Rodney Harrison - it's ovah (1 Viewer)

[Ron_Mexico]

Rotoworld - Oct 21, 2008

Rodney Harrison's season is over after tearing his quad muscle on Monday night. The injury likely marks the end of his 15-year career.

Harrison will unfairly be best remembered as a "dirty" player who racked up fines, not unlike recently retired John Lynch. But he'll also be remembered as the consummate teammate and run-stopping safety. He only made two Pro Bowls because of his unpopularity around the league, but will get Hall of Fame consideration as the only man with 30 interceptions and 30 sacks in NFL history. Ultimately, we'd guess he'll fall short of Canton. Brandon Merriweather figures to start for New England now.

 

[Bankerguy]

NOT a HOFer.

 

[NeverEnough]

I vote no

 

[The_U]

It was kind of sad to see Harrison seem to scan the stadium and "take in the moment" for the last time as he waved to the crowd from the bye-bye cart. It was pretty clear he knew something was seriously ruined in his leg and that this was probably the last time he suited up in an NFL uniform.

Harrison is/was a phenomenal safety and the consummate pro's pro and there is no doubt in my mind he deserves to be a future member of the Hall.

 

[Chachi]

HOF easily. They let guys like Irvin and Monk in, no doubt Harrison makes it.

 

[Ketamine Dreams]

Why is it unfair that he's best remembered as a dirty player? That's what he was. It's rare that I'm happy when someone gets injured, but I'm glad he did. I cheered out loud last night, and several years ago when he was injured. He is a dirty player.

 

[David Yudkin]

Probably deserving but probably will struggle to get in (and may not). He's been discussed in other HOF threads and there are a TON of players in recent years that are worthy of consideration (across all positions). His reputation liekly will cost him votes.

 

[sem_envy]

Why is it unfair that he's best remembered as a dirty player? That's what he was. It's rare that I'm happy when someone gets injured, but I'm glad he did. I cheered out loud last night, and several years ago when he was injured. He is a dirty player.

I couldn't agree more.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Rotoworld - Oct 21, 2008

Rodney Harrison's season is over after tearing his quad muscle on Monday night. The injury likely marks the end of his 15-year career.

Harrison will unfairly be best remembered as a "dirty" player who racked up fines, not unlike recently retired John Lynch. But he'll also be remembered as the consummate teammate and run-stopping safety. He only made two Pro Bowls because of his unpopularity around the league, but will get Hall of Fame consideration as the only man with 30 interceptions and 30 sacks in NFL history. Ultimately, we'd guess he'll fall short of Canton. Brandon Merriweather figures to start for New England now.

I'm pretty surprised to see him not make this list of the top 200 post-merger players:http://www.pro-football-reference.com/blog/?p=532

That list is called "approximate value" and it's supposed to be very rough. But if anything, it's biased towards players with long careers. I'd suspect that Harrison's lack of All Pros and Pro Bowls hurt him there, along with his injury problems along the way.

 

[Oh Yes!]

It was kind of sad to see Harrison seem to scan the stadium and "take in the moment" for the last time as he waved to the crowd from the bye-bye cart. It was pretty clear he knew something was seriously ruined in his leg and that this was probably the last time he suited up in an NFL uniform.

Harrison is/was a phenomenal safety and the consummate pro's pro and there is no doubt in my mind he deserves to be a future member of the Hall.

consummate pro?

 

[Chachi]

Why is it unfair that he's best remembered as a dirty player? That's what he was. It's rare that I'm happy when someone gets injured, but I'm glad he did. I cheered out loud last night, and several years ago when he was injured. He is a dirty player.

And if your married your wife was thinking "I'm married to this" when you cheered.If your parents were in the room they were thinking "We did something wrong".

If your friends were there they were thinking "Maybe it's time to rethink my friends".

