I did my All-Time Red Sox Lineup yesterday, and I feel as though I should do one for all three Boston sports teams. I’m sorry hockey fans, I just don’t know that much about the Bruins. But today, I will be making my Patriots lineup and here it is:
QB: Drew Bledsoe
Bledsoe is possibly my all-time favorite Patriots player. He could throw the ball about 2 miles but he never really got a chance to, due to his lack of mobility. The Patriots picked him with the 1st pick in 1993 and he didn’t disappoint. He was a part of the Patriots organization for 9 years, going to the Pro Bowl 3 times. He led the Patriots to the 1996 Superbowl, where they eventually lost to Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers. But in his career with the Patriots he threw for over 29,500 yards and 166 touchdowns.
RB: Curtis Martin
My friends and I always joked about how Curtis Martin “aged like a fine wine” because he seemed to be able to play forever, and for a RB to do so is something special. Curtis Martin is possibly the best running back the Patriots have ever had and it was hard not to like the guy (Until he went to the Jets). He was taken by the Pats in the 3rd round of the 1995 draft and he made an impact right away. He was voted the NFL Offensive ROY in his first season and was named to the Pro Bowl in ’96 and ’98, while with the Patriots. He rushed for over 3800 yards and scored 32 TD’s during his 3 years with the Pats. He was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.
WR: Troy Brown
Troy Brown was Mr. Everything for the Patriots. Possibly the most famous Patriot in the last decade or so, Brown did it all for the Patriots while he played. He was drafted in the 8th round in 1993, and showed that he was much more valuable than that. He is the Patriots all-time leading receiver. He played for the Patriots from 1993-2007, and didn’t just play offense. Later in his career, Brown helped out an injury stricken defensive backfield and played safety and cornerback. He won 3 Superbowls with the Pats and will always be remembered.
WR: Terry Glenn
Not the best team guy but Glenn could certainly catch the ball. Known for his big plays and wild attitude, Terry Glenn brought some character to the Patriots. He was drafted by the Pats 7th overall in 1996. He played with them from 1996-2001. He is the 7th all-time leading receiver in the organization. He was a Pro Bowl player in 1997 and had 22 career TD’s with the Patriots. He is now currently in jail but that is besides the point.
TE: Ben Coates
I remember owning a Coates jersey when I was a little kid because he was one of the more known players in the ’90’s. Drafted by the Patriots in the 5th round in 1991, Coates made an immediate impact for the Patriots. Possibly the most well known TE until Gronk, Coates is 4th in receiving all-time for the Pats. He was a Pro Bowler ’94-’98, and was a 1st team Pro Bowl player in ’94-’95.
OL: Matt Light
The most well known Pats lineman, other than John Hannah, he just recently retired from the organization. And may have had the best beard in the NFL. He was drafted by the Pats in 2001 in the 2nd round. He has been a starting lineman since day one, and has been protecting Brady’s backside his whole career. He was a 3-time Pro Bowl player and a 1st Team All-Pro in 2007. He has been a part of all the Superbowl teams, and will be missed.
DL: Ted Washington
One of the biggest human beings to ever play football, at 6′-5” 365, Washington was a behemoth in the middle of the line. He only played ten games for the Pats but he could not be forgotten on this list, how could I miss someone that big?
LB: Andy Katzenmoyer
Drafted in the 1st round by the Patriots, Katzenmoyer played two years in the organization. Possibly one of the best names to ever play football, Katzenmoyer was a solid outside linebacker with the Pats. He had 77 career tackles with the Pats.
LB: Tedy Bruschi
One of the most well known players in Patriots history, Bruschi was the epitome of Patriots football. He may have been undersized and a little to slow, but he was always able to get the job done. He was a fan favorite while he was with the Patriots, which was his entire career (1996-2008). He was a one time Pro Bowl player in 2004 and was a part of all 3 Superbowl teams, serving as captain.
LB: Mike Vrabel
A man who could play both ways for the Pats, he was utilized for everything. As an outside linebacker, he helped anchor the Pats defense to 3 Superbowls. But what he was also known for was playing tight end. Catching a career 8 TD passes with the Patriots. He played 8 years with the Pats (2001-2008) and was a Pro Bowl selection and 1st team All-Pro player in 2007.
DB: Ty Law
The greatest DB to ever play for the Patriots, Law was a true shutdown corner and was known for his ability to cover the league’s best receiver. He was Peyton Manning’s nightmare and always came up big in big games for the Patriots. He was drafted in the 1st round, 23rd overall by the Patriots in 1995. A 4-time Pro Bowler and 2 time 1st team All-Pro with the Pats, he helped them to 2 Superbowls, anchoring the defensive backfield.
DB: Willie Clay
Known as “Big Play” willie Clay, he was known for his, well, big plays. A ball hawk with an eye for the QB, he was always coming up with tipped passes and batted balls. Known as a shutdown corner for the Pats he had 13 career interceptions and 207 career tackles. He played with the Pats for 3 years, 1996-1998.
DB: Lawyer Milloy
He was drafted by the Patriots in the 2nd round in 1996. Milloy was with the Pats from 1996-2002. He was a 4-time Pro Bowler & 1-time First-Team All-Pro all with the Patriots. He was a ball hawk who wasn’t afraid to throw his body into the action. He had 19 career interceptions and 537 tackles with the Patriots.
DB: Rodney Harrison
One of the hardest hitting safeties to ever play football, Harrison was a warrior. He played with the Patriots from 2003-2008, winning 2 Superbowls. He was known as the dirtiest player in the NFL for the way he played, and he fit perfectly in Belichick’s system. He had 8 career interceptions and 317 career tackles with the Pats.
ST: Larry Izzo
Guy was a lunatic. Nearly made every tackle on special teams and that’s what made him great. He played with the Patriots from 2001-2008 He was a guy who worked his butt off to achieve what he achieved. For him to sign multi-year deals as a special teams guy was something special. He was in the Pro Bowl in 2002 and 2004. What also made him great was that he took steroids, who would have known.
And here it is. The All-Time Patriots lineup. Some goofy players but it is a solid lineup.
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