Patriots HOF nominees: Tedy Bruschi, Leon Gray, Chuck Fairbanks

[ctpatsfan77]

Nostalgia might get Fairbanks in, but, somehow, I suspect that Bruschi will win this one in a landslide. Leon Gray, for the record, was an OT who played next to John Hannah.

Rodney Harrison and Willie McGinest were eligible, but not nominated this year.

Bruschi, Fairbanks, Gray named finalists for Patriots Hall of Fame - Extra Points - Boston.com

 

[pazrul72]

This is going to be Bruschi in a landslide. The other two, while deserving, do not have their picture in the dictionary next to the word Patriot and Patriot Way. Bru was one of the main architects of the dynasty and needs to be put in first ballot.

 

[Steve102]

This is going to be Bruschi in a landslide. The other two, while deserving, do not have their picture in the dictionary next to the word Patriot and Patriot Way. Bru was one of the main architects of the dynasty and needs to be put in first ballot.

I agree. Not debating the man's credentials or ability, but this is a slam dunk. A taking air at the foul line, over three small cars, two kids, and VW bus full of clowns slam dunk.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I agree. Not debating the man's credentials or ability, but this is a slam dunk. A taking air at the foul line, over three small cars, two kids, and VW bus full of clowns slam dunk.

Must . . . resist . . . JEST joke. . . .

 

[DarrylS]

As much as Bruschi will be the overwhelming favorite, hope that Leon Gray makes it another way.. he was a beast.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I'd vote for Chuck but I expect Bru to win in a landslide. Of course in subsequent years I'd vote for Bruschi who along with Troy Brown and Tom Brady epitomize the Patriot Way.

 

[Froob]

Bruschi, easily. Heart and soul of the dynasty defense.

 

[Rob0729]

Bruschi is my all time favorite player. Wasn't the best player out there, but he was the guy who epitomized the Patriots of the Dynansty years - a guy who was an overachiever who didn't look for personal glory, played with a lot of heart, and put the team above everything.

 

[PatsDeb]

Tedi Bruschi, and not because he's the most "recently played" inductee. He was a big part of why we won 3 Superbowls. I already voted for him this morning when it came out!

 

[TruthSeeker]

Bruschi is my all time favorite player. Wasn't the best player out there, but he was the guy who epitomized the Patriots of the Dynansty years - a guy who was an overachiever who didn't look for personal glory, played with a lot of heart, and put the team above everything.

I'm with ya bro, was a HUGE Bruschi fan. Though he was my second favorite from the Dynasty Years (Behind Brady), I loved watching him play, always came up with big plays, Ints, fumble recoveries, sacks, whatever, he was always around the ball. What a warrior !

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I'm off to route for my Jets!

 

[AQPE]

Big, huge "YES" for me on Bruschi. He probably won't be deemed NFL HOF-worthy, but for me that's where he belongs on the basis of leadership and big play ability. For us Pats fans, we all know why, so 'nuff said on this one.

Equally big "NO" for me on Chairbanks (this is not a typo, but an homage to the chant at the playoff game against the Oilers). Yes, I remember what he accomplished, it was impressive considering the Sullivan factor, but his exit approach was appalling and should earn him an automatic exclusion for a Patriots Hall of Fame. I'm old enough to remember what ol' Chuck really did as a coach at Colorado and subsequently; hell, he couldn't even win in the USFL with arguably the best talent in that league. I know, he won at Oklahoma in the late 1960's and early 1970's, but never got that team to the top either (and, let's just say, college football in that period was "rather unregulated" for the "factories" like OU, Nebraska, Texas, etc.). He had 3 winning seasons with the Patriots, but not a single playoff win, correct? Lastly on this, as a proud child of New England I can't ignore his badmouthing of our area, and this trait of his was well-known to those of us who followed the team back then. OK, so I'm holding a little grudge there, but Sorry Charlie, it's a no go for me.

I'm a "yes" for Leon Gray. His period of greatness for the team wasn't long, but we all know it should have been a lot longer. We all now appreciate the LT position a lot more than we may have back then, and when you rank the LTs the Pats have had, I think he has to be in the top 3 with Bruce Armstrong and Matt Light. For me, he's the #1 example of the Sullivan factor on this franchise.

Biggest omission: Houston Antwine. I got your back on this, RayClay.