Rodney Harrison: Pats' biggest need is a player like Rodney Harrison

[Fencer]

Rodney Harrison assesses New England Patriots' future - ESPN Boston

Harrison also echoed similar thoughts to last year when he noted one missing ingredient for the team on defense.

“I really believe, if they could get that physical, hard-hitting safety … I think that's something they need to look for,” he said. “Someone like [Seattle's] Kam Chancellor, or even not that big of a safety because it's hard to find safeties that big that can still move. But just somebody when you come across the middle you know you're going to get whacked.”

 

[VJCPatriot]

Yeah if only we could find Harrison the fountain of youth and bring him back. But that's not happening. The Pats need to find another difference maker in the secondary. The Seahawks clearly have the most dominant secondary in the NFL.

 

[Shockt327]

So, he didn't actually name himself...

..but yeah, I can see how/why Rodney would respect the need for a Strong-Safety; that was his position, he obviously understands it.

 

[dales804]

It's been tough to watch that safety position since Rodney left. Does anyone think Harmon is going to take over the other spot next year?

 

[BelizePats]

I wish to hell we'd signed Dashon Golshon the first time we'd had him in for a try out before he signed with the 49ers. I wonder what BB saw that he didn't like? Aside form some questionable drafting, which included some poor selections at safety, this would have stabilized the position with exactly what Harrison is saying we need.

 

[Bella*chick]

LOL, I agree with Rodney.

The Seahawks are made up of a bunch of no-namers. They didn't rely on high draft picks in a philosophy a lot like ours. We should be able to do the same.

 

[dales804]

I wish to hell we'd signed Dashon Golshon the first time we'd had him in for a try out before he signed with the 49ers. I wonder what BB saw that he didn't like? Aside form some questionable drafting, which included some poor selections at safety, this would have stabilized the position with exactly what Harrison is saying we need.

Goldson was offered a contract by NE. BB liked what he saw but Goldson wanted to stick with SF.

 

[Xerostomia]

A playmaker at SS would be outstanding. I know it would never happen, but someone like Palomalu would be perfect? He is 33, on the down side of his career, and Pittsburg needs to get young on defense. He is on his last year for 2014, due about $10 million and then become UFA next year.

 

[voluntarysaftey]

But according to most here, McCourty is an elite safety already that should take away the deep ball.

 

[Shockt327]

But according to most here, McCourty is an elite safety already that should take away the deep ball.

What?

Rodney wasnt talking about a finesse free safety to take away deep passes, like McCourtey.

He specifically points to physical, hard-hitting strong safeties who take away plays over the middle.

 

[Sticky Caulk]

But according to most here, McCourty is an elite safety already that should take away the deep ball.

McCourty = Free safety.
This entire conversation = Strong safety.

 

[PATS16N0]

Agree with Rodney and have since he retired.

 

[Froob]

Safety would have been out for season by week 5 even if we had one last year. Pats have a damn good defense when healthy. A hard hitting safety would be a very nice addition though.

 

[Kontradiction]

My binky last year, Matt Elam, was a hard hitter and is talented. The Pats could have had him. I've been saying the Pats have needed an enforcer type of strong safety since 2009. The Super Bowl winning teams of recent memory have been the more physical teams on the defensive side of the ball. Last night continued that tradition.

 

[Deus Irae]

My binky last year, Matt Elam, was a hard hitter and is talented. The Pats could have had him. I've been saying the Pats have needed an enforcer type of strong safety since 2009. The Super Bowl winning teams of recent memory have been the more physical teams on the defensive side of the ball. Last night continued that tradition.

Two hitters were available - Elam, Swearinger

A ground chewer was available - Cyprien

All 3 players showed significant improvement over the course of the season, and would have been able to be real contributors once the postseason came around.


BB went with A. Wilson and T. Wilson, after the P. Chung fiasco. :bricks:

 

[Kontradiction]

Two hitters were available - Elam, Swearinger

A ground chewer was available - Cyprien

All 3 players showed significant improvement over the course of the season, and would have been able to be real contributors once the postseason came around.


BB went with A. Wilson and T. Wilson, after the P. Chung fiasco. :bricks:

I was hoping for Swearinger after Elam and Vaccarro went and he was available. As it turns out, they felt enough of Harmon to take him in the third after he was previously slotted to go anywhere from the 6th to undrafted, depending on who you listened to.

 

[Deus Irae]

I was hoping for Swearinger after Elam and Vaccarro went and he was available. As it turns out, they felt enough of Harmon to take him in the third after he was previously slotted to go anywhere from the 6th to undrafted, depending on who you listened to.

Harmon-Ryan > Thomas-Sherman


/Patsfans.com

 

[Sciz]

I wish to hell we'd signed Dashon Golshon the first time we'd had him in for a try out before he signed with the 49ers. I wonder what BB saw that he didn't like? Aside form some questionable drafting, which included some poor selections at safety, this would have stabilized the position with exactly what Harrison is saying we need.

Goldson wasn't considered anything special until the season after he met with the Pats. He was essentially Meriweather minus the first round pick status. He could make plays (4 picks and 3 FF in 2009), but wasn't as dependable back deep as you'd like from a safety. In 2011 and 2012, he was Meriweather with more playmaking and a little less stupid. That got him $41M/5yrs with $18M guaranteed.

This past season with the Bucs, he was Meriweather with a little more playmaking and a lot more stupid. There's no way you could watch Goldson this past season and want him on your team on his current contract, unless your goal is to intimidate opposing players with illegal hits (to the tune of 4 fines and a suspension).

 

[Triumph]

Safety would have been out for season by week 5 even if we had one last year. Pats have a damn good defense when healthy. A hard hitting safety would be a very nice addition though.

Adrian Wilson was supposed to be that guy.

Harrison is dead on. The Pats need a DB or LB who is an enforcer.

 

[VrabelJr]

I was hoping for Swearinger after Elam and Vaccarro went and he was available. As it turns out, they felt enough of Harmon to take him in the third after he was previously slotted to go anywhere from the 6th to undrafted, depending on who you listened to.

Harmon played at about the level of a 3rd rounder this year, so we can't really complain. The arrow is definitely pointing up for him.