All-Belichick Era Team

All-Belichick Era Team @ SOX & Dawgs

With the Patriots achieving the first undefeated season in the NFL in 35 years I got to thinking about a few things. First who are the Top Five Patriot players of the Bill Belichick era (2000-present) and second who are the top players at each position in this era.

The Top Five isn’t as easy as you think it is. When you think you have five all of a sudden you have ten. I think the Top Five obviously need to have had a major impact on the Belichick era and the franchise in general just based on the perfect season and three championships. The top players of the era are a bit different in that they are the top guys in this run but in Patriots history there maybe someone else who deserves the spot over them.

So after the jump I give you my choices.

Top Five Patriots

Quarterback Tom Brady. This is a no-brainer. The GREATEST quarterback in NFL history is the top player of the era and ever for the franchise. If he isn’t Number One you have not been paying attention. From sixth round draft pick to Super Bowl MVP to NFL MVP to the Hall of Fame. If this guy doesn’t take over for Drew Bledsoe this franchise still hasn’t won crap.
Defensive Lineman Richard Seymour. The teams Number One draft choice in 2001, he solidified the defensive line and is a Hall of Famer as well. He is the cream and sugar to Brady’s coffee. You needed both of these guys to do what has been done. He quietly dominates the line and does all the little things that go unnoticed but make him great.
(tie) Kicker Adam Vinatieri and Wide Receiver Randy Moss. Vinatieri is a Top Five no brainer. Yet another surefire Hall of Famer and it was his foot with which brought us not only two Super Bowl wins but he tied and won the Snow Bowl against Oakland as well, not to mention so many other games in a wonderful Patriots career. Moss while I feel he needs to be on the list I wasn’t quite sure where he fits in. Is he #2 because of what he gave Brady this year? Is he #5 because he has only been here one year and hasn’t won anything? I think he stands with Vinatieri at #3 because his presence on the field gave Brady the top-flight receiver he has always craved. He gave this team something they haven’t had since the days of Stanley Morgan. His single-season impact alone puts him in the middle of the list. He is also a NFL Hall of Famer.
Linebacker Tedy Bruschi. I can’t tell you enough he is the heart and soul of this team. He is the inspirational leader, the field general, an extra coach on the field, he is “Little Bill”. He will most likely not make the Hall of Fame but in the eyes of Patriots fans everywhere they know this team is as much Bruschi’s as it is anyone else’s. After Brady he is easily the most beloved Patriot and that’s saying something for a linebacker.
(tie) Safety Rodney Harrison and linebacker Mike Vrabel. Another tie, so my five is really seven, but I just don’t see how you can leave either of these guys off the list. If Bruschi is the heart and soul, Harrison is the team’s guts. The entire secondary is different with Rodney lurking back there because you know some receiver is gonna get popped. There is no doubt. One of the most intensely hated and regarded as one the league’s dirtiest players by opponents is loved by his teammates for his intensity. Harrison is no doubt the most prolific safety the game has seen in many years and is a Hall of Famer. If he gets screwed on the Hall like he did on pro bowls the voters should be forced to watch game film of his entire career until they change their minds. That brings me to Vrabel, who in my mind, is the ultimate team player on a team of them. He has played inside and outside, he is a fierce pass rusher and a hard hitter. He also has great hands and plays tight end on goal line packages as well as on the hands team for kickoffs. He is one of the smartest football players going and one day is going to make a fabulous coach. If he had made more pro bowls I seriously think he would be a Hall of Fame candidate. He should be anyway.

Brady Seymour Vinatieri Moss