September 19, 2023 • 16 mins
In this edition of Pats from the Past, Matt Smith and Paul Perillo sit down with former Patriots safety Rodney Harrison. Harrison discusses the difference, now as a broadcaster, on his drives into Gillette Stadium, and the person he rides with that makes it even more unique. Find out his favorite Gillette Stadium moment. What was the best team he played on? 2004 Patriots or 2007 Patriots. Plus, much more.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
It's time for another episode of Pats from the Past podcast.
Matt Smith Paul Frillo joined by number thirty seven on
your scorecard, but number one in our hearts at least,
Rodney Harrison. Horrod, How you.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Doing, man, man? I am doing great.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Good to be home, Good to see you guys, and
looking for a great Patriots game tonight.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
How's it going with NBC? Rodney? You still love it?
Speaker 2 (00:28):
I do. I'm very passionate about it.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
I spent twelve years in the studio and then the
last three years I've been out at the field location
and was just really extremely excited for Devin mccordy getting
an opportunity that he got. NBC likes Patriot guys, and
he's smart and he's doing a wonderful job. Really proud
of him.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Before we started here, I was actually thinking about this.
Here comes Rodney Harrison driving into Patriot Place, a drive
that you are familiar with for many, many times, but
you're in a different partner of your life.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
I am.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
When you're driving in here, Rodney, what coach through your mind?
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Just so many great memories, just the opportunity to be
able to come out here and play and coach Bill
and Robert Kraft giving me the opportunity to come out
here and really just be part of something special and
all the great players that I played with. But also,
you know, just riding over here with Tony Dungee. It
brought up some great memories of us just kicking the
(01:22):
coach butt and just bonding together as a team, and
just all those hard practices in the rain, in the snow,
and just it gave me a greater appreciation for everything
that we've accomplished, because it's very difficult to do.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
Yeah, we were joking around just before we started. My
guess is that Tony's memories on quite as woman fuzzy
as yours. You know, for September, it couldn't be a
more perfect night. He was probably wondering why it's not
snowing as he was as he was driving in.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
But I'll tell you this man, just talking to coach,
he has a lot of respect for the Patriots organization,
Coach Bill and everything that we've accomplished. And I mean
those battles were epic. You know, you're talking going against
Dungee and how well prepared he had his team, Peyton
Manning and all the great players that they had. I mean,
I can't believe I'm fifty years old when I want
to go here, brother, I was, you know, twenty nine
(02:12):
years old, and now I'm fifty. And just like you
talked about a different part with kids, I got a
sun that plays for the University of Tennessee who got
their butts kicked yesterday. But it's just really nice to
be back. And it's nice to see you guys still
you know, talking football.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Appreciate that. Appreciate that. So I'm gonna put you on
the spot a little bit here as you're waxing nostalgia
and it's amazing what life. You know, It's amazing what
life is. But who would have ever thought fifteen years
ago that you and Tony Dungee would be together on
a broadcast and doing that. That's a small world that
your lives interestct like that. Do you have a favorite
(02:48):
memory here at this stadium? Obviously you want a super
Bowl in Houston? Do you want a super Bowl in Jacksonville?
And those are things that I got a believer at
the pinnacle of your professional football career, you let Rodney,
is there something special that you remember that that takes
a cake of the ultimate memory that you might have.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
I think just I don't know, I don't remember the
exact game, but just when Coach Belichick, I think it
was when it was an AFC championship game, when he
gave me a big hug and say I'm glad we
got you here. That was a very special moment because
all I ever wanted to do was make him proud
of me and let him know that the decision that
(03:26):
he you know, that he made bringing me here, that
that wasn't a bad decision, and he gave me an
opportunity when so many around the league kind of frowned
upon Rodney Harrison.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
He believed in me.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
He gave me a bunch of freedom where I can
go out there and just play and express myself. And
I just couldn't love love a coach more than I
got love for Coach Belichick.
