Is Rodney to the Patriots what Bob Sanders is to the Colts?

[PATSNUTme]

In the media and according to interviews with some of the Colts palyers and coaches, Bob Sanders is the big difference as to why the Colts defense played better in the playoffs and won the SB. I will admit that Sanders has impressed me and I think he's a hell of a player.

So, if Sanders is that valuable would a healthy Rodney have been just as valuable to the Patriots? We were one defensive stop away from winning the AFCCG. Would Rodney had made the difference?

This is not whining or excuse making. Just want to see what others think regarding this.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I think it's a fair analogy, although I think this team is more capable of winning without Rodney (not that it isn't easier and better with him) at this point than the Colts are without Sanders. Particularly when a dozen of it's players aren't also battling the flu.

 

[BelichickFan]

Yes to him being that big of a differnence.
Yes to he would have made the difference.

 

[ATippett56]

So, if Sanders is that valuable would a healthy Rodney have been just as valuable to the Patriots?

Yes! With Tyrone Poole and Ty Law no longer on the Patriots roster, Rodney Harrison is the "quarterback of the New England Patriots defensive secondary".

 

[skri65]

In all honesty, I think Seau was almost as big of a loss as Rodney was.

 

[wdkantro2]

Safeties are the key to winning super bowls. Before laughing, check out the last 6:
01 Pats- Lawyer Milloy was a top safety
02 Bucs- Dexter Jackson won super bowl MVP
03 Pats- Rodney was the best safety in football
04 Pats- same as above
05 Steelers- Polamalu carries the steelers D
06 Colts- Sanders is all over the field

Having a great safety is crucial, and Rodney can certainly be that guy if he is healthy.

 

[richpats]

Pats w/ Rodney: 44-6, 4-0 vs. Colts, 18.8 ppg allowed

Pats w/o Rodney: 25-10, 0-3 vs. Colts, 35.0 ppg allowed

We were pretty close to going to the SB without Rodney, but if he's in the title game, Indy would not score 32 2nd-half points, no friggin way. His presence could have made the difference in the regular season too.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Yes Rodney could have made a difference but as you saw he was out with an injury. We need to draft his replacement asap so we won't be throwing out spare parts onto the field against the Colts offense when the game is on the line.

 

[RoadGrader]

In the media and according to interviews with some of the Colts palyers and coaches, Bob Sanders is the big difference as to why the Colts defense played better in the playoffs and won the SB. I will admit that Sanders has impressed me and I think he's a hell of a player.

PNUT, are you posting drunk again?

Bob Sanders cannot hold Rodney's jock for cryin' out loud

while he was very impressive during the regular season game against the Pats (he had just come back from having missed the previous 5 games) I did not see him as a force as much as a presence on the Colts D despite their Playoff run to their SB win

Rodney is a force whenever he is on the field and when he is off it, it is because he has suffered a significant injury -- I see Sanders being more fragile than #37, at least so far in his career

maybe Sanders will get better with age but I'm not betting on it --

 

[PATSNUTme]

PNUT, are you posting drunk again?

Bob Sanders cannot hold Rodney's jock for cryin' out loud

while he was very impressive during the regular season game against the Pats (he had just come back from having missed the previous 5 games) I did not see him as a force as much as a presence on the Colts D despite their Playoff run to their SB win

Rodney is a force whenever he is on the field and when he is off it, it is because he has suffered a significant injury -- I see Sanders being more fragile than #37, at least so far in his career

maybe Sanders will get better with age but I'm not betting on it --

No Sanders is not as good as Rodney. But my point was if he is that valuable to the Colts then is Rodney just as valuable to us. I think Rodey would have made all the difference in the world in that AFCCG.

As much as I'm impressed with Sanders, I would not be surprised if he wore down after a few years because of his size and the way he plays.

 

[Triple-T]

No comparison. Sanders sucks. He is only 5'8"

D'uh.

 

[cstjohn17]

Safeties are the key to winning super bowls. Before laughing, check out the last 6:
01 Pats- Lawyer Milloy was a top safety
02 Bucs- Dexter Jackson won super bowl MVP
03 Pats- Rodney was the best safety in football
04 Pats- same as above
05 Steelers- Polamalu carries the steelers D
06 Colts- Sanders is all over the field

Having a great safety is crucial, and Rodney can certainly be that guy if he is healthy.