Seriously weak and seek some help. This is not normal behavior at all.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Was he a good player...yes

Was he a dirty player...yes

I have no respect for players like Harrison. There is no way he makes the HOF.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Why is it unfair that he's best remembered as a dirty player? That's what he was. It's rare that I'm happy when someone gets injured, but I'm glad he did. I cheered out loud last night, and several years ago when he was injured. He is a dirty player.

And if your married your wife was thinking "I'm married to this" when you cheered.If your parents were in the room they were thinking "We did something wrong".

If your friends were there they were thinking "Maybe it's time to rethink my friends".

Seriously weak and seek some help. This is not normal behavior at all.

Ketamine Dreams....I did the same thing. Chachi.....off your soap box.

 

[HellToupee]

Its close but I wonder if the HGH suspension will cost him more than his dirty player rep

 

[Ketamine Dreams]

Why is it unfair that he's best remembered as a dirty player? That's what he was. It's rare that I'm happy when someone gets injured, but I'm glad he did. I cheered out loud last night, and several years ago when he was injured. He is a dirty player.

And if your married your wife was thinking "I'm married to this" when you cheered.If your parents were in the room they were thinking "We did something wrong".

If your friends were there they were thinking "Maybe it's time to rethink my friends".

Seriously weak and seek some help. This is not normal behavior at all.

Don't judge me. Seriously, don't.

 

[TD Ryan]

the 30 - 30 stat to go along with the SB Rings may be enough.

here are the Safeties that have been inducted into the HOF:

Jack Christiansen (S) 1951-1958

Ken Houston (S) 1967-1980

Paul Krause (S) 1964-1979

Yale Lary (S) 1952-1953, 1956-1964

Ronnie Lott (CB-S) 1981-1994

Mel Renfro (S-CB) 1964-1977

Emlen Tunnell (S) 1948-1961

Larry Wilson (S) 1960-1972

Willie Wood (S) 1960-1971

Was Rodney Harrison considered the BEST safety in the league during his career?

And does it matter that he was only a safety, not a CB/safety like some?

In the mid 2000s you had guys like Polamalu, Ed Reed, and Roy Williams (horse collar, not pass dropper).

In the late 90s/early 2000s you had John Lynch, Milloy, Dawkins

In the Mid 90s you had Aeneas Williams, Steve Atwater, Rod Woodson.

I guess I'd put Atwater and Harrison at the top of the class.

Polamalu still has more playing days but he could one day be there too.

 

[Mapmaker]

He's a Safety ... he's supposed to intimidate and hit people .. sure he's been known to go above and beyond the call sometimes ... but most definately a HOF caliber player.

It'll be interesting to hear from all the "Ward isn't a Dirty Player" advocates after they blindly ignore the truth about this week-end's helmet to the head hit ... "that was just a good clean block" my ... if there's headhunters that roam the gridiron every week .. Ward's right there with Rodney!

 

[Ron_Mexico]

He's a Safety ... he's supposed to intimidate and hit people .. sure he's been known to go above and beyond the call sometimes ... but most definately a HOF caliber player.It'll be interesting to hear from all the "Ward isn't a Dirty Player" advocates after they blindly ignore the truth about this week-end's helmet to the head hit ... "that was just a good clean block" my ... if there's headhunters that roam the gridiron every week .. Ward's right there with Rodney!

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

Why is it unfair that he's best remembered as a dirty player? That's what he was. It's rare that I'm happy when someone gets injured, but I'm glad he did. I cheered out loud last night, and several years ago when he was injured. He is a dirty player.

Ever since Romanowski retired, he has been the only player I would have ever wished a career ending injury on. I was happy to see him on the cart when I came back from the bathroom.