Speaker 4 (03:46):
You talk about that freedom that he gave you, and
I wanted to ask you about. And it was one
of the two playoff games. I'm not sure if it
was three or oh four, but when you and Ti
sort of it must have been all three, because I
don't think he had three picks. Yeah, and you guys
kind of swapped like you were kind of up like
the corner spot, like popping guys, and allowed tie to
you know, just that kind of freedom. Was that something
that you guys had spoken about before.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
That man, and he never really questioned. He said, hey,
you guys kind of do what you want to do
as long as you're in a proper spot and you
guys communicate. And that's the type of freedom that he
allows veteran players, guys.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
That he trusts.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
We put so much hard work and effort in and preparations,
so when we did something like that, I know he's
on the sideline panicking, but you know, ty Law and
I I mean to be able to play with a
guy like Tye, a Hall of Famer, you know, and
Richard Seymour and Vince will Fork and those guys, I mean,
I had some special players out in San Diego. But
to be able to play with some Hall of famers
(04:39):
and some guys like Willie McGinn as, Kevin Falk, Troy Brown,
I mean, these guys are legends. These guys are not
only are they brilliant football players, they're very smart people.
And to be able to have that opportunity was just
truly a blessing.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
And don't tell yourself short.
Speaker 4 (04:53):
You had the probably the biggest pick of that game
when they went right down the field the first drive,
you had the interception in the end zone, Right, Is
that how that all started? Well, stepped in front.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
Of we all try to we all try to set
the tone, and it's not about one player. It's about
the team. And you know, I can't, you don't know.
I got to mention my boy Tom Brady. You know,
just seeing Tom get the love that he got last
week coming back to the stadium, and just seeing how
old of a man he was.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
You see how tired that dude was. He was tired,
breathing hard. I thought, TV.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
Now look at Roddie. I mean, you're you've got a
job that takes you to Where were you last Sunday?
You're in New York right for the Giants Dallas game,
Kansas City before that. Yeah, And I don't know if
you saw this. Did you see the guys on the
sideline that were there. You mentioned Kevin Falk earlier, Kevin
Fox in the front where all the former players were,
and he's chanting Brady Brady. Great, there's Dan Graham, you know,
(05:53):
Kevin Fock, Darrell Reeves came back for the game to
see that kind of close knit rush hokestein, you know,
Dan copen Am those guys coming back to just want
to appreciate Tom. That made somebody who's been here for
a long time. Made me feel good because that means
it's important to these people to be there.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
And it also shows you how much of an impact
Tom has had, not only just on the guys that
he works with, you know, as far as the offense,
but everybody. I mean, Tom has made such an impact.
When I came here, we used to have lunch together.
We used to sit down and have conversations and just
talk about life, talk about perspective. And I just see,
you know, Tom, twenty years later, he's you can see
(06:34):
his personality. You see him smiling, laughing and being the
genuine funny guy that we saw everybody else.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Man, is this guy a robot? Does he ever smile?
Does he have any emotion?
Speaker 3 (06:44):
But now since he's retired, he could take a deep breath.
He's gone through a lot and now you know, he's
just living his best life.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
What has it been like working with with Devin? You
know you have mentioned that you have all the former
Patriots coming back. What's it like been a teammate with
him now and it's.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
Just a very humble young man, a guy that has
such a beautiful future. I mean, he was a heck
of a football player, great free safety. I think he
was the best free safety that played under Belichick in
the Patriots uniform. A guy that it matters to him
and you can tell with his preparation the conversations that
we've had. I try to offer him a little bit
of advice, but just a family man, great husband. I'm
(07:23):
just extremely proud. I never thought that NBC would give
another Patriots safety and opportunity, So I felt really proud
of that because I take pride in my job. I
take pride in trying to do the right thing, being consistent.
It's been fifteen years and people, look, oh, what happened
to You're not in the studio. Well, God had something
different from me. I went from the studio to being
(07:44):
on the field where I can interact with players, coaches,
general managers and just being so close to the game.
