John Hannah says Andre Tippett was better than Lawrence Taylor

[zippo59]

Hannah is also lobbying for former teammate Andre Tippett to join him in the Hall of Fame. Tippett, according to Hannah, was a better all-around player than the legendary Lawrence Taylor.

“Andre had more tenacity, he was a tougher guy, and people feared him more coming off the ball,” Hannah explained. “Whereas LT, all you worried about was him getting around you. You weren’t scared of him.”

http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=25658&pcid=41

I don't think he is the most objective source, though.

 

[CTPatsFan]

http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=25658&pcid=41

I don't think he is the most objective source, though.

Under the influence of cocaine, LT was probably a tick better than AT. It would have been interesting to see that matchup sans LT's coke habit. I bet AT would fare quite well.

 

[jcdavey]

sounds like hannah stumbled upon some of taylor's crack

 

[TheSeymonsta]

sounds like hannah stumbled upon some of taylor's crack

I would agree with this...

Tippet was good but LT was in a class all by himself.

 

[Wretch]

Honestly if A.T. had played in NY for an ownership group that actually cared about winning he would be in the Hall of Fame and be considered one of the greatest LB to ever play the game.

Nothing against L.T., he was a great player but his reputation was augmented by playing for Parcells in NY.

It's a travisty that A.T. isn't in the Hall of Fame

 

[PatsRI]

Hannah is one supremely confident guy, he proabably figured he handled LT and never had to play Andre therefore Andre is better.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Tippett should be and I believe will be in the Hall.

But to say that people didn't fear LT??

Heck even I feared LT and that was just while watching at Foxboro stadium. I booed him and I swear he looked about ready to head into the stands.

 

[363839]

Hannah is one supremely confident guy, he proabably figured he handled LT and never had to play Andre therefore Andre is better.

You really don't think Hannah faced Tippett in Practice?

 

[zoostation]

Andre was great....but he played at the same time the greatest LB in the history of the game played. Andre is BY FAR the best LB in Patriot history.

No disrespect to Tedy and Willie.....but it's not even close.

We could use him this year!

 

[fair catch fryar]

Better!?!? I wouldn't say that, but I've said all along, if Tippett had played for those Giants teams he could've been very close to LT's level. He was that good!

 

[363839]

Better!?!? I wouldn't say that, but I've said all along, if Tippett had played for those Giants teams he could've been very close to LT's level. He was that good!

It also would have made that Giant linebacking corp beyond totally sick.

 

[BoltsFan]

Here's a fairly objective article on the subject.

http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/Article.php?Page=891

I think he definitely belongs in the HOF. Whether he was "better" than Taylor is debatable.

 

[FirstAndGoal]

I think that what Hannah meant was the Taylor was a speed rush specialist while Andre had more of a blend of speed and strength. I can believe that. I wouldn't say that Andre was better but I see where Hannah's coming from.

 

[Seneschal2]

Tippett will always be one of my favorite players (at any position). Although comparing him to LT is unfair, they were very close in ability. I'd give the edge to LT only because he was put in a position to succeed by the Giants coaching staff. They took advantage of his athleticism via gameplanning to exploit the opponent's weaknesses. Tippett was not used in the same manner.

LT was a 10-time Pro Bowler. In his first 9 Pro Bowls, Bill Belichick was his LB coach and then his DC. Considered a brilliant gameplanner, Belichick deserves much of the credit for LT's success.

Tippett had a productive career, but I wonder how much more of an impact player he'd have been, if Belichick was the creative spark throughout.

 

[patsfan-1982]

i never seen andre or LT play but i think LT was a lot better but the best out side LB i ever seen play is the late derrick thomas from kc he was great

 

[PonyExpress]

BB has stated several times, most recently last year, that Lawrence Taylor is the best player he has ever coached.

 

[unoriginal]

I think what Hannah means to say is that Lawerence Taylor never scared HIM... as he was an offensive guard playing in a diffferent conference.

I'm sure offensive tackles and QBs playing in the NFC East were quite terrified of LT.

 

[DarrylS]

Tippett will always be one of my favorite players (at any position). Although comparing him to LT is unfair, they were very close in ability. I'd give the edge to LT only because he was put in a position to succeed by the Giants coaching staff. They took advantage of his athleticism via gameplanning to exploit the opponent's weaknesses. Tippett was not used in the same manner.

LT was a 10-time Pro Bowler. In his first 9 Pro Bowls, Bill Belichick was his LB coach and then his DC. Considered a brilliant gameplanner, Belichick deserves much of the credit for LT's success.

Tippett had a productive career, but I wonder how much more of an impact player he'd have been, if Belichick was the creative spark throughout.

I agree completely, in Education of a Coach there is quite a bit of discussion about LT and BB learned a lot about coaching during their time with the Giants. If Andre had been on a better coached team ( althought they did make it to the SB in 1985), and had a better supporting cast consistently through his career he would have benefitted immensely. In the early 90's this team was consistently crappy, which probably hurt him.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I would agree with this...

Tippet was good but LT was in a class all by himself.

He was definitely in a class of his own in owning the New yawk fawning media as his cheerleaderrs and very personal PR claque to sing his praises.

 

[denverpatsfan]

If Tippett and LT had switched teams, Tippett would be in the Hall of Fame and would be regarded as the best LB ever to play. LT would be considred a decent player that has an outside shot at making the HOF.

LT played with a very strong supporting cast and the best coaching staff in the league at the time. Tippett played on some of the worst Pats teams ever to take the field.

This is the main problem with the HOF. Great players on crappy teams get overlooked all the time. They don't make the Pro Bowl as much either. It's really a shame.