Tag: Rodney Harrison

Four Patriots legends named as Hall of Fame semifinalists

Four former Patriots players made the list of 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Four New England Patriots legends have made it to the semifinal round for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

Safety Rodney Harrison, kicker Adam Vinatieri, defensive tackle Vince Wilfork and running back Fred Taylor have all made it to the next round

Harrison was one of the most dominant safeties in the Patriots’ franchise history. He recorded 446 tackles and nine sacks throughout six seasons with New England. He had 125 tackles in his first year with the team in 2003. He followed that up with 141 tackles in 2004.

Vinatieri, who played in the league for 24 years, was one of the greatest kickers in NFL history. He played in 160 games with the Patriots and made 263-of-321 field goals. He also made 367-of-374 extra points.

The game-winning kicks in Super Bowl XXXVI and XXXVIII cemented him as both an NFL and Patriots legend.

Wilfork was a staple of the Patriots’ defensive line for many seasons. He was a playmaker on the interior and amassed 517 tackles and 16 sacks in 11 years with the team. He made the Pro Bowl five times as a member of the organization and was a fan favorite.

Taylor was a part of Patriots history as well. He joined the team for two seasons in 2009-2010. He carried the ball 106 times for 424 yards and four touchdowns during his run in New England.

However, the Florida legend is best known for his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had 11,271 rushing yards and 62 touchdowns in his 11-year run in Jacksonville.

The next step in the Hall of Fame process will be cutting the list of 25 semifinalists down to 15 finalists. We’ll see how many, if any, Patriots players make the cut this time around.

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Mike Florio says Broncos remain remain ‘in the mix’ after ‘TNF’ win

“The Broncos have figured something out,” Mike Florio said.

After the Denver Broncos‘ beatdown of the New Orleans Saints in Week 7, ProFootballTalk.com’s Mike Florio and former defensive end Rodney Harrison broke down the win together on their Thursday Night Football Recap. 

“We saw what the Broncos were able to do (against the Saints): 225 rushing yards by the Broncos, the most they’ve had in a game since 2013,” Florio said. “Seventy-five of them came from rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who matched John Elway and Drew Lock with four wins as a rookie, most in franchise history.

“The Broncos have figured something out, Rodney, and even though we expected Sean Payton to come in and wave a magic wand on offense, Vance Joseph and the defense have also been a big part of this story.”

It was a convincing victory for Denver.

“One of the reasons the Saints looked bad was the Broncos looked pretty good; they got it together and recovered quickly from the loss to the Chargers that dropped them to 3-3,” Florio said later in the interview. “That’s a veteran coach. That’s a guy in Sean Payton who knows how — he’s been there, he’s done that. You lose a game, you flush it, you refocus.”

The Broncos have won four of the last five games, three of them on the road, putting them second in the AFC West prior to Week 8, when they face the Carolina Panthers.

You can watch the entire 10-minute clip below, or on YouTube.

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Rodney Harrison took issue with portrayal of Bill Belichick in new Patriots docuseries

Rodney Harrison was not a fan of how “The Dynasty: New England Patriots” treated Bill Belichick

Former New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison was not pleased with how much was left out of “The Dynasty: New England Patriots,” which is the docuseries that is making quite a wave on Apple TV+.

He sat down for an interview with fellow safety Devin McCourty, who was also not pleased with the documentary in his own right.

“It didn’t tell the stories of like me coming and Corey Dillon,” Harrison told McCourty, per a video via Pro Football Talk. “I interviewed for five or six hours when I was in New York, and all they had me saying was, ‘(Expletive) them all. (Expletive) them all.’ That’s it.”

Harrison, who is a Patriots Hall of Famer, signed with the team as a free agent back in 2003 and ended up spending six seasons with the organization. He tallied 446 combined tackles during his run in New England and was a part of three Super Bowl-winning teams.

However, judging by the docuseries, you would not have known how Harrison even came to New England. He told McCourty that him coming to New England was left out of the documentary.

Harrison also stood up for coach Bill Belichick. Many are claiming the docuseries is one-sided, and Harrison’s statements certainly added credence to that feeling.

“He gives guys who are the underdog an opportunity. No one talks about that,” Harrison said. “When everybody else is done with a guy, he brings in a Corey Dillion, he brings in a Randy Moss, he brings in a Rodney Harrison. And I just don’t think he got enough credit, enough respect, enough props. This dude is the greatest coach of all-time.”