 

[Chase Stuart]

the 30 - 30 stat to go along with the SB Rings may be enough.here are the Safeties that have been inducted into the HOF:Jack Christiansen (S) 1951-1958 Ken Houston (S) 1967-1980Paul Krause (S) 1964-1979Yale Lary (S) 1952-1953, 1956-1964Ronnie Lott (CB-S) 1981-1994Mel Renfro (S-CB) 1964-1977Emlen Tunnell (S) 1948-1961 Larry Wilson (S) 1960-1972Willie Wood (S) 1960-1971 Was Rodney Harrison considered the BEST safety in the league during his career?And does it matter that he was only a safety, not a CB/safety like some?In the mid 2000s you had guys like Polamalu, Ed Reed, and Roy Williams (horse collar, not pass dropper).In the late 90s/early 2000s you had John Lynch, Milloy, DawkinsIn the Mid 90s you had Aeneas Williams, Steve Atwater, Rod Woodson.I guess I'd put Atwater and Harrison at the top of the class.Polamalu still has more playing days but he could one day be there too.

Don't forget Bob Sanders, Sean Taylor, Darren Sharper and Carnell Lake.While Aeneas Williams did play free safety with the Rams, he was exclusively a corner for the large majority of his career.

 

[msommer]

Hall of the Very Good

 

[phthalatemagic]

Good riddance.

NOT a Pro Football HOF

He'd make the Terrible Person HOF easily though.

 

[brady2moss]

Good riddance.NOT a Pro Football HOFHe'd make the Terrible Person HOF easily though.

Good insight

 

[perry147]

Why is it unfair that he's best remembered as a dirty player? That's what he was. It's rare that I'm happy when someone gets injured, but I'm glad he did. I cheered out loud last night, and several years ago when he was injured. He is a dirty player.

And if your married your wife was thinking "I'm married to this" when you cheered.If your parents were in the room they were thinking "We did something wrong".

If your friends were there they were thinking "Maybe it's time to rethink my friends".

Seriously weak and seek some help. This is not normal behavior at all.

Shooting for players knees was a hallmark for Rodney Harrison, trying to injure players will be his most memorable legacy. But sports writers and some fans have short memories so if I had to bet he would go in.I never remember Ronnie Lott ever trying to cripple an opponent. There is a huge difference between the playing styles of Lott vs Harrison.

 

[JuniorNB]

As someone who never 'roots for an injury' I'm afraid I can't make the PC statement that I felt an ounce of sorrow for him last night. What a better ending of a career for a guy who made a career out of lunging into players' knees. Neil Simon couldn't have written a better ending.

As for HOF, I'd say it's borderline. He's certainly not a shoe-in, but he was good enough for long enough to get some consideration.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

Why is it unfair that he's best remembered as a dirty player? That's what he was. It's rare that I'm happy when someone gets injured, but I'm glad he did. I cheered out loud last night, and several years ago when he was injured. He is a dirty player.

And if your married your wife was thinking "I'm married to this" when you cheered.If your parents were in the room they were thinking "We did something wrong".

If your friends were there they were thinking "Maybe it's time to rethink my friends".

Seriously weak and seek some help. This is not normal behavior at all.

Don't judge me. Seriously, don't.

Throwing around threats now, KD ?

 

[perry147]

Lets not forget Rodney Harrison was suspended for taking Human Growth Hormone in 2006.Also from Wikipedia.

Harrison was voted the "dirtiest player" in the NFL by his peers according to a 2004 poll conducted by Sports Illustrated. In 2006, Harrison once again topped the "dirtiest player" voting by 361 other NFL players[10]. In 2008, NFL coaches awarded the title to Harrison in an anonymous 2008 poll conducted by ESPN

 

[Chachi]

Why is it unfair that he's best remembered as a dirty player? That's what he was. It's rare that I'm happy when someone gets injured, but I'm glad he did. I cheered out loud last night, and several years ago when he was injured. He is a dirty player.

And if your married your wife was thinking "I'm married to this" when you cheered.If your parents were in the room they were thinking "We did something wrong".

If your friends were there they were thinking "Maybe it's time to rethink my friends".

Seriously weak and seek some help. This is not normal behavior at all.

Don't judge me. Seriously, don't.

Throwing around threats now, KD ?

KD is a tough guy sitting behind his computer.

