Former Patriot-turned-NBC analyst Rodney Harrison tossed a few more logs onto the fire of Sunday's Jets-Patriots game at the Meadowlands. Harrison wasn't thrilled with Jets safety Kerry Rhodes' comments this week that the Jets wanted to "embarrass" the Patriots Sunday.
He offered his opinions and repeatedly referred to the Patriots as "us" and "we" during the interview. He also misrepresented a portion of Rhodes' comments by saying that the Jets were looking to take Tom Brady's knees out. (Rhodes clearly stated that the Jets weren't going to resort to any cheap tactics).
"I respect Kerry Rhodes as a playmaker, but he's not a tough guy," Harrison said in an interview with Michael Kay on ESPN 1050 radio Friday. "I've seen him turn down tackles many a time.... Guys are not happy with Kerry Rhodes talking and Rex Ryan talking. It's just blatant disrespect. You don't talk like that. Some nerve of this guy to come out and really say that. He's going to have to back it up."
Harrison retired this offseason and is currently with NBC.
"You just beat Houston. You beat HOUSTON. Now all of a sudden, Mark Sanchez is Joe Namath and Rex Ryan is Buddy Ryan. He's the best coach ever,'' said Harrison, mocking the Jets' bravado.
Harrison was even more to the point when talking about the Patriots-Jets rivalry. Since the Patriots don't talk, Harrison is the first person from their camp to provide any insight because he was just there last season and still knows the locker room.
"These teams both hate one another, regardless of what people might think,'' he said. "These guys want to rip each other's heads off. ... The interesting comment that Kerry Rhodes made is the fact that Tom Brady won't step into his throws because he's afraid of guys being around him. Now I'm not the smartest guy but if I read a little into that it means they're going to try to go after Tom Brady's knees. ...
"As far as him coming out saying he wants to embarrass us, I can understand that. But let's stay a little humble. When you start talking like that you really set yourself up and put all the pressure on yourself. The Patriots haven't said anything. Now all the pressure is on the Jets.
"And who does all the pressure fall on? Not only the head coach but the quarterback. You have a young rookie quarterback that's going to have to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders.''
Harrison said that the Patriots feel "disrespected'' by the Jets and "guys aren't happy with Rex Ryan and Kerry Rhodes talking. You best believe those guys are going to come out fired up.''
