WEEI.com: Reborn under Belichick

[Christopher_Price]

Hey all ... this week's edition of The Hot List is posted at WEEI.com. This week, with the possibility of Jason Taylor signing with the Patriots, we take a look at some veterans who enjoyed a career renaissance under Bill Belichick since the coach took over in New England before the start of the 2000 season.

Christopher Price | The Hot List: Reborn under Belichick

 

[NEGoldenAge]

Great stuff. I'm glad you at least gave Phifer and Cox honorable mentions. I think I'd have put Ted Washington and Bobby Hamilton in that honerable mention category as well. As usual, well done.

 

[JSn]

Nice work Chris. It's a good reminder, I'm sure, and a good education for a newer football fan like myself. Thanks!

 

[Christopher_Price]

Great stuff. I'm glad you at least gave Phifer and Cox honorable mentions. I think I'd have put Ted Washington and Bobby Hamilton in that honerable mention category as well. As usual, well done.

Let's just say Washington and Bobby Hamilton just missed the cut. FWIW, I loved Bobby Ham--a great quote and always really friendly with us in the media. We would always do a Thanksgiving Day feature with him--he would always cook the dinner for his family. Supposedly a great chef.....

 

[NEGoldenAge]

Let's just say Washington and Bobby Hamilton just missed the cut. FWIW, I loved Bobby Ham--a great quote and always really friendly with us in the media. We would always do a Thanksgiving Day feature with him--he would always cook the dinner for his family. Supposedly a great chef.....

I never knew is was a great chef, that's some great info! Thanks.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

Nice reminder about Antowain Smith! The Bills had dumped him then he came here and was such a contributer BB's definitely knows how to pick 'em and turn them into treasures. Good stuff Chris, thanks

 

[JSn]

Makes you think Bill must be a wicked lawn-saler, hehe

 

[Mainefan]

Good idea for a column, Chris. But a reverse one would be just as interesting--Patriots stars that have failed after leaving...there are quite a lot of them.

 

[apple strudel]

Chris, you left out a big one: the franchise.

 

[borg]

My ranking...based on biggest impact
1) Dillon...the team leaned on him more than anyone on the list, and he was money
2) Rodney...the complete package...skill, toughness, leadership
3) 'Twan...workhorse, bluecollar lunchpail guy who got this run started
4) Moss...put a ring on his finger and I place him at 1B
Vrabel...off the list because his career essentially began as a Pat

 

[PatriotsDaily.com]

Glad you're getting a chance to stretch your legs a little over there, Chris. Good stuff.

 

[Christopher_Price]

My ranking...based on biggest impact
1) Dillon...the team leaned on him more than anyone on the list, and he was money
2) Rodney...the complete package...skill, toughness, leadership
3) 'Twan...workhorse, bluecollar lunchpail guy who got this run started
4) Moss...put a ring on his finger and I place him at 1B
Vrabel...off the list because his career essentially began as a Pat

First off, thanks to everyone for the kind words, as well as the folks who have PM'd me with suggestions for others who didn't make the list. I may have to make part two in the not-too-distant future.

Borg, that's a really good point about Vrabel. I wrestled with that choice a bit because the point of the story was about career rejuvenation -- really, a second act -- under Belichick. And as you accurately put it, his career really began when he was picked up by the Patriots. But I still think that there was enough there to say he had some career, however brief, with the Steelers. (Could you imagine how life would be different if Pittsburgh actually found a role for him? Vrabel in Black and Gold the last eight seasons would have been very strange.) But in the end, I still think he made enough of a dent with the Steelers to include him on this list. After all, his play against New England in the 1997 division playoff game may have been one of the biggest reasons the Patriots didn't get back to the Super Bowl.

Borg, I'll ask you the question -- who would you have subbed in for Vrabel? As one poster said before, you might be able to make a case for Ted Washington or Bobby Hamilton. Also, Bryan Cox and Roman Phifer, who were part of a brief honorable mention category, could make a case as well.

And Mainefan, that's a GREAT idea for a column. Don't be surprised if you see that pop up on WEEI.com in the near future--I will make sure to give you a shout out.

 

[Shockt327]

O-T-I-S, maybe?

Even though he wasn't a FA pickup for Bill, I'd put Willie Mac on that list. Anyone remember how bad Willie looked in the Pete Carrol days? He'd get off to a good start during the year, then...just...burn...out. He looked old and slow in his late 20's.

 

[Mike the Brit]

More votes for Mt Washington, O-T-I-S and Willie Mac. Add Junior Seau and Larry Centers, great players who had been discarded/retired. Scepticism about Vrabel (a player in his prime who hadn't found a role) and Moss (a great player also in his prime on a terrible team).

One point. BB doesn't mind signing someone who will only be good for one season -- so long as they're good for that season!

 

[Terry Glenn is a cowgirl]

Vrabel...off the list because his career essentially began as a Pat

Technically, he had his first chance here.

You obviously must know that he was a backup for the Steelers though.

I gotcha...

 

[Christopher_Price]

O-T-I-S, maybe?

Even though he wasn't a FA pickup for Bill, I'd put Willie Mac on that list. Anyone remember how bad Willie looked in the Pete Carrol days? He'd get off to a good start during the year, then...just...burn...out. He looked old and slow in his late 20's.

Great--now I've got enough for a second edition of this list. That's a good call on Willie--he really did have a much better Patriots career under Belichick than he did under Carroll or Parcells. O-T-I-S might be in the second edition of the honorable mention group--good, but not great.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

Great--now I've got enough for a second edition of this list. That's a good call on Willie--he really did have a much better Patriots career under Belichick than he did under Carroll or Parcells. O-T-I-S might be in the second edition of the honorable mention group--good, but not great.

Deion Branch is sorta interesting too; some people say he stayed successful after leaving but had the misfortune of injury. Others say not so much success at all.

 

[KY Pats Fan]

What do you mean that Jason Taylor may be signing this week?