 

[T Bell]

It's fitting that his career ended with a knee injury.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Is Leroy butler a HOF safety?

 

[Ron_Mexico]

It's fitting that his career ended with a knee injury.

Quad.

 

[Finless]

Can someone unearth some of these dirty hits Rodney's been laying down? Just curious...

 

[Workhorse]

A great ESPN piece that lays out Harrison's game, good and bad:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs07/n...tory?id=3226285

He's one of those guys you can't stand on other teams but you love him on your team. He's the football equivalent of Bill Laimbeer.

That said, NOT a Hall of Famer IMO.

 

[phthalatemagic]

at the midget brigade to defense Harrison's honor.

 

[Godsbrother]

I have a hard time shedding tears for the guy because he was one of the dirtiest players I've ever seen.

He was a very good player but not quite a HoFer IMO.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

He would probably have made it had he spent his entire career on one team(I think being a face of a franchise helps), and had he not been dinged with the drug suspension. He would not have deserved it, but he might have gotten it. Once people start really comparing his game to his contempaoraries they will realize he had a famous name because of his percieved antics, but that his game, while good, was not extraordianry. As I intimated above the guy is not even the equivilent to Leroy Butler, a five time all pro and a member of an all decade team, who, though very good, is not really HOF material.

 

[T Bell]

It's fitting that his career ended with a knee injury.

Quad.

Meh, close enough.

 

[AB in DC]

How many safeties are in the HOF? Not very many, iirc.

 

[Chachi]

I'm having a hard time seeing where alot of you are coming from being happy about people getting injured. There aren't many people who I'd smile and cheer if they got injured but the list doesn't look like Tom Brady, LT, Peyton or Rodney Harrison, my list is more like Osama Bin Laden, Charles Manson and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Stay classy folks.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

All time leader in personal fouls

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Darren Sharper is going to have better career numbers.

John Lynch went to 9 pro bowls.

Nothing jumps out at me as to why harrison even deserves a thread, more less consideration.

 

[phthalatemagic]

I'm having a hard time seeing where alot of you are coming from being happy about people getting injured. There aren't many people who I'd smile and cheer if they got injured but the list doesn't look like Tom Brady, LT, Peyton or Rodney Harrison, my list is more like Osama Bin Laden, Charles Manson and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Stay classy folks.

do not use words you do not understand

 

[gkza]

Don't think Harrison is, but do believe Ed Reed will be when all is said and done.

 

[T Bell]

I'm having a hard time seeing where alot of you are coming from being happy about people getting injured. There aren't many people who I'd smile and cheer if they got injured but the list doesn't look like Tom Brady, LT, Peyton or Rodney Harrison, my list is more like Osama Bin Laden, Charles Manson and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Stay classy folks.

I'm not wishing death on the guy, but I certainly reserve the right to be happy about him suffering the same sort of fate that he inflicted upon others. Classy indeed.

 

[C-Bound]

Can someone unearth some of these dirty hits Rodney's been laying down? Just curious...

Trent Green - Rams - 1999

 

[The_U]

It was kind of sad to see Harrison seem to scan the stadium and "take in the moment" for the last time as he waved to the crowd from the bye-bye cart. It was pretty clear he knew something was seriously ruined in his leg and that this was probably the last time he suited up in an NFL uniform.

Harrison is/was a phenomenal safety and the consummate pro's pro and there is no doubt in my mind he deserves to be a future member of the Hall.

consummate pro?

You're reaching. Did you really feel the need to go dig that up to question the use of semantics? OK then, I'll use your hard work researching Harrison as a "non-conummate pro's pro" to rebut and in the process, I'll actually provide some substance.To quote from your tired article:

""I want to make it clear," Harrison said, "that never once did I take steroids. I did admit to the commissioner that I took a banned substance." The league issued a statement late Friday night confirming that Harrison is suspended without pay for four games, effective immediately. Harrison said that his actions stemmed from his desire to "accelerate the healing process" from his various injuries the past two seasons.""

