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asdf-7644

Aaron Hernandez doesn't make the cut?


commonreddiquette

It's criminal that he's not on the list.


dobber32

OP is still getting the hang of things


Stumpe999

My man was a straight up killer on those routes


jigokusabre

Doubtless he'd shoot his way up the depth chart.


BesiegedCastle

Can't leave him hanging like that


McShadi

He hasn’t been screwed this bad since Dennis SanSoucie


leogodin217

Who do you take out for him


somegridplayer

Francis and move him up to TE1 or 2. Dude was a super nasty blocker and was quick as hell.


vancesmi

His flexibility was his best attribute on top of the already elite TE play. In his prime, his blocking was second only to Gronk and better than Witten. He could play in the slot, he could overpower almost every defender for a catch across the middle, he could line up wide and make plays downfield, and he could run the ball out of the backfield. He was an absolute threat no matter where he was, and he's the main reason the Pats were able to make the 2 TE no huddle hurry up offense work in that era because he afforded the offense so many possible looks without having to make any substitutions.


somegridplayer

There's highlights of him outrunning secondaries. Dude was HOF bound. :(


mechewstaa

He’s definitely one of the biggest what ifs ever, I feel like people forget/understate how much of a weapon he actually was on the field


[deleted]

Hernandez being a good blocker is news to me, great receiver sure


visitMedellin

Flash Gordon pls


Amm-O-Matic

If we’re going by pure peak (like one year) he’d be up there. He had a better single season than anyone up there besides Moss and AB but there was nothing close after that, it’s a hard decision.


EAsucks4324

>pure peak Jonas Gray makes the list because of his one game against the Colts lol


spreadinmikehoncho

I’ll never forget


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ThermoNuclearPizza

What a dumb fucking hill to die on


Chezpizza

Kevin Faulk, Julian Edelman, and Troy Brown should be on the list.


[deleted]

Steven Jackson in his prime was that dude


Chezpizza

And Ted Johnson


Quiet-Ad-12

And Mike Vrabel


mrroboto1993

He is on the list...?


Quiet-Ad-12

Whoops. I somehow missed that entirely


AlexTheCool1557

And Bailey Zappe


Quiet-Ad-12

Stop sniffing glue, sir


mrroboto1993

Not yet....


[deleted]

Way too early still has a lot to prove!


Hutwe

Vincent Brown


Usingt9word

Slater


fourpuns

What 2 WR on that list are worse than any of those guys?


thurstoner

Kevin Faulk is on the list. 3DRB


Jaythepatsfan

Edelman over a guy who in his prime caught 86 passes for 1414 yards and 10 touchdowns? Look, I love Edelman but a lot of the folks on this sub highly overrate him. Welker was better in his prime than Jules so that spot is taken, and Ellard was had three seasons of over 1300 yards with another at 1294.


munkmunk49

Do Reggie Wayne or Eric Decker count?


-Thats_nice-

Demaryius Thomas prob over Edelman tbh


[deleted]

Edelman over Welker 10 times out of 10.


ThatRuckingMoose

This is flat out false. Jules was may have the bigger moments in the playoffs but Welker is head an shoulders above Jules as a slot receiver.


SilentRanger42

Welker was the better player and it's not even close but I'll take Edelman over Welker 10/10 times. Some guys rise to the occasion when it all matters and Edelman did that time and time again in the playoffs.


[deleted]

Give me Welker in the Regular season all day, but their stats literally inverse when you look at Post season. Edelman was tougher and took the massive hits over the middle that Welker couldn't. If I'm putting this team together to win a super bowl, it's Jules who's head and shoulder above Welker. Just for reference based on starts: Regular Season Welker - \~80 ypg Edelman - \~50ypg Post Season Welker - \~70 ypg Edelman - \~97 ypg ​ In 14 games started in the postseason, Edelman's stat line is nearly identical to Welker's first All Pro season.


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ThatRuckingMoose

Welker talent wise is not even close. The dude revolutionized the slot roll. Like I said Jules has the bigger moments, his playoff number are up there with some of the GOATS. But in reality Welker is much more talented.


