Rodney Harrison News: Pro Sports Daily

0 Comment

October 26

Boston Herald

columnist John Tomase

"If there’s a sight that stuck a knife in the hearts of Patriots fans everywhere, it was safety Rodney Harrison on the field near tears Monday night. Harrison had just torn his right quadriceps against the Broncos, ending his season and likely his career. The player who began his NFL days as the “dirtiest player in the game” probably ended them as one of its most respected. But how far will that respect go? Far enough to take him to Canton and the Pro Football Hall of Fame? We put that question to a number of voters and the consensus seems to be that Harrison is a longshot at best, in part because he only made two Pro Bowls, and in part because the Hall is not only skewed against defensive ..."

A big hole in the safety net

0 Comment

October 23

Boston Globe

"For a team that tailors its defensive schemes to the opposition each week, often making wholesale changes, the Patriots never tinkered with one area. No matter the plan, Rodney Harrison was going to be an instrumental part of it. Entering Monday night's game against the Broncos, Harrison had been on the field for all but 13 defensive snaps through the season's first five games, meaning he played more than any other Patriots defender besides linebacker Adalius Thomas. So when assessing what the Patriots will be missing without Harrison - who tore his right quad muscle Monday and is out for the season - it starts with this: They just lost one of their rocks. In the base 3-4 alignment, ..."

Patriots soldier on without Rodney Harrison

0 Comment

October 23

Boston Herald

"To a man, Patriots players hold firm that while Rodney Harrison is not someone who can be easily replaced, they will carry on and make do without the safety. It’s what they have always done. Whether the loss was cornerback Ty Law, defensive end Richard Seymour, Harrison for portions of the three previous seasons, or now Harrison again on the heels of losing quarterback Tom Brady, the Patriots find a way. “First off, from a personal standpoint,” cornerback Ellis Hobbs said, “you never want to see a guy go down. It’s tough, but it’s something we’re familiar with as players. It’s part of the game. (Rodney) would say the same thing about anybody else. We’re not going to sit here and have a ..."

Harrison is lost for the season

0 Comment

October 22

Boston Globe

"Rodney Harrison always has played the game of football on his own terms, but what could be his final NFL season didn't end on his terms. A league source confirmed yesterday that Harrison suffered a torn quadriceps in his right leg during the Patriots' 41-7 win over the Denver Broncos Monday night. The injury will end Harrison's 2008 season, and very likely could signal the end of a Hall of Fame-worthy 15-year career. That seemed to be the thought in Harrison's mind as he was carted off the field after being injured on the final play of the third quarter while chasing Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler. Harrison pointed to his teammates and waved to the fans as he was driven away. He also ..."

A big hole in the safety net

0 Comment

October 22

Boston Globe

"For a team that tailors its defensive schemes to the opposition each week, often making wholesale changes, the Patriots never tinkered with one area. No matter the plan, Rodney Harrison was going to be an instrumental part of it. Entering Monday night's game against the Broncos, Harrison had been on the field for all but 13 defensive snaps through the season's first five games, meaning he played more than any other Patriots defender besides linebacker Adalius Thomas. So when assessing what the Patriots will be missing without Harrison - who tore his right quad muscle Monday and is out for the season - it starts with this: They just lost one of their rocks. In the base 3-4 alignment, ..."

Pats lose safety net

0 Comment

October 22

Boston Herald

"The Patriots [team stats] already have lost the one player they arguably could not live without on offense in Tom Brady. With Rodney Harrison also gone for the season, have they now suffered the equivalent loss on defense? While Harrison isn’t the same player he was when he first joined the Patriots in 2003, having surrendered some of his speed and quickness to age, the safety’s absence will be felt in a profound way. Harrison, who suffered a torn quadriceps muscle in his right leg Monday night according to a league source, may no longer have the same kind of game-changing impact as Brady. He may no longer strike fear in opponents, afraid to throw over the middle while he’s lurking for a ..."

Harrison has torn quad, season over

0 Comment

October 21

Boston Globe

"A league source confirmed that, as first reported on NFL.com, Patriots safety Rodney Harrison suffered a torn quadriceps muscle in his right leg last night during the Patriots' 41-7 win over the Denver Broncos. The injury definitely ends Harrison's 2008 season and very likely could signal the end of an outstanding 15-year career that could land Harrison into the Hall of Fame. The 35-year-old Harrison is looking at a long and arduous rehabilitation with the quad injury, and he may elect to retire rather than try to comeback from yet another devastating injury. That seemed to be the thought in Harrison's mind as he was carted off the field Monday night after being injured on the final play ..."

Rodney Harrison injures knee

0 Comment

October 21

Boston Herald

"On the final play of the third quarter, Rodney Harrison might have played his final play of the 2008 season. Or even his career. The veteran safety injured his right knee while trying to make a tackle on Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler in last night’s 41-7 victory by the Patriots. Harrison was down on the field for several minutes before a cart came on the field to carry away the leader of the Pats secondary. Just before Harrison was lifted onto the cart, linebacker Tedy Bruschi came over and whispered a few private words of encouragement to his longtime teammate and friend. “I’m going to keep that to myself. That’s something between Rodney and I,” an emotional Bruschi said. “Rodney’s been ..."

