Rodney Harrison on ESPN radio

[supafly]

What the hell did he say to indicate anything was wrong? He made the most generic statement he could!

Amazing how people can conjure up these conclusions from nothing!

I was simply and respectfully saying that usually when someone so close to the situation uses words like "we're lucky,we have 2 QB's," and "all he can do is work hard etc,etc---i'm sure he'll be back eventually"---some people COULD take that one specific way. Some people look at the glass half-empty, some look at it half-full. I know that you (part of the sky is never ever ever falling crowd) would take that as....

(sharp tone) EYE ROLL (sharp tone)--"nothing's wrong. it was a generic statement. nothing will ever be wrong"

I couldn't have been any more respectful or polite. Obviously if we're on here in the middle of the day, during the offseason, we are all hardcore fans. We are a fanbase representing one of the classiest teams in all of professional sports, we should try and act like it. Sometimes people are a little harsh on here. And after hearing of reports that the Pats could be looking at a multi-yr deal w/ Cassel in the past couple of hours...MAYBE I'm not that far off base

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

i hate to look too much into things, and it pains me to type these words--but rodney's comments (or lack thereof) doesn't make me feel too confident about brady's schedule. if you read between the lines and how he answered the question, it looks like he very well could be somewhat behind. just one man's opinion, so take it easy on me. i know we all want the best, but i'm starting to think it's quite possible that we'll all be walking on eggshells until mid-summer. it also raises the question once again-- that maybe they very well indeed, may keep matt cassel another year after all.

I will admit Im a chicken little when it comes to Brady, but this is too far fetched.. Its going to be a wait and see with tom , Im just hoping for the best.

 

[NJPatsfan26]

I will admit Im a chicken little when it comes to Brady, but this is too far fetched.. Its going to be a wait and see with tom , Im just hoping for the best.

I think that is the best way of looking at it.

From all the rumors and mislead stories out there, waiting and seeing is the best option....

 

[mgcolby]

I was simply and respectfully saying that usually when someone so close to the situation uses words like "we're lucky,we have 2 QB's," and "all he can do is work hard etc,etc---i'm sure he'll be back eventually"---some people COULD take that one specific way. Some people look at the glass half-empty, some look at it half-full. I know that you (part of the sky is never ever ever falling crowd) would take that as....

He made a completely generic statement with an emphasis on his work ethic. There is no other way to take that, unless you read into his statement and make it fit with a pre conceived notion. Which isn't relative to his statement. So I don't understand how that could be seen as a glass half full or half empty scenario. He simply commented on his work ethic and then complimented Cassel.

What team wouldn't feel lucky to have two QB's of Brady's and Cassel's caliber? I know when the sky is falling and it hasn't happened around here since 1999, unfortunately to many people (the sky is falling crowd) believe that a loss in week 3 is an indication that the Pats will have a terrible year and that they suck. Those folks don't tend to have any basis in reality. And IMO neither do any of the "Brady's career is done" or "Brady will be out for 2009". It is all based on speculation by a few along with hearsay by the drive by media.

When someone with direct knowledge steps forward and says Brady is behind schedule and will possibly sit out for either all or part of the 2009 season, you will see me worried. But forgive me for taking the word of the most respected doctor in the field, when he comes out and tells the world that Brady's doctor reached out to him for advice and says

What I gather from talking to Neal today is that Tom’s getting better, and what has been done is getting him well.

Optimistically, once you get this under control and you can save that graft and win the infection battle – which apparently from what I gather he is winning – once the healing process catches back up, it really doesn’t set him behind to any degree relative to the overall healing process. The main thing is to save the graft.

(sharp tone) EYE ROLL (sharp tone)--"nothing's wrong. it was a generic statement. nothing will ever be wrong"

Lots of things were wrong with this team, but in case you haven't noticed. The Pats coaching staff are usually smart enough to identify those areas and improve them down the stretch. Just check out their post Thanksgiving record. So whining and crying in September or October and acting as if the season is over (which is what the Sky is falling crowd does every season) is a pointless thing to do.

I couldn't have been any more respectful or polite. Obviously if we're on here in the middle of the day, during the offseason, we are all hardcore fans. We are a fanbase representing one of the classiest teams in all of professional sports, we should try and act like it. Sometimes people are a little harsh on here. And after hearing of reports that the Pats could be looking at a multi-yr deal w/ Cassel in the past couple of hours...MAYBE I'm not that far off base

If you think I was rude, then you may want to consider getting a thicker layer of skin, if you plan on hanging around.

