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Rodney rips Favre a new one

06.24.09 at 3:54 pm ET
By

Former Patriots safety Rodney Harrison, who retired earlier this spring to begin a broadcasting career, called quarterback Brett Favre “selfish” in an interview Wednesday, and said he’d take former Pats QB Matt Cassel over Favre if he had to choose between the two.

Harrison, speaking on The Dan Patrick Show, said the perception of Favre around the league is that he’s “pretty selfish” for what he’s done the last couple of years.

harrison

On the job as an analyst less than a month, Rodney Harrison hasn't pulled any punches. He went after Brett Favre Wednesday.

“Each and every offseason bringing so much attention to himself, it’s just really a disappointment to hear that time and time again,” said Harrison, who announced his retirement from the NFL on June 3 after six seasons with the Patriots to take a job as an analyst for NBC Sports. “If you’ve been in the league 13, 14, 15 years or so you know if you want to play. The circus shouldn’t have to go on for three to four years. It’s just a disappointment.

“Then the media, they’re just so caught up and in love with Brett Favre. … It’s ridiculous because a lot of guys are doing good, positive things in the National Football League and those keep things keep getting overlooked.”

Favre, who spent 16 seasons in Green Bay, retired last spring. However, he infamously came out of retirement to play for the Jets, and has spent the bulk of this offseason negotiating another return to the game, this time with the Minnesota Vikings. Harrison said at this point, he’d take Cassel — “a young stud” — over Favre, whose interceptions are “a problem.”

“I’m taking Matt Cassel,” Harrison said when asked about the two. “He had a tremendous year, he has a tremendous upside. He can run. He can definitely manage the offense.”

It’s the second time in less than a month Harrison has taken a swipe at Favre. When he announced his retirement, he was asked if he could envision a “Brett Favre-type return” to the game at some point, but he quickly shut that down.

“There is a point in time where we all have to walk away from the game. I just thought it would be very disrespectful for me to come back and forth and not make my decision,” Harrison said at the time. “I respect people in National Football League enough not to put them on this joy ride — the back and forth, the ups and downs of am I coming back and will I not come back?”

Patrick asked Harrison if he would return to the game if the Patriots suffered some injuries in the secondary and coach Bill Belichick asked him to come back midseason — “the final five games,” Patrick proposed. Harrison said no way, even for $10 million.

“I would say on national TV, on Sunday night, that Bill Belichick needs to find a strong safety,” Harrison said with a chuckle, “because if he offers me $10 million, I’m still not coming out of retirement.”

Harrison also touched on some other topics, including whether or not Belichick now sees him as a member of the media when he calls.

“I don’t think so,” Harrison said. “I think we have a good personal relationship. We have a professional relationship, but we have a good personal relationship. He’s been through a lot with me, with injuries and negotiations. We’ve become friends.”

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  • Darrel

    I sense jealousy, I mean the thing is …unlike Favre, NOBODY wants Harrison. I bet you if any body wanted Harrison(like vikings want Favre) he’d just do the same thing that favre’s doing. Junior S did it, I mean am I the only that remember that retirement crying fest that he put up?..but all of a sudden the Patriots wanted him..-_-

  • Rodney

    Darrel, you are a d-bag.

  • Dana Kiecker

    To diss Rodney is to diss yourself.

  • Justin

    I think youre right Darrel. Harrison comes off as being jealous, but whatever, nothing you can do.

  • Michael Priebe

    Some people just know they can’t play anymore. Some people don’t have the pressure Favre has to make a decision. Quarterback is a unique position in that the whole team revolves around him to an extent, so there is obviously more interest in a retiring QB than a retiring safety.
    And yes, it does sound like jealousy. And no, Favre doesn’t drag it out for attention. If anyone on earth doesn’t need more media attention, it’s Brett Favre. I can tell you one thing. When he does decide to come back, it’s all in for him.

  • Darrel

    Ey, don’t get it twisted man. I like Rodney, it’s just that he comes off a little jealous and like i said if anybody wanted him he’ll just as quickly come back to the nfl like Junior S did, don’t let him fool you with that BS about if Coach B. offered him 10 mil he still won’t play..we all know that’s full of crap.

