Rodney Harrison of the Patriots Suspended
New England strong safety Rodney Harrison has been suspended for four games by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. According to a report at ESPN, Harrision has admitted to taking HGH (Human Growth Hormone). The suspension is effective immediately, so Harrison will be out for the season opener versus the Jets.
Although I have a little smile on my face this morning, I’m hesitant to all-out gloat because I’m not ignorant enough to suggest that everyone on the Jets is clean. We’ve heard all about Jet core values, but a lot of those were inherited from the Patriots “model” program — i.e., it can happen to any team.
The reality is that in the ever-increasingly competitive NFL, players will sometimes (often?) do whatever they can to get an edge, even if that means breaking the rules. Let’s be careful in our comments because it can easily be a Jets player next.
That being said, I’m sure there are a lot of offensive players in green-and-white who are breathing a bit easier knowing that they’re not going to run into Harrison on Week One.
UPDATE: As commenter Dave and others have pointed out, Belichick never made the alleged comment about Rhodes not being good enough to make the Pats — apparently Cimini just took what Peter King said out of context. What King wrote was: “Most told me I was loony to have Rhodes ranked in the 20s and Bills tackle Jason Peters in the 30s. I believe Rhodes comes closest to Ed Reed (12), the best impact safety in the game, and I believe Peters, a converted tight end, will be an All-Pro within two years. So I wouldn’t move them down even if Bill Belichick called and said, ‘Neither of those guys could make my team.’” Thanks for the heads up guys!
7 Responses to Rodney Harrison of the Patriots Suspended
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prince says:
Something tells me that if Kerry Rhodes was available, he’d probably get an interview with the Pats before or after this breaking news.
Belichick is such a moron. Hopefully Rhodes will get a good, blind-side plastering of Brady next weekend.
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Andrew The Great says:
I don’t like either BB..Bill Belichick and Brian Billick
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Dave says:
Belichick never said that. Cimini misquoted a Peter King article.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/peter_king/08/28/the.king500/1.html
It’s at the end of the second paragraph.
“Most told me I was loony to have Rhodes ranked in the 20s and Bills tackle Jason Peters in the 30s. I believe Rhodes comes closest to Ed Reed (12), the best impact safety in the game, and I believe Peters, a converted tight end, will be an All-Pro within two years. So I wouldn’t move them down even if Bill Belichick called and said, ‘Neither of those guys could make my team.’”
Note the “even if.” Cimini is so stupid that he read a Sports Illustrated article and took a throwaway joke as an actual quote.
Belichick is scum, but this particular situation is a misunderstanding.
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Doctor K says:
Nice save Dave. I like that our so-called “beat writers” are on top of this news. Nothing like reading carefully or doing your homework. BTW Andrew, do you also hate Brooks Bollinger (BB)too?
Harrison out for Week 1 probably doesn’t mean much since their style of defense is meant to confuse and relies on disguised fronts, much like ours. With an aging vet like Rodney, he had to do something to keep up with the young guys. I am not surprised by his admission. -
Ferragamo says:
Cimini is such a clown! Why would he even try and pull a stunt like this? I mean how stupid does he think we are, the real story is available for everyone to read? If I was Kerry Rhodes or BB I would feel a little misled and be pretty upset with Mr. Cimini after that one. Talk about being unprofessional.
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Bent says: I’m sure Cimini will realise his mistake and apologise (sic). Relax and enjoy the weekend.
The real BB is Brian Bassett, natch.
I think performance enhancers should be treated more seriously than recreational drug use…anyone agree? The Pats will be fine, they coped OK when they lost Harrison before, although they did give up more yards.
If HGH was legal, I think it’s pretty obvious which guys we would want using it from the Jets…and it’s not one of our safeties! Don’t worry, TJ’s guns are all natural baby!
“Right on the heels of Bill Belichick telling Sports Illustrated that Kerry Rhodes “couldn’t make my team,”
I hate Bill Belichick.