Patriots head coach Bill Belichick congratulates safety Rodney Harrison after their defeat of the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Championship game in Foxborough January 20, 2008.

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TOP SHOTS

Statement from Bill Belichick on Rodney Harrison

"Rodney Harrison is one of the best players I have ever coached," said Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick. "In the biggest games, in any situation and on a weekly basis, his production was phenomenal. Rodney is the best practice player I have seen in 35 years in the NFL, which is a testament to his exceptional passion for the game and his desire to sustain and improve his level of play. Regardless of his status on the team and in the league, Rodney's approach to preparation spoke volumes about his devotion to the team and his ability to raise every player's game. Rodney embodies all the attributes coaches seek and appreciate - toughness, competitiveness, leadership, selflessness, hard work, intensity, professionalism - and coming from Rodney, they are contagious. I am honored to have coached Rodney Harrison and am grateful for his significant impact on my career and the success of the New England Patriots."

Karen Guregian asserts Vince Wilfork may sit out mandatory mini-camp.

While it was difficult to get Vince Wilfork to say what was really bothering him about his contract talks, the Patriots nose tackle made one point perfectly clear yesterday: He is prepared to sit out next week’s mandatory minicamp if the situation calls for it.

Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) explains why the NFL will miss Rodney Harrison.

But all you had to do was turn on the film and watch this guy play football the right way — even after the whistle had blown. He was a technician, he played with intensity and he definitely intimidated every player he came across — and I wanted to model that.

He didn’t have the overall skills of a guy like my former teammate Sean Taylor, or the ball-hawking ability of an Ed Reed, or even the overall game of a Troy Polamalu, but what Harrison had was much more valuable when I look at true football players.

More Shots after the jump...

TEAM SHOTS

• Rodney Harrison's Conference Call transcript.
• Erik Scalavino Harrison hangs up cleats, hooks up with NBC.
• "Football For You" Thrives in Boston.  For the fourth straight year the New England Patriots Alumni Club provided the youth of Boston with a unique opportunity to learn the fundamentals of football through its "Football For You" program. This year's event drew more than 150 kids to Madison Park High School.

LOCAL SHOTS

• Mike Reiss talks about Rodney Harrison's broadcasting approach, and jumps in by firing away at Peyton Manning.
• Mike Reiss captures Robert Kraft's and Bill Belichick's statements on Rodney Harrison's.
• John Tomase reports Rodney Harrison is not retiring quietly.
• Mike Reiss agrees that Harrison won't be afraid of tackling any subject.
• Globe 10.0 Bob Ryan and John Powers talk about Rodney's impact as a Patriot, and Hall of Fame chances. Thanks for everything.  (2.24 min. video) 
• Boston Globe slide show of Rodney Harrison's memorable moments.
• Chris Gasper catches up with Vince Wilfork at a charity event, noting the big man means business.
• Herald Wire Services notes Jets head coach Rex Ryan called out the Patriots and Belichick during an appearance on WFAN radio.  Best quote from Ryan, "I never came here, you know, to kiss Belichick's (pause) rings."
  

LONG SHOTS

• Don Banks (SI) NFL Team of the Decade: 2000s.  Patriots are IT.
• Mike Florio  (Pro Football Talk) Rodney Harrison already is stirring things up.
• Kerry J. Byrne (CHFF for SI) Best individual seasons for 2000s.  Tom Brady at QB, other Pats get honorable mentions.
• Robert Boland (Nat'l Football Post) Inspiring coaches.  Belichick included.
• Adrian Hasenmayer (Fox Sports) Top ten hottest current NFL rivalries.
• WFAN (22.38 mark of the audio clip) Jets head coach Rex Ryan talks about playing against Belichick and the dominant Patriots.