And Devin's doing such a wonderful job in the studio.
Come on, man, two Patriots doing Sunday night football.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
Yeah, maybe NBC knew what a tandem that would have been.
Oh my gosh, with the free safety like Devi and
Thenool definite.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
I definitely wanted his contract, but.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Oh yeah, yeah, it's not a big sample size. Rodney
and your student. You're so you're watching everything. How have
they done? And you don't replace Devin mccordy, You don't
replace Rodney Hasson, So how what have you seen that
they're trying to do? Because he was such an integral
part of the communication, making sure that everybody's in the
right spot and everything like that. What have you seen
as they're trying to.
Speaker 3 (08:28):
Replace, Well, I think the players that they get. Obviously,
you can't just learn one position. You have to be
able to learn multiple positions. And if you can't communicate,
you can't play with the Patriots. I don't care if
you're a corner, because at times, even if you're a corner,
Marcus Jones, he's playing safety. Sometimes you know Kyle Dugart
he's playing deep middle part of the field, but he's
also playing linebacker, but he's also playing strong safety in
(08:48):
the box. So you have to be able to know
and be able to communicate multiple positions. And when I
come off the field. I have to be able to say, okay, guys,
this is what happened at the linebacker position, but also
be able to switch my mindset to this is what
happened at the nickel spot. So these guys are smart.
They all communicate and they know that they have to
be efficient at every position that they play.
Speaker 4 (09:08):
Could you have played you know the way they do it?
Speaker 2 (09:11):
Could you have figured it out?
Speaker 3 (09:12):
See the difference would have been And the reason why
I used to hit guys up high because guys would
actually come and tell me, hey, rod, come on, avoid
my knees because I'm trying to make a living. I
got three kids and a wife, and I'm like, cool,
I don't mind. I don't want to hit you in
the knees. But if you're asking me, I can go
full speed and hit a guy in his knees now,
as opposed to hitting him up high trying to protect him,
(09:34):
then I would have made the necessary adjustments. Definitely.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
We're having a conversation with former Patriot and Patriot Hall
of Famer Rodney Harrison later this fall. Next month. To
be exact, two people are actually going into the Patriots
Hall of Fame. The people's choice from a voting standpoint.
Linebacker Mike Grabil, who has shared many memories with Yes,
an offensive line coach or coach for that matter, Dante
Scarneckie to know that, Yes, Robert Kraft put him in
(10:01):
as a contributor for his decades of service. I mean,
Sky was coaching when Tip was playing.
Speaker 3 (10:08):
Let me just tell you, when I was here, we
had talent on an offensive line, but we didn't. It
wasn't like we had a bunch of first rounders. And Dante,
he was the driving force behind our tough mentality offensive offensively,
making sure that the offensive line was intact. The guys
played physical, they played smart, they played well with Tom
(10:29):
Brady and just bringing that consistency for so many years.
As far as Vrabel, we always knew that Vrabel was
gonna be a success. Coaching always knew that because he
was always the smartest guy in the room. He was
and he wasn't afraid to ask questions. He wasn't afraid
to challenge Romeo Cornell, coach Belichick, and he would always
bust our chops, ask us questions, laugh at us if
(10:50):
coach asked us a question and we got it wrong.
I mean Vrabel was really one of the light guys
in the locker room, but when it came on as
far as X's and O's, I mean, he was brilliant.
So I'm just extremely proud of him, his work, ethic
in the weight room and just everything that he embodied.
It was always about the team. You never hear Mike
Rabel saying anything about me, me, me. It was always
(11:11):
about how can I contribute and become a better, you know, teammate.
And I'm just I'm really happy for him.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
Man.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
It almost brings tears to my eyes because you know,
when you're playing with these guys, you see how much
they sacrifice. You've seen the sacrifices to people realize, look
at Tom Brady, they don't understand, you know, the sacrifice
that he made to get to where he's at, you know,
and all of us. You know, it's just it's just
really really special. And just being back here with you guys.
