Rodney Harrison, Patriots Safety

Our number three dale and -- Sports Radio WEEI accurate to let stadium on -- patriots Monday joining us an IRS studio. Is another one of our patriots Monday regular safety Rodney Harrison. Congratulations on the win first and foremost thank you to complete your first game in awhile.

Not of not as bad as I thought initially probably a lot more sore than what I am feel pretty good got a -- this morning lift weights and he which you guys. How does that play out you always we always talk about. -- getting back in the football shape. When you're out there is it defected to get when did or is it is there recognition thing. When you haven't played a while what does it feel like your first game back -- slow habitable but think. From the standpoint -- you know you can do all the sprints all gases you want to do blood being out there couldn't break in. Just dispute game temple game it's a lot different as Wallace. You know just recognized and things that. Really become second nature to you so I think yes it was a good step for for me. Being out there getting the reps that I about -- able to give you know against. You know you know one of the best offensive -- teams that would have faced this year. I saw your quote about when -- your play you said it wasn't a very smart play. On your part. It look like it was accidental. When the face masks like you slept well -- what what why is there wasn't a smart play well I mean those third down 15 I think at that point I mean regardless of fun slip -- You know I just try to keep my balance and can't keep my balance bug grab his face masks and that's something that's part of process part of you know give -- feed upon the -- get used to that turf that the -- probably my first time playing in the regular season game here Gillette stadium with the new -- but that's no excuse -- when the time to practice on it. And then you just can't make mistakes like that you know when your team has has other team against the backs against the wall.

I am member Teddy talking about when he when he played his first practice in the this first game comin' back office stroke you restarted but he beat their first good hit Unita. Feel like your back into it did you feel the same way yesterday and was at that one over the middle. Where UConn that went way up in the air in and both of you guys went.

I don't think it was a big hit monthly balance on the net you know when. He had his -- bought try to intercept the night came down -- rightly again you know for a moment there -- said Dan Klecko. Not again not cancel lodges just felt my leg around house they would get up to move analysis relieved that that. All the pressure on the way to very dangerous can just fell off my shoulders -- kind of relax and just play what do you think of him as a player Winslow. Think he's a tremendous athlete I think great receiver tough physical guy that. Really is under rated them you always hear about Antonio Gates and you know what's the guy out Tony Gonzales Gonzales and -- are -- as well get a day later your -- here. You hear about all those guys but you really don't hear about him and that in that same respect him just think he's just he's like another that are receiver form -- mean he's very very athletic. Very physical guy -- loves and enjoyed playing the game.

I heard yesterday I heard when they announce your first tackle. You've got a big rousing ovation from the fans here what was your reception like from the fans here -- yesterday all day long.

There are very supportive of me. You know they -- at some really kind kind words to me and definitely appreciated it had been a tough you know 45 weeks just comin' back and have had tremendous support from you know from the organization coach Belichick in all the players in the locker room as well as the fans. Have really kept me you know focus in and really kept me -- through his typical situation but feels fund is getting back out there on the field and been able to contribute.

You know we talk about that the support from the organization of from the players so we as outsiders who fell short sure that's the patriots do -- that surprise. But wasn't surprising. To you at all where you. Taken aback by some of the support you got it in any case from from a person didn't expect or players them as players and expect to support from.

Well at that point time when you hear nothing but criticism and you're nothing but bad things about how terrible person you are you know you start question yourself like man MI really that bad but then you don't win it's real force by the support you teammates. Sammy you know that you that you great person there very glad to have you back as well as the fans I think that make you feel that much better

and no you got you got a family in the got friends so -- priority or your loyalties are to your family first but what. Player or person in the organization. Were you a little nervous about hearing from person was or somebody said I really want to hear what they have to say or what their take is on their one person.

I mean I think. You always go to your head coach and me because you always have direct contact which -- coaches Willis. You -- the guys that size of paychecks and mr. -- fan and you know -- general manager Scott P -- I think you look at those guys and you know you. You do you sit down year -- honest what do me talk to only get a feel for what they think and they've been very supportive -- and normal grown man through all this and and you know whatever decision you make you always have to. Be responsible format own up to woman and not try to handle that I've tried the not embarrasses organization and and just come back in and do two things are capable of -- on -- off the field it just be a good solid citizens.