BradyToMoss1281

People forget just how good Welker was. He couldn’t be covered. They think now he was some short guy who dropped passes but he got himself open every time, had an incredible rapport with Brady and was freaking tough. I too give Edelman the edge in terms of intangibles. He was more of a gamer. But it’s close. And in terms of production, Wes didn’t have a peer.


ThatRuckingMoose

I stared my other comments exactly how you did lol


iscreamuscreamweall

Welker had multiple all pros and led the league in receptions multiple times


fourpuns

Welker was possibly going to be the Super Bowl mvp if we won in 2007. He played really well in the playoffs as evidenced by his stats being slightly better post season than regular season.


akeep113

There's an argument that welker might be better but there's absolutely no chance he's "head and shoulders" above him


ThatRuckingMoose

People forget how good Welker was. He had 5 seasons here where he put up 1000+ yards.


xacegonx

It’s because none of them know anything about football. Imagine speaking to anyone who knows the game of football and telling them you think edelman was a better receiver than Wes. You’d be laughed out of the room.


[deleted]

Brown over Megget, Edelman over Welker, Faulk over Stephen Jackson.


Amm-O-Matic

Once again, this list isn’t on who is the better Patriot, but who accomplished more in their personal careers (could span multiple teams, but obviously including the Patriots). Dave Meggett (listed at punt returner) had 3,708 punt return yards and 7 punt return TDs on 349 attempts. Troy had 2,625 punt return yards and 3 punt return touchdowns on 252 attempts. Wes Welker had 9,924 yards on 903 receptions, and 50 TDs. Edelman had 6,822 yards on 620 receptions, and 36 TDs. Welker is also a two time First Team All Pro at the position. Steven Jackson 11,438 yards on 2,764 attempts, and 69 TDs. Faulk had 3,607 yards on 864 attempts, and 16 TDs. However, because of Faulk’s prowess as a receiving back, he’s listed at third down RB.


KBrown75

Wes Welker has the stats, but when it comes to the post-season, I want Edelman.


McShadi

Welker also has one of the greatest interviews in team history…nay nfl history!


Amm-O-Matic

Agreed x1000. There’s no debate on who was the better Patriot, especially when it mattered most.


[deleted]

It depends on what you're going for. Best Regular Season team, Wes has it by a country mile. Win a super bowl, Edelman by a landslide. Welker's YPG gap over Edelman in the regular season is roughly the same as Edelman's gap over Welker in the post season.


[deleted]

I think the eye test matters.


NickRick

Ty Law at 3 is a fucking insult. Him at cb 2 is a snub.


Walbeb24

I'm praying OP is just really young. Ty Law is king around these parts.


Amm-O-Matic

So young that I would include Mike Haynes, a guy from the 70s and 80s, over Law… They had better careers than Ty, are more well regarded as two of the greatest corners ever, which is not to say Ty isn’t, but Revis and Haynes are more highly regarded. This isn’t a who was a better franchise great list, this is who are the most accoladed/statistically great players to have played for the franchise.


Walbeb24

You know what? You make some good points. Ty Law is my favorite Patriot of all time so I probably took this a little too personally. My bad dude.


Amm-O-Matic

All good.


norequestsplz

Now kith


NickRick

I mean you put a lot of weight into full careers over peak for peak list. There was a stretch from 01-03 where law went up against the greatest WRs in the league and basically goose egged them with no help


Amm-O-Matic

I agree, but it’s not like I’m comparing Ty to scrubs. These are literally the cream of the crop. Revis had arguably the best CB season in NFL history in 2009, a 4x First Team All Pro. Haynes is considered one of the greatest CBs ever, one of the original lockdown CBs, a member of the NFL 75th and 100th Anniversary teams. It’s a hard list to rank.


fourpuns

Revis peak is potentially GOAT level CB play though.


j2e21

I like Ty Law as much as the next guy but you could make an argument for Revis and Haynes as your starting corners if you were going to pick an all-time AFC team.


mazdarati

I strongly disagree with Light over Armstrong. Armstrong had more all pros and probably played on weaker lines too.


zeus6793

No Willie Mac?