(11:39):
You guys have treated me well for so many years
and I just appreciate you.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
Thank you.
Speaker 4 (11:45):
So he wanted to talk to you about you and
the Hall of Fame. Obviously you're already in here in Foxborough,
but the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and you know,
Matt has some notes here that he put together. And
you know there's only two players in the history of
football with thirty sacks and thirty picks. Ray Lewis is
the other one and the other one sitting to my left.
So do you think about it a lot and does
(12:08):
it frustrate you at all that you haven't gotten more
of a push.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
No, I don't think about it a lot, and it
doesn't really frustrate me because the people that know me most,
they know the work that I put in and the
impact that I've tried to make on my teammates in
the community. And that's what's important to me. If my
teammates can look at me and say, we respect you,
we respect.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
Your hard work.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
And if I can make a difference in the community
like I've been able to make the last thirty years
in the National Football League, that's the thing that makes
me a Hall of Famer in my eyes. Okay, being
a Hall of Fame dad, being a great husband, you know,
being committed to my family. Those are the things that
are so important to me. If they name me Hall
of Fame, that would be great. If they don't name
(12:50):
me Hall of Fame. I'm fine with it because you know,
the New England Patriot fans, they know football players, and
it's no way they they vote for me and invest
the type of time and effort that they invested in
me if I weren't worthy of that. And you look
at some of the guys that were chosen in front
of me and you kind of just shake your head
(13:11):
and like, wow, I'm not going to name any guys
in particular, but well.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
When you're not here, I will embarrassing.
Speaker 3 (13:18):
But then you know, then you know when you start
to think is it political and is it personal? And
at the end of the day, I don't have enough
time and effort to sit back and wonder why somebody's not.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
Voting for me.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
Smart and it's great way to be I mean, so
be it for people like Paul and myself to talk
about it. But Coach Bill, as you like to say,
has made it known to many people. There's only two
guys in the Hall of Fame. There's only two guys
in the history of the game, thirty picks, thirty sacks,
and one of them's in there. Why isn't the other
guy in there? And I think it's a legitimate question.
Speaker 4 (13:47):
That's all, and you talk about the different things. And again,
I know how classy you are, and I've really enjoyed
covering you, you know, throughout your time here, so I
know you won't get into it, but it's you know,
you look at these these accolades and Pro Bowls are
lacking because that's a popularity contest. All pros are not,
you know, like all pro is the best in the
in the in the league. I don't care who's who's
(14:08):
deciding it. So I'm sorry if you're one of the
two best players at your position in the league multiple
times during your career, and then there are other guys,
so Matt and I my long way of saying Matt
and I will make the argument that you don't want
to have to do on your because you're too classy
to do it.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
But there's something needs to change there. Ronnie's got some
studying to do before he gets going on for his
real job. One last question for me, I'm going to
put you on the spoat again. Best team that you
were on, the four team or the seven team.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
I would say the four team because we finished. I
don't care how much talent you have. I don't care
you know what you accomplished. Number wise, if you can't finish,
then you know we're not. You can't consider us the
best team oh four. Then you think about it. We
were trying to repeat. Not consciously we're trying to repeat,
(15:00):
you know, because you're erase it and you try to
move on to the next season. But to be able
to win back to back championships is something that hasn't
been done in over twenty years.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
My homes has tried to do it.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
They can't do it. You know, Brady's tried to do it.
He couldn't do it with Tampa. It's very difficult to do.
And I'm just like I said, this is my moment
opportunity to say thank you to all the fans that
have supported me, that have been here for me, cheered
for me, raised me up, lifted me up when I
got injured, encouraged me, and have prayed for me. So
(15:30):
I thank these fans. I thank you guys for this opportunity.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
His name is Rodney Harrison. You can watch him tonight
and every Sunday night on Sunday Night Football Football Night
in America. Don't miss it. It's the best pregame show
around and I say that with not a hint of hyperbole.
It is the best pregame turn couldn't see you kidding.
