Don't you run a casino of some sort? Seems like you would have a better appreciation for numbers.
Despite the nonsense uttered by a disingenuous Belichick, stats are for winners, not losers. Show me a player with unremarkable stats who's making a big difference on the scoreboard. Show me a championship team that didn't have great team stats and individual players with great numbers.
For Christ's sake BB may be aimlessly dragging out his career just so he compile a stat.
Who's laughing at Antowain? Decent player who contributed. However, he's down of the list of being irreplaceable. And he was no better than an average RB who had the good fortune of playing on a couple of championship caliber teams.
2001 would have been a replay of 2000 if not for Mo Lewis, so he belongs in the Patriots HOF.
Brady, Edelman, and White can go in ahead of Wes. Vinatieri, fine. That's it.
Julius can wait some more but sure get him in there too at some point. I'm on the fence with Vrabel. I won't waste my time arguing against McCourty, I'll concede he's getting into the NEP HOF but he's not getting into the NFL HOF. Mosi, no. Slater, ugh... is he ever going to just retire? It's preposterous to think Tatupo, Antowain Smith, Butler, or Slater should get in the Patriots HOF ahead of Welker, who arguably is the best WR in franchise history.
Yes, Julius can wait more time...because he is dead. We'll toss him out to focus on the 2001 to 2019 for obvious reasons. 6 rings warrants recency bias. No argument here.
As a Patriots fan, those 6 rings are what brought me the greatest joy. The players who contributed in a major way to multiple championships are more HOF-worthy TO ME. I appreciate numbers just fine. I just don't masturbate to them.
As you agreed, the following should be before Welker: White, Edelman, Brady, Vinatieri. Why White? Welker was a much better WR than White was a RB. Not even close. So why does White deserve it more than Welker? 28-3.
Vrabel impacted those first 3 SB's as much as any player except the QB. His impact to the dynasty isn't even comparable to Welker's. Don't be stupid. Sure, Vrabel comes across as a douchey, hardo of a coach. If that makes you forget his impact here, that's on you. He is not that different than James White.
While I share your lack of love for McCourty, he certainly had major impacts on winning rings. He belongs in the Pats HOF before Welker. However, Welker should be in the conversation for NFL HOF. That's a place McCourty will never be without a ticket.
Gronk? Not even a debate. Let's add him to the list above.
Hightower? For the tackle in the Seattle game before Malcolm Go, and the strip sack in the 28-3 game, he belongs as soon as eligible.
Slater? Yes, I know ST do not matter. But surely a ST captain and perennial pro bowler on SB winning teams is more important to Pats history than the best (or 2nd best) WR during a ring-less spell.
Those 9 listed above belong in there before Welker should get a mention. Julius Adams should be obvious to anyone with a clue. That's 10.
I will concede that Antowain Smith, Malcolm Butler, Mosi Tatupu, and others who are more identifiable in Patriot history are more controversial. I would put them in before Welker too. I understand why most would disagree with them.
Welker, Pat HOF class of 2034 sounds about right to me.