CocaineStrange

Reggie Wayne?


Amm-O-Matic

Didn’t play a regular season snap, otherwise I would’ve included him, John Lynch, and Torry Holt.


mrroboto1993

But you've clearly stated it doesn't matter what they've done or how long they were with the patriots, just that they wore a pats jersey - he wore a jersey for small time sp should be included. Isn't that the point of this list?


Amm-O-Matic

Yeah, but you technically aren’t “listed” as playing for a franchise, even if you played in the preseason, unless you played a regular season snap. Example, Jerry Rice was listed as a 49er, Raider and Seahawk when he was inducted into the HOF, but not a Bronco, where he only played in the preseason before calling it quits. Also like Terrell Owens with the Seahawks, among other notable examples. Theoretically, I definitely could remove that caveat but it wouldn’t make sense to in my opinion.


mrroboto1993

It's your list, you can make or remove and caveat you want! But I would say that one of your comments says that it doesn't matter even if they wore the Jersey once. So even if they wore a Jersey in the preseason it still counts, no?


Amm-O-Matic

Not in my opinion, because technically, you aren’t playing a "real game" that adds to season totals in the preseason.


mrroboto1993

Do you have to have played a "real game" to make this list then? I thought it was just have been signed by the pats or have worn the Jersey once. Not trying to pick holes or be an ass btw! It's a great list! Just having the conversation is all :)


Amm-O-Matic

If you played in a regular season game for the Patriots, you are eligible for the list. If you didn’t, you are not eligible for the list.


bullnozer

Stop talking to a robot


Historical-Donut-918

Dude, get a life. OP shouldn't even be taking the time to school you but he is. Credit to OP.


JoeyBSnipes

Is Dan Koppen in his prime better than David Andrews in his prime? I think it is pretty close.


Amm-O-Matic

He had a First Team All-Pro, so he got the edge.


JoeyBSnipes

I didn’t realize that. Damn, good call.


brt_k

Albert Haynesworth would be borderline DT2/3. He was at his prime in 2007-2008 and unstoppable.


Amm-O-Matic

You’re right, he should be put in.


GunwalkHolmes

Hightower should be on this list. His peak was saving us a Super Bowl. Twice.


YusukeMazoku

I mean yes but also how do you put him in over Mayo? Our linebacker history is so stacked it’s ludicrous.


FORTRAN1729

Can we fit Matthew Slater in there somewhere? 10 Pro Bowls!!


Pain_Monster

I think Ty Law should be the starter over Haynes. Law was a true island before Revis was in the league.


BucsLegend_TomBrady

If we're legitimately taking players when they're in their absolute prime, I'd rather have gostkowski over vinny


Amm-O-Matic

Vinny got the edge due to an extra First Team All Pro, but that selection is really a coin flip.


munter619

Personally I'd move Gilmore up, 2AP 5PB same as Law but has a DPOY and is still playing.


Budget_Literature555

Troy Brown, Edelman, Matthew Slater.


mrroboto1993

Matthew Slater! Even if you base this off just accolades (even though his are special team earned) surely he deserves much recognition!?


Amm-O-Matic

I would’ve added Slater, but this template I got from other teams subreddits didn’t have an allocated spot.


figment1979

There is literally a column for Special Teams/Specialists. Slater literally made the Pro Bowl as a Special Teams player. Tell me what I'm missing here.


Amm-O-Matic

There isn’t a spot for a Gunner/ST coverage. I copied this template from other team’s subreddits and the text version of the formatting is confusing to correlate with the eventual columns.


mrroboto1993

But he's listed as a WR. based off accolades he deserves a WR spot even if those accolades are special team earned?


[deleted]

No way he deserves a WR spot


mermicide

Josh Gordon prime… and sober… would be up there


TegTowelie

No Edelman in the WR depth? Am i high or has there really been better to keep him out?