Speaker 5 (15:49):
Thank you, Thanks for time, Thank you, Thank you for
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Be sure to check Patriots dot com for more news
and more podcasts.
It's time for another episode of Pats from the Past podcast.
Matt Smith Paul Frillo joined by number thirty seven on
your scorecard, but number one in our hearts at least,
Rodney Harrison. Horrod, How you.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Doing, man, man? I am doing great.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Good to be home, Good to see you guys, and
looking for a great Patriots game tonight.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
How's it going with NBC? Rodney? You still love it?
Speaker 2 (00:28):
I do. I'm very passionate about it.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
I spent twelve years in the studio and then the
last three years I've been out at the field location
and was just really extremely excited for Devin mccordy getting
an opportunity that he got. NBC likes Patriot guys, and
he's smart and he's doing a wonderful job. Really proud
of him.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Before we started here, I was actually thinking about this.
Here comes Rodney Harrison driving into Patriot Place, a drive
that you are familiar with for many, many times, but
you're in a different partner of your life.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
I am.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
When you're driving in here, Rodney, what coach through your mind?
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Just so many great memories, just the opportunity to be
able to come out here and play and coach Bill
and Robert Kraft giving me the opportunity to come out
here and really just be part of something special and
all the great players that I played with. But also,
you know, just riding over here with Tony Dungee. It
brought up some great memories of us just kicking the
(01:22):
coach butt and just bonding together as a team, and
just all those hard practices in the rain, in the snow,
and just it gave me a greater appreciation for everything
that we've accomplished, because it's very difficult to do.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
Yeah, we were joking around just before we started. My
guess is that Tony's memories on quite as woman fuzzy
as yours. You know, for September, it couldn't be a
more perfect night. He was probably wondering why it's not
snowing as he was as he was driving in.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
But I'll tell you this man, just talking to coach,
he has a lot of respect for the Patriots organization,
Coach Bill and everything that we've accomplished. And I mean
those battles were epic. You know, you're talking going against
Dungee and how well prepared he had his team, Peyton
Manning and all the great players that they had. I mean,
I can't believe I'm fifty years old when I want
to go here, brother, I was, you know, twenty nine
(02:12):
years old, and now I'm fifty. And just like you
talked about a different part with kids, I got a
sun that plays for the University of Tennessee who got
their butts kicked yesterday. But it's just really nice to
be back. And it's nice to see you guys still
you know, talking football.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Appreciate that. Appreciate that. So I'm gonna put you on
the spot a little bit here as you're waxing nostalgia
and it's amazing what life. You know, It's amazing what
life is. But who would have ever thought fifteen years
ago that you and Tony Dungee would be together on
a broadcast and doing that. That's a small world that
your lives interestct like that. Do you have a favorite
(02:48):
memory here at this stadium? Obviously you want a super
Bowl in Houston? Do you want a super Bowl in Jacksonville?
And those are things that I got a believer at
the pinnacle of your professional football career, you let Rodney,
is there something special that you remember that that takes
a cake of the ultimate memory that you might have.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
I think just I don't know, I don't remember the
exact game, but just when Coach Belichick, I think it
was when it was an AFC championship game, when he
gave me a big hug and say I'm glad we
got you here. That was a very special moment because
all I ever wanted to do was make him proud
of me and let him know that the decision that
(03:26):
he you know, that he made bringing me here, that
that wasn't a bad decision, and he gave me an
opportunity when so many around the league kind of frowned
upon Rodney Harrison.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
He believed in me.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
He gave me a bunch of freedom where I can
go out there and just play and express myself. And
I just couldn't love love a coach more than I
got love for Coach Belichick.
