PATRIOTS NEWS Gronk elected to Pats Hall of Fame

[Gumby]

Russ Francis was absolutely elite for his era when TE's were more an extension of the O-line than downfield receivers IMO. He blocked downfield with violence and authority. To see Gray fire forward and cut off half the D, Hannah pull to clear the second level and fold it back while Francis destroyed leakers or continued downfield to blow up hapless d-backs ahead of the runner was to to witness a thing of pure football beauty. Gives me a warm glow just remembering it all these years later.

Thinking for body of work with the Pats 4 is a tough call, with the murderer excluded for obvious reasosns. Watson vs Henry, I'd give the nod to Watson as the superior blocker but I couldn't argue with someone saying Henry has the better hands between them.

Watson gets the nod from me based on ONE SINGLE PLAY!!!

You all know which one I am talking about….



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The touchback in Denver that was never called while I was just left standing in living room screaming at the TV. Such 120% effort and unrecognized speed shown on that one play. DEFINITELY #4.

What if the Ben Watson play was called correctly?

Ben Watson chased down Champ Bailey, but was ultimately screwed by the refs.

www.patspulpit.com

 

[rkarp1]

I am not throwing shade at Russ
I loved him as a player
He could have been elite
He should have been elite
Making elite plays some of the time, imo is not "elite"

We can blame Grogan. We can say Russ's head was not into it (he retired after a few seasons).
I honestly thought he was a better player after leaving NE.

I still have him at #3 as the Pats all time TE. That said, if Henry had played his entire career here, or AHern did not self destruct, Russ might be #5 for me

 

[maust]

Watson gets the nod from me based on ONE SINGLE PLAY!!!

You all know which one I am talking about….

I didn't have to scroll down to know the play you were talking about

 

[maust]

We can say Russ's head was not into it (he retired after a few seasons).

He retired because of disillusionment with the Sullivans. He wasn't willing to play for them anymore and had the financial wherewithal to allow him to walk. Hard to blame anyone close to Darryl Stingley for being disgusted with those frauds. That stand actually makes many of us (of a certain age) hold him in higher regard
YMMV

 

[rkarp1]

He retired because of disillusionment with the Sullivans. He wasn't willing to play for them anymore and had the financial wherewithal to allow him to walk. Hard to blame anyone close to Darryl Stingley for being disgusted with those frauds. That stand actually makes many of us (of a certain age) hold him in higher regard
YMMV

I think what you said was part of the issue.
But Russ also wanted to continue his high risk activities and hobbies (he was injured in a motorcycle accident) and he began to question the violence in football.
of course, as always, money was also a factor
as I already posted. Russ was a fave of mine, for many reasons, including what you said.
but while he was an elite athlete, and made some elite plays, for me, he was not an elite player. he disappeared for long stretches.
Gronk was elite. Coates was elite. I can't put Russ with them

 

[Steve102]

Russ was a favorite of mine back in the day. We’ve hit the jackpot 3 times. Francis, Coates & Gronk, 3 elite TEs.

*Marv Cook has entered the chat*

 

[BennyBledsoe]

*Marv Cook has entered the chat*

He kept getting injured, allowing Bledsoe to develop his connection with Coates. Shame, though, because he was very good. Drafted in 1989, he racked up two Pro Bowl nominations by 1992. He was also first-team All Pro in 1991.

 

[BadMoFo]

Devin McCourty should be next

Either he or Vinatieri should be next. Can't punish Adam for joining the Dolts.

 

[rkarp1]

Either he or Vinatieri should be next. Can't punish Adam for joining the Dolts.

Mankins please

 

[patman12]

Congrats to Gronk, we all knew this was going to happen this year. Going forward, especially for the dynasty years, I wish they’d have 5 finalists and let fan votes decide the 3 going in for the year.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Either he or Vinatieri should be next. Can't punish Adam for joining the Dolts.

Sure you can

 

[captain stone]

Devin McCourty should be next

Julius Adams should be next.

 

[captain stone]

Mankins please

Mister Lost Decade? No thanks.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Hightower should be a lock as well

 

[rkarp1]

Year Tm Level Pos Voters
2007 1st Tm All-Conf. G Pro Football Writers
2007 2nd Tm G Associated Press
2007 1st Tm Pro Football Writers
2007 1st Tm Sporting News
2009 1st Tm All-Conf. G Pro Football Writers
2009 2nd Tm G Associated Press
2009 2nd Tm LG Pro Football Focus
2009 2nd Tm Sporting News
2010 1st Tm G Associated Press
2011 2nd Tm G Associated Press
2012 1st Tm All-Conf. G Pro Football Writers
2012 2nd Tm G Associated Press
2013 1st Tm All-Conf. G Pro Football Writers
2013 2nd Tm G Associated Press
2013 1st Tm G Sporting Ne