New England Patriots: 5 Unlikely Heroes of Super Bowl LI

Jan 31, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; General overall view of New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons helmets at NRG Stadium prior to Super Bowl LI on Feb 5, 2017. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; General overall view of New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons helmets at NRG Stadium prior to Super Bowl LI on Feb 5, 2017. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 12, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots free safety Duron Harmon (30) waits for the snap against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots free safety Duron Harmon (30) waits for the snap against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Duron Harmon

The Patriots have a trio of ex-Rutgers players who have significant roles on defense.  While much of the attention goes to safety Devin McCourty and cornerback Logan Ryan, safety Duron Harmon has quietly put together a couple of solid seasons for the Patriots.

In fact, Harmon’s play is what allows McCourty to make the plays he makes.  In the final year of his contract, Harmon has prior Super Bowl experience and will likely be in position to make a big play in Super Bowl LI.

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With a deep threat player like Julio Jones challenging the defense, Harmon is expected to provide safety help for whichever cornerback lines up across from the dynamic wide receiver.  While Duron Harmon is not a flashy player, he is a player who does the job assigned to him.  He has 92 tacklers and seven interceptions in his career and credits Patriots head coach Bill Belichick for believing in his ability to play the game.

"“I feel like I would have been an NFL player, but I would say just being under coach Belichick, he has made me a much better football player because I’ll say I’ve never been challenged the way that he’s challenged me,” Harmon said via Chron.com. “I’ve never been coached the way he has coached me. He just expects excellence. Having that on you all the time it can either break you or it can make you a better player. I really feel like it’s continuing to just help me be a better player, so I know the player I am has a lot to do with coach Belichick.”"

Harmon will have an opportunity to make an interception or make a key down-the-field tackle in this game.