We were talking earlier with that would Vincent Teddy about the return of Willie McGinest and and his image in in this locker room with this within this organization is. Kind of the godfather because of his leadership and how he handled himself and his -- here and it's prayer. -- and Teddy said there's -- there's about 45 guys who are in that category here are you one of those guys as well.

I don't know I don't I don't. I don't know halama thing you know you look at Bruce do you look cute. You know guys has been here junior may be here he had deftly did you say how mean he hasn't been here that long but I mean just his presence and what he's done home field in the -- Cincinnati is overall in the type impact that he has off the field. You look at like us that Larry Izzo you know Kevin Faulk even a young guy and and Ty Warren who's really -- in a leader in this locker room as well as galaxy more so. So many different guys that you look at the Willie McGinest was really one of those guys when he walked in the locker room. You know you saw his presence you side number 55 and you knew that Willie wasn't taken note no crap I mean you give up your face let you know if you're if you mess around if you're not -- a prize. One of those guys that's always here early in in the weight room as well as you know one of the last guys to leave so definitely a big physical presence when I say that. But just more of -- god father image in -- locker room.

No we were giving you a lot of love in 2003 you came here your first season. In your captain I'm thinking man that's really special. Or a guy to come here they don't really know him and they're short amount at times he has their respect what -- stay out. In play a full season last year this year he's one captains and wanted to guys it. People look up to how -- he able to do this it seems like he was able to do in San Diego. He was able to do it Miami and now undoing that what is it about him that allows him to really connect with so many people

a distinct you know maybe built and it in the news more born than made. And Lee and Julia he's just a natural leader he's just a guy that leads by example guided just commands. A certain respect that his presence just brings in the locker -- I mean is is on Kenny just work ethic day in day out just studying him Watson you know. In just being that presence you know I mean the guy has been what 1213 pro bulls consecutive pro bowl the mean guys is his 18 BA's 30 years old. I mean if you that's not respect I don't know what is and and that guy. That you know you look at him you look at a guy like Bruschi in that same light look at a guy like Tom Brady. Who just you know you'd just demand respect because those guys work so -- And you know guys that I just I definitely look up to what he's 30 you saw him at 28 were playing with them. How's -- different. It doesn't seem like he's any different them in the same excitement for the game the same -- for the game is saying. Just energy I mean juniors that's -- war college just energy he's always energetic he's always excited about playing football. I just I don't see a difference I mean. And though when he posts when -- to come in at 545 -- 615 so he might have lost 30 minutes you know humps they have they lose a step just -- 30 love 30 minutes on his work out by another man he's just he's incredible always he taught me how to work he taught me how to be consistent -- complacent big game. And work even harder at the you've had success -- you know he's a guy that really probably the most affluent to personal marker.

There's always something to improve upon in this organization always stresses that red zone defense has been an issue for this team. Finally had a reds don't stop yesterday tell me what the difference is with what your team was doing yesterday had a key interception in the end -- obviously. To this team look like that your team was playing any differently in the rest --

And we made a play and that's what it comes out -- on the fence it's Nutten. Really you know to surprise an award too complicated is just a matter of guys you know man and out. Doing their job I think Ellis Hobbs made a play the first play and now we've made attack on the second play and I think Asante Samuel knocked the ball and in -- was they would pick off but -- just guys playing together making plays we never really struggled here you know during a -- Meyer my career here in the red zone and it's very good you know -- very difficult for us to deal with that book. The way you deal -- as you caught them make plays and that's what we wouldn't do.

You know if you think about it last year was tough for you. First it was the body weight when I first there's a Bobby wade played last then there's a play against the colts. Ability in that time. You have some guys like James Sanders stepping in and replacing you Artrell Hawkins for a while when you see James Sanders now. Does it look a lot different than James Sanders of of 2005 and 2006.

I just think the more I can describe is just confidence to think he's very he's very confident and -- in his abilities then. And his ability to go up there on the field and not just take what he learned in the locker room by. You I mean in the classroom but also just you know putting out there on the field and the guy has been a consummate pro. He's worked extremely hard he's played special teams he's played nick always played dime he's police played a little bit everything in that's what you need got to have guys. That a little in the do whatever now mean and he is he's -- he's ultimate pro he's a young kid. That works extremely hard it's very smart that I ask questions that does things the right way and you know I'd just tell -- just be patient as the you know you're Thomas comment you'd really truly shine in what people and for people to see. How great a player you will be sold you know just understand you only you know 2425 years though you gotta a great career ahead -- yourself.