If you consider the entire situation a multi year deal with Cassel makes a ton of sense. Both if you want to keep or trade him. If you work out a reasonable contract he is very tradable and he is very keepable. It isn't an indication of Brady's situation in anyway.

And finally on Brady - guys come back from total reconstruction of the knee to play running back. It would defy logic for Brady not to be able to recover from this in time for the season.

And IMO, speculating on his injury by piecing together, one report that has been refuted by multiple other reports, with a generic statement from a Patriots player regarding an injury, along with a possible sound business move from the Pats on Cassel - is reaching deep into the bowels of conspiracy.

 

[supafly]

All I was saying is that it is quite possible that Tom may be a little behind. Usually when things are going in a positive direction, people just come out and say that. I realize that the Pats are not like most teams in giving up info, but I personally, don't believe the conspiracy theory that they themselves, started these rumors.

Sometimes when there's smoke, there's actually fire. Sometimes not. For all we know Tom could be a little behind schedule, most likely he is. That isn't saying that he can't make a great recovery through the spring, summer etc. Or maybe we'll have to get thru the first month or so without him, we've been through worse. All I was stating is that the WAY rodney de-flected the question--I dunno, makes me a little queasy. It gives me, personally, reason to believe that he may be a little behind. I think if it was looking better, he may have had a more to-the-point answer.

And just for what it's worth, I've checked this site first thing in the AM and last thing in the PM every single day (like many of us) since about 04-05. I simply never felt like posting, registering until several months ago, so I don't feel like a "newbie" although I can see and respect how you'd view that. I was simply saying we're all on the same team, so to speak. I believe the eye rolls and nasty comments should be saved for REALLY rediculous ideas---and trolls. Anyway, thanks for all of your opinions, and I do indeed respect your high post count etc. Certainly don't wanna get into a pissing match.

 

[NYCPatsFan]

I was simply and respectfully saying that usually when someone so close to the situation uses words like "we're lucky,we have 2 QB's," and "all he can do is work hard etc,etc---i'm sure he'll be back eventually"---some people COULD take that one specific way. Some people look at the glass half-empty, some look at it half-full. I know that you (part of the sky is never ever ever falling crowd) would take that as....

(sharp tone) EYE ROLL (sharp tone)--"nothing's wrong. it was a generic statement. nothing will ever be wrong"

I couldn't have been any more respectful or polite. Obviously if we're on here in the middle of the day, during the offseason, we are all hardcore fans. We are a fanbase representing one of the classiest teams in all of professional sports, we should try and act like it. Sometimes people are a little harsh on here. And after hearing of reports that the Pats could be looking at a multi-yr deal w/ Cassel in the past couple of hours...MAYBE I'm not that far off base

Supafly - welcome aboard!

I like the polite way you present your points and you maybe right that some responses are a little harsh here. But please don't let that bother you and continue posting your thoughts. You will soon realize that most of the veteran posters are not blind homers and that they usually have sound logic behind their viewpoints.

It's just that the board has a good % of the newcomers in the last two seasons who eagerly embraced the need to make outlandish claims and continued to make baseless stringent negative remarks ignoring the responses that pointed out reality and refuted their points. And, it is not just a few newcomers who were needlessly negative. There were/are quite a few seasoned posters who used to/continue to rant against MC, JD, Maroney etc at the drop of the hat.

Compared to those, it is refreshing to read about fears/criticism that have a reasonable basis to it. So, please don't feel discouraged and continue to post regularly.

 

[NYCPatsFan]

Cowherd intros Rodney and goes straight into first question:

C: "Alright, so you 'may' come back. Good luck to you!"

Thanks a lot for posting this!

 

[ScottieC]

i hate to look too much into things, and it pains me to type these words--but rodney's comments (or lack thereof) doesn't make me feel too confident about brady's schedule. if you read between the lines and how he answered the question, it looks like he very well could be somewhat behind. just one man's opinion, so take it easy on me. i know we all want the best, but i'm starting to think it's quite possible that we'll all be walking on eggshells until mid-summer. it also raises the question once again-- that maybe they very well indeed, may keep matt cassel another year after all.

And people wonder why Curran wrote what he wrote about Tom's progress.

I listened to the Cowherd PodCast last night, I thought he handled the Tom question in a Perfectly Patriot way - he answered the question without answering the question.

And yet, people take from Rodney's comments that Tom's recovery is not going well. It's kinda crazy. Really.

So let me tell you all what I got from it, Tom will be Fine in '09 and will start all 19-20 games.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Supafly - welcome aboard!

I like the polite way you present your points and you maybe right that some responses are a little harsh here. But please don't let that bother you and continue posting your thoughts. You will soon realize that most of the veteran posters are not blind homers and that they usually have sound logic behind their viewpoints.