Obviously we know the past: Harrison used HGH to accellerrate his recovery from injuries. Why? So he could get back on the field with his teammates to help them continue to win games as an integral part of his team and its defensive unit. Did he cheat in doing so? Therein lies the ethical rub, and thankfully it ain't my problem to decide as a HOF voter nor as one of Harrison's peers.

I am entitled to an opinion on the choice he made though and my take on it can be summed up neatly by the fact that one of the most respected veteran players in the entire NFL let alone on his own team made it a point last night to walk out onto the field after Harrison went down to go talk to him and let him know how much his teammates cared about him at that moment. Guys like Tedy Bruschi don't do that for just anyone. They do it for a guy that's fought the good battle, been there for him and his team in good times and in bad, and that my friend is my definition of a "consummate pro's pro". Additionally, it has been widely reported that most every Patriot player visited Harrison in the trainer's room after tha game ended last night to further that sentiment.

You may be right, I may be crazy but at least I can back up what I say with some actual substance rather than digging up old tired ESPN links to question someone's statement on a forum. Taking things further, I'd like to add that I am not a Patriots fan (I despise the Pats) nor am I a Harrison fan in particular. I am a football fan, and love him or hate him Harrison was one hell of a football player for the teams he was on and for having the backs (literally) of the players on those respective team rosters. Whether Rodney Harrison was a dirty player or not does not weigh in my opinion as to whether he should be in the Hall of Fame. The Hall has plenty of guys who played at least a dirty as Harrison is believed to have played by his haters.

 

[Bri]

I think he is.

He's made his share of dirty plays, don't get me wrong, but some have been overreacted to. There's been times where (announcers, MB, articles) someone is calling dirty hit each week and it just wasn't that often.

The dirty hits he did do and the general attitude that I've read about are pretty big negatives, that's for sure.

San Diego Rodney was better than Bob Sanders IMO. Maybe I just had the right handful of games to see but, he was exceptional.

Chase's post mentioning Carnell Lake and some others made me think how this guy has been respected as one of the better Safeties for a real real long time. Players simply don't last that long in the NFL, nevermind playing at a high level.

Due to Polamalu, Reed, and Sanders I think Steelers, Ravens, and Colts fans know just how much a top S can impact the D. I think the alot of people tend to think of Safeties as outfielders. It might be something that you have to have on "your team" to really appreciate.

For FF, we've seen TEs dominate and we root for them. Over the years Rodney has burned me alot!

Another back handed compliment is how many drafted Safeties have been compared to him.

I could roll with "very good" and "just missing" but I don't understand the general sentiment in this thread that really insults a very good long career. If you can name one or two better...OK that's right in line with just missing or very good. To dismiss it like we're talking about the Jared Lorenzen making the HOF is absurd.

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

Why is it unfair that he's best remembered as a dirty player? That's what he was. It's rare that I'm happy when someone gets injured, but I'm glad he did. I cheered out loud last night, and several years ago when he was injured. He is a dirty player.

I'll make an exception this time as well.

 

[Finless]

Can someone unearth some of these dirty hits Rodney's been laying down? Just curious...

Trent Green - Rams - 1999

Preseason, 1999. While with the San Diego Chargers, a young Rodney Harrison delivers a hit to the knee of St. Louis Rams quarterback Trent Green. It tears Green's ACL, MCL and lateral meniscus. Green misses the entire season, which, for the Rams, ends in a Super Bowl victory.

"I've watched that play 50 to 100 times," former St. Louis coach **** Vermeil says. "It was a normal football play. I don't think there was anything deliberate about it. People tend to evaluate it more critically than a normal player because he had a reputation for taking some shots."

Next?

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

Darren Sharper is going to have better career numbers.John Lynch went to 9 pro bowls.Nothing jumps out at me as to why harrison even deserves a thread, more less consideration.

Like your post illustrates, the "h" in his last name doesn't even deserve to be capitalized.