The docuseries has been creating a bit of a stir ever since its debut. Even those connected with that timeframe do not approve of it.  At the very least, it has made for compelling television and an even greater conversation.

Devin McCourty feels ‘kinda duped’ by new ‘Dynasty’ docuseries

Devin McCourty admitted he felt “duped” by all of the negativity in the new docuseries “The Dynasty: New England Patriots”

Devin McCourty did not have a rave review of “The Dynasty: New England Patriots” docuseries on Apple TV+. The former New England Patriots safety opened up about his feelings toward the documentary.

“I felt like I got kinda duped,” McCourty said in an interview with former Patriots safety Rodney Harrison, via Pro Football Talk. “I was like, ‘Man, this is gonna be great. Like the storytelling, we’re talking about this and we’re talking about that.’ Everything that we all gave to the 20 years that it encompassed, it only hit anything that was negative.”

The Rutgers product had a big hand in several of the Patriots’ best seasons. He was a three-time Super Bowl champion that helped the organization fully cement itself among the best in NFL history. He was there for most of it and was ultimately named a member of the Patriots All-Dynasty Team.

It’s no secret that everything wasn’t perfect behind closed doors for the Patriots throughout their dynasty run, but McCourty still feels like the docuseries left a lot of the key positive details out.

If anything, it’s a good reminder that things may not always be what they seem.

Bill Belichick lauds Rodney Harrison as best safety he has coached

Bill Belichick had high praise for Rodney Harrison on Friday.

Former New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison was named a Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist earlier this week. His former coach, Bill Belichick, had high praise for him on Friday afternoon.

Harrison had a stellar career with the Patriots. In six seasons with the team, he recorded 446 tackles and was named a first-team All-Pro in 2003. He also helped the team win two Super Bowls.

Belichick was not shy on praise for Harrison on Friday, as his team gets set to take on the Buffalo Bills.

“Best safety I’ve ever coached. There’s a couple other ones that I’ve coached that are in the Hall of Fame. Fantastic player, person, great competitor. Could do it all, one of the most versatile players I’ve ever coached. He could cover, he really could play corner.  He was a great blitzer, he was a great tackler. He was really, really hard to block.”

Harrison was an integral part of the Patriots defense for six years, before hanging up the cleats following the 2008 season. Now, he will get a chance to be part of more than just Patriots history.

The Patriots currently have 11 members in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and Harrison will have the opportunity to be the 12th entry in 2024.

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Former Patriots safety Rodney Harrison named HOF finalist

Former Patriots S Rodney Harrison is one step closer to being immortalized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Former New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison was named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 on Wednesday.

Harrison began his career with the San Diego Chargers and played with the organization from 1994-2002. He came to New England as a free agent, signing a six-year deal in 2003. He was thought of highly immediately, being named a defensive captain before the start of the 2003 season.

Harrison would go on to become one of the most beloved defensive players in Patriots’ history. He would finish his New England career with 446 tackles and nine sacks in six seasons with the team. He was a key part of two New England Super Bowl wins, including clinching the game-winning interception in Super Bowl XXXIX against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Patriots currently have 11 Pro football Hall of Famers.  Here’s to hoping Harrison is the 12th member.

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Two Patriots legends listed as semifinalists for 2024 Hall of Fame class

Four former Patriots players, including two longtime legends, are semifinalists for the Pro Football of Fame in 2024.

Multiple former New England Patriots players, including two longtime legends, have been voted in as two of the 25 semifinalists for the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

For Patriots fans, the two names that immediately jump off on the list are former defensive tackle Vince Wilfork and safety Rodney Harrison.

Both are Patriots Hall of Famers and two-time Super Bowl winners with the franchise. Wilfork, who was drafted by the Patriots in 2004, was one of the most dominant defenders in team history, while Harrison completely reshaped the defensive backfield with his elite talent and leadership.

Linebacker James Harrison and running back Fred Taylor, two players that had quick pit stops in New England in their careers, were also listed among the semifinalists.

The next hurdle will be making it to the top-15 of the upcoming cutdown vote to be one step closer to becoming one of the five finalists for permanent enshrinement in Canton.