Speaker 4 (03:46):
You talk about that freedom that he gave you, and
I wanted to ask you about. And it was one
of the two playoff games. I'm not sure if it
was three or oh four, but when you and Ti
sort of it must have been all three, because I
don't think he had three picks. Yeah, and you guys
kind of swapped like you were kind of up like
the corner spot, like popping guys, and allowed tie to
you know, just that kind of freedom. Was that something
that you guys had spoken about before.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
That man, and he never really questioned. He said, hey,
you guys kind of do what you want to do
as long as you're in a proper spot and you
guys communicate. And that's the type of freedom that he
allows veteran players, guys.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
That he trusts.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
We put so much hard work and effort in and preparations,
so when we did something like that, I know he's
on the sideline panicking, but you know, ty Law and
I I mean to be able to play with a
guy like Tye, a Hall of Famer, you know, and
Richard Seymour and Vince will Fork and those guys, I mean,
I had some special players out in San Diego. But
to be able to play with some Hall of famers
(04:39):
and some guys like Willie McGinn as, Kevin Falk, Troy Brown,
I mean, these guys are legends. These guys are not
only are they brilliant football players, they're very smart people.
And to be able to have that opportunity was just
truly a blessing.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
And don't tell yourself short.
Speaker 4 (04:53):
You had the probably the biggest pick of that game
when they went right down the field the first drive,
you had the interception in the end zone, Right, Is
that how that all started? Well, stepped in front.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
Of we all try to we all try to set
the tone, and it's not about one player. It's about
the team. And you know, I can't, you don't know.
I got to mention my boy Tom Brady. You know,
just seeing Tom get the love that he got last
week coming back to the stadium, and just seeing how
old of a man he was.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
You see how tired that dude was. He was tired,
breathing hard. I thought, TV.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
Now look at Roddie. I mean, you're you've got a
job that takes you to Where were you last Sunday?
You're in New York right for the Giants Dallas game,
Kansas City before that. Yeah, And I don't know if
you saw this. Did you see the guys on the
sideline that were there. You mentioned Kevin Falk earlier, Kevin
Fox in the front where all the former players were,
and he's chanting Brady Brady. Great, there's Dan Graham, you know,
(05:53):
Kevin Fock, Darrell Reeves came back for the game to
see that kind of close knit rush hokestein, you know,
Dan copen Am those guys coming back to just want
to appreciate Tom. That made somebody who's been here for
a long time. Made me feel good because that means
it's important to these people to be there.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
And it also shows you how much of an impact
Tom has had, not only just on the guys that
he works with, you know, as far as the offense,
but everybody. I mean, Tom has made such an impact.
When I came here, we used to have lunch together.
We used to sit down and have conversations and just
talk about life, talk about perspective. And I just see,
you know, Tom, twenty years later, he's you can see
(06:34):
his personality. You see him smiling, laughing and being the
genuine funny guy that we saw everybody else.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Man, is this guy a robot? Does he ever smile?
Does he have any emotion?
Speaker 3 (06:44):
But now since he's retired, he could take a deep breath.
He's gone through a lot and now you know, he's
just living his best life.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
What has it been like working with with Devin? You
know you have mentioned that you have all the former
Patriots coming back. What's it like been a teammate with
him now and it's.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
Just a very humble young man, a guy that has
such a beautiful future. I mean, he was a heck
of a football player, great free safety. I think he
was the best free safety that played under Belichick in
the Patriots uniform. A guy that it matters to him
and you can tell with his preparation the conversations that
we've had. I try to offer him a little bit
of advice, but just a family man, great husband. I'm
(07:23):
just extremely proud. I never thought that NBC would give
another Patriots safety and opportunity, So I felt really proud
of that because I take pride in my job. I
take pride in trying to do the right thing, being consistent.
It's been fifteen years and people, look, oh, what happened
to You're not in the studio. Well, God had something
different from me. I went from the studio to being
(07:44):
on the field where I can interact with players, coaches,
general managers and just being so close to the game.
And Devin's doing such a wonderful job in the studio.
Come on, man, two Patriots doing Sunday night football.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
Yeah, maybe NBC knew what a tandem that would have been.
