Though the AP headline-writers focused on the homage to the late Fred Blassie, the real import of the comments of Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris regarding the “classy” nature of talks culminating in his new contract with the team is that Harris has taken a shot at linebackers Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher.

“We didn’t try to go out there and talk about one another or dispute different things,” Harris said of his efforts to get a new deal.  ”I feel like we did it all in-house.”

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

It could make for an interesting dynamic in the locker room when training camp opens, especially if Urlacher’s less-than-classy (in the obvious opinion of Harris) efforts to land a new deal have yet to pay off.

Though Harris doesn’t expressly call out Briggs or Urlacher, it’s likely that either or both of them will conclude that Harris has stuck his nose in a place where they think it doesn’t belong.