For the past decade, the New England Patriots have been known for their high-flying offenses, but their dynasty began with defense.
The New England Patriots greatest player of all-time is very clearly QB Tom Brady, but there are some defensive players that could make a strong case for being the 2nd best Patriot.
Here, I will break down and rank my top 10 greatest Patriots defensive players of all-time. It should be no surprise that many Patriots from the early 2000’s make the cut.
As always, some of you will disagree with the order, or you’ll feel like I left someone off the list that should have made it. Either way, make your opinion known in the comments below.
10. SS Rodney Harrison
Rodney Harrison wasn’t in New England long, and his last few seasons were shortened by injury, but I’m not sure any one player made as much of an immediate impact. Harrison came to the Patriots in 2003 after nine seasons in San Diego.
That first year, he was named a First Team All-Pro and helped lead the Patriots to a Super Bowl win. He helped them win it all the next season too.
Over 6 years and 63 games with the New England Patriots, Rodney Harrison had 8 interceptions and 312 tackles in the regular season. He stepped up with 7 interceptions over 9 career playoff games with New England.
9. DT Vince Wilfork
Vince Wilfork spent the first 11 years of his NFL career in New England, and the big man never stopped making plays.
Vince appeared in 158 games as a member of the Patriots, where he had 355 tackles and 16 sacks. Somehow, Wilfork also had three interceptions as the defensive tackle. His heart and soul went into his defensive play, and he was the anchor on the New England defense when they beat the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX.
8. LB Mike Vrabel
Now a football coach, it was always clear the Mike Vrabel had a football mind. He came to New England after four years in Pittsburgh and helped the Patriots develop a dynasty as a starter on three Super Bowl winning teams.
Vrabel had 48 sacks and 11 interceptions for the Patriots in the regular season, and another 8 sacks in his 17 playoff games. I wouldn’t be surprised if he one day returns to coach in Foxboro.
7. LB Nick Buoniconti
While he may be better known for his role with the undefeated Miami Dolphins, Nick Buoniconti was a member of the Boston Patriots first.
He spent half of his career playing for the Patriots from 1962 to 1968. In that span he recorded 24 interceptions while remaining a force as a strong linebacker. The Springfield, MA native was selected to five Pro Bowl’s and was named First Team All-Pro four times in his seven year career with the Patriots. Buoniconti was selected to the Hall of Fame in 2001, and he is also a member of the Patriots Hall of Fame.
6. DE Richard Seymour
Everyone was shocked when Richard Seymour was traded to the Oakland Raiders, and with good reason. Seymour was an unstoppable force on the Patriots defense from 2001 to 2008 while New England raised three Lombardi trophies.
Seymour was named to five Pro Bowl’s with the Patriots, and was also First Team All-Pro three times. In 111 regular season games he had 223 tackles and 39 sacks. Seymour added another 4.5 sacks in the playoffs to help develop the Patriots dynasty.
5. LB Willie McGinest
12 year New England Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest gets our top 5 started. He was drafted in 1994 and became an isntant impact player. As a rookie he tallied 4.5 sacks and forced 2 fumbles. In 1996 McGinest helped the Patriots reach the Super Bowl, and he undoubtedly gained some much need experience.
As a wise veteran, McGinest helped to lead the Patriots defense to three Super Bowl titles in 4 years in the early 2000’s. If it hadn’t been for him, the New England dynasty may not have ever gotten started.
McGinest finished his Patriots career with 94 sacks between the regular season and the playoffs. His 78 regular season sacks put him in 2nd place all-time with New England. McGinest is also in the top 10 in tackles.
4. LB Tedy Bruschi
Second on the Patriots all-time tackles list is linebacker Tedy Bruschi with 675. He’s also 10th with 30.5 sacks.
Bruschi became a Patriots linebacker two years after Willie McGinest, and those two along with Ted Johnson formed a formidable linebacking corps.
Tedy was the heart of the later teams, as he also won three Super Bowls in four seasons. The highlight of his interception in the snow against the Miami Dolphins is one that is always on repeat around Foxboro. Bruschi was the picture perfect image of what a New England Patriots player should be. He was all heart, hustle, and effort. Bruschi never complained when he was dealt a poor hand, like his stroke. He simply bounced back, and aimed to continue on.
Bruschi helped Bill Belichick define what the Patriots way is.
3. CB Ty Law
Peyton Manning if you’re readin this, you may want to look away now. You couldn’t beat the New England Patriots because you couldn’t get past Ty Law.
The Patriots leader with 36 interceptions, Ty Law was even better in the playoffs. He recorded 4 in his Patriots playoff career, with 3 coming in 2003. All 3 came in the AFC Championship Game against Peyton Manning and the Colts.
Law almost single-handedly got the New England Patriots into the Super Bowl against the Carolina Panthers. Though he went on to spend time with the Jets, Chiefs, and Broncos, Ty Law is forever a Patriot.
He was selected to the New England Patriots Hall of Fame in 2014, and will likely end up in Canton, OH one day as well.
2. CB Mike Haynes
Mike Haynes doesn’t stick out on the Patriots all-time leaderboards so he’s often forgotten, but he shouldn’t be. In 1976 Haynes was named the Defensive Rookie of the Year after he recorded 8 interceptions.
Haynes played in New England for seven seasons and finished with 28 total interceptions. He was named to six Pro Bowls before he became a Raider and won a Super Bowl. He was a member of the NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team and the NFL’s 1980’s All-Decade Team.
Haynes was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1997 and his #40 is retired in New England.
1. LB Andre Tippett
Andre Tippett spent all 11 of his NFL seasons in New England. Over 151 games he recorded 100 sacks, the best in the team’s history.
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Tippett has a long list of accolades. He was a 5-time Pro Bowler, 2-time First Team All-Pro, 2-time Second Team All-Pro, NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1985 and was a member of the NFL’s 1980’s All-Decade Team.
In 1999 Tippett was selected to the Patriots Hall of Fame, and he finally was enshrined in Canton with a 2007 selection into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He’s still a fixture around Foxboro, so keep an eye out for him if you attend this year’s training camp or a game at Gillette Stadium.
There are current players on the New England Patriots who could one day find themselves on this list, like Devin McCourty, Rob Ninkovich or Dont’a Hightower. They all still have lots of work to do if they want to compare to these players listed, but it is possible.
Next: Edelman may now retire as a Patriot
Did we miss anyone on this list that you think should have made it? Tweet us @ChowderAndChampions to let me know where I went wrong!