Nickels and dimes added up

0 Comment

October 7

Boston Globe

"Safety Rodney Harrison said that when the Patriots defense first took the field in Sunday's 30-21 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, the unit was playing tentatively, dipping its collective toes into the water like a first-time swimmer. You can't blame the Patriots for being a little apprehensive. The last time they'd taken the field, in a 38-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins Sept. 21, they were swept away by a wave of "Wildcat" spread option plays. Plus, they entered the game well below sea level in third-down defense. Prior to Sunday, New England (3-1) ranked second to last in the NFL in that category, having allowed opponents to convert on 18 of 37 tries. But facing the ever-imaginative ..."

Rodney Harrison calls Ricky Williams' block dirty

0 Comment

September 22

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Rodney Harrison has developed a reputation as one of the NFL's most physical -- some would say dirtiest -- players. After Sunday's game, the Patriots safety called out an opponent: Dolphins running back Ricky Williams. Harrison was angry about the first play of the fourth quarter, when Ronnie Brown sprinted 62 yards with a direct snap. The officials called Williams for a dead-ball personal foul for chop-blocking Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel, an infraction offset by Vrabel's unnecessary roughness penalty. Brown's touchdown stood, giving the Dolphins a 35-13 lead."

Rodney Harrison responds to ‘dirtiest player’ label

0 Comment

August 1

Boston Herald

"When asked yesterday about ESPN.com’s recent poll naming him the NFL’s dirtiest player, Rodney Harrison [stats] sounded none too pleased. The Patriots [team stats] veteran safety is tired of the reputation. When asked why he keeps getting tabbed with the label, which was determined by a poll of NFL head coaches, Harrison suggested the voters haven’t done their homework. “They’re ignorant, they don’t know me,” Harrison said. “If you take the time to get to know Rodney Harrison the person, you would know that’s not my makeup, that’s not my personality. I play hard. It’s unfortunate that you have stigma like that, but what can you say? They crucified Jesus Christ too, so, and I’m not ..."

Harrison still heavy-handed

0 Comment

July 31

Boston Globe

"Bill Belichick said yesterday that Rodney Harrison brings a certain presence to the field. Belichick was speaking in the metaphysical sense, but it didn't take the contact-seeking safety, who came off the physically unable to perform list Tuesday, long to make his physical presence felt. During a red zone drill, wide receiver Sam Aiken tried to catch a ball coming across the middle of the end zone. He ended up catching a forearm shiver from Harrison. "Yeah, it took him barely a day, two practices, until you notice that 37 is still going to go out there and hit you across the middle," said linebacker Tedy Bruschi. "That's the presence Bill is talking about, the physical nature of his game." ..."

Rodney Harrison’s fire still burning

0 Comment

July 31

Boston Herald

"Laurence Maroney busted through the line and was greeted by a familiar sensation at the side of his helmet. A little love tap to the chin strap? Not quite. It was more like a jolt, a violent smash, a reminder of who was back, who was on the field. Rodney Harrison may be 35 years old and entering his 15th NFL season. He may have the permission to go a little easier when the time is appropriate. But that wouldn’t be him. He always wants to leave a calling card, whether it’s in a game, or training camp. “Maroney came through and I just told him, it was just like a kiss on the cheek,” Harrison said with a smile, when asked about giving the Patriots lead running back a pop. “I had to get him ..."

One way to turn the page

0 Comment

June 11

Boston Globe

"When asked recently what he'd say to someone seeking his autograph on a picture of him attempting to defend David Tyree's remarkable on-the-helmet catch that set up the winning touchdown in Super Bowl XLII, Rodney Harrison didn't hesitate. "You have to pay me," the Patriots safety said with a laugh. But Harrison is actually putting his name on something directly related to the catch, free of charge. Tyree has penned a book titled "More Than Just a Catch," due out in September, and it includes an introduction by Harrison. Speaking Monday at the Patriots' charity golf tournament in Bolton, Harrison explained why he was willing to contribute to such a painful memory for New England ..."

Rodney Harrison puts Patriots’ past behind him

0 Comment

June 7

Boston Herald

"Harrison insisted that he didn’t celebrate too long after the Patriots’ Super Bowl wins against the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles. Nor did he wallow in self-pity following his rookie season, when San Francisco quarterback Steve Young shredded the San Diego Chargers secondary in Super Bowl XXIX. Harrison admitted that it took about three weeks to recover from the Patriots’ humbling 17-14 loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII in February. The fallout from the squandered perfect season has been systematically purged, however, and Harrison welcomes the opportunity to play in his 15th NFL season."

'The Catch' won't haunt Harrison

June 1

Boston Globe

"The remarkable on-the-helmet, falling-down catch has been replayed over and over since Super Bowl XLII, but not in the mind of the player closest to defending it. It's not that Patriots safety Rodney Harrison is in denial or anything of the sort. He hasn't forgotten David Tyree's improbable 32-yard reception, or Eli Manning's slippery scramble and high-arcing pass that set up the Giants' winning touchdown. He's just put it in a place he believes it belongs. Almost four months to the day from one of the more painful defeats in his NFL career, Harrison simply calls the key play inexplicable. "Not in a million years does he make that catch again," said Harrison."