Brandon Meriweather was a kid like thoughts and all the right things when he came in here and at training camp we talked about. Learning from you we kind of attached himself to your hip during much of training camp. Then he was without -- for four weeks. Has he re attached himself again now that you're back here.

That we farmers who found they heal ourselves this talking a lot more. You know it's good to see him in his growth and you know he -- it means as well. Physically I'm okay am but mentally -- might be a little tired is that way you know that happens to the best of the sausage you know. You know just make sure you do some things outside of football and not just get so attached to full ball that you know it wears you down -- you have to maintain a life. Outside of football so you know I think he's he's you know. He's Brandon he's working hard and he's trying to do right things and that's what happens a rookie season you he'll need a rookie wall.

So I was I was wondering about that I think it's harder for young guys young single guys Sammy. You've got a -- you've -- kids you can get out of here and you beat bad and you can -- you got a life. And I think sometimes young guys it's like they go home they eat they watch TV they go to work an and that's their whole life is is this.

No question Al's once the single guy in the long time ago I don't believe. Those Marcum and I wanna what -- you. I've read about division -- will let you make -- this summer Oprah okay okay great -- I have that a -- premiered council but you know is a lot tough.

When you single in my eyes because Jim you have all this -- time when your hand yet so much time so much time to get yourself in trouble in and us. You know just this idle times as a devil books or replace so it's almost like. You know what I'm going to do myself like get home at 435 and you know I might take a map and -- up on my itself. Relief for Mary guys -- old Mary guys. I think it works out best for us because we're able to rest we're able to spend tower off famine before you noticed on the go a bit.

Is that -- part for the young guys are coming through Lee is that the meetings or is it just looking at the film where in college. You don't have the that the diversity of offenses and and -- formations if you took at defensive player you don't have to prepare for some much what is the one thing. That adjustment that young guys really.

We struggle with men I think brand and we talked in the locker room before a game he says he looked -- him and this is craziest that was wrong he said you know. It's like 23 hours before game we're here he's sitting college we came in. We've we've suited up you know we knew we -- the coach said a few words and wear out their plants at the -- different because he says this'll time consuming I think that's the biggest adjustment for rookies to get used to was just that time you know -- in. Haven't you know four hours of meetings haven't walked the rules I mean it's it's -- full -- job and that's what a lot of fans that that might be -- right now don't really understand anything that we come -- we lift weights we practice for 30 minutes and all of sudden we go play on Sunday it's not like at all it's a fool -- job I mean. Our meetings. Our to 1230 but I came in and I've been in since 9 O'Clock watching him get in -- hot tub stretch in you know give them aside in dorm -- type things and probably won't get out of it to 5 O'Clock so it's it's eight.

Ten hour job and they put on the spot to a some of those meetings to I'm Noah I guess Mangini was like one of those guys would ask you 25 questions as to make sure you gotta put these guys are. Really have to think in these meetings sometimes don't she did especially here in the patriot system yet to be a smart.

Player and you know what what really you know you sit back and you hear so many things about you were smart football team but -- for me yesterday on the field. Until Winslow as they were trying to drive in. That last some drive in the fourth quarter and -- it's like now we know with that we know exactly what you gonna do account Iraq to see. As -- he's that I got to give what you guys you guys have a very smart football team and they made me feel good in. And they should make all the players if they're listening to feel good because we work extremely hard preparing ourselves on an off the field to make sure we know and understand exactly what's going to happen and and now we're able to keep my opinions owned by. That's just a compliment that we are --

we asked two weeks ago about the difference between being in shape and football (%expletive) and you obviously were very art. Were you surprised at how much football shape you had retained over the course of four weeks away from the game. I mean as that before worked out twice twice today -- some -- hazy crazy workout book. It's is not like I wasn't training camp but it wasn't as far back up that would be. You know the accident rounds in the asylum and -- the -- that comes out there now's probably the biggest thing -- costly awfully warm I think that was probably one of the biggest adjustments but overall I felt good I'm not sore right now and and and fortunate we. Ready for Dallas ready for Dallas could speak to five teams going after each as do it. Go to war could hear every week and a -- and we can we count on your read. Long as you take off that ugly Jack and I. They've -- right back I. Yeah yeah. Thanks for having good they are Rodney Rodney Harrison joining with dale and -- alive at Gillette Sports Radio W media