  • Thaansa3

    Darryl, there were four teams, not even counting the Patriots, that wanted Rodney before he announced his retirement.

  • Marima

    Awesome post Chris. Rodney is the absolute BEST. I can’t wait to listen to him tell it like it is this season.

  • Dana Kiecker

    Im looking forward to an athlete that can speak english, The Bus.. not so much.

  • Jim Stoddard

    Hey, Favre with the Jets gave the Jets more exposure than they deserved…suddenly many people knew the names of Jets players and people were actually watching Jets games. They sure weren’t watching for the Jets D who couldn’t get a single sack against a entire 3rd string (complete with players not playing their normal position) and rookie QB and chocked against every rookie they played. None of the players had trouble with Favre taking all the blame as a washed up QB when they weren’t looking, they only have a problem with him getting all the credit…yea, it was all Favre’s arm that lost their season last year. He must’ve hurt it playing defense…which brings us to the former players comments which sum up to: “It’s not fair Favre gets all the attention at the start of every season!”. Nothing new. They keep reporting it because they’ve turned him into a media celebrity hanging on his every word. Favre “thinks out loud”, always has…if the media hangs on his every word then it isn’t his problem so there’s no disrespect by Favre, the media represents the kids in the back seat saying “are we there yet?!” every second & they’re going to write something, because as the Vikings will learn, Favre = fans (love ‘em/hate ‘em)= cash.

    Fave with a playbook 16 years deep in Minnesota vs. 3 months with the Jets? Please…

  • Darrel

    Thaansa3, four teams? never even heard of those 4 teams..were they contenders? ala Vikings? ala Patriots?

  • rusH1023

    Darrel, Rodney said for the past couple years, when I retire, I’m retired and that’s it. There was interest in Rodney in Atlanta. That was published. He retired because of his convictions. You’re just commenting on something that you obviously don’t know anything about.

  • Packer Pat

    Losers! This idiot was suspended a year ago for cheating. Now he has a job with NBC. I say no interviews to NBC by Favre.

  • john allen

    with a damn name like rodney on a cheaters team, he has no say, he is a nobody compared to favre, nobody period.

  • Darrel

    Conviction? Bull. The falcons didn’t offer the guy a contract. There was interest but it was all speculation, I mean why would the falcons get rid of one old/aged/slowed up safety Lawyer Milloy with another Rodney Harrison.

    Conviction? don’t make me laugh. If there was any serious offer out there. Plus isn’t Harrison the wrong guy to talk about other players? ..

    Just saying what i sense..and that’s jealousy.

  • farn

    Jealous of what ? Rodney has more SBs… who cares about the rest ? Jealous of hanging on too long and becoming a national embarassment ? Yikes. I’m not even jealous of Favre and I haven’t even seen an NFL stadium.

  • john allen

    jim you are right on one thing, the jets could not stop the fresno state bulldogs, they were terrible, terrible, i have re-watched every jets game 08, and i have to tell you, it was not favres fault, not even close, take a look at the running game last 6, slow ass recievers running wrong routes, no defense, no pass rush, poor coaching, poor, and favre played from behind throwing on almost every down, poor as play calling, and remember favre was hurt,they should have thrown more short, not deep down field with slow recievers, and the d was waiting for the pass, could not run block. i am a packers fan, brett favre did what he was paid to do in gb, by far, and did what he could for the jets, took a beating, now he wants to continue to play, great for football, seems there is interest on every site, sports station, news paper, so in this free country, let him do as he pleases, he will always have a following in gb, this is a damn game, for our entertainment, and for those favre haters, just dream you could be favre, his pocket change could buy the rest of your damn life, capesh?

  • john allen

    remember one thing about rodney, he has the rings, but give it a couple of years, and it wull be rodney who?, guaranteed, not with favre, will always be on the top of everyones list as the greatest, played too long you say, easy to say coming from most who have never taken a snap in anything but a camera vs the nfl 18 years one losing season

  • jct

    favre has proven to be a very average QB – you have to look at the stats – look at the interceptions, passing percentage – people admire him because they think him a “warrior” – but he’s always taken chances that most coaches who want a “team” wouldnt put up with

  • Mike

    Unlike Favre, Harrison and Cassel will never see the Hall of Fame.

