The Official Congrats and Andre Tippett appreciation thread

[BPF]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/07/andre_tippetts.html

Andre Tippett's time
Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff July 30, 2008 12:25 PM

FOXBOROUGH – At their team meeting this morning, the Patriots paused to honor Andre Tippett on his upcoming enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend. Tippett described the meeting as intimate, relaying that it’s a good thing he doesn’t have to play a game because he is an “emotional wreck.”

“I think Bill wanted the opportunity to basically be in front of the team and share some special intimate time before I took off,” Tippett said in a meaningful press conference that lasted almost 25 minutes.

“It was awesome, and got a bit emotional. … Listening to Bill say the things he said, I’m honored – 15, 16 years later, it’s just awesome to get the confirmation from a guy like him, knowing his history and his background, and the people he’s been around from New York, to guys he’s coached here, and the championships. For him to co-sign on me like that, I’m very much appreciative. For him to stand here and speak to [the media] about me as a player, I’m overwhelmed.”

Much of Belichick’s press briefing this morning included thoughts on Tippett.

“We’re really proud of him,” Belichick said. “I just remember seeing Andre as a guy who was dominant – tight ends couldn’t block him, they couldn’t run outside to his side, they couldn’t run off tackle to his side. He was a very powerful pass rusher, but he was fast and athletic, and he used great technique.

“He, along with some other players in that era like [Lawrence] Taylor, really that defined that position of outside linebacker the way we really see it a lot in the National Football League today.”

Tippett is scheduled to attend the Patriots’ training camp practice this afternoon (2:30-4:30 p.m.), where fans are invited to give him a send-off before he leaves for his enshrinement.

The best 2nd Rd pick in Patriots' history. He was stritctly used as a pass rusher in college at Iowa and because teams didn't know if could drop off in space he didn't go in the 1st Rd. This guy was always a difference maker, when he showed up at Iowa they were mired in a streak of 19 consecutive losing seasons and by the time he left they were Big Ten champs and Rose Bowl bound.

In the NFL he was overshadowed by the real LT, who moved all around the Giants D to get his sacks. In the Pats D at the time, Tippett only played on the left side which I believe brought down his sack numbers. He was as good as anyone in the history of the league coming off the edge. He was unblockable at times because those blocking him never knew whether he was going to run around them or over them. He made it look easy out there with speed, agility, strength and athleticism. 5x Pro Bowler and member of NFL all decade 1980's team. Very deserving member of the Hall of Fame. Congrats Mr. Tippett!!

 

[DefenseRules]

Re: Tippett's time

I never had the pleasure of seeing Tippett play. It was a little before my time. However, I have seen old highlights of him. THE MAN WAS A BEAST!!
I was drooling. It didn't help that I saw those highlights at a time when we all were pining for some young linebackers on this team. I am very happy for Tippett. He deserves this. He was a great player. Our young linebackers could learn A LOT from him.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Tippett's time

I am glad that Tippett is getting his due. I do agree his career has not gotten the proper due because he lived in the shadow of Lawrence Taylor. His inclusion in the HOF is overdue.

I have had the honor to meet Tip and have a private conversation (ok, he spoke and my mouth was dropped with awe) and he is such a nice personable guy. No wonder why Kraft loves this guy and has him so integrated into the organization. In a league where there a lot of jerks in its history, it is good to see one of the truly good guys get his due.

 

[Robdude]

Re: Tippett's time

I am thrilled the team is honoring Tippett.

But, I wish the team made this more known beforehand or picked a better day to invite him so that the fans could wish him well. If I had known he was going to be at the pm practice I might have shifted my work schedule to be there. I am sure many fans would want the chance to congratulate him. So I say great idea but bad planning

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Tippett's time

I am thrilled the team is honoring Tippett.

But, I wish the team made this more known beforehand or picked a better day to invite him so that the fans could wish him well. If I had known he was going to be at the pm practice I might have shifted my work schedule to be there. I am sure many fans would want the chance to congratulate him. So I say great idea but bad planning

Actually, the Globe mentioned it in their notes column on Monday that there would be a team send off for Tippett at practice this morning.

