Who is your all-time favorite Patriots linebacker?

[zoostation]

How is it possible Vincent Brown is not on your list??

 

[PatriotNation]

Gotta Give Blackmon some love.

 

[broadwayjoe]

Andre Tippett would be my choice.

 

[363839]

The Pats have had a lot of great linebackers but I got to go with McGinest as
my favorite not just for the big plays he's made but the way he dominated on
bull rushing opposing lineman. Bad ass dude.

I wouldn't argue Tippett as the best, though. He has the stats and the pro bowls. I can't believe he's not in the HoF.
I wouldn't argue Tedy either. He's made some huge plays for us, too.

 

[AVrabel50Fan]

Vrabel! I just love that he is a Linebacker/part time Touchdown maker!!

 

[fair catch fryar]

I agree with your assessment of Tedy but if you think Andre did not play his entire career with the same kind of heart and effort I beg to differ - At least Tedy has had a great supporting cast around him most years in his career

It seems Andre only had a handful of good talented guys around him and had to endure far more pathetic crap players on his teams and lousy coaches than Tedy has been fortunate not to have had to deal with - If Tippett had played in Belichicks era he may have made Lawrence Taylor look like Monty Beisel in terms of statistics in a career and definately would already be in the HOF .

That said I think its Tippett #1 and Bruschi #2 far above the others on this list.

A similar thread was on this board not too long ago and I said the same thing. As much as I admire the heart and toughness of Bruschi and Big Willie, I'll always consider Tippett to be the benchmark for a great LB. Not only for the Pats, but the history of the NFL. In my humble opinion, if he would've played for BB and Parcells on those mid to late NYG 80s teams w/ the likes of Henry Carson and Pepper Johnson he could've put up some lofty #'s. Probably not the same as LT, but pretty close. Tippett had the athleticism and attitude!

 

[PromisedLand]

My top five (in order):

1. Bruschi
2. Nelson
3. Tippett
4. Vrabel
5. McGinest

 

[BradfordPatsFan]

Hard to go against Bru here. Though a guy no one has metnioned is Chris Slade. He was one of my favorites for about a three year stretch from 96-98 or 99. He was made better by those around him I think, but I still loved seeing him come off of the edge.

 

[reflexblue]

On the subject of LB depth issues with this team,in related topic, who is your favorite of all time?

Andrea Tippet who could single-handedly take over a game.He was the EQUAL of LT.When Peter King made his case for Tippet before the HOF committe he reminded them that Tippet played the strong side for most of his carear, while LT played the weak side. With their stats being almost identical. He was truley amazing to watch many times just throwing linemen,tight-ends,and running backs out of the way when rushing the QB. My secand choice would be Nelson,seeing him play with a sling holding his dislocated shoulder together. Probley the toughest LB we ever had.

 

[Boston Jay]

All of the above?

I would have loved to see Tippett play though (still young over here).

I love Bru and have a definite soft spot for Mike and Willie.

 

[p8ryts]

My Anyone else is big Sam Hunt, #50 from the mid 70's. One of the first really big LB's.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Gee, I can't believe that I am the only one to vote for the ONE, and only only O-N-E PATRIOT LB, who is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (I hope Andre makes it soon!)

Nick was a leader with the Pats for a lot more years than he was with the Dolphins, when traded by the Pats to the Phish in a one-for-many deal by a doofus Coach.

He was a Team captain here, ands a team captain there. He is also the only defensive leader to give his team an undefeated, untied season and a Lombardi Trophy. The Miami Defense was also named in his honor. The "Killer Bs"... Don Shula knew exactly hat he wanted and was getting to solidify his championship Team.

I guess it may be attributed to all the guys who never saw him play, as they were too young.

 

[Patriots Nation NY]

Chris Slade anyone?

 

[dtbrks]

I grew up watching Andre Tippett and loved watching him play, so he is my favorite.

 

[Gopats!!!]

Bruschi, although I like a lot of our LBs. His on field play and team first attitude blow me away.

Not wanting to suck the team dry for every penny like a lot of these guys is a real testament to what type of person he is.

 

[DaBruinz]

I can remember talking about Tedy right after he was drafted and how all the Pats fans were gonna love him because of the pronounciation of his name "BREW-SKI". But, he's been an amazing player. Tippett, Brown, and Nelson are right up there as well.

 

[cloud34]

Clayton Weishuhn. Big red-necked Texan ILB. He partnered well with Nelson when he was healthy, but couldn't keep a pair of healthy knees under him.

I loved Weishuhn too, although he wasn't big. IIRC, his playing weight was around 215, incredible...

 

[zoostation]

Bruschi, although I like a lot of our LBs. His on field play and team first attitude blow me away.

Not wanting to suck the team dry for every penny like a lot of these guys is a real testament to what type of person he is.

Attitude and heart…Tedy is number one. Pure talent and best overall LB in Pats history…. Andre Tippett (without a doubt).

 

[PromisedLand]

Gee, I can't believe that I am the only one to vote for the ONE, and only only O-N-E PATRIOT LB, who is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (I hope Andre makes it soon!)

Nick was a leader with the Pats for a lot more years than he was with the Dolphins, when traded by the Pats to the Phish in a one-for-many deal by a doofus Coach.

He was a Team captain here, ands a team captain there. He is also the only defensive leader to give his team an undefeated, untied season and a Lombardi Trophy. The Miami Defense was also named in his honor. The "Killer Bs"... Don Shula knew exactly hat he wanted and was getting to solidify his championship Team.

I guess it may be attributed to all the guys who never saw him play, as they were too young.

Well, we were asked to name our favorite LB, not the best LB who played for the Pats. Nick was only too happy to leave the Pats and has not had the nicest things to say about the team after leaving.

 

[chunkypony]

gotta be vrabel for me.