  • Darrel

    jct to be fair with favre he still has a lower interception to touchdown ratio then some hall of fame qb(last i checked). And if we are to talk about stats- well why ignore the touchdowns, the passing yards, the completions and why not mention that he owns all of these and more ?

    He has taken alot of chances,..but as his career stats has shown..well he’s gambled pretty damn well, BUT like other QB’s with GODLY stats(ex: Marino, P.Manning)..well let’s just say they won’t always take you to the big game..BUT they will bring you to the playoffs.

  • jesse

    As far as jealously goes, maybe ther’s a little green eyed monsterism going on, but I think Harrison’s right about Favre. He’s publicly mulling every decision because he’s addicted to the spotlight. He eats this up like handfulls of prescription pain pills. Favre is a serviceable QB and if a team wants to sign him, cool. I’m just sick of him. He’s had some amazing moments and seasons during his HOF carer but is OVERRATED! I mean the guy breaks the equivalent of lifetime home runs (TD) and the very next game breaks the equivalent of lifetime strike outs (INT). Plus I just don’t like him.

  • Kevin

    jess(ica), we can tell you don’t like him.

    A. He had one interview about a week ago… When was his last statement? That’s publicly mulling? That’s being addicted to the spotlight?

    B. He had a problem with pain pills for a brief time how many years ago? Let’s look in your closet. Not that I care, but I’m pretty sure you have some bigger demons, you judgmental [bleep].

    C. You’re sick of him? No one cares.

    D. Get your stats right.

    And finally, obviously, you do care. Otherwise, why would you be here reading articles about him and taking time out to post a comment?

    God, you rationalize like an a naggy [bleep].

  • Paul

    Brett Favre is an overrated gunslinger who throws way to many pics plain and simple. He has one ring to his credit and wouldn’t have it without MVP Desmond Howard and Parcell’s unwillingness to kick away from him. Favre should have retired 3 years ago and maintained a bit of dignity instead of this long term soap opera he has created in order to feed his ego. Minnesota is really making a huge mistake entertaining the idea of having Favre as their QB. There has to be better options out there.

  • robert ethan

    Who cares what Rodney Harrison thinks. A lot of black football players take every opportunity to backstab Favre. It is part racism, part professional jealousy. Most of them carry an asterisk for their off field comportment after a certain point in their career, and they can’t stand the fact that Brett was open and up front about his transgressions and came out of the experience even more popular with the public.

  • Brendan

    Is Rodney jealous? Maybe, but only for the reason he stated – Favre’s antics took away from the media focusing on the people playing the game working hard. Favre puts little efforts into his off season training and performs subpar, while plenty of rookies and veterans alike train themselves like crazy and have great games. But those accomplishments are overshadowed in the media because Brett wants to come back…or does he??!?!

    On another note, I think Rodney’s going to be quite an amusing sportscaster.

  • Paul

    Now we have to drag racism into it. A black man can’t have an opinion about a white QB without it being racist. What is the matter with you?

  • jesse

    I’m placing no judgement. Just thought it was funny. I did get it wrong, he set the picks record a few weeks later. The point remains the same. He’s an overrated HOF. By the way, get your nose out of Favre’s (bleep). (bleep)fully yours

  • jesse

    Hey robert E. Quit pretending you’re not racist. Put on the hood or start thinking.

  • Scott

    Rodney can’t get it done his game is all in his legs where as Favre is more like a pitcher in baseball- besides the fact last year favre had like the second longest run of his career- and the year before that he was close to being MVP- he had surgery and had his arm fixed– I really doubt he has lost that much-

    I know he throws pics and chokes in big games but I’d still take him over all but 2-3 people and even then that is a stretch.

    Harrison says the media loves Favre? the media has been a bastard to Favre-

    Favre still played better than Eli or Big Ben did last year when it came to Td’s , Yards and completion Perecent maybe those guys should retire?

