Rodney Harrison just shakes his head. The players, he tells you, keep getting younger, faster, more talented and more physical.
“This is a young man’s league,” he said.
Yet there still is a place in it for Harrison.
Seventeen years after graduating from Marian Catholic, 14 years after leaving Western Illinois, four years after being cut by the San Diego Chargers and two weeks after returning from a suspension, the 34-year-old remains a force in the secondary for the New England Patriots.
Harrison was suspended the first four games of the season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Harrison admitted to taking human growth hormone. He said it was to help accelerate healing from injuries.
Harrison made it a point to apologize to high school and college football players for whom he felt he set a bad example. He also said he thought the experience would make him a better man and maybe even a better player.
The Patriots welcomed him back, with quarterback Tom Brady calling Harrison “one of the most respected players who ever has been in this organization.”
Anyone who thought the suspension was going to be the beginning of the end for this old-timer apparently was wrong.
Harrison said he felt a little rusty in his first game but improved by his second:
“After you miss four weeks it’s tough to come out and play in the National Football League with guys who have been playing day in and day out while you’re trying to get into the groove.”
Harrison sacked Tony Romo on Sunday, giving him 29 1/2 career sacks, the most by a defensive back since the league began keeping the statistic in 1982.
“It’s something I’m very proud of,” Harrison said. “I’ve always prided myself on getting to the quarterback and trying to make plays in the backfield as well as deep down the field. Coach [Bill Belichick], he knows my strengths and weaknesses and tries to utilize them.”
Harrison also has 32 career interceptions and is the only player in NFL history with at least 25 sacks and 30 interceptions.
Quarterback changes
Byron Leftwich is scheduled to become the 46th quarterback to start a game in the NFL this season when he replaces Joey Harrington in the Atlanta Falcons’ lineup against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, and it’s possible Kerry Collins and Tim Rattay will push the total to 48 depending on the health of Tennessee’s Vince Young and Arizona’s Kurt Warner, respectively.
Only 50 quarterbacks started games last season.
Twelve teams already have started two or more quarterbacks. Their winning percentage is no surprise: .337. Quarterback stability is a virtual necessity for success in the NFL. Only two teams that have started more than one quarterback, the 4-2 Carolina Panthers and the 4-2 Baltimore Ravens, have won more games than they have lost.
The Falcons’ decision to go with Leftwich is a desperate move by a 1-5 team.
Leftwich will be one of three quarterbacks to start games this year who was not with his team in training camp. The others are Minnesota’s Kelly Holcomb and Carolina’s Vinny Testaverde.
It has helped Leftwich that he has worked extremely hard to learn the Falcons’ offense. Falcons general manager Rich McKay says the former Jaguar has been the first player in the building every morning at 5:30, and he has put in overtime with coaches, watching tape and working with receivers.
“Everything you can do, he has done,” McKay said.
Rozelle read
Chicago author Jeff Davis has written a biography about legendary NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle that also serves as an interesting account of the history of the league.
In “Rozelle: Czar of the NFL,” Davis recounts the high and low points of the league during Rozelle’s 29-year tenure as commissioner between 1960 and 1989, including Rozelle’s decision not to cancel games on Nov. 24, 1963, two days after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Although Rozelle is said to have regretted the decision, his daughter Anne Marie Rozelle Bratton is quoted as saying, “He did what the Kennedy camp wanted and took the flak for it.”
Extra points
Michael Bennett was a decent pickup for the Bucs because he was one of the most talented backups in the league. But it isn’t going to be easy for the running back to learn Jon Gruden’s complex offense on the fly. … Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown is having the best season nobody knows about. Brown is breaking out in his third year the way the Bears hoped Cedric Benson would have.
Why wouldn’t the Bills stick with Trent Edwards? The rookie quarterback has made better decisions than J.P. Losman despite Losman’s experience advantage. … And any time the Jets are ready to see what Kellen Clemens can do, fine by me. …
One of my new favorite players to watch is Cowboys running back Marion “The Barbarian” Barber. Now there is a player who runs hard. … The Super Bowl in London? Yeah, that works, Commissioner. … Moving the Pro Bowl to the week before the Super Bowl? That works too. There would be a lot more interest in the game before to the Super Bowl than there is after the Super Bowl.
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SCOUT TALK
As usual, the NFL will have a deep group of wide receivers to choose from in the April draft. But the top-end talent is a little thinner than usual. It doesn’t look like there will be any Calvin Johnsons in this draft.
1. Mario Manningham, Michigan: If the junior comes out, he could be the first receiver taken. He has been a little inconsistent, but he makes big plays and has top athleticism and speed.
2. Limas Sweed, Texas: Even though a wrist injury ended his season, he remains coveted by NFL teams because he’s big, fast and athletic, and he has good ball skills.
3. DeSean Jackson, California: This junior has drawn comparisons to Ted Ginn. Playmaker also can return. Lack of size is an issue.
4. Earl Doucet, Louisiana State: Tough, polished, dependable player with consistent hands. Might not have the elite speed to be a No. 1 receiver.
5. James Hardy, Indiana: Former basketball player has an excellent combination of size and athleticism. Has had some off-the-field issues.
6. Eddie Royal, Virginia: Explosive player with excellent return ability. Is physical and tough. Has not been consistent.
7. Harry Douglas, Louisville: Productive, speedy receiver who knows how to get open. Lacks ideal size.
8. Donnie Avery, Houston: Deep threat who also can return. Having a good year. Is on the thin side and needs to improve his route running.
9. Paul Hubbard, Wisconsin: Raw size/speed prospect who could help himself at his workout. Does not play like a natural receiver.
10. Dorien Bryant, Purdue: Smaller, productive player with good quickness and shiftiness. Can return kicks.
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dpompei@tribune.com
