Hey all --

As this is our first post of 2007, we here at the PJPB would like to wish you a happy & healthy new year.

Anyway, Bill Belichick did say this morning that Rodney Harrison will not play Sunday against the Jets due to his right knee injury.

There was a massive media contingent here, about 70 to 75 reporters and camera people by our estimate, befitting both the teams playing -- New York being a huge media city -- and the sexiness of this matchup and the mentor vs. student angle.

Belichick complemented the Jets' staff, headed by Eric Mangini, for the job it has done with the team this season, noting that New York has won six of its last eight games and won all three of its AFC East road games.

When he was asked about his relationship with Mangini, Belichick said this game "isn't about relationships" and that he and Mangini aren't playing one another, their teams are.

This is the first time that the Patriots have played a team three times in one season under Belichick.

shalise