At a news conference this morning in Halas Hall, newly-signed Tommie Harris called his contract negotiations with the Bears businesslike and “classy.” 

In fact, Harris seemed to make the distinction between himself and fellow teammates Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs.

“I would never go out and talk about the Bears in front of the media or disrespect my team,” said Harris.

Maybe, it was Harris’ decision to keep talks private that eventually swayed things in his favor. If you remember, Harris rejected the Bears’ initial extension offer back in April. That deal was also believed to have made Harris the highest-paid defensive tackle in the league, but it was probably for more years than Harris was seeking.

Harris’ counterparts Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher have chosen other methods during contract disputes. Briggs had been very critical of the Bears organization for placing the franchise tag on him, and in March of 2007, voiced his frustration by saying he wouldn’t play for them again. After Briggs hit the free agency pool this offseason, he found the water wasn’t too warm and eventually, signed a relatively disappointing long-term deal to stay in Chicago.

Urlacher has recently publicly denounced his current nine-year, $56.5 million contract as outdated. The Bears offered him a one-year, $18 million extension with $5 million in guaranteed money, but he declined. He was a no-show to voluntary workouts, but to his credit, showed up at the mandatory minicamp.

However, you think, had Briggs and Urlacher handled their contract squabbles more like Harris did, which was in-house, odds are they probably would have received what they wanted. Although, it does still remain to be seen, in Urlacher’s case, if the Bears will budge or not.