Trying to knock the rust off
Harrison hits ground running in his return
FOXBOROUGH - It wasn't the full Rodney, but it was close enough.
Safety Rodney Harrison played for the first time yesterday after serving a four-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing substance policy. He said it felt good to be a part of the Patriots' 34-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns yesterday at Gillette Stadium.
"No question. It's different being a part of it when you're sitting at home on the couch and these guys are putting that blood, sweat, and tears behind it; to actually be a part of it it feels much better," said Harrison. "I appreciate the support my teammates have given me. Hopefully, I can just make some plays for these guys."
Harrison did not start as James Sanders and Eugene Wilson got the nod to begin the game.
He took his first defensive snap on the sixth play of the Browns' first drive, but Harrison saw his first action before the defense took the field. He was on the kickoff coverage team following Stephen Gostkowski's 20-yard field goal on the game's opening drive, and he also saw action on the punt return team.
"I've been doing that since '94, when I first came into the league," said Harrison. "We all have to play special teams. That's part of your contribution on this team."
Harrison said he wasn't sure when and where coach Bill Belichick was going to use him, but he knew he would play.
Harrison played 32 of 67 defensive snaps, 18 in the fourth quarter. He was credited with one tackle, one pass defense, one quarterback hit, and one penalty, a 15-yard facemask in the third quarter on tight end Kellen Winslow, which Harrison called, "not a smart play."
Harrison, who thanked the fans and the organization for their support, admitted he was a little rusty, but he said he was looking forward to getting back in the groove.
"Of course, I'm not in the type of shape and just instincts and everything," said Harrison. "But this was a very important week for me practice-wise, as well as just getting out there and getting that game-time experience. I'm glad I got a chance to play, especially in the second half, as much as I did. That really helped to build some confidence to carry on to next week."
Happier ending for Gay
It was a tough day for Randall Gay, until he turned it around with a 15-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown with 42 seconds left in the fourth quarter, a play that had some bettors across the country howling, as the spread was 16 1/2.
Gay stripped Winslow of the ball after a 15-yard completion and scored on a fumble recovery for the second time in his career. That was revenge for Gay, who had been victimized on both Cleveland touchdowns. He was beaten by Winslow on a 14-yard score with 5:56 left in the fourth quarter and slipped and fell on Tim Carter's 21-yard TD early in the fourth.
"I don't think anybody is going to care about those two touchdowns in the end," said cornerback Ellis Hobbs. "He stripped it. He got into the end zone, and most of all we won."
Morris a real workhorse
Running back Sammy Morris eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the second week in a row, finishing with 102 yards on 21 carries. Now in his eighth season, Morris entered the season with one career 100-yard game on his résumé, but he's been called upon to be a workhorse as the Patriots have been without Laurence Maroney, who missed his second straight game yesterday with a groin injury.
"I try to prepare myself mentally to where nothing is a surprise," said Morris, who drew the start. "It's the NFL and that's what is asked of me."
With Maroney out, and fellow running back Kevin Faulk leaving with an ankle injury in the second quarter and not returning, Morris played 32 straight snaps at one point. Morris said he actually didn't feel as winded as he might have had he been running on and off the field as part of constant personnel changes, and on special teams.
Thomas says he's OK
Linebacker Adalius Thomas was helped off the field in the second quarter and the Patriots' medical staff examined what appeared to be his left ankle on the sideline, but he returned to action in the second half. Asante Samuel briefly left the field on the same drive, but he returned during the series.
"I just had a little incident, and you move forward; somebody fell down on me," said Thomas. "I feel fine."
Thomas, who distributed T-shirts with the words "humble pie" to his teammates this week, said he expected the coaching staff to deliver some today.
"We picked a lot of humble berries today," he said. Thomas felt linebacker Junior Seau, in particular, would be ready for some humble pie following his second-quarter interception return in which he held the ball in the open and was fortunate that it wasn't swatted away.
"We're preheating the oven at 455, so that one will be well done," he cracked.
Center Koppen is sidelined
The Patriots were without starting center Dan Koppen. Koppen hurt his left ankle against the Bengals last Monday on Morris's 7-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. He had been listed as questionable leading up to the game.
Russ Hochstein got the start at center in Koppen's place, sliding over from right guard as regular right guard Stephen Neal, who had missed the previous three games with a shoulder injury, returned to the lineup.
The other inactives for the Patriots were Maroney, safety Rashad Baker, offensive tackle Wesley Britt, linebacker Chad Brown, and defensive linemen Santonio Thomas and Kareem Brown. Matt Gutierrez was the third quarterback.
Cleveland's inactives were former Patriots defensive lineman Ted Washington, punter Dave Zastudil, safety Gary Baxter, running back Jerome Harrison, wide receiver Travis Wilson, and offensive linemen Isaac Sowells and Nat Dorsey. Ken Dorsey was the third quarterback.
Pack o' sacks for Bruschi
Tedy Bruschi tied his career high with two sacks. Bruschi's sack of Derek Anderson in the third quarter gave him 30 1/2 for his career, making him the 13th player in team history to record 30 or more . . . The Browns lost starters Jamal Lewis, Joe Jurevicius, and Brodney Pool during the game. Lewis, Cleveland's starting running back, left in the first quarter with a right foot injury and never returned. Receiver Jurevicius left in the second quarter with a knee injury, and safety Pool hurt his right quadriceps in the third quarter . . . Former Patriot Willie McGinest, who was chatting with teammates before the game, was given the start by Romeo Crennel in his return to Gillette Stadium . . . Nose tackle Vince Wilfork expanded his role, lining up on the team's field-goal unit as a blocker. Those roles are usually reserved for offensive linemen . . . With the Patriots only dressing two pure tight ends, Kyle Brady and Benjamin Watson, fullback Heath Evans played on the line as a tight end when the Patriots went to a three-TE package in the second quarter . . . Tight end Marcellus Rivers, who was released Saturday to make room for Harrison's return, has not left the New England area. The expectation is that he will be re-signed by the Patriots early this week . . . Owner Robert Kraft talked with Crennel before the game. 