Will the Rodney Harrison HGH Scandal Show Patriots True Colors?

The New England Patriots have long been recognized as one of "The classiest teams in the NFL" and have epitomized what it means to build a franchise with class. They exude the teamwork that is necessary to win the right way. For the longest time, every sportscaster with a microphone would refer to Head Coach Bill Belichick as a character guy and that the franchise would only go after the class in the NFL. On the surface, this would appear to be true, but is 2007 the year that the Patriots sell out, and give in to the demons that plague the NFL on a seemingly daily basis? Will the Patriots stand by the principles that they so strongly have held dear over the past several seasons?

This question was partially answered in the off season when the Patriots went out and got the anti-character Randy Moss. Moss fits on the Patriots team like a triple cheeseburger. It might taste good while you are eating it, but you know it is going to kill you one day. Whatever Moss brings to the table with his considerable talent will be off set by his attitudes and character flaws. Don't get me wrong.....I understand the talent argument, and I certainly can see why Moss can help the Patriots, but the Patriots have won over the years because of NOT having these types of players. The egos on this team was such that they were one on the field. His talent will help in the short term, but his ego will kill over time. The Patriots, above all others, should understand that.

Now we are getting the headlines that Rodney Harrison has admitted to using HGH and will serve a 4 game suspension from the NFL. This is a guy that is over the hill a bit, though still a very hard hitter and quality safety. Should the Patriots punish him as well? They should, and probably would have in times past. Today's Patriots will not. Mark my words, Rodney Harrison will be back on the field after his suspension, and in the starting line up. Harrison will give up four games, but how many games was other teams cheated out of during his HGH days? Countless are possible, and it is sickening. I wonder what the Patriots will do about it? Remember, they only want "character" guys.