Which Pat players that played in the 2000s have a chance to make it to Canton?

[mgteich]

This is also my list.

Tom Brady, Ty Law, Junior Seau and Randy Moss (provided he can finish out his career at a high level). Vinatieri may also find his way into Canton because I don't think there's been a kicker in recent memory that has made more big kicks than he has.

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

Vinatieri is not a lock. There is only one other kicker in the HOF. I know he was a punter but Ray Guy isn't even in the Hall. Vinatieri may eventually get in but in no way should he be considered a lock. The most deserving former Patriot eligible right now would be Stanley Morgan IMO with Brady, Belichick, Moss and Seau as locks.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Brady, Seau and Moss are locks. I think Seymour has a really good shot as the best 3-4 DE of his era (by a long shot), and Ted Washington's in that class too as a borderline unstoppable NT. If any kicker is HOF-worthy, it's Vinatieri. I could see Law making it on the strength of his combined regular season play with his exceptional postseason resume--I'm positive that he *deserves* to make it, but I'm not sure that he will. Same with Harrison. Bledsoe's sorta borderline, but I don't see it happening for him. Dillon and Taylor are both possibilities, but I'd be kinda surprised in either case. So, in order of probability, I'm thinking:

Brady
Seau
Moss
Washington
Seymour
Vinatieri
Harrison
Law
Taylor
Dillon
McGinest

For young guys with outside shots if they continue to have stellar careers, I'd probably go with Mayo, Welker, Samuel, in that order.

As far as who I think *should* go, I'd go with:

Brady
Moss
Seau
Seymour
Washington
Law
Harrison
Vinatieri

Considering that Seau and Moss weren't on those teams, and Washington was only on one of them, I think that's about right: a dynasty with 5 HOFers on it.

 

[RayClay]

As we all know, or should know, "the sorriest corner in the league" (thus spake Philip Rivers) is already in

Yes, Ellis Hobbs' jersey is in a little glass case with a couple other jerseys in the "amazing threesome of long kickoff return" display.

Corey Dillon's too, just not his Patriots one.

Had Dillon not played when he should have been in a cast, he'd have breezed into Canton. One more good year and he would have passed all but a handful in total yards and his three 200 plus yard games including the rookie record - 245 and all time record -278 (at the time) would have made him a cinch.

 

[fnordcircle]

Brady, Belichick, Moss and Seau are locks.

Taylor and Curtis Martin are maybe's.

Nobody else gets in. The NFL HoF isn't the MLB HoF, being a great player doesn't get you in. Bruschi, Seymour, Wilfork, etc don't get in.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

The thread stipulates "players," but I'll start by saying Bill Belichick, arguably the greatest HC in the history of the NFL, but certainly one of the top five with Brown, Lombardi, Walsh and whomever else you want to put in that discussion.

As for players.

Locks: Brady, Seau and Vinatieri (if Adam doesn't make it, there will, IMO, forever only be one K in the HOF, as I can't imagine what more a kicker has to do to get in).

Probables:
Moss. I have Randy as a probable simply because I haven't studied the stats on HOF WR's. Folks I respect have him as a lock in this thread, so I'll accept that.

Rodney. Few have dominated at his position and been as feared as much as Harrison. If he's a success as a broadcaster, I think that success will help overcome the HGH and "reputational" issues, much as Michael Irvin's broadcast career helped him overcome a different set of issues.

Seymour. The falloff in his performance as he gets older can make us forget just how great he was.

Dillon. 11,241 career yards and a 4.3 average carry mean that he will have to be seriously considered, but don't make him a lock.

Bruschi. I honestly don't know. I feel a little bit like this might be more of my Pats fan hope than something shared more broadly. I hope he makes it; he was one of the guys who were the "heart and soul" of this team.

Law. I truly believe that he would be a lock if he had finished his career with the Pats.

Martin. Not on my list only because the thread specifies "in the 2000s."

Washington. Yeah, probably.

 

[WhiZa]

Everyone seems to be going back and forth about Vinetari. I'll say that he will be the next kicker in the HoF whenever the committee decides that they should start letting more kickers in.

 

[FFDan]

Brady, Moss, Seau, Belichick are all locks.

I think Vinitieri will make it for his famous kicks rather than his performance. Dillon should be as well as Law. Throw in Rodney's new career in the studio, and that should certainly help his PR.

Curtis Martin should make it even though he's more famous as a J***

Has anyone mentioned Bob Kraft?

 

[BionicPatriot]

It such a shame they don't pay attention to 3-4 NT's and judge them how they should. I love Wilfork, dude just gets after it. But NOBODY and I mean nobody collapsed the pocket like Mount Washington. Nobody talks about that 03' Patriots team, I have very fond memories although I was only 13 at the time. They were opposite of now, winning ugly with good offense, great D.

That team's defense was something else, by far and large the most dominating Pats defense I've seen. The main reason was once we signed Washington, Bruschi played like a man possessed. He was so dominating at his position, he has been huge for every team hes suited up for. He should get in, IMO. Fat guys need love too.

