The New England Patriots' All-Time Team

I would first like to go over a few guidelines that I followed while constructing this team.

1. Rules change every year. Mike Haynes is (IMO) better than, say Ty Law, but rules change. If we are talking 2001 rules, then Ty Law would get the nod. If we're working with the 1976 rules, it would go to Mike Haynes. Same goes for Raymond Clayborn.

2. I won't be fair to guys that I never saw play, like Gino Cappelletti. I'll try to be even, but I know I'll mess up.

3. It'll be heavy with guys currently playing. Not, as many idiots will claim, because Patriot fans are bandwagoners, but because Brady is the best QB.

Hey, I love Steve Grogan (who gets better as time passes, btw).  Stanley Morgan?  Behind Moss on the depth chart. I would love to see what he could do with the "don't touch me after five yards, you ruffian" rules, but Moss is Moss.

4. Being an idiot fan, I'll focus on "skill" position players. Why? Because they get their names said a lot.

With that said:

QB: Tom Brady, Steve Grogan, Babe Parilli

RB: Corey Dillon, Curtis Martin, Craig James*, Sam "Bam" Cunningham, Jim Nance *James was awesome one year, (1985 with 1,227 yards).

TE: Russ Francis, Ben Coates

WR: Randy Moss, Stanley Morgan, Gino Cappelletti, Troy Brown*, Wes Welker

*Yes, I'm a homer, but in 2001, his 1,199 receiving yards and his punt returns were crucial. Don't believe me? Ask a Steeler fan about the 2001 AFC Championship Game.

The only reason this idiot fan even remembers to add a lineman is to get John Hannah in there.

The defense is both a 3-4 and 4-3, I'm afraid.

NT: I would have Smerlas, but he was near the end of his career in New England. I sound foolish naming the current guy, but I have to go with Wilfork. As backups, I'll take Smerlas or Ted Washington. Hey, it's not like there is a wealth of "old timers" talent there.

DT: Well, no one sticks out as "must be included." Seymour, Ty Warren, Willie McGinest, and see note above about current players.

LB: (ILB, OLB, MLB) Andre Tippet—HOF is almost an automatic berth. Nelson—might be rose-colored glasses, but I remember him as being quite good. Tedy Bruschi—pre-stroke, he was better than Ray Lewis in decline. Mike Vrabel—need TEs too:). Chris Slade, Willie McGinest, and Ted Johnson round out the list.

CB: Mike Haynes, Ray Clayborn, Ty Law, Otis Smith, and Troy Brown as a nickelback only. *Really dependant on rules

S:(FS and SS) Rodney Harrison, Lawyer Milloy

Punter: Eddie Hare (just kidding) Tom Tupa*

*He was distance. He was not punting from your 40 trying to pin them. The style may not be a great fit.

Kicker: I'd have a solid competition between Adam Vinatieri and Tony Franklin

Oh, this is IMICaAO (In My Incredibly Correct and Accurate Opinion)

Argue away. I know this list has holes you can drive a snowplow through. 

(Groundskepeper: Mark Henderson, of course:))

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?