Rodney Harrison Support thread

[BradyManny]

Come on people, there are plenty of threads to discuss Peyton Manning and his "class" and plenty of threads to openly criticize Harrison for what he did if that is your desire. The point of this thread was to show some measure of support for one of our favorite players in what is a tough time for him, even if he caused that tough time for himself.

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

I think WEEI said it best just now, its like if your kid does something , your dissapointed... That does not mean you dont love them, your just disappointed in them.

 

[BradyManny]

I think WEEI said it best just now, its like if your kid does something , your dissapointed... That does not mean you dont love them, your just disappointed in them.

Exactly. Is it a double standard to support Rodney now for those of us who have been harsh on punks like Merriman? I'd say yes and no. What Rodney did is VERY, VERY different, first and foremost, but yes, in principle, maybe it's moderately inconsistent. But maybe it's OK to be inconsistent - Rodney has been a great Patriot, a fan favorite, a role model, a team leader, etc., he has earned the right to be given a second chance.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

I think WEEI said it best just now, its like if your kid does something , your dissapointed... That does not mean you dont love them, your just disappointed in them.

I'll get all Rush Limbaugh here and just megaditto that post/that comment... everybody in NE, or formerly from NE, or a fan of NE, want Rodney to come back in great form, as often and for as long as he can - within the rules of course.

It is what it is. It isn't "nothing" and it isn't the end of the world.

But by the way, it is enhancing performance.

If a 22 year old kid heals faster than me, and that's of value to my team, he has a competitive advantage by virtue of his youth.

If I attempt to compete better with him at that aspect of my performance by using a banned substance, yeah I'm enhancing my performance.

One "job element" for an NFL player is the abililty to heal from injuries. HGH is a way to do it faster, thereby increasing your job security. Let's say the kid is otherwise not as good as the vet, and the vet is the higher injury risk. The fact that the vet uses the HGH then gives the team a competitive edge as well. That's exactly the hairsplitting crap that makes no sense to me.

From a purely on-field perspective - are you guys bummed that Rodney is unavailable until October? I am. Because he gives us a better chance to win.

It is what it is.

PFnV

 

[dolphinx]

Harrison Cheated End Of Story And Btw Character Guys Dont Cheat So Feel Free To Attack Me And Or Your Favorite Miami Player Doesnt Mean Harrison Didnt Cheat

 

[csfoster]

I am not going to sit here and split hairs between Harrison and Merriman. Bottom line they will have both been suspended for 4 games regardless of the rationale given. Unless there is a second time which makes their offered explanation for the first time totally suspect, I will give both the benefit of the doubt and remain their fan.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

PatsfaninVA...you have some solid points though I think you confused me and another poster(I have no kids).

I do have to call you out on a clarification. You say steroids are prescribed to asthmatics and to treat inflammation. That is technically true, but cortic, and anabolic steroids are completely different. I know of no doctor prescribing anabolic steroids for any purpose.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

PatsfaninVA...you have some solid points though I think you confused me and another poster(I have no kids).

I do have to call you out on a clarification. You say steroids are prescribed to asthmatics and to treat inflammation. That is technically true, but cortic, and anabolic steroids are completely different. I know of no doctor prescribing anabolic steroids for any purpose.

Sorry to confuse you with another guy here KDP. Someone on the board, possibly in this thread, has a personal family experience with HGH used medically, and he seems a booster of the substance in general. It's not a safe substance, and is not used for "fountain of youth" purposes in the U.S. We need to understand that.

About anabolic steroids (testosterone is one), you're right, they're not in as wide use, but there are medical uses. Not surprisingly, one is to help a patient regain weight. Testosterone replacement of course, is another use. But there are others.

http://www.vitamins-supplements.org/hormones/anabolic-steroids.php

Anabolic steroids are used to help patients gain weight after a severe illness, injury, or continuing infection. They also are used when patients fail to gain or maintain normal weight because of unexplained medical reasons. Anabolic steroids help treat certain types of anemia, breast cancer, and treat hereditary angioedema, which causes swelling of the face, arms, legs, throat, windpipe, bowels, or sexual organs. Anabolic steroids may be useful as part of an effective diet and exercise regimen to build and maintain weight.

Obviously these guys are trying to make the stuff seem normal or natural, especially that last line. But checking out the other claims on google pretty much substantiates them.

