Closing Speed

As I’ve been busy with work as well as producing video interviews, I haven’t been able to post like I should. To make up for lost time I’m going to cover a few subjects in one post:

On the day Rodney Harrison retired, two ESPN analysts were asked if Harrison is a future Hall of Famer. The ex-coach didn’t hesitate to say yes, pointing to Rodney’s record of being the only defensive back with at least 30 interceptions and 30 sacks. The former receiver compared Harrison to today’s best safetys, Pittsburgh’s Troy Polamalu and Baltimore’s Ed Reed, and said no.

The dilemma for Harrison is as much respect he earned as a player, he was hated by opponents. He earned a reputation as a dirty player for playing to the whistle, sometimes beyond the whistle. That, along with being a ferocious hitter, made him well disliked by offensive players.

It showed in his lack of Pro Bowl selections, just three in 15 seasons. But it doesn’t reflect his years of quality play, as one season he was selected as an All Pro, but wasn’t a Pro Bowler.

Coaches appreciate the difference-maker Harrison was, as do Rodney’s former teammates. Harrison was what Polamalu and Reed are today. There are not a lot of safetys in the Hall of Fame, but Harrison earned his place, regardless of his number of Pro Bowl selections. While the accolades don’t say enough for Harrison, his reputation should say enough to get Rodney into the Hall.

Nose tackle Vince Wilfork ended his “holdout” by attending the mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, his first appearance in Foxborough this off-season. He was contractually obligated to attend or likely be fined $500,000, which is almost a quarter of his 2009 salary.

This seems like a whole lot of nothing. All the OTAs were voluntary. Teams typically include clauses in contracts to encourage attendance, but a player could opt to work out on their own with their own trainer without penalty. These are optional team workouts.

The difference is Wilfork is in the last year of his contract and is looking for a new lucrative deal. The negotiations are ongoing, but in protest of the lack of movement on the talks, Vince didn’t attend the OTAs.

But it’s not like Wilfork played hookey. Attendance was optional until Wednesday. When he had to, Vince was there.

What would be news is if Wilfork skips out on mandatory events and risks fines to get the contract he wants. That’s when his contract squabble becomes news and officially a holdout.

The Patriots appear prepared to move on without Wilfork. They re-signed Mike Wright and drafted Ron Brace in the second round of the NFL Draft, as well as two other D-linemen. But New England values Wilfork too much to part ways with the former Pro Bowler.

This holdout is reminiscent of Richard Seymour’s holdout. Eventually he got his money, but Seymour had to hold out briefly for his contract. Head coach Bill Belichick values his linemen much more than receivers and corner backs. Unlike WR Deion Brance and CB Asante Samuel, who were both shown the door over contract extensions, Wilfork’s deal will get done because he’s high performance player in his prime at a premium position.

The big question is after Wilfork gets his deal, will Seymour get one before his contract runs out?

Division rivals are already talking a good game. Rookie head coach Rex Ryan has already declared that he didn’t become New York Jets coach to kiss Belichick’s Super Bowl rings. Down in Miami, linebacker Joey Porter declared the road to the division championship goes through the Dolphins. At least Miami is the reigning champs, though narrowly. But Ryan running his mouth? Naturally Belichick won’t respond to the verbal volleys. But don’t be surprised when the quotes resurface at convenient times for the team.

LB Angelo Craig was quietly released last week. The undrafted free agent that never played a snap with the Pats was in competition for the vacant OLB position. That leaves Pierre Woods, Tully Banta-Cain, Vince Redd, and Shawn Crable the remaining contestants for the job. For now.

Trade talks for Oakland DE Derrick Burgess is nothing new. But the recent release of Dallas’ Greg Ellis is another veteran that potentially could be signed. Craig’s release creates room for a veteran signing. I have a feeling something will happen.

Rest in peace, Pio Sagapolutele.