On the field, the Patriots were without one of their undisputed leaders, who has built a gritty career based on fire, determination, intimidation, and football smarts. He is the only player in NFL history to record at least 25 sacks and 30 interceptions, but even that remarkable fact doesn't begin to cover the intangibles he provides.
I believe New England will beat the New York Jets Sunday, but I'm a lot less convinced about the Patriots' long-term playoff future now that Harrison is out because of a right knee injury.
I know, I know. They've won without him before. But this is Harrison's time of year, when big plays and uncommon toughness are at a premium. Need I remind you of Super Bowl XXXVIII, his first trip to the championship? As the minutes ticked away, Harrison broke his arm making a tackle but didn't have time to retreat to the sideline. Instead, he stayed in for one more play, shoved Carolina receiver Muhsin Muhammad out of bounds with his bad arm, then gave in to the excruciating pain.
Moments after that game was won, Harrison walked gingerly to the locker room, cradling his arm. His face was a pale ecru, the color of someone who was in such agony he just might pass out at any moment. He offered a weak smile as he retreated to the trainer's room, and I remember thinking the price of victory for someone who played the way Harrison did would require enduring physical discomfort.
But what Harrison has suffered through in the past two seasons is bordering on absurd. In September 2005 against the Steelers, he shredded his knee and was done for the year. Many surmised he might be done for good.
They were wrong. He returned this season, only to suffer a broken scapula in Week 9. He returned just two weeks ago against Jacksonville, only to be relegated to street clothes again with his knee injury.
"You can't help but feel down for the guy," said linebacker Rosevelt Colvin. "After everything he went through last year, and to work so hard to get back on the field, then to go down again, and then to come back again, and now this . . . it's difficult.
