Leon Gray Elected to Pats HOF

Leon Gray elected into Patriots Hall of Fame

Finally...

So we wait four more years for Julius Adams to [finally, belatedly] join him?

Actual Pats Fan said:

Leon Gray elected into Patriots Hall of Fame

Finally...

So we wait four more years for Julius Adams to [finally, belatedly] join him?

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He was one of my favorite players back in the day - happy to hear this.

I honestly thought this was Jonas Gray at first and I thought it was a prank.

Though Jonas Gray and Scott Lockwood would be pretty high up on the Patriots' 1 game wonder HoF.

He died so long ago I had forgotten. Way too young.

Leon Deion Gray. Congrats!

Rock solid part of that '78 line.... 3,165 still stands... 40 seasons... Impressive as all get out.

Gray & Hannah, best left side I ever saw play. Cheap ass Sullivans shipped him out rather than pay him a decent wage, probably cost us a SB...smdh

maust1013 said:

Gray & Hannah, best left side I ever saw play. Cheap ass Sullivans shipped him out rather than pay him a decent wage, probably cost us a SB...smdh

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i dont know the cause but grogs was sacked 21 times in '78 ... Gray gets himself to houston, grogan is whacked 45 times behind the line in '79...

Leon Gray and John Hannah, quite a duo.. we all could get up close and personal when they had TC at Bryant and the players had to walk between the ropes on the way to and from the field..

Then there were Cunningham, Andy Johnson, Horace Ivory and Grogan who amassed 3k+ yards behind this very good O line.. good memories.

I agree about Julius Adams who toiled on the D line for 16 years... but all need to remember Darryl Stingley who also deserves consideration he was maimed on the field by the so called "assassin" Jack Tatum. F.. the Raiders and their so called "Mystique".. football was a tad different in those days.

maust1013 said:

Gray & Hannah, best left side I ever saw play.

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This.
When ever you heard Gray you thought of Hannah as well and vice versa.

maust1013 said:

Gray & Hannah, best left side I ever saw play. Cheap ass Sullivans shipped him out rather than pay him a decent wage, probably cost us a SB...smdh

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Leon Gray Patriots Pictures and Photos | Getty Images

Actual Pats Fan said:

Leon Gray Patriots Pictures and Photos | Getty Images

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Those were the days BEFORE offensive linemen were allowed to extend their arms which made pass protection massively more difficult back then. It was also a time when pass rushers were allowed a LOT more leeway in what they could do to attack the blocker (head slaps being one).

What the great blockers had to do to be great back then was a lot harder than today.

DarrylS said:

Leon Gray and John Hannah, quite a duo.. we all could get up close and personal when they had TC at Bryant and the players had to walk between the ropes on the way to and from the field..

Then there were Cunningham, Andy Johnson, Horace Ivory and Grogan who amassed 3k+ yards behind this very good O line.. good memories.

I agree about Julius Adams who toiled on the D line for 16 years... but all need to remember Darryl Stingley who also deserves consideration he was maimed on the field by the so called "assassin" Jack Tatum. F.. the Raiders and their so called "Mystique".. football was a tad different in those days.

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There's a bunch of guys from that mid 70's era that deserve consideration.

well deserved and long over due. i loved those 70s players and teams. and leon was a big part of it.

Before my time....I was 4 years old running to the fridge for the old man's beer during games....

Well deserved!

Hyped said:

Before my time....I was 4 years old running to the fridge for the old man's beer during games....

Well deserved!

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Ha!

Sounds like it was your time

...oh, you mean you got the beer for your dad

Well anyway you got to see team with the cool uniforms on the TV...

patfanken said:

Those were the days BEFORE offensive linemen were allowed to extend their arms which made pass protection massively more difficult back then. It was also a time when pass rushers were allowed a LOT more leeway in what they could do to attack the blocker (head slaps being one).

What the great blockers had to do to be great back then was a lot harder than today.

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Honestly....not sure I ever knew that OL couldn’t extend their arms...or if I knew once, I forgot. When did the rule change?

Seacoast Fan said:

Honestly....not sure I ever knew that OL couldn’t extend their arms...or if I knew once, I forgot. When did the rule change?

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You know that's a great question. I'm not sure, but my best guess would be sometime in the late 80's. I tried a quick google search and didn't find anything, though I'm sure someone better could get that answer. I know I'd appreciate the info.

BTW- BEFORE that rule change an offensive lineman was supposed to keep his hand stuck to his chest. Therefore his blocking surface would be measured from elbow to elbow. If you locked out your arms it was holding.

The technique was completely different. The object was to keep you head glued to the rusher's chest. So instead of creating space with your arms, you popped him in the chest with your head and moved your feet to stay in front of them.

I was thinking back to all my football playing days which accounted for 4 years in HS, 4 years in college and 2 after college, and I couldn't think of a play I made on either offense or defense that I DIDN'T lead with my head. When you blocked you fired out low with your head trying to put you facemask into the defender's chest. Then you were supposed to slide your head to the side you wanted to create the hole, and turned you hips into the block using your head and elbow as your blocking surface. Your target point was always the waist.

I kind of makes me wonder about CTE, because if hitting with your head (even in the proper position) causes it, then I'd be the poster child for CTE, because that's all I did.

Congrats to Leon

deserved without a doubt ... a recognition also to the patriots of the 70s ... pity that he is not more present to celebrate ... therefore an aura of sadness...