Here's another less rah-rah page... the tabular material explains the actual FDA-approved medical uses of anabolic steroids:

http://www.uic.edu/pharmacy/services/di/methamphetamine.htm

Don't know why the url says "methamphetamine." It's a steroids page. Anyway, read the tables... anabolic steroids are not without their proper medical uses.

Football not being one of them. And the same is true of HGH.

Thanks for taking the points I make seriously. Rodney's one of the greats, IMHO. He's brought us a lot.

I'm really, really hoping none of our guys is still under investigation in the probe.

Anyway, good discussing this stuff. Maybe it took something like this for Pats fans to take it seriously, rather than as something that happens to those other teams.

PFnV

 

[The Next One]

I usually just lurk here but I feel a strong need to comment on this Rodney Harrison issue. I'm sure my comments may anger some but I need to say this.

When I heard the news I was stunned. Rodney has always been one my top 2 or 3 favorite Patriots for his aggressive style of play and leadership qualities. Not anymore. After this I'm not going to be able to look at him the same way again. If I owned a Harrison jersey I would throw it out. In my opinion it would make me a hypocrite to just ignore the fact that Rodney is an admitted cheater and continue to support him as if this never happened. I would also be sending the wrong message to my children by doing so. I honestly wish BB would release Rodney over this, that's how strongly I feel right now. I don't want a cheater on my team.

I mean... I, like many here, can't stand Shawn Merriman, and yes, I know that they are accused of using different substances but the fact is that Shawn Merriman and Rodney Harrison both used substances that are banned by the NFL in order to gain a competitive edge (healing faster is giving yourself a competitive edge). That is called cheating.

I've also seen some people talk about the benefits of HGH and so forth. HGH could be the wonder drug that cures all but it doesn't matter. HGH is a banned substance in the NFL, that is all that matters and if you use it then you are, by definition, cheating.

Are we such homers here that we're going to immediately forgive Rodney and continue to rip players like Merriman for their drug violations? In my opinion if you want to let Rodney off the hook so easily for this then that's fine, it's your decision, but you can't use the "he uses banned substances" criticism against Merriman or any other player anymore either without being the very definition of a hypocrite.

 

[mgteich]

I believe that the penalties should be set by the league. However, I truly hope that we longer consider Harrison a leader and role model. When he comes back, he will be a cheater on probation.

I usually just lurk here but I feel a strong need to comment on this Rodney Harrison issue. I'm sure my comments may anger some but I need to say this.

When I heard the news I was stunned. Rodney has always been one my top 2 or 3 favorite Patriots for his aggressive style of play and leadership qualities. Not anymore. After this I'm not going to be able to look at him the same way again. If I owned a Harrison jersey I would throw it out. In my opinion it would make me a hypocrite to just ignore the fact that Rodney is an admitted cheater and continue to support him as if this never happened. I would also be sending the wrong message to my children by doing so. I honestly wish BB would release Rodney over this, that's how strongly I feel right now. I don't want a cheater on my team.

I mean... I, like many here, can't stand Shawn Merriman, and yes, I know that they are accused of using different substances but the fact is that Shawn Merriman and Rodney Harrison both used substances that are banned by the NFL in order to gain a competitive edge (healing faster is giving yourself a competitive edge). That is called cheating.

I've also seen some people talk about the benefits of HGH and so forth. HGH could be the wonder drug that cures all but it doesn't matter. HGH is a banned substance in the NFL, that is all that matters and if you use it then you are, by definition, cheating.

Are we such homers here that we're going to immediately forgive Rodney and continue to rip players like Merriman for their drug violations? In my opinion if you want to let Rodney off the hook so easily for this then that's fine, it's your decision, but you can't use the "he uses banned substances" criticism against Merriman or any other player anymore either without being the very definition of a hypocrite.

 

[Jacky Roberts]

Harris*n is a cheater and gets no support from me. Sorry.

 

[ArmyPatsFan]

Time to get a new jersey. I will not wear the name of a cheater on my back....and would be perfectly fine with him being released. With that said I do respect that he came forward (after being named though) and took responsibility for his actions. Still love his game attitude and on-field performance but no longer admire the man.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

Time to get a new jersey. I will not wear the name of a cheater on my back....and would be perfectly fine with him being released. With that said I do respect that he came forward (after being named though) and took responsibility for his actions. Still love his game attitude and on-field performance but no longer admire the man.

