, the Saints could use a swing tackle-end to provide depth. Harris could be the guy. He led all Saints with six tackles on Saturday, and this was a week after netting five against Arizona. The guy’s proving he can play and is deserving of regular season PT.

(nor.scout.com)

Former Miami Hurricane Orien Harris, who played against Fraser’s Ohio State team in the 2002 season national championship game, now is in the defensive end mix with Fraser.

Harris once was seen a a major prospect. He came out of a Delaware high school ranked as the nation’s top defensive line prospect. After starting 34 games for Miami, though, he fell to the sixth round of the 2006 draft. The Steelers cut him last Dec. 2 and put him on the practice squad. Days later, the Browns were willing to commit a regular roster spot to him. Pittsburgh wasn’t, so he jumped to Cleveland on Dec. 11.

(cantonrep.com)

The addition of Orien Harris to the Cleveland Browns could prove to be a very significant (and often overlooked) roster move. Coming out of the University of Miami, Harris was an inside defensive lineman, and was switched to end by the Steelers in his rookie campaign. Due to the depth of the Pittsburgh roster and Harris’ inexperience, the Steelers placed him on the practice squad, where the Browns signed him late in the 2006 season. Harris displays promise at the defensive end position in the 3-4 defense, with some pass rush potential.

(steelcityinsider.com)

Roye to IR: DL Orpheus Roye’s season is over as he was placed on the injured reserve. Crennel said he has an MCL and it should heal on its own and no surgery is currently planned.

"I wanted to give Orpheus some time to see if could improve," he said. "It doesn’t look like he’s going to be able to come back."

To take Roye’s place on the roster they added DL Orien Harris, who was on the Steelers’ practice squad.
Crennel said he wants Roye to return to his form from 2005.

"I think it’s pretty important because Orpheus is one of the more consistent guys on the defensive front," he said. "The thing about this year he hasn’t been totally healthy all year."

(browns.scout.com)

Defensive end Orien Harris, their second pick in the fourth round and the 133rd overall in the April draft, was waived, the same fate that happened last year to receiver Fred Gibson, their fourth-round pick.
(post-gazette.com)

PHILADELPHIA -- Donovan and Cordel Harris have been through this routine before: Son becomes football star at Newark High School. Son becomes football star in college. Son gets drafted into the NFL.

The Harrises went through this when Kwame went from Newark High School to Stanford University to the San Francisco 49ers. Now they're going through it again with their other son, Orien, who went from Newark to the University of Miami to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Harrises were at Lincoln Financial Field on Friday to watch Orien play for the Steelers in their 16-7 loss to the Eagles. Last year, they were at the Linc to watch Kwame play for the 49ers against the Eagles.

Harris, a fourth-round draft choice last April, played in the fourth quarter on the defensive line, trying to gain a little more experience, and trying to get a little more of a stronghold in his NFL career.

"It's been harder than I thought," Harris said. "The demands of practice everyday and being a rookie haven't been easy. But I'm trying to learn as much as I can, and I'm enjoying myself."

Rookie DE Orien Harris, a fifth-round pick, has shown flashes in training camp, but he is still learning to adapt to playing defensive end in the 3-4 defense. Harris was a one-gap player in college, and he still wants to play up the field. But the Steelers ask their ends to play like tackles and use more two-gap technique. Harris is quick and strong, but he needs to learn to use his hands better inside.
sportingnews.com