Rodney Harrison to NBC

Although it has long been speculated, Rodney Harrison appears to be moving on from professional football.  The Boston Herald reports:

One of the most storied players in Patriots history, Harrison will be introduced as the newest member of NBC’s broadcast team during a conference call tomorrow, according to a source with knowledge of Harrison’s plans.

And while the possibility of a comeback can never be discounted, Harrison is already on record that when he walks away from the game, it will be for good.

“Whatever Rodney decides to do, he’ll be great at it,” said teammate James Sanders this afternoon at Gillette Stadium, where the Patriots were holding an optional team workout.

Reached this afternoon, an NBC spokesman declined comment. NBC Sports Chairman Dick Ebersol will hold a conference call tomorrow at noon to announce the network’s new talent, and Harrison is expected to be on that call.

“If that’s what he chooses to do, he’ll be great,” Sanders said. “He’s very photogenic. He talks well, carries himself well, speaks real proper. He looks like he was born for the camera.”

The 36-year-old Harrison won two Super Bowls with the Patriots and was a three-time first team All-Pro selection. He is the only player in NFL history to record 30 sacks and 30 interceptions in his career.

Harrison previously said that he would make a decision by June 1st.  He will hold a conference call tomorrow, so we’ll see if this becomes official.

2009 Patriots Final Roster Prediction Version 1.0

Here’s my first prediction of what the Patriots’ opening day roster will look like.  Keep in mind that it is just a prediction, and many of my predictions are pure speculation.

QB: 1. Tom Brady 2. Kevin O’Connell 3. Brian Hoyer

HB: 1. Laurence Maroney 2. Fred Taylor 3. Sammy Morris 4. Kevin Faulk 5. BenJarvus Green-Ellis

WR: 1. Randy Moss 2. Joey Galloway 3. Wes Welker (slot) 4. Greg Lewis 5. Sam Aiken

TE: 1. Ben Watson 2. Chris Baker 3. Alex Smith

T: 1. Matt Light 2. Nick Kazcur 3. Mark LeVoir 4. Sebastian Vollmer

G: 1. Logan Mankins 2. Stephen Neal 3. Russ Hochstein

C: 1. Dan Koppen 2. Rich Ohrnberger

DE: 1. Richard Seymour 2. Ty Warren 3. Mike Wright 4. Le Kevin Smith

NT: 1. Vince Wilfork 2. Ron Brace

OLB: 1. Adalius Thomas 2. Pierre Woods 3. Shawn Crable 4. Vince Redd

ILB: 1. Jerod Mayo 2. Tedy Bruschi 3. Paris Lenon 4. Gary Guyton 5. Eric Alexander

CB: 1. Leigh Bodden 2. Jonathan Wilhite 3. Shawn Springs 4. Darius Butler 5. Terrence Wheatley

SS: 1. James Sanders 2. Patrick Chung

FS: 1. Brandon Meriweather 2. Brandon McGowan 3. Ray Ventrone

K: 1. Stephen Gostkowski

P: 1. Chris Hanson

LS: 1. Nathan Hodel

PUP/IR: Brandon Tate, WR; Tyrone McKenzie, ILB;

Practice Squad: Myron Pryor, NT; Titus Adams, DL; Julian Edelman, WR; George Bussey, G/T; Eric Kettani, FB; Robert Ortiz, WR; Jamar Love, CB; Marcus McClinton, S

Tough Cuts: Tully Banta-Cain, OLB; Darryl Richard, DL; Antwain Spann, S;Vinny Ciurciu, ILB; Jarvis Green, DE; Mike Richardson, CB; David Thomas, TE; Ryan Wendell, G, Tank Williams, S; Billy Yates, G; Jake Ingram, LS; Matt Gutierrez, QB; Al Johnson, C/G; Matthew Slater, WR/S/ST

I thought I’d highlights on my thought process in shaping the roster:

• TBC doesn’t make the cut.  It was down to him and Vince Redd, and I like Redd’s size and athleticism.
• Darryl Richard gets cut after a stiff competition with Le Kevin Smith and Jarvis Green.  He gets claimed off waivers so Myron Pryor gets the practice squad spot instead.
• David Thomas loses the battle at tight end.  I think the Patriots could opt to keep four, in which case, Thomas could make the team.
• Matt Slater loses out to Sam Aiken as the 5th receiver/special teams ace.  If Slater shows good return ability, this could be switched.
• Al Johnson loses out to Russ Hochstein as the C/G backup.  Why?  Hochstein’s ability to be a lead blocker.
• Jarvis Green’s release was purely a salary cap move, as the Patriots have younger and cheaper options in Le Kevin Smith and Darryl Richard, and they recently re-signed Mike Wright to a big deal.
• I penciled in Jonathan Wilhite as the #2 cornerback.  Why?  After going back and watching tape on him, I just think he’s that good.
• Spann, Ciurciu, Tank Williams, and Yates are all tough cuts.  There just wasn’t room on the roster for all of them.