 

[LeonPowe]

It such a shame they don't pay attention to 3-4 NT's and judge them how they should. I love Wilfork, dude just gets after it. But NOBODY and I mean nobody collapsed the pocket like Mount Washington. Nobody talks about that 03' Patriots team, I have very fond memories although I was only 13 at the time. They were opposite of now, winning ugly with good offense, great D.

That team's defense was something else, by far and large the most dominating Pats defense I've seen. The main reason was once we signed Washington, Bruschi played like a man possessed. He was so dominating at his position, he has been huge for every team hes suited up for. He should get in, IMO. Fat guys need love too.

Great post. I just ran through the NFL Network schedule that was showing all of the Super Bowl champions in segments called "America's Game". They said the 2004 Patriots were number 9 on their all time list of Super Bowl champions, but the 2003 team wasn't even in the top 20.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Brady is guaranteed
Vinatieri is VERY likely
Seau is guaranteed
Moss is likely as long as he has no major problems the rest of his career
Big Ted Washington is VERY likely


I don't see any others with a realistic chance - Seymour needs to revert back to 2004 and early form for the rest of his career to have a remote chance

 

[BradyFTW!]

Whenever people talk about Seymour needing to revert to 2004 form, it confuses me a little. Isn't that exactly what he did in 2008? It's no secret that he was injured pretty severely in 2006 and 2007, but it certainly seems like he's back at 100% now and has been for a full year. I agree that he's unlikely to make it, but that's because IMO the voters don't understand the 3-4 enough to vote in a DE who has never had double-digit sacks, and don't understand 2-gap enough to realize how dominant he really is.

Given the climate of this board, it's not really a surprise, since the majority even here seem to think that he's on the decline/lazy/overrated. Which is a shame, since we have essentially the ideal DE for this system playing for us- if he's not good enough, I dunno if anyone ever will be.

 

[TruthSeeker]

There are a lot of posters around here giving a lot of love to Bruschi, but I don't see any chance that he'll ever be in the NFL HOF.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Bruschi has as much chance of the HOF as Troy Brown,Mike Vrabel and Willie McGinest do and thats ZERO chance.

But of course the above mentioned are all guaranteed to be inducted into the Pats HOF within the next decade

 

[bagwell368]

Interesting to mention Taylor and Dillon. I just don't know that I can ever say they were tops in the league at any one time. Each had a great career, but I'd say both are dicey.

No way for Bruschi, just no way. I think the same applies for Seymour.

Brady and Moss could've retired after 2004 and each would've made it.

Seau is in. Vinatieri is in. Don't think so with Law, Harrison or Bledsoe.

No way for Seymour? Only if the dimwits casting ballots judge his play by 4-3 standards. By 3-4 standards he's an all time great and still building his resume. Much greater chance then most of the names mentioned. Two more real good years I say he makes it.

 

[bagwell368]

Vinatieri is not a lock. There is only one other kicker in the HOF. I know he was a punter but Ray Guy isn't even in the Hall. Vinatieri may eventually get in but in no way should he be considered a lock. The most deserving former Patriot eligible right now would be Stanley Morgan IMO with Brady, Belichick, Moss and Seau as locks.

No punters are in the HOF, why even bring it up? AV is a kicker and not punter, OL, TE, DL or anything else.

AV made the single greatest kick in NFL history IMO, and followed it a few minutes later with a top 10. He isn't what he was, but the Colts prolific offense - meaning lots of chances, his rings, his SB kicks... He's in.

 

[bagwell368]

Brady, Belichick, Moss and Seau are locks.

Taylor and Curtis Martin are maybe's.

Nobody else gets in. The NFL HoF isn't the MLB HoF, being a great player doesn't get you in. Bruschi, Seymour, Wilfork, etc don't get in.

Wilfork's career is maybe not even half over yet. Check back in 8 years.

 

[State]

Whenever people talk about Seymour needing to revert to 2004 form, it confuses me a little. Isn't that exactly what he did in 2008? It's no secret that he was injured pretty severely in 2006 and 2007, but it certainly seems like he's back at 100% now and has been for a full year. I agree that he's unlikely to make it, but that's because IMO the voters don't understand the 3-4 enough to vote in a DE who has never had double-digit sacks, and don't understand 2-gap enough to realize how dominant he really is.

I agree. I hope that doesn't cause you to spit out your Perrier. (Though your second paragraph is sheer wuss.)

I wonder how many sacks he could get year after year playing the Giants' scheme?

I predict Brady and Seymour to the HOF. First ballots. Seau is not even human, closer to a god. Vinatieri? Yep.

 

[Holy Diver]

there is NO WAY David Patten makes the hall of fame.....


I'm just sayin'

 

[jmt57]

there is NO WAY David Patten makes the hall of fame.....


I'm just sayin'

Yeah, but what about Adam Seward?