Business weighs heavily

By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff, 9/3/2003

Rodney Harrison, who was signed by the Patriots as an unrestricted free agent last March, is one of the NFL's hardest-hitting strong safeties. However, it was the former Charger -- and his New England teammates -- who took a blow yesterday when the team released Lawyer Milloy for salary cap reasons. Harrison discussed the move in a one-on-one interview with the Globe's Nick Cafardo:

Q. Rodney, we all heard the news this morning about Lawyer Milloy being released. I know that one of the big reasons you came here was to play with Lawyer. What was your reaction?

A. Obviously very, very disappointing with everything that's gone on today. Lawyer is a well-respected guy in the locker room, in the community, and on the field. Probably the best safety I've ever played with. He's a great person. It's just very disappointing right now.

Q. Do you have any idea at this point whether your role will change at all from what you were doing when Lawyer was here?

A. Well, probably. So I know I have to assume more of a leadership role. One of the guys that has to help the rookies come along, push them, in essence making more calls. Learn the defense in more detail. So I think a lot more responsibility is on me, but that's something I have to step up to. Obviously it's pretty difficult for everyone. It's a challenge for our team to come together and overcome this adversity so we can win ballgames.

Q. I know you learned from your experience that this really is a business in the NFL. There are no guaranteed contracts, like in baseball or the NBA. Is it tough to finally be the guy who is the victim of that when the time comes?

A. Definitely. I told most of the young guys: Eventually, if you play long enough, someone is going to tap you to get back. It's going to happen to all of us, unless you retire at an early age. It's something you really can't prepare for, but with other experiences you have to try to learn that this is a business. Whenever you involve dollars and cents, you know, some things you can't control. Some things are in other people's hands. You can only control the things in your hands. Your ability to work hard in the weight room, the classroom, and on the field.

Q. Is this a message to the rest of the team that you have to perform to a certain cap number to stay active on the team?

A. I think that happens on every team. If teams can afford you, they are going to keep you. If teams can't afford you, they will get rid of you. It happened to me in San Diego. It's a business move. I'm not bitter about it. It's something you have to deal with.

Q. Did you speak to Lawyer this morning, and what did you say?

A. Yeah, I spoke to him. Of course I was in shock with all the news. I gave him a big hug and told him to stay in touch and that I would be praying for him.

The Harrison interview, edited for TV, will be broadcast on the Globe's "SportsPlus" on NESN tonight after the Red Sox-White Sox game. To view the interview in its entirety, log on to Boston.com after tonight's broadcast.