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Harrison Making A Huge Impact

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By IRA KAUFMAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 19, 2008

Updated: 01/19/2008 12:15 am

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Given the artistry of Randy Moss and the precision of Tom Brady, the Patriots can dazzle you with their brains and finesse.

But don't be fooled.

Unbeaten New England is also no stranger to the physical side of football and when the Patriots smash you in the mouth, it's usually their veteran strong safety who delivers the blow - and the message.

At 35, Rodney Harrison is still kicking flags and taking names.

"To me, Rodney is our tone setter," linebacker Tedy Bruschi says of the 6-foot-1, 220-pounder, who will play against his former San Diego teammates for the first time in Sunday's AFC Championship Game. "He's probably the most physical and violent teammate I've ever been a part of."

If Chargers Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates catches a pass across the middle at frosty Gillette Stadium, the first thing on his mind will be the whereabouts of No. 37.

The only player in NFL history with at least 30 sacks and 30 interceptions, Harrison displayed all facets of his game in last week's 31-20 divisional victory against the Jaguars.

Just seconds after being whistled for a late hit out of bounds in the fourth quarter, Harrison picked off a David Garrard pass to secure the win as New England improved to 17-0.

He has seven picks in seven playoff games with the Patriots since signing as a free agent from San Diego in 2003.

Harrison was flagged for unnecessary roughness on consecutive Jacksonville drives, but he promptly atoned by extending his streak of postseason games with an interception to four, tying the league record set by Aeneas Williams.

"Obviously, I'm very disappointed about the personal fouls," said Harrison, whose 30.5 career sacks is a record among NFL defensive backs. "But at the same time, I'm not going to take away my aggressive style and the way I play the game. That's just who I am."

The Patriots may be the league's flagship franchise, but they can appear to be a heartless organization.

No apologies were offered when releasing veteran defensive stalwarts like Ty Law, Willie McGinest and Roman Phifer over the years, but here's Harrison, still laying receivers out for Coach Bill Belichick.

"Rodney's had a huge impact," Belichick said. "He's been a part of championships and certainly a lot of victories. He's done a great job for us in all aspects of the game. He's an outstanding communicator and worker on the field and a real pro. He's a great example for all of us to look to."

Harrison didn't resemble much of a leader in September, when the two-time Pro Bowler was suspended four games after admitting he obtained human growth hormone. He wasn't dressed when New England spanked his former team 38-14 in Week 2 and Harrison was also unavailable to face the Chargers in last year's playoff matchup because of a knee injury.

"Last year I got hurt and I was highly, highly disappointed," said Harrison, New England's leading tackler in both the 2003 and 2004 postseasons. "But things happen for a reason."

When Harrison broke into the league in 1994, linebacker Junior Seau was already a star with the Chargers.

"Rodney was a guy that we used as a special teams player," recalled Seau, who will line up with Harrison on Sunday evening on the NFL's fourth-rated defense. "He used to go down there and bust up the wedge. He had so much talent and so much tenacity, we knew there was something special there. He's grown into a man. That's one of the blessings that I've been part of ... watching Rodney grow."

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be reached at (813) 259-7833 or ikaufman@tampatrib.com.

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