Rodney Harrison HGH and the Super Bowl

klerme · 01-30-2008, 01:16 AM

Let me preface this by saying I am actually rooting for the Pats to win the Super Bowl - mainly because of Ellis Hobbs and I don't care for the Giants. However, it is amazing how you can have so many media covering pro football yet not talk about or investigate a potentially large story.

It is sometimes mentioned that Rodney Harrison was suspended at the beginning of the season for 4 games for use of HGH. The rest of the facts were subsequently buried by "spygate."

Fact - Despite his initial admission that he used HGH to heal from injuries during the 05 and 06 seasons, he actually placed his first order and received his first shipment from the Florida "doctor" in the weeks leading to the Pats playing the Panthers in the Super Bowl.

Fact - Harrison was the Pats leading tackler against the Panthers - a game decided by a FG.

Fact - He has admitte he used in 05 and 06.

Fact - He made sure in his initial admission to make sure that he claimed his teammates were not involved.

After that, there is very little reported about his use and the media has forgotten to do any follow-up and treat him with an odd reverence. Here are the questions or thoughts that have went without being discussed:

1. If he used prior to the 04 Super Bowl and during the 05 and 06 seasons, is there really any question that he probably used for the 05 Super Bowl against the Eagles? Fact - Harrison had 7 tackles, 1 sack and 2 int's - a game decided by a FG. How many millions of dollars were potentially won or lost due, in part, to the advantage he gained for either of the Super Bowls?

2. How did a player that was raised and went to college in Illinois and then played in SD and then NE find out about a Florida "doctor" to get the HGH? Interesting point - Junior Seau's 1st year in Miami was 2003.

3. How is it that the older players in the physical positions are performing so well for NE whereas in other places, age seems to cause players to slow a step? Mike Vrabel - arguably best stats in year 11 - has not missed a game since injuries in 2003 had him miss 3 games; Tedy Bruschi - amazing recovery from a stroke, I just hope it was a truthful recovery and the stroke was not related to any HGH use (side effects can include high blood pressure and heart ailments) - also, only 1 missed game not caused by the stroke since start of 03 season (had injuries in 02); Junior Seau - tonight Sean Salisbury mentioned that he did not miss 1 single practice this year - HGH helps the body recover more quickly.

These are all questions that go unanswered. Maybe Marty and/or Miller can ask Bob Ryan what investigation he has done on that story the next time he is on.

drum1306 · 01-30-2008, 01:30 AM

I lost any belief that most athletic achievements in the pro categories were not affected by drugs of some kind a long time ago. This doesn't surprise me in the least.

jahfg · 01-30-2008, 02:10 AM

It just doesn't matter as much in football. The records just aren't as prestigious as in baseball. Merriman was also on steroids, but I can't remember the last time that was mentioned by the media.

cybsball20 · 01-30-2008, 09:50 AM

Remember, almost that entire Carolina team, including the PUNTER was on roids as well.

CyPlainsDrifter · 01-30-2008, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by klerme

How is it that the older players in the physical positions are performing so well for NE whereas in other places, age seems to cause players to slow a step?

Drugs are being used throughout the NFL (and other sports) IMO and NE doesn't have the corner on the market. To believe they are the only ones using or the only ones benefiting from them, is just crazy talk. The guys across the line of scrimmage are doing the same thing.

BryceC · 01-30-2008, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by jahfg

It just doesn't matter as much in football. The records just aren't as prestigious as in baseball. Merriman was also on steroids, but I can't remember the last time that was mentioned by the media.

Didn't he even win DPOTY that year as well?

cyclonenum1 · 01-30-2008, 10:39 AM

The NFL has been masterful in sweeping these issues under the rug and keeping them off of the front pages...far more so than MLB. Frankly, I think the NFL strong arms its broadcast partners to ensure this sort of stuff is not given much air time.

On top of everything else stated...Rodney Harrison is a dirty player (late hits, etc.).

cybsball20 · 01-30-2008, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by cyclone#1

The NFL has been masterful in sweeping these issues under the rug and keeping them off of the front pages...far more so than MLB. Frankly, I think the NFL strong arms its broadcast partners to ensure this sort of stuff is not given much air time.

On top of everything else stated...Rodney Harrison is a dirty player (late hits, etc.).

I agree, I think the NFL has been doing something behind the scenes to keep these stories under wraps. However, as it was with baseball, it only takes one big story to bring it all out. I wonder if there is a 'Canseco' in the NFL, you listening Romanowski?

klerme · 01-30-2008, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

Remember, almost that entire Carolina team, including the PUNTER was on roids as well.

I agree. However, isn't it "amazing" that since that information came out and Carolina has been under scrutiny that seemingly every year they have significants amounts of players suffering injuries that keep them out for weeks or the entire season?

As it relates to records being more prestigious in baseball - is there anything in sports that receives more attention or that has more prestige than the Super Bowl?

The 72 Dolphins undefeated record is one record that has its own place.

Would everyone feel the same if Emmitt Smith was found to use HGH or roids in breaking Walter Payton's record, or should every athletic feat nowadays just have an asterisk beside it? Just food for thought.

Wesley · 01-30-2008, 10:54 AM

Sylvester Stallone freely admits to taking HGH to buff up for his latest role in Rambo. How old is he?

mike4cy · 01-30-2008, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

I agree, I think the NFL has been doing something behind the scenes to keep these stories under wraps. However, as it was with baseball, it only takes one big story to bring it all out. I wonder if there is a 'Canseco' in the NFL, you listening Romanowski?

Speaking of Romanowski...I watched The Longest Yard again last night, great flick. Someone from NY should switch Seau and Bruski's roids with estrogen so they are walking around crying at the Super Bowl.

bandit · 01-30-2008, 11:03 AM

I look at this like I look at Lance Armstrong. Lance probably doped, but so was everyone else. I don't condone it and I think it's wrong. But he still set the records at the Tour among a (mostly) level playing field.

Sadly the vast majority of professional athletes are using less-than-legal suppliments and it probably doesn't give anyone an edge now-it simply levels the playing field.

brianhos · 01-30-2008, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by bandit

I look at this like I look at Lance Armstrong. Lance probably doped, but so was everyone else. I don't condone it and I think it's wrong. But he still set the records at the Tour among a (mostly) level playing field.

Sadly the vast majority of professional athletes are using less-than-legal suppliments and it probably doesn't give anyone an edge now-it simply levels the playing field.

Please don't ever mention Lance and doping. After reading more and more about that guy, I believe him. He is the greatest athlete of our generation, and to tarnish it with these allogations is wrong. Look at what he has done after bike racing. He just ran a sub 2:50 marathon. That is incredible.

Wait till you see Lance run the Ironman this year. He just may win the darn thing. And will again prove he is the greatest athlete on the planet.

mike4cy · 01-30-2008, 11:13 AM

But can he dunk? jk...