Oh my gosh, with the free safety like Devi and
Thenool definite.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
I definitely wanted his contract, but.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Oh yeah, yeah, it's not a big sample size. Rodney
and your student. You're so you're watching everything. How have
they done? And you don't replace Devin mccordy, You don't
replace Rodney Hasson, So how what have you seen that
they're trying to do? Because he was such an integral
part of the communication, making sure that everybody's in the
right spot and everything like that. What have you seen
as they're trying to.
Speaker 3 (08:28):
Replace, Well, I think the players that they get. Obviously,
you can't just learn one position. You have to be
able to learn multiple positions. And if you can't communicate,
you can't play with the Patriots. I don't care if
you're a corner, because at times, even if you're a corner,
Marcus Jones, he's playing safety. Sometimes you know Kyle Dugart
he's playing deep middle part of the field, but he's
also playing linebacker, but he's also playing strong safety in
(08:48):
the box. So you have to be able to know
and be able to communicate multiple positions. And when I
come off the field. I have to be able to say, okay, guys,
this is what happened at the linebacker position, but also
be able to switch my mindset to this is what
happened at the nickel spot. So these guys are smart.
They all communicate and they know that they have to
be efficient at every position that they play.
Speaker 4 (09:08):
Could you have played you know the way they do it?
Speaker 2 (09:11):
Could you have figured it out?
Speaker 3 (09:12):
See the difference would have been And the reason why
I used to hit guys up high because guys would
actually come and tell me, hey, rod, come on, avoid
my knees because I'm trying to make a living. I
got three kids and a wife, and I'm like, cool,
I don't mind. I don't want to hit you in
the knees. But if you're asking me, I can go
full speed and hit a guy in his knees now,
as opposed to hitting him up high trying to protect him,
(09:34):
then I would have made the necessary adjustments. Definitely.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
We're having a conversation with former Patriot and Patriot Hall
of Famer Rodney Harrison later this fall. Next month. To
be exact, two people are actually going into the Patriots
Hall of Fame. The people's choice from a voting standpoint.
Linebacker Mike Grabil, who has shared many memories with Yes,
an offensive line coach or coach for that matter, Dante
Scarneckie to know that, Yes, Robert Kraft put him in
(10:01):
as a contributor for his decades of service. I mean,
Sky was coaching when Tip was playing.
Speaker 3 (10:08):
Let me just tell you, when I was here, we
had talent on an offensive line, but we didn't. It
wasn't like we had a bunch of first rounders. And Dante,
he was the driving force behind our tough mentality offensive offensively,
making sure that the offensive line was intact. The guys
played physical, they played smart, they played well with Tom
(10:29):
Brady and just bringing that consistency for so many years.
As far as Vrabel, we always knew that Vrabel was
gonna be a success. Coaching always knew that because he
was always the smartest guy in the room. He was
and he wasn't afraid to ask questions. He wasn't afraid
to challenge Romeo Cornell, coach Belichick, and he would always
bust our chops, ask us questions, laugh at us if
(10:50):
coach asked us a question and we got it wrong.
I mean Vrabel was really one of the light guys
in the locker room, but when it came on as
far as X's and O's, I mean, he was brilliant.
So I'm just extremely proud of him, his work, ethic
in the weight room and just everything that he embodied.
It was always about the team. You never hear Mike
Rabel saying anything about me, me, me. It was always
(11:11):
about how can I contribute and become a better, you know, teammate.
And I'm just I'm really happy for him.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
Man.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
It almost brings tears to my eyes because you know,
when you're playing with these guys, you see how much
they sacrifice. You've seen the sacrifices to people realize, look
at Tom Brady, they don't understand, you know, the sacrifice
that he made to get to where he's at, you know,
and all of us. You know, it's just it's just
really really special. And just being back here with you guys.
(11:39):
You guys have treated me well for so many years
and I just appreciate you.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
Thank you.
Speaker 4 (11:45):
So he wanted to talk to you about you and
the Hall of Fame. Obviously you're already in here in Foxborough,
but the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and you know,
Matt has some notes here that he put together. And
you know there's only two players in the history of
football with thirty sacks and thirty picks. Ray Lewis is
the other one and the other one sitting to my left.