  • Andy

    If this was a story written about Favre half you guys who say “We love Favre and Rodney’s a piece of #@#$” would be singing a different tune…Favre by far eats up more headlines about his indecision to play than any other player around. As the old saying goes “Poop or get off the pot” Rodney is stating the obvious, Favre needs to make his mind up early enough after the season that he does not impact the team he “might” be going to like he did last year with the Jets. I bet there are a lot of Packer fans out there who really wished Favre just stayed retired last year. It has done nothing to help his stats nor will it get him another ring. He doesn’t have enough left in the tank for it.

  • Darren

    Raise your hand if you’re sick of Brett Favre after all this sh*t

    *raises hand*

    He’s not even good, I don’t get why people still want him. He’s also like 80 years old, and has ended his career on a game-ending interception…twice.

  • sam

    hey jon allen it’s not player’s per say. it’s the media circus and networks ideals of having there writer’s earning there paychecks then anything else.

    make your simple opinions to the media and networks for there idea of quality news

    and calling the pats cheater’s lol lol lol,every team in the nfl does this ,the pats just got caught…………………… peace

  • Chris

    Rodney will be in the Hall of Fame, only safety to have 30 career interceptions and 30 career sacks.

  • shack

    farve has been washed up for years someone please TELL BRETT. just go away dont go away mad just go away!

  • http://monkeesfan.blogspot.com Mike Daly

    Scott, Rodney Harrison was getting it done; his career ended because of a very serious knee injury. Favre has NOT been getting it done for years – his play is consistently sloppy and his selfishness, already understood throughout the league, got a public airing in New York. If you lined up 20 NFL quarterbacks, chances are Favre would come in last in teamwork, reliability, and skill.

  • TimBuk4

    ” Favre still played better than Eli or Big Ben did last year when it came to Td’s , Yards and completion Perecent(sic) maybe those guys should retire? ”

    What?! Ben won the superbowl and Favre choked his way out of the playoffs by losing what, 4 straight? That is absurd.

    Btw, I had a Favre jersey, my only non-Patriots jersey and I still want him to stay retired. I’d MUCH rather have Cassel right now than Favre.

    *raises hand* (still sick of Favre)

  • http://monkeesfan.blogspot.com Michael Daly

    BTW, can they get a shot of Rodney wielding a sledgehammer?

    Favre lost four of the last five games of 2008 – the only reason he won against Buffalo is because of J.P. Losman’s incredibly stupid play-action fake that became a fumble.

    Favre’s playoff record – 12-10. That he’s made that many playoffs says more about the weakness of the NFC Central/North in his time than it does about him.

  • P.J.

    How can anybody say that Rodney is not a 1st ballot Hall of Famer. First and only member of 30 sacks/30 Interceptions club (Not including Playoffs). In the playoffs, he added another 9 interceptions, as well as multiple fumbles. Named captin of the Patriots by their players after only a month, despite the team winning the superbowl 2 years before.
    I’m sorry but favre has lost for the last 12 years because he dont care about the name on the front of the jersey. 2008 was the only year, since he was a pill popper, that he went to training camps (MADE TO BY COACH) and that was also the year that he actually played smart throughout the season, not throwing 25+ interceptions. The following year he fakes his retirement so that he can be lazy and shiffless during camps. He did the same thing this offseason, no big surprise.
    My gaurentee is that the Vikings will end this season, with favre having a 3-4 interception game.

  • spthomas

    You make it sound like Rodney is the only person with this point of view – HELLO!

    For those of you who disagree with Rodney’s statements about Farve then you must surely be able to provide me the name of 1 (just 1, that’s all) sportscaster, coach, another NFL football player or team who agrees that Brett Farve is being totally reaasonalble and not being self centered? Didn’t think so…. nuf said.

  • jrmdb

    I agree 100% with Rodney. Brett Favre has a decision to make and it is his decision. Normal people go through the motions of discussing it with people involved with the outcome of the decision, family and basically it is is “their” decision. Since leaving the Packers, every year it is, I am ,I’m not. This totally unfair to his teammates and his fans,( if there is any anymore). Why do we have to have the drama. Decide, make the announcement, be done. To put it bluntly “Save the DRAMA for your MAMA!” Go out as a great athlete for your accomplishments and not as a news hog.

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