Tom Brady is missing most of his biggest weapons, and Rodney Harrison is confused as to why one of the next men up hasn’t done his job.
The former New England Patriots safety expected Brandon LaFell to break out with Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski and Dion Lewis sidelined by injuries, but the wideout currently leads the NFL in targets without a touchdown at 56.
“This is a kid who I thought absolutely could be a star,” Harrison said on WEEI’s “Ordway, Merloni & Fauria” on Tuesday. “I figured he has an opportunity with all these guys being injured, is Brandon LaFell. I don’t get him. He has an opportunity to go out there and make some plays and make himself a hell of a lot of money.”
LaFell hasn’t had much of a chance to shine, having started the season on the PUP list until Week 7. Since then, though, LaFell has posted only one game with more than four receptions. The wideout had four receptions for 27 yards in the Patriots’ 35-28 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
“You’re playing on a big stage each and every week,” Harrison said. “You have an opportunity to really take advantage of the opportunity that you have and make some catches, become that receiver. He’s tall, he has good size. He runs decent routes. For this guy not to get to that next level, I am really disappointed in him. He’s really blown his chances of making a lot of money in the future.”
Thumbnail photo via Mark L. Baer/USA TODAY Sports Images