So you would be ok with an AWFUL back secondary? Yes, I said awful...Wilson blows now, and Sanders isn't ever going to be great...serviceable, maybe. Marriweather is at least a year away from being able to be counted on.

I get the feeling that there are two types of people on this debate.

1.) Winning justifies the means especially when dealing with minor infractions(me)

2.) I would rather lose than not have perfect people on the team who never make mistakes.

 

[mgteich]

1) Breaking the NFL's drug policy is not a minor infraction. it makes no difference how many times you say that it's so.

2) I do accept the NFL's judgement of the level of punishment, rather than cutting, which would the team in the role of judge.

3) I used to be a Raiders fan, long ago. For them, it didn't matter what you did other than on the field on Game Day. That is a Raiders attitude and a Cinci attitude. I would guess that Kraft would vote to support the existing policy in this situation. I would also guess that he is fine with level of punishment. We have different standards now. Killing dogs now generates more outrage than beating up or killing people.

That you live in the world of black and white is not suprising, with your condone of criminals and cheaters somehow on the white side. I will welcome Harrison back, as we all will. However, his leadship role on the team and his being a role model have ended. Can these return. Sure, but it will take time.
Harrison has put the team's season at risk. As you point out, he is very important to the defense.

So you would be ok with an AWFUL back secondary? Yes, I said awful...Wilson blows now, and Sanders isn't ever going to be great...serviceable, maybe. Marriweather is at least a year away from being able to be counted on.

I get the feeling that there are two types of people on this debate.

1.) Winning justifies the means especially when dealing with minor infractions(me)

2.) I would rather lose than not have perfect people on the team who never make mistakes.

 

[ArmyPatsFan]

So you would be ok with an AWFUL back secondary? Yes, I said awful...Wilson blows now, and Sanders isn't ever going to be great...serviceable, maybe. Marriweather is at least a year away from being able to be counted on.

I get the feeling that there are two types of people on this debate.

1.) Winning justifies the means especially when dealing with minor infractions(me)

2.) I would rather lose than not have perfect people on the team who never make mistakes.

1. Being an Army Officer....the ends justifies the means argument is silly....just look at some of the Soldiers who ignore laws/rules in the sandbox. How far are you willing to go to win? Yes it may not be the best analogy but it is similar. I assume this applies to your actions as well...not only the team you support. (But we all know what happens when you assume...)

2. Mistakes are mistakes.....cheating is a character flaw...especially at that age. Call it what you want...minor...whatever...staying out late and missing curfew is minor and acceptable sometimes...cheating... well that is a character issue for you, me and everyone else to judge Harrison on.

 

[Gunnails]

Well they say it's only cheating if you get caught.

We can only guess how widespread the use of HGH and steroids is in the NFL. I'll bet every team has some yahoos useing.

 

[ArmyPatsFan]

Eh....."they" are idiots and hide behind statements like that (Merriman) to justify their actions. No doubt this is a bigger problem then what we all know....agree with you there.

 

[mgteich]

And it is owners like the Kraft's who will suipport stronger enforcement measures and stiffer penalties until the practice is stopped.

Well they say it's only cheating if you get caught.

We can only guess how widespread the use of HGH and steroids is in the NFL. I'll bet every team has some yahoos useing.

 

[Tunescribe]

1) Harrison has put the team's season at risk. As you point out, he is very important to the defense.

Good point, but I'm left wondering where he would be WITHOUT having used the HGH to recover so quickly and thoroughly.

I'm on the fence with this issue specifically because the drug was used by Rodney to speed recovery and not as a performance enhancer a la anabolic steroids. I assume the NFL does not test for HGH because it lacks reliable means. Why ban something they can't enforce by testing? I'll bet HGH use is rampant and Harrison's being caught was a rare anomaly.

The four-game suspension vs. longer seems somewhat telling re., the degree of Rodney's "cheating" transgression.

 

[Gunnails]

And it is owners like the Kraft's who will suipport stronger enforcement measures and stiffer penalties until the practice is stopped.

======================================

It will never stop. Too late to put the Genie back in the bottle.

But with tougher testing and penalties I think the League will eventually get a handle on it.