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New England Patriots Flashback: The inimitable Andre Tippett

By Michael DeVito

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 23: New England Patriot's Andre Tippett, (R) and New Era, present a check to Michael Bornhorst, Associate Vice President Corporate Development and Special Events, Boston Children's Hospital Trust, for Patriots hat collaboration proceeds at Boston Children's Hospital April 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images for Boston Children's Hospital)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 23: New England Patriot's Andre Tippett, (R) and New Era, present a check to Michael Bornhorst, Associate Vice President Corporate Development and Special Events, Boston Children's Hospital Trust, for Patriots hat collaboration proceeds at Boston Children's Hospital April 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images for Boston Children's Hospital) /
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Andre Tippett was the all-time best New England Patriots outside linebacker.

It should come as no surprise that Andre Tippett, a New England Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer was the best outside linebacker in Patriots’ history. And that was no fluke.

Tippett was selected in the second-round (not all of them have been poor) by new England in the 1982 NFL draft. He had been an All-American at Iowa.

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“Tipp” as he is called was a menace to any NFL quarterback facing New England. During a span of 11 years from 1982 to 1993 (He missed one year due to injury), Tippett wreaked havoc in NFL backfields from week-to-week.

Tippett never quite received all the accolades (if you can call being named NFL Hall-of-Famer being under noticed and under-appreciated!) due to one fact. That fact was personified in

Lawrence Taylor. I’d say that because of Taylor, Tippett was underappreciated. Greatly.

Absent that coincidental tenure roughly of the greatest defensive player in NFL history and probably the second-best player in league history (one Mr. Tom Brady is the best, thank you), Tippett would have received many more accolades and much more recognition than he has.

He was that good. Tippett was a key force in new England’s defenses for roughly a decade.  Here are some statistics. He notched 100 sacks in his career. He had single seasons in 1984 of 18.5 sacks, in 1985 of 16.5 sacks, and in 1987 he had 12.5 sacks.

Tippett had more sack than Taylor in 1984 and 1985 but Taylor had an other-worldly total of 20.5 in 1985. Tippett’s 18.5 sacks is a Patriots record (and his 16.5 are the second-best yearly total) and one that may never be broken.

Tippett was a 5-time Pro Bowler and a 2x  All-Pro during his career. He was first-team All-Pro in 1985 and 1987. He also played in 6 playoff games for New England in 1982, 1985 (4 games in their losing Super Bowl season), and 1986.

Since his retirement, Tippett has been a member of the Patriots staff. He currently serves as Executive Director of Community Affairs for the Patriots franchise, a very visible and important role for the team.

Next. Josh Uche a pass rushing ace. dark

Those of us who had the pleasure of seeing him play remember him as the greatest linebacker in the history of the Patriots. And we all now continue to benefit from his outstanding contributions to the team in community affairs. Andre Tippett, a great Patriot. Always.

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