01:00 AM EST on Thursday, March 25, 2004

By TOM E. CURRAN
Journal Sports Writer

Rodney Harrison thinks the rest of the NFL likes what's going on right now between the New England Patriots and cornerback Ty Law.

The veteran safety said on Tuesday that as far as the rest of the league is concerned, discord in Foxboro is a good thing.

"Other teams in the league want to see us break apart, want to see us have dissension," Harrison said. "That's why it's even more important to come closer. When we come together at mini-camps and at training camp, it will be important to talk to the young guys and say 'This is the NFL. This is what happens sometimes. There's a business side and there is a football side and one can't affect the other.' "

Harrison is aware of Law's displeasure with his current contract and the Pro Bowl corner's requests to be released.

'People talk to me about Ty and I try to explain to them both sides of the situation, sides that people may not understand," Harrison said. "You sign a contract, you're obligated to play for that contract. But at the same time, our contracts aren't guaranteed. One accident, one thing happens and you don't have any salary coming in. That's why it's important for guys to get as much money as they can while they can get it.

"Do I want more money?" Harrison asked rhetorically. "Yeah. Everyone wants more money. But I signed a six-year contract and I'm obligated to play to that contract. That's the decision I made and that's what I have to live with. The one thing I have to do is focus on me and my business. Worrying about Ty or someone else's contract is chasing the wind. I can't do that. Nine times out of 10, 10 times out of 10, these things work themselves out."

Traylor visits

The Patriots entertained former Bears defensive tackle Keith Traylor this week. The 34-year-old Traylor could be a stand-in for the departed Ted Washington in the middle of the Patriots' three-man front. As it stands now, the Pats have second-year men Dan Klecko and Ty Warren on the depth chart with nose-tackle ability. There's also Jarvis Green, whom the Pats were grooming to play the nose before they acquired Washington last August. But Green shows greater promise playing away from the center (witness his three-sack performancein the AFC Championship), and Klecko is not the classic widebody the Pats would seemingly prefer in there.

Traylor, 6-foot-2 and 340 pounds, missed six games last season. He's been in the league for 14 seasons.

That's not a good sign

If the Patriots have their eye on highly-regarded Oregon State running back Steven Jackson, their interest may be tempered by Jackson's choice of agent. He's represented by the Postons, the agents who also represent Law and former Patriot Lawyer Milloy.

Jennings in, Hall out

The Patriots signed free agent wide receiver Michael Jennings yesterday and waived cornerback Michael Hall.

Jennings, a former track star at Florida State, signed with San Francisco as a rookie free agent on May 29, 2002 and was waived Aug. 13, 2002.

The Pats had signed Hall as a free agent last Jan. 14.