 

[signbabybrady]

Re: Tippett's time

I am glad that Tippett is getting his due. I do agree his career has not gotten the proper due because he lived in the shadow of Lawrence Taylor. His inclusion in the HOF is overdue.

I have had the honor to meet Tip and have a private conversation (ok, he spoke and my mouth was dropped with awe) and he is such a nice personable guy. No wonder why Kraft loves this guy and has him so integrated into the organization. In a league where there a lot of jerks in its history, it is good to see one of the truly good guys get his due.

I have met a few times as well and he was so nice. He gave an autograph and took a picture. Chatted a little bit about how proud he is to still be part of this team and he talked a little about how this team is so special and fun to watch and that we should enjoy it (paraphrasing).

I was so pumped when I heard the news of his induction.

I never had the pleasure of seeing Tippett play. It was a little before my time. However, I have seen old highlights of him. THE MAN WAS A BEAST!!
I was drooling. It didn't help that I saw those highlights at a time when we all were pining for some young linebackers on this team. I am very happy for Tippett. He deserves this. He was a great player. Our young linebackers could learn A LOT from him.

I was pretty young while he was here as well. I was at the age when my father was begining to teach me the game and I can remember on defense he would tell me to just watch 56 and I would say watching him helped me fall in love with this game (that and the fact my dad had season tickets, his dad had them first and he was persuading me as well, and my older brother was always talking football, I was born into a football family and at the perfect time too. My first memories of football where the worst of times late 80s early 90s but from there on in it all got better and culminating with the frist title when I was 18 and yes I went to New Orleans (the perfect place for a freshman in college to celebrate a title) anyways I get off topic.)

Congrats Tip. Can't wait to see the ceremony this weekend. Get the season of redemption started with some long awaited redemption for Tippett who was long over due for this.

 

[Wax Frog]

Re: Tippett's time

I have had the honor to meet Tip and have a private conversation (ok, he spoke and my mouth was dropped with awe) and he is such a nice personable guy. No wonder why Kraft loves this guy and has him so integrated into the organization. In a league where there a lot of jerks in its history, it is good to see one of the truly good guys get his due.

*envy*envy*envy*

When I first got hooked in '85, and was still in my 'favorite player' phase, Tip was the one! Good to know my younger, dumber self stumbled into the right choice!

 

[PATSNUTme]

The Official: Andre Tippett congrats and appreciation thread

#56 will be inducted into the Hall Off Fame tomorrow. He will be only the 2nd player who played his entire carrer with the Patriots inducted ( that will change a lot over the not too distant future)

I feel sorry for those of you too young not to have seen him play. My brother,who is a Giants fan, and I use to get into aguments allthe time as to who was better, LT or Tip. LT did have more athletic ability but Tip played smarter and IMO was the better overall player.

He will be the first to be inducted tomorrow at around 6PM. I am going to make every effort to be in front of a TV to see this.

 

[JMarr]

Re: The Official: Andre Tippett congrats and appreciation thread

#56 will be inducted into the Hall Off Fame tomorrow. He will be only the 2nd player who played his entire carrer with the Patriots inducted ( that will change a lot over the not too distant future)

I feel sorry for those of you too young not to have seen him play. My brother,who is a Giants fan, and I use to get into aguments allthe time as to who was better, LT or Tip. LT did have more athletic ability but Tip played smarter and IMO was the better overall player.

He will be the first to be inducted tomorrow at around 6PM. I am going to make every effort to be in front of a TV to see this.

Who's the other, Hannah? I loved that '85 team especially Grogan and Tippet. Made me a Pats' lifer. Too bad they had to square off that Bears team and not the 2006 version.