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Former Patriots legend facing backlash for calling Jets QB Zach Wilson ‘garbage’ on-air

A former Patriots legend stirred a hornet’s nest after his harsh comments on Jets QB Zach Wilson

Former New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison is being called out on social media, following his harsh comments relating to New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson on Sunday night.

The Jets faced the Kansas City Chiefs at MetLife Stadium, and Harrison was helping conduct an interview with Chiefs’ pass-rusher Chris Jones, when an awkward exchange ensued. Harrison called Wilson “garbage” and seemingly tried to coax Jones into agreeing with him.

However, Jones took the high road, while Harrison continued to hammer down on his stance.

“But watching that tape, man, you’ve got to look at this dude and say, ‘Oh, he is garbage. We should really tear him apart.'” said Harrison.

After struggling against the Patriots in Week 3, Wilson actually had a decent showing against a Chiefs team that’s widely regarded as a Super Bowl contender. He went 28-of-39 passing for 245 yards and two touchdowns in the game.

But regardless of how Wilson performed, most felt like the former Patriots legend went too far in his criticisms of the young quarterback on national television.

Let’s check out some of the reactions to the incident that have been coming through on social media.

Patriots legend not a fan of Bill Belichick benching Demario Douglas

Bill Belichick is getting called out for his strange decision to bench rookie WR Demario Douglas against the Dolphins.

A New England Patriots legend is disagreeing with the decision made by coach Bill Belichick to bench receiver Demario Douglas in last Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins.

That legend is none other than former Patriots safety Rodney Harrison.

Douglas was benched following a fumble in the first quarter of the 24-17 loss to the Dolphins. The benching proved to be a notable move, given that New England struggled to get production out of the receiver position for most of the night.

Douglas finished the game with two catches on two targets for 19 yards. He took responsibility for the fumble and the benching earlier this week. However, Harrison had his own take on Belichick’s decision, as transcribed by MassLive’s Karen Guregian and Lauren Campbell.

“I didn’t agree with coach Belichick when he took the kid out because the kid — he’s trying his best. He’s making moves. And it’s not like he wasn’t trying to protect the football. He was trying to make plays,” Harrison said, during an appearance on the “Eye on Foxborough” podcast. “You don’t expect the 270-pound guy — 6′4″ — coming that’s gonna swipe the ball. When Ezekiel Elliott fumbled last week, I didn’t see him getting taken out the game. And this is a veteran player, a guy that has carried the ball thousands of times, established player in this league and then a rookie does it. He takes them out and you can really hamper a kid’s confidence, especially (someone), who I believe is going to be a very dynamic playmaker for the Patriots.

“I just didn’t agree with him taking him out. I’m not the coach. But in that situation, if I’m coaching I don’t take him out,” he continued. “I let him stand. I continue to feed him the ball and try to build up his confidence because he’s gonna be a good player. I mean, what does that do? Other than mess with his confidence?”

It was an interesting decision to say the least, given that Douglas had a strong opening game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He had four catches for 40 yards in that contest.

It looked as though the rookie was finding his groove in the offense. New England could have used his speed, particularly with the offense struggling in the early part of the game.

It will be interesting to see how Douglas bounces back this Sunday against the New York Jets. The Patriots will need to have all weapons at their disposal, as they look to avoid falling to 0-3 on the season.

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37 days till Patriots season opener: Every player to wear No. 37 for New England

Here’s a list of every Patriots player to wear the No. 37 jersey number

In 37 days, the New England Patriots will host the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles in their 2023 regular season opener. So we’re continuing our countdown series by listing every Patriots player that has ever worn the No. 37 jersey.

The last player to wear the number in New England was former Patriots running back Damien Harris, who now plays for the Buffalo Bills.

Harris was a powerful runner on the field and an even better leader off it. The former Alabama standout led by example and paved the way for young players like Rhamondre Stevenson to carry the franchise into the future.

Yet, the player most Patriots fans immediately think of when looking back on the No. 37 is New England Patriots Hall of Famer Rodney Harrison. The former three-time All-Pro defensive back played a key role in two of the franchise’s six Super Bowl victories.

He was without question one of the greatest defensive players in franchise history. That alone gives the No. 37 significant value in New England.

Here’s every player that has ever worn the number for the Patriots: (via Pro Football Reference):