Coming from the "Why in the world would you say that?" department, Green Bay Packers cornerback Al Harris doesn't think he'll be wearing a green and gold uniform next year.

His comments to the Wisconsin State Journal couldn't have come at a more awkward time. First of all, the Packers are in the hunt for a spot in the playoffs. Right now they're on the outside looking in, but a good late season performance could certainly find them in a decent position in a weak NFC Central division.

And his comments also come at a time when he was reflecting upon his good fortune to be able to come back from his lacerated spleen injury. Harris said he had a lot to be "extremely thankful" for during the Thanksgiving holiday.

So why focus on the future? Why not focus on the here and now?

In a conversation about being traded for a possible draft choice, Harris said, "I think that's going to happen. And not from my performance or anything, but we're going young. I haven't talked to Ted about it. I've just got a gut feeling that that's the direction our team is headed. That's what happens in the league. I just have to make sure that I'm on top of my game."

This is obviously going to be a topic of conversation lingering for the rest of this season and going into the offseason. Maybe it won't be a huge distraction, but this isn't going to be the last time we hear about this little quote of Harris'.

Harris even admits to not talk to general manager Ted Thompson about a trading possibility, which makes his comment even more peculiar.

There's plenty of reason to think that a trade isn't going to happen. Harris is 34 years old. Who is going to want to give up a first day draft choice for a corner who's skills are on the decline?

Harris also talks about the team going younger, and he's correct. The Packers have the youngest team in the NFL for three years running. But one has to think that trend is going to change sometime soon. Even Thompson knows that he has to let his youngsters mature if he's going to this this team grow into a contender.

And since coming back from his spleen injury, Harris has played lock down defense. He hasn't come up with turnovers, but he never really has. Harris just consistently has shut down the opposing team's receivers.

If the Packers truly have a chance to win a Super Bowl over the next two or three years, the Packers probably are in better shape to win with Harris than without him. 

Photo credit: Jeffrey Phelps for the Journal Sentinel