 

[ScottieC]

Re: The Official: Andre Tippett congrats and appreciation thread

#56 will be inducted into the Hall Off Fame tomorrow. He will be only the 2nd player who played his entire carrer with the Patriots inducted ( that will change a lot over the not too distant future)

I feel sorry for those of you too young not to have seen him play. My brother,who is a Giants fan, and I use to get into aguments allthe time as to who was better, LT or Tip. LT did have more athletic ability but Tip played smarter and IMO was the better overall player.

He will be the first to be inducted tomorrow at around 6PM. I am going to make every effort to be in front of a TV to see this.

Can't wait to watch!! Tip seems to be a class act all around.

If you get a chance, get over the Official site and watch the Patriots Today Video they did yesterday - Very well done - Shows Bill in a players meeting thanking and then him addressing the squad - Good stuff!!! Can't wait to hear Kraft's intro of Tip tomorrow at the Ceremony.

Thanks for starting the thread and the heads up on the time.

Congrats to Tip! Look forward to many more Patriots HOF inductions.

 

[Kontradiction]

Re: The Official: Andre Tippett congrats and appreciation thread

I've never watched him play in person but I've seen his highlight reels and the man was a damn good linebacker. I wouldn't go so far as to say that he's better than L.T. but he was a good one.

Congrats, Tip. BTW - Nut, did you watch the Super Bowl with your brother?

 

[reflexblue]

Re: The Official: Andre Tippett congrats and appreciation thread

Congradulations Andre Tippet my favorite player of all time. This day should have happened a long time ago. :rocker::rocker::rocker:

 

[PATSNUTme]

Re: The Official: Andre Tippett congrats and appreciation thread

I've never watched him play in person but I've seen his highlight reels and the man was a damn good linebacker. I wouldn't go so far as to say that he's better than L.T. but he was a good one.

Congrats, Tip. BTW - Nut, did you watch the Super Bowl with your brother?

NO!!!!!!!!!!!

And we haven't talked about it. We want to remain brothers. That loss to me was more painful than losing to any other team in the SB.

thanks for bringing it up again.

 

[Kontradiction]

Re: The Official: Andre Tippett congrats and appreciation thread

NO!!!!!!!!!!!

And we haven't talked about it. We want to remain brothers. That loss to me was more painful than losing to any other team in the SB.

thanks for bringing it up again.

My roomate is a Vagiants fan and I actually had to watch the Super Bowl with him and a group of friends that didn't like the Pats. Tell me about it.

 

[1tobeat]

Re: The Official: Andre Tippett congrats and appreciation thread

Tip used to REALLY Kill Buffalo's QB Joe Fergeson. I mean, it seemed every time we palyed them, Fergeson was running for his life. AHHHH it was great to watch. Congrats Tip.

 

[363839]

Re: The Official: Andre Tippett congrats and appreciation thread

Big O for the big guy.
Congratulations, Andre.
Your induction into the NFL HoF is
well deserved if not late in coming.
Great thread, PatsNutme.

 

[Pats Fanatic]

Re: The Official: Andre Tippett congrats and appreciation thread

This is an interview on patriots.com with Hannah interviewing Tip. Two of the best, not only Patriots but NFL players ever. We as fans should be honored to have them go into the HOF as Patriots. Interview is long but well worth it.
http://www.patriots.com/mediacenter/index.cfm?ac=videonewsdetail&pid=32991&pcid=142&rss=1

 

[Leave No Doubt]

Re: The Official: Andre Tippett congrats and appreciation thread

Long time comin' Tip! Congratulations:rocker:

(I read something about All Access covering this tomorrow night?)

It's very cool that nobody else has ever worn his #

 

[patsfan13]

Re: The Official: Andre Tippett congrats and appreciation thread

Long overdue. A great player best SS LB of his era, congrats Tip.

It will be fun watching tomorrow, hopefully NFL net will have some good highlight film on AT.:singing:

 

[belichickaholic]

Re: The Official: Andre Tippett congrats and appreciation thread

Feeling of pride watching him. Feeling of pride that he's going in. Congrats Tip!