So do you think about it a lot and does
(12:08):
it frustrate you at all that you haven't gotten more
of a push.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
No, I don't think about it a lot, and it
doesn't really frustrate me because the people that know me most,
they know the work that I put in and the
impact that I've tried to make on my teammates in
the community. And that's what's important to me. If my
teammates can look at me and say, we respect you,
we respect.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
Your hard work.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
And if I can make a difference in the community
like I've been able to make the last thirty years
in the National Football League, that's the thing that makes
me a Hall of Famer in my eyes. Okay, being
a Hall of Fame dad, being a great husband, you know,
being committed to my family. Those are the things that
are so important to me. If they name me Hall
of Fame, that would be great. If they don't name
(12:50):
me Hall of Fame. I'm fine with it because you know,
the New England Patriot fans, they know football players, and
it's no way they they vote for me and invest
the type of time and effort that they invested in
me if I weren't worthy of that. And you look
at some of the guys that were chosen in front
of me and you kind of just shake your head
(13:11):
and like, wow, I'm not going to name any guys
in particular, but well.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
When you're not here, I will embarrassing.
Speaker 3 (13:18):
But then you know, then you know when you start
to think is it political and is it personal? And
at the end of the day, I don't have enough
time and effort to sit back and wonder why somebody's not.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
Voting for me.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
Smart and it's great way to be I mean, so
be it for people like Paul and myself to talk
about it. But Coach Bill, as you like to say,
has made it known to many people. There's only two
guys in the Hall of Fame. There's only two guys
in the history of the game, thirty picks, thirty sacks,
and one of them's in there. Why isn't the other
guy in there? And I think it's a legitimate question.
Speaker 4 (13:47):
That's all, and you talk about the different things. And again,
I know how classy you are, and I've really enjoyed
covering you, you know, throughout your time here, so I
know you won't get into it, but it's you know,
you look at these these accolades and Pro Bowls are
lacking because that's a popularity contest. All pros are not,
you know, like all pro is the best in the
in the in the league. I don't care who's who's
(14:08):
deciding it. So I'm sorry if you're one of the
two best players at your position in the league multiple
times during your career, and then there are other guys,
so Matt and I my long way of saying Matt
and I will make the argument that you don't want
to have to do on your because you're too classy
to do it.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
But there's something needs to change there. Ronnie's got some
studying to do before he gets going on for his
real job. One last question for me, I'm going to
put you on the spoat again. Best team that you
were on, the four team or the seven team.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
I would say the four team because we finished. I
don't care how much talent you have. I don't care
you know what you accomplished. Number wise, if you can't finish,
then you know we're not. You can't consider us the
best team oh four. Then you think about it. We
were trying to repeat. Not consciously we're trying to repeat,
(15:00):
you know, because you're erase it and you try to
move on to the next season. But to be able
to win back to back championships is something that hasn't
been done in over twenty years.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
My homes has tried to do it.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
They can't do it. You know, Brady's tried to do it.
He couldn't do it with Tampa. It's very difficult to do.
And I'm just like I said, this is my moment
opportunity to say thank you to all the fans that
have supported me, that have been here for me, cheered
for me, raised me up, lifted me up when I
got injured, encouraged me, and have prayed for me. So
(15:30):
I thank these fans. I thank you guys for this opportunity.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
His name is Rodney Harrison. You can watch him tonight
and every Sunday night on Sunday Night Football Football Night
in America. Don't miss it. It's the best pregame show
around and I say that with not a hint of hyperbole.
It is the best pregame turn couldn't see you kidding.
Speaker 5 (15:49):
Thank you, Thanks for time, Thank you, Thank you for
downloading this podcast. Subscribe on the Apple, google Play, and
everywhere else you listen. Like the show, Please rate and
review us. Listener comments and ratings help keep us high
on the podcast rankings so new listeners can find us.
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