An Ode to Rodney Harrison, the Greatest Free Agent Signing in Patriots History

The NFL free agency market has been quiet lately. The 2020 NFL Draft, which runs April 23-25, is the feature event football fans now have to look forward to.

This year’s free agency period was brutal for the New England Patriots. They were gutted with departures, as franchise icon Tom Brady defected to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after 20 legendary seasons in New England.

The Patriots also lost linebackers Kyle Van Noy (Dolphins) and Jamie Collins (Lions). They did, however, add safety Adrian Phillips. An undrafted free agent, Phillips originally entered the NFL with the then-San Diego Chargers in 2014. The defensive back is most known for his elite special teams’ play. He earned a Pro Bowl nod and was named to the first-team All-Pro in 2018, both as a special teamer. Phillips suffered a broken arm in Week 2 last year, a season-ending injury that effectively ended his six-year run with the Chargers.

With the exciting part of free agency come and gone, it gives us a chance to look back on prior free agent signings. Specifically with regards to the Patriots, who is the best signing in team history? That honor belongs to Rodney Harrison.

Rodney Harrison: Patriots Career (2003-08) Overview 

After being released by the Chargers in February of 2003, the 31-year-old safety Harrison joined the Patriots on a six-year pact.

Harrison shined in his first season in New England, leading all NFL defensive backs in tackles (143) in an All-Pro campaign. Named a defensive captain, Harrison helped the Patriots win the Super Bowl with a dominant postseason, collecting two interceptions and a forced fumble across three playoff victories. He picked off a Jake Delhomme pass in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

The following season, Harrison again led the league in tackles (138). He was a second-team All-Pro selection in 2004 and again made his mark in the postseason. Harrison intercepted Peyton Manning for the second consecutive postseason, this time in the divisional round in the Patriots’ win over the Indianapolis Colts. He had Manning’s number, and the five-time NFL MVP quarterback even gave a shutout to Harrison in his Hall of Fame speech.

Harrison came through with a pick-six the following week against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship. He intercepted a pass from then-rookie Ben Roethlisberger and returned it 87 yards for a TD.  

Adding to his playoff legacy, Harrison intercepted two more passes in Super Bowl XXXIX versus the Philadelphia Eagles. Harrison was the Patriots’ best defensive player during that postseason, amassing four interceptions and leading New England to its second straight title.

Mike Vrabel (right) celebrates with Rodney Harrison (left) after the safety secured a game-sealing interception in Super Bowl 39. (AP)

Following the 2008 season, Harrison retired from the NFL after 15 seasons—six with the Patriots. Across six years in New England, he accumulated 634 tackles with eight interceptions, 32 pass breakups, seven forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and nine sacks. In addition to his regular-season totals, Harrison also mustered seven interceptions in nine playoffs contests.

2014 Pro Bowl Unconferenced Ballot: Offensive Players

The NFL Pro Bowl will no longer be played between the AFC and NFC. Instead, players will be chosen  regardless of their respective conference. Each position has a certain amount of players that will be selected, with the hope that the best players will make the game, no what conference they play in.

"The NFL's top two vote-getters on offense and defense become team captains for Deion Sanders' team and Jerry Rice's team. In a fantasy draft style setting, the captains pick from the voted all-stars to form the teams. And when the stars are realigned, it's teammate versus teammate in the new Pro Bowl: Unconferenced." 

With further ado, here is my 2014 Pro Bowl Ballot by position (and number of players in parenthesis allowed per position) for offensive players.

Offense:

Quarterback (6)

Peyton Manning, Broncos

Drew Brees, Saints

Philip Rivers, Chargers

Tom Brady, Patriots

Russell Wilson, Seahawks

Nick Foles, Eagles

Running Back (6)

Jamaal Charles, Chiefs

LeSean McCoy, Eagles

Adrian Peterson, Vikings

Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks

Matt Forte, Bears

Frank Gore, 49ers

Wide Receiver (8)

 Calvin Johnson, Lions

Josh Gordon, Browns

Dez Bryant, Cowboys

Antonio Brown, Steelers

Alshon Jeffery, Bears

DeMaryius Thomas, Broncos

Andre Johnson, Texans

Julian Edelman, Patriots

Fullback (2)

Mike Tolbert, Panthers

Marcel Reece, Raiders

Tight End (4)

Jimmy Graham, Saints

Julius Thomas, Broncos

Vernon Davis, 49ers

Jordan Cameron, Browns

Tackle (6)

Joe Thomas, Browns

Trent Williams, Redskins

Tyron Smith, Cowboys

Nate Solder, Patriots

Jason Peters, Eagles

Joe Staley, 49ers

Guard (6)

Ben Grubbs, Saints

David DeCastro, Steelers

Evan Mathis, Eagles

Josh Sitton, Packers

Louis Vasquez, Broncos

Larry Warford, Lions

Center (4)

Ryan Kalil, Panthers

Chris Myers, Texans

Manny Ramirez, Broncos

Alex Mack, Browns

NFL Opening Night 2013: Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos Preview

The Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens visit Sports Authority Field to battle the Denver Broncos in the 2013 NFL season-opener in a rematch of last year's dramatic AFC divisional round playoff game. Denver was on their way to hosting an AFC Championship game last January, before safety Rahim Moore inexplicably blew his coverage, leaving Jacoby Jones wide open for a 70-yard touchdown with 31 seconds left, forcing overtime and an eventual 38-35 win. The rest is history as the Ravens went on to beat the New England Patriots in the Conference Championship and then took down the upstart San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl, claiming their second Lombardi trophy in franchise history.

            The Ravens will look to become the first team to repeat as champions since the Patriots won three Super Bowls in four years (2001, 2003, 2004). If the Ravens are to repeat, it will come with a noticeably different supporting cast as the champs endured a major roster overhaul in the offseason.

            That being said, let’s look at the key additions and departures for both the Ravens and Broncos.

Baltimore Ravens

Key Additions:  Chris Canty (DT, NYG), Elvis Dumervil (LB, DEN), Rolando McClain (LB, OAK), Michael Huff (S, OAK), Brandon Stokley (WR, DEN) Matt Elam (S, Rooke), Arthur Brown (LB, Rookie)

Key Losses: Anquan Boldin (WR, SF), Matt Birk (C, Retired), Paul Kruger (LB/DE, CLE), Ray Lewis (LB, Retired), Cary Williams (CB, PHI), Dannell Ellerbe (LB, MIA), Ed Reed (S, HOU), Bernard Pollard (S, TEN) Ma'ake Kemoeatu (DT, FA)

 Denver Broncos

Key Additions: Wes Welker (WR, NE), Louis Vasquez (G, SD), Shaun Phillips (DE, SD), Sylvester Williams (DT, Rookie), Montee Ball (RB, Rookie) Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (CB, PHI)

Key Losses: Elvis Dumervil (DE, BAL), Brandon Stokely (WR, BAL) Willis McGahee (RB, FA), Dan Koppen (C, Torn ACL)

Prediction

The Broncos have long awaited their chance to get some sort of revenge versus the Ravens. Peyton Manning and company would love to start the opposing Ravens season out on a losing note. Denver is loaded on offense, especially with the addition of Wes Welker as the team’s star slot receiver. Baltimore made some nice additions in the offseason; still, the team certainly regressed with Ray Lewis, Anquan Boldin and Paul Kruger all now departed. I am picking the Broncos to win tonight and start what could be an unforgettable season for the franchise in style, taking down the defending champions.