Al Harris always came ready to play when he manned the corner for the Packers. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Al Harris, Brady Poppinga and Josh Gordy will all get the man hugs, fist bumps, high fives and smiles from their former Green Bay Packers teammates today prior to the Packers and St. Louis Rams, but after that it’s time to play ball.

Harris, the most popular of the former three Packers, will probably get the most welcomed greeting from Packers fans, but Poppinga also had several successful years with the team. Both won Super Bowl rings with the team last year.

“I spent eight years there,” Harris to the the St. Louis Post-Dispatch earlier this week. “Had a great time. A lot of snaps. But today is today, and we’ve got to prepare like that.”

Harris gets a shot at his old team today, as will Poppinga, who is a starting linebacker for the Rams. Harris gets on the field because of devastating injuries in the Rams’ defensive backfield.
Harris was cut in the middle of last season after coming off the PUP (physically unable to perform) list. He spent some time with the Miami Dolphins, was injured again and signed on with the Rams this past spring. (more…)