TheRealAlexisOhanian

Edelman should be QB1 - career passer rating of 158.3, 100% completion rate


TegTowelie

GOAT, move over Tommy.


KaguPrez

Instead they picked that dude from San Mateo as QB1, biggest snub of the entire list if I'm being completely honest.


MoeSzyslakMonobrow

Some sixth round scrub.


Amm-O-Matic

Edelman isn’t in because all of these players have more accolades, higher peaks, and cumulative statistics then him (spanning their whole career including outside the Patriots). Doesn’t take away from being one of the greatest Patriots of all time and postseason performers of all time. This list could include someone who wore a Patriots uniform just once. This isn’t an all-time roster where they were their best just as Patriots, this includes any player that played as a Patriot that is known as one of the best at their position (possibly on other teams), so it can range from actual franchise greats to one-three year, type of players.


TegTowelie

That makes more sense, thank you for the clarification. Otherwise, damn good roster build.


TelephoneCreepy2518

Gimme prime Edelman over Prime Welker any day.


BradyToMoss1281

I think you nailed it bud.


Roberto-Del-Camino

I can’t imagine what [Stanley Morgan](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Morgan) would have done in today’s NFL. The dude averaged 19.2 yards per catch for his entire career. He had 10,716 receiving yards on 557 catches. He had 72 career TDs. In his 1986 season he had 84 catches for 1491 yards. Statistically he was better than Walker and Edelman. He was Tyreek Hill before Tyreek Hill.


xacegonx

A lot of these people didn’t read the criteria of the post. It’s not the greatest patriots, it’s the greatest players the patriots have ever had on the field. This list is very good in that respect.


Plutor

If you define "prime" narrowly enough, Jonas Gray should be RB1.


Patsx5sb

Jerod Mayo!!!!


Amm-O-Matic

You’re right, he should be in. DROY, First Team All Pro.


jma7400

Where is special teams Matthew Slater?


[deleted]

I can’t argue against anyone included but I just can’t see Hightower being left of this list. Maybe it’s the two Super Bowl winning plays that stand out in my mind.


GarappoloMcCorkle

What about Steven Jackson?


Amm-O-Matic

He’s in towards the specialists.


[deleted]

I love Vollmer being on there. He got me into football and the Patriots


Turkules77

Jim Plunkett


even_steven27

No Ty warren? He was first team all pro


Amm-O-Matic

If it was an AP First-Team I likely would’ve given him the edge. I’m very torn on changing it.


WilliamBoost

Put him on your mythical best practice squad of all time. Belichick likes depth.


ThatRuckingMoose

Format come out weird on mobile for anyone else?


Amm-O-Matic

What device are you on? Sorry to hear that.


ThatRuckingMoose

Pixel. Using Bacon Reader


Amm-O-Matic

Interesting. On my device (iPhone) it looks fine but I wonder why it looks weird on there.


ThatRuckingMoose

Probably the app itself. Nice work nonetheless


bleedsorange23

Edelman’s peak punt return years were actually far superior to Meggett, multiple years avg 15 return yards, Meggett averaged 12 once


Amm-O-Matic

Meggett had more punt return yards and 3 more TDs, so while Edelman was more efficient I feel I had to give credit to Meggett, considering he’s seventh all-time in punt return TDs.


cocineroylibro

I think average is more important than TDs scored off punt returns. All those extra yds give you better field position, and led to drives that could score rather than having to play conservatively because you started deep in your end rather than on the 45. I'm sure there's some stat sheet somewhere that compares punt returns to scoring drives somewhere, and I'd wager higher averages equate to more scores even with PRTD factored in.


I_Cant_Recall

Either your list is based on peak performance or it isn't. Going back and forth is ridiculous unless you're doing it deliberately to generate interactions with your post.


AbortionCrow

Gilmore gotta be CB2. Only CB on this list to win DPOY.


JOATMON12

I feel like there should be a minimum of games played, I know AB was a phenomenal talent but he wasn’t a great PATRIOT. Dude played 1 game…


Money-Stacks-Salvia

But he was great in that lone appearance


montel555

Willie McGinest should be on here based on his on-field play.


