Shots Heard 'Round The Web - Patriots Links 6/08/09

TOP SHOTS

Patriots Fooball Weekly compiles the arguments for and against Rodney Harrison's induction to the Hall of Fame.

On the field, the former Pats safety was a fan favorite; off it, he was a media favorite – as talented delivering memorable one-liners as he was delivering vicious hits to opponents.

All of us at PFW feel Harrison’s lengthy, productive NFL career (nine seasons with the San Diego Chargers, the last six in New England) is deserving of serious consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. But we’re on the fence about whether he’ll actually be voted in when he becomes eligible five years from now.

Christopher Gasper says the Pats are hoping Leigh Bodden will emerge as Asante Samuel's successor.

LOCAL SHOTS

• Mike Reiss analyzes The Contract Game, how the Patriots and players play it, and who's correct.
• Mike Reiss looks at Rodney Harrison's chances of getting into the NFL Hall of Fame.
• Michael Felger says when it comes to Wilfork, the Patriots will either pay now or pay later.  Pay now! 
• Christopher Price lists the five things he'll be looking for at this week's minicamp, before the Pats' pre-training camp summer vacation begins.
• Jeff Howe notes Laurence Maroney knows what he can bring to the team, and knows he just has to go out and do it.
• Shalise Manza Young says Patriots hope Pierre Woods will take over the starting LB position.
• Christopher Price notes Leigh Bodden is singularly focused on learning the plays and whatever the Patriots need him to do.
• Mike Reiss comments on reader questions regarding what they would look for at the Patriots practice.  Part V and Part VI.
• Derek Zetlin notes the league is following the Pats and Steelers lead, with more teams utilizing a 3-4 defense.
• Jessica Isner reports Peyton Manning backed down a bit from his earlier harsh comments about the Colts' communication confusion on coaching changes.  Does the credit go to Rodney???
• Mike Reiss reports the Patriots are holding their annual charitable golf tournament today at The International in Bolton, MA.
  

LONG SHOTS

• Peter King (SI) MMQB: USO guest list for the ages, Harrison unplugged and more.
• Damon Hack (SI) Spoiler alert!  Why eight division expectations won't pan out.  "Brady, for all his talent and grit, is returning to a much more feisty division than the one he left."
• Dan Le Batard (Miami Herald) Jimmy Johnson living in luxury with football a distant memory.  Good read.  Johnson's insight into the pressures of head coaching - and how he's beyond it now.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) AFC East smack edition.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) AFC East mailbag.
• Ed Thompson (Scout.com) NFL Mailbag: Team of the Decade.
• Ed Thompson (Scout.com) NFL Buzz: Rodney Harrison's legacy.
• Ray Gustini (Nat'l Football Post) Of course Rodney Harrison belongs in the Hall of Fame. "The fact that this is even an issue is galling. Forget the numbers about Super Bowls (2), Pro Bowls (2), sacks (30), and INTs (34) — Rodney Harrison belongs in Canton because he played like he had machetes for arms."
• Rick Gosselin ( Dallas News) Inside the NFL: Parade of veteran players now leads to Foxboro.
• Jack Bechta (Nat'l Football Post) D-Day.  "I would like to thank all those who serve, their families and those who sacrificed their lives to make the rest of ours safer. I’d like to thank all the NFL players who regularly visit our troops yearly throughout the world."