It's just that the board has a good % of the newcomers in the last two seasons who eagerly embraced the need to make outlandish claims and continued to make baseless stringent negative remarks ignoring the responses that pointed out reality and refuted their points. And, it is not just a few newcomers who were needlessly negative. There were/are quite a few seasoned posters who used to/continue to rant against MC, JD, Maroney etc at the drop of the hat.

Compared to those, it is refreshing to read about fears/criticism that have a reasonable basis to it. So, please don't feel discouraged and continue to post regularly.

What NYC said. Supa, your fears are a bit more paranoid than I feel are warranted, but I had the advantage of hearing the interview through twice - keep the faith brotha! :rocker:

 

[mtbykr]

Cowherd intros Rodney and goes straight into first question:

Cowherd: 1 vote for Belichick for Coach of the Year, "we agreed, we think it's amazing what he did, do you think it's the best job ever by Belichick?"

Rodney: "I think he did a tremendous job, probably one of the best coaching jobs ever. I mean if you look at what happened to the team, the team was decimated by injuries, you lost your starting SS, starting QB, starting LB, as well as your starting RB and could go 11-5 in a touch AFCE division, I mean, pretty remarkable what he's done with a QB that never started an NFL game, let alone never played."

C: "How good do you believe Matt Cassel is Rodney? There is some dispute that much of it is Belichick's genius, how good is he do you think?"

R: "Well, players play and coaches coach and I tell you one thing, Matt Cassel he's making those decision, he's making those throws, it's not like Belichick is out there on the field. So you can put a player in the position to have success, but it's up to the player to go out there and execute those plays and Matt Cassel did a terrific job of doing that."

C: 'Is the AFC better than the NFC?'

R: "I'm not going to necessarily say that it's better. I mean because the Giants, they actually won the Super Bowl last year so, they have a good argument to say maybe the NFC is the best. It's just very competitive and both sides of the conferences you have guys who are extremely athletic, guys who are very competitive and just the best players in the world, so you have the best players in the world going against the best players in the world, somethings going to happen. But I'm going to be anxious to see who's going to take that trophy home this year."

C: Titans and Ravens?

R: Ravens

C: Steelers and Chargers?

R: Steelers by a FG.

C: Eagles and Giants?

R: Eagles

C: 'McNabb benched, how much does that play into it?'

R: "It plays a lot into it, because guys are very competitive, guys have egos, and guys have a lot of pride. You know when you bench a starter, a guy that's making 10, 12, 13 million dollars a year he get's pissed off, if I can say that [laughter] he gets pissed off, he gets truly upset, and you know, for a guy who gets benched he looks deep within yourself and you try to figure out exactly where did things go wrong, and I think Donovan had some late night talks with himself and he figured out exactly what he had to do. He had the fire back up in him, and the guys playing inspired football right now."

C: "It really is remarkable how he and Andy Reid are literally playing for their jobs right now." Cardinals and Panthers?

R: Panthers

C: "You know, when you go back and, you look at this entire season, and from Matt Cassel, Tom Brady's rehab, it's just been one thing after another. What is it like to live in that? We see it from the outside Rodney, what's it like to be a Patriot getting ready for another year going into the offseason?"

R: "Well, first of all I don't know if I'm coming back, but the good thing that the Patriots have that a lot of teams really don't have the luxury of, is the fact that they have two great QBs. They're going to have two great Qbs at their disposal. So, Tom Brady, he's going to have to rehab, he's going to have to just take his time and rehab and not try to rush back. Tom is a fighter, he's a tremendous person, he's very competitive, so Tom will be back at the helm whenever he's healthy, but at the same time, you got a young guy in Matt Cassel as a security blanket, I don't think you can go wrong. So if Tom's not ready, you have Matt Cassel. If Tom's ready then you see what happens with Tom's performance, but I think the Patriots, they're young overall, they've gotten younger, they have a lot of talent, and even missing a bunch of guys they still had a chance to go 11-5 and still almost win the division. Seeing from 2003-2007 they won five consecutive AFCE division titles I don't think that's too bad."

C: "Is Brady's rehab going pretty well? You hear differing reports. How well's it going?"

R: "It's probably pretty wrong for me to try to comment on that, but I know one thing, all you can control is your effort and your attitude, and Brady has a great attitude, and he has tremendous effort, so he'll work his way back and he'll be fine eventually."

C: "Rodney Harrison, who may or may not come back, are you leaning one way or the other?"

R: "I'm leaning towards the 'may.' [laughter]

C: "Alright, so you 'may' come back. Good luck to you!"

Thanks.............