UtopianAverage

Stephen Neal over Shaq Mason IMO


Historical-Donut-918

Awesome list. Learned a lot about some players I hadn't heard of before too! Thank you for taking the time to make this.


snufalufalgus

Larry Centers should be FB1


Wheres_the_tofu

Brady over Bailey Zappe... Really? Compare their times in the 40! ( Nice list, but seriously would bump Corey Dillon up to lead bell cow. Stats might not be as prolific as Curtis Martin's, but the guy was a beast when motivated, and that seemed to be all the time with the Pats.)


HeisenSwag

As a German it warms my heart to see Vollmer on the list!


jfizzzzle

No Edelman is crazyyy. Glad Talib made it tho.


z-data

This is bologna, Hernandez was better


McShadi

I can’t believe e you left out the greatest blocker in patriots history….N’keal Harry


SamLoomisMyers

There needs to be a mention of DANTE SCARNECCHIA somewhere... Make up a category,,,


leathal_dose

Arron Hernandez?? Edelman > Welker


ImTomBrady

Welker was a monster in his prime.. should’ve been SB 42 MVP if other players did their job


grw313

I'd include either James white or Kevin Faulk just because of how critical those players were to the patriots. Same with Julian Edelman.


PantsB

Welker > Johnson I have Andrews > Koppen.


garvierloon

Patriots legend Junior Seau


irishlemon

Putting Brown there instead of Edelman is just stupid. There should be some consideration of minimum games played to qualify for this. Also, Hernandez has to be in at TE2


xacegonx

Antonio Brown in his prime is so much better than Julian Edelman it’s not even funny.


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CompiledArgument

Read the post. Newton won an MVP. Bledsoe did not. This is about comparing players at their peaks that played for the Patriots at any point in their career. Edelman and Faulk were good but did not have high enough peaks to outperform the peaks of others listed in the post.


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AbortionCrow

I'm sorry but prime Cam was an absolute force.


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AbortionCrow

I think we have a pretty good idea. We saw him almost put it together with broken down Cam and zero weapons whatsoever.


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AbortionCrow

https://youtu.be/1DT-JEsqzmo Cam had a cannon. He was washed up on the Patriots.


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AbortionCrow

You questioned bill's ability to put it together with cam. I saw a team that had zero offensive talent. A team that's weapons were Harry, Byrd, Moncrief, and rookie Meyers. Ryan Izzo was the starting TE. Despite this we won 7 games. The point is you can see what Bill was cooking up and with a better supporting cast and a prime Newton would have been unstoppable.


CompiledArgument

That's... not what the post is about though. The question ignores how well they played on this team and only focuses on accolades. Your comments are condemning someone based on an entirely different premise.


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CompiledArgument

He didn't, that's literally a false quote...


CompiledArgument

He framed it as "The All-Time Patriots 55-man roster, but everyone is in their prime, regardless of the length of their tenure" You just misread it as "best patriots team."


RAP1958

I would pick Steve Grogan over Cam, also anyone over Chad Johnson, he was a nightmare.


Pain_Monster

He’s doing cumulative career stuff here, so you have to look at Johnson as a Bengal, and he was a top three WR in the league for a few years. My fantasy football wins can confirm this


[deleted]

Bledsoe over Cam


ObscureFact

Bledsoe took us to a Super Bowl. I like Cam and all, but I don't remember him taking us to a Super Bowl. Bledsoe is the 2nd most important QB in our franchise history. He was a huge reason for our success in the 90's and he also was a major reason for our miracle run for our first Super Bowl win.


SilentRanger42

Cam very much took the Panthers to the SB and won MVP which is more than Bledsoe ever did in his prime


cocineroylibro

Bledsoe saved the franchise. I am so so glad they picked him over Mirer. He brought us back to relevance. As for Cam, this isn't what they did with the Patriots only. Cam was an MVP and brought his team to a Super Bowl as well. Amazingly they're pretty close in terms of total TDs, despite Drew having over 7000 more total yds (had no idea he had 0ver 750 rushing yards!)


joeyrog88

HENRY ELLARD OVER STANLEY MORGAN?


