Instead, Harris took a few days off after hurting his hand in Hawaii, then got right back to work on another season, doing extensive training on both coasts and sharpening his competitive edge.

"I never want to get to the point where I'm satisfied," Harris said yesterday. "When you're satisfied, it's time to get out of the league. I'm not at that point yet. I'm not satisfied, but I'm proud of that season. I always thought (a Pro Bowl nod) was something that I could achieve over the course of my career, but that just means there's more work to be done."

After a calf injury slowed him during the opening weeks of training camp, Harris is ready to make his preseason debut when the 49ers visit the Chicago Bears tomorrow night. Coach Mike Nolan only expects Harris to play one quarter before sitting down while the 49ers' first-teamers play into the second half.

"(But) we'll see how he goes," Nolan said. "If he feels good, he'll probably stay in there the whole time."

Nolan won't be surprised if Harris demands to stay in the game. Before he joined the 49ers last season, Harris endured many highs and a few lows with Chicago, Indianapolis and Washington as a productive defensive back who was thought to be too inconsistent to ever be a topflight star.

But in San Francisco, Harris found his groove on a mediocre defense that repeatedly got dissected while allowing a league-worst 412 points during a 7-9 season. The problems rarely originated from Harris, who made all his interceptions in San Francisco victories, including two picks and a fumble recovery in an improbable season-ending win at Denver.

The 49ers' defense is fully stocked after the additions of cornerback Nate Clements, safety Michael Lewis, rookie linebacker Patrick Willis and nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin. Harris still isn't completely guaranteed a starting spot, though three-year starting cornerback Shawntae Spencer is much more likely to get bumped by Clements.

Clements, the 49ers' $80 million investment in an elite shutdown cornerback, is likely to scare most defenses early, which would put Harris in the spotlight again — but he's ready for the extra work.

"It doesn't change what I do," said Harris, who signed a two-year contract extension in March. "My job is the same no matter what. And some teams just don't care. They're going to do what they're going to do. They're going to run their offense and not let one guy determine what they do."

Harris was a Pro Bowl alternate who got the call for Hawaii after Philadelphia's Lito Sheppard injured his elbow in the playoffs. A vacation in the Honolulu sun was a welcome treat, but Harris acknowledged that even during the week, his thoughts strayed to next season.

"I don't ever want to relax," Harris said. "I come into this year with the same perception that I always do. When the opportunity is there, I always want to be able to make some plays. Whatever I'm going to do, I'll do."

Harris has been a dedicated offseason worker ever since he spent a hot summer at a fitness clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., doing rehabilitation for surgery on his patellar tendon. He spent much of this offseason in the same relentless training, leaving his family back home in Atlanta for long stretches.