Vikings re-sign versatile lineman Harris

Mike Harris might have been re-signed Tuesday to be the Minnesota Vikings’ swing tackle, but he really believes he could become the starting left guard.
Harris, a restricted free agent, signed a one-year deal worth $1.542 million, the amount he was tendered last week.
“I’m very happy with it,” he said. “It just shows the Vikings, they really believe in me.”
Harris started the final five games last season at right tackle when Phil Loadholt was sidelined by a torn pectoral muscle. But Loadholt is expected to be ready for the start of next season, meaning the only starting job open on the offensive line could be left guard.
Because of injuries, the 6-foot-5, 318-pound Harris played some at right guard last October in Buffalo, the first time, he said, he had played guard since he was in the eighth grade.
But with the release of starting left guard Charlie Johnson, Harris threw his hat into the ring.
“The job’s open, and I’m going to compete for whatever I can get,” Harris said. “I want to start in this league. I feel I could move inside. I’ve been working on it.”
The leading candidate to start at left guard is Joe Berger, re-signed last week to a two-year contract. There also is holdover guard David Yankey, who was drafted in the fifth round last year but never got into a game. The Vikings also could sign a free agent or draft a player at the position.
Regardless, Harris is excited about being back with the Vikings.
“I just feel they see potential in me,” he said. “I feel very fortunate that they like me.”
Harris is entering his fourth NFL season. He played with San Diego his first two years before being picked up on waivers by Minnesota last August.
Free-agent cornerback Terence Newman, 36, visited Minnesota on Monday and left Tuesday morning to visit the New England Patriots. Newman, who started all 13 games he played in 2014, would be a stopgap player for Minnesota. He’s a 12-year veteran who spent the past three years with the Bengals.