Nice breakdown, I think Safety is becoming a very important position. For the most part the front 7 and the O lines wash each other out but the Safeties are often left unblocked. Safeties who can blitz (Harrison, Reed, Polamalu) or react quickly enough to blow up a running plays (Sanders) are difference makers.

When Harrison came back against the Jags immediately the defense changed, they added Safety blitzes and he seemed to be all over the field. With Sanders they did a little blitzing but basicially he played vanilla so he could still protect the deep part of the field.

But then again if your front seven can't stop the run and your Safety is making plays 7 or 8 yards down the field you aren't going to win any games anyway... It is all related like a great big fringing puzzle..

 

[shirtsleeve]

In the media and according to interviews with some of the Colts palyers and coaches, Bob Sanders is the big difference as to why the Colts defense played better in the playoffs and won the SB. I will admit that Sanders has impressed me and I think he's a hell of a player.

So, if Sanders is that valuable would a healthy Rodney have been just as valuable to the Patriots? We were one defensive stop away from winning the AFCCG. Would Rodney had made the difference?

This is not whining or excuse making. Just want to see what others think regarding this.

Yes, and Yes.

Which is why we need to replace him! That is to say we need to draft his understudy and groom him to eventually replace him upon his retirement!

 

[LA Pats Fan]

Yes - Rodney to the Patriots what Bob Sanders is to the Colts?

Bob Sanders is a younger version of Rodney. He will only get better.

Another good point brought up in this thread is how important safeties are to the success of teams.

Why then come draft day are safeties bypassed for their more sexy counterparts - Cornerbacks.

Ed Reed, Palamalou; Sanders; Rodney.....

 

[chunkypony]

Re: Yes - Rodney to the Patriots what Bob Sanders is to the Colts?

Bob Sanders is a younger version of Rodney. He will only get better.

Another good point brought up in this thread is how important safeties are to the success of teams.

Why then come draft day are safeties bypassed for their more sexy counterparts - Cornerbacks.

Ed Reed, Palamalou; Sanders; Rodney.....

Michael Griffin....

Brandon Meriweather....

Michael Griffin....

Brandon Meriweather...

Josh Gattis....


God I am salivating at the thought of this years drafting possibilities....

 

[PATSNUTme]

Re: Yes - Rodney to the Patriots what Bob Sanders is to the Colts?

Bob Sanders is a younger version of Rodney. He will only get better.

Another good point brought up in this thread is how important safeties are to the success of teams.

Why then come draft day are safeties bypassed for their more sexy counterparts - Cornerbacks.

Ed Reed, Palamalou; Sanders; Rodney.....

He may. But with his size and the way he plays, he could be out of football in a few years.

Not saying I'm hoping this will happen, I'm not.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Safeties are the key to winning super bowls. Before laughing, check out the last 6:
01 Pats- Lawyer Milloy was a top safety
02 Bucs- Dexter Jackson won super bowl MVP
03 Pats- Rodney was the best safety in football
04 Pats- same as above
05 Steelers- Polamalu carries the steelers D
06 Colts- Sanders is all over the field

Having a great safety is crucial, and Rodney can certainly be that guy if he is healthy.

shows that the pats should draft a top notch safety if one is available. it never hurts to have too many secondary players

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Pats w/ Rodney: 44-6, 4-0 vs. Colts, 18.8 ppg allowed

Pats w/o Rodney: 25-10, 0-3 vs. Colts, 35.0 ppg allowed

We were pretty close to going to the SB without Rodney, but if he's in the title game, Indy would not score 32 2nd-half points, no friggin way. His presence could have made the difference in the regular season too.

ya that hurts. How much better are the Pats than the Colts if they are healthy. ALOT better, but what done is gone and the Pats need to reload and get healthy for their next run

 

[RyanTheColtsFan]

Quick poll...

Are some of you really saying Rodney Harrison RIGHT NOW (lets say both are 100%) is better than The Hitman Bob Sanders?

 

[Rob0729]

Quick poll...

Are some of you really saying Rodney Harrison RIGHT NOW (lets say both are 100%) is better than The Hitman Bob Sanders?

Right now, Sanders is better. I still think Sanders is very injury prone and will always be because of his size and playing style.