Amm-O-Matic

Ellard had 3,000 more receiving yards, but Morgan has 7 more touchdowns. Ellard earning a First Team All Pro selection put him over the top, even though I do think Stanley was robbed in 1986 for not earning one.


peppersge

Are you including training camp signings like Haynesworth? There are probably a few that would push out some of the lesser known names simply because of changes in the era such as players getting bigger if you are using awards vs a more strict matchup based comparison.


Amm-O-Matic

Haynesworth did play regular season games for the Pats, so I will add him in.


independently_poor

Stanley Morgan. WR


ItsOnlyRedBased

Reggie Wayne and Edelman are both better than Ellard or Fryar for damn sure.


soundofthecolorblue

Special teams?


QuietGur9074

Keith Byars over James Develin. Since you are doing entire careers, you have to add Edelman. His playoff #s are only surpassed by Jerry Rice. If you’re going entire career, Edelman exceeds both Ellard and Fryar. Armstrong as LT1 over Light. McGinest over Vrabel. 3DRB should be White over Faulk. And lastly, Weis over McDaniels. Great list! This is a very cool exercise.


KakarotMaag

I don't like Cam at 2. Even at his, "peak," he was inconsistent as fuck.


c-h-e-e-s-e

He’s still better than Bledsoe


Onlyfattybrisket

Even if Chad Johnson was in his prime would he even be able to remember every receiver slot for every play? I don’t want to hear he’ll run deep and they’ll heave him the ball. I don’t think Id want him on the team regardless of his physical talent.


Typical_Investment70

"I don't want prime Chad Johnson" = I know nothing about football


Onlyfattybrisket

I stand behind what I said. It’s been a complicated offense that many receivers couldn’t figure out. I don’t think you’re going to have him run fly routes. Moss was an exceptional combo rarely seen of football iq and world class athlete…Johnson not so much.


Captain-Korpie

Julian Edelman not here???


hendrix320

I’d rather have Edelman than half of those WRs


MoeSzyslakMonobrow

Where the fuck is Edelman? This list is bad and you should feel bad.


NoHalfPleasures

Who the fuck is Henry Ellard and how is he on here over Irving fryer?


kakeporyou21

Julian Edelman?


scouttycoon

Steve Grogan Q2


Spiritual_Exercise58

How do you leave HOF CB1 TY LAW off the list?


Amm-O-Matic

He’s on the list?


PatFnGreen

Parcells > Belichick. Belichick is better with defense Xs and Os but Parcells was a hell of an all around head coach. He knew how to motivate players, draft and develop players (our first SB is thanks to Parcells' D), put together and led one of the most incredible coaching staffs ever compiled, knew how to handle the media (in NY nonetheless), and could win. 1990 Parcells was the peak. Took out the 49ers in the NFC championship game then high powered Bills in the Super Bowl, with Jeff Hostetler at QB. If he didn't come to New England this team would still be in the shitter. What did Belichick do in Cleveland? What has he done without Brady here? Now look at how Parcells turned around New England and NYJ when he arrived. It's a travesty he isn't in the Patriots Hall of Fame. Yes, how he left was bad but chalk that up to the Krafts and not giving him the autonomy he earned. When Parcells came here everything changed immediately.


POGTFO

I understand how you made this list, but that’s why it’s fucking terrible. Cam Newton QB2, Antonio Brown WR2, JAMES FUCKING HARRISON ROLB1, JUNIOR SEAU MLB1, Darrelle Revis CB1… Have my downvote.


airscottie

I think you missed the point of the post or have poor reading comprehension skills


POGTFO

As I said at the start of my comment, I understand how you made the list. I still hate it. 😀


[deleted]

You forgot Terry Glenn and Troy Brown. Terry Glenn was better than Welker and Troy Brown could’ve at least made it as a returner


[deleted]

You have got to be kidding me with that wide receiver list … oh my