Heading into Patriots [team stats] minicamp today, that pretty much sums up safety Rodney Harrison [stats]. That, and the usual case of proving somebody wrong.
The Pats’ emotional leader knows he has reached an age at which people will constantly question his health and durability, but the 34-year-old says he feels fine physically and is looking forward to getting back on the field and banging some bodies.
“I’m excited. Being out for so much time, getting back with my team (is good),” said Harrison yesterday, prior to teeing it up in the Patriots Charitable Foundation golf tournament at The International. “Hopefully I can go out there and not have anybody roll into my knees, just have a good, healthy year. That’s what I’m looking for.”
Harrison injured his right knee in the final regular-season game after absorbing a controversial low block from Tennessee Titans [team stats] wide receiver Bobby Wade. Even with time to reflect upon, and rehab from, the injury, Harrison still sounded as steamed as ever yesterday when reliving the hit.
“I think he intentionally tried to blow out my knees, because if he wouldn’t have, he would’ve come and hit me up high,” said Harrison, pointing to his chest. “You don’t go at someone’s knees. That’s their livelihood, that’s the way they make a living. If I get a chance, I’m not going to intentionally try to hurt the guy. With all that being said, it’s football. It wasn’t an illegal hit but there are some things I believe you just don’t do. You don’t intentionally try to take somebody’s knees out. He did. So you move forward.”
Harrison was asked about Moss and how the mercurial receiver was blending in with the team. Harrison gave Moss, who was on hand for the golf outing, a thumbs-up.
“I talked to Randy this morning. Guess what? He was in the weight room, paying the price, working hard,” Harrison said. “He was one of the first guys in there. That’s a positive sign. He’s been here in the offseason program, getting better, learning the system and doing his job.
“He’s already established himself as a great player, a great receiver. It’s just a matter of him being in a situation that he likes, that is conducive to winning. He was in Oakland, where he wasn’t a happy camper. He’s happy now. So I think you’re not going to have any problems with him. Just like people anticipated myself and Corey (Dillon) being troubleheads. He’ll be fine.”
As for Harrison, he’s not dwelling on last year’s injury.
“I can’t worry about (what’s happened in the past),” Harrison said. “I’m going to look guys in the eye. I’ve worked extremely hard this year. I’ve done everything I possibly could do to get back to being healthy, and the level of health I’m used to being at. If something happens, that’s out of my control.”
source:patriots.bostonherald.com
The Pats’ emotional leader knows he has reached an age at which people will constantly question his health and durability, but the 34-year-old says he feels fine physically and is looking forward to getting back on the field and banging some bodies.
“I’m excited. Being out for so much time, getting back with my team (is good),” said Harrison yesterday, prior to teeing it up in the Patriots Charitable Foundation golf tournament at The International. “Hopefully I can go out there and not have anybody roll into my knees, just have a good, healthy year. That’s what I’m looking for.”
Harrison injured his right knee in the final regular-season game after absorbing a controversial low block from Tennessee Titans [team stats] wide receiver Bobby Wade. Even with time to reflect upon, and rehab from, the injury, Harrison still sounded as steamed as ever yesterday when reliving the hit.
“I think he intentionally tried to blow out my knees, because if he wouldn’t have, he would’ve come and hit me up high,” said Harrison, pointing to his chest. “You don’t go at someone’s knees. That’s their livelihood, that’s the way they make a living. If I get a chance, I’m not going to intentionally try to hurt the guy. With all that being said, it’s football. It wasn’t an illegal hit but there are some things I believe you just don’t do. You don’t intentionally try to take somebody’s knees out. He did. So you move forward.”
Harrison was asked about Moss and how the mercurial receiver was blending in with the team. Harrison gave Moss, who was on hand for the golf outing, a thumbs-up.
“I talked to Randy this morning. Guess what? He was in the weight room, paying the price, working hard,” Harrison said. “He was one of the first guys in there. That’s a positive sign. He’s been here in the offseason program, getting better, learning the system and doing his job.
“He’s already established himself as a great player, a great receiver. It’s just a matter of him being in a situation that he likes, that is conducive to winning. He was in Oakland, where he wasn’t a happy camper. He’s happy now. So I think you’re not going to have any problems with him. Just like people anticipated myself and Corey (Dillon) being troubleheads. He’ll be fine.”
As for Harrison, he’s not dwelling on last year’s injury.
“I can’t worry about (what’s happened in the past),” Harrison said. “I’m going to look guys in the eye. I’ve worked extremely hard this year. I’ve done everything I possibly could do to get back to being healthy, and the level of health I’m used to being at. If something happens, that’s out of my control.”
source:patriots.bostonherald.com
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