FOXBOROUGH - Julian Edelman, Logan Mankins, Adam Vinatieri.
Talk about having a Murderer’s Row of Patriots Hall of Fame finalists.
All three are worthy candidates. All three deserve induction into the red jacket club.
But trying to pick one from the lot this time out? That’s the task of fans who get to vote and select the winner.
It won’t be easy.
Edelman, one of Tom Brady’s favorite go-to-guys, was an integral part of three championship teams. He’s a former Super Bowl MVP, and made arguably the greatest catch in postseason history in the historic comeback win against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI.
Mankins didn’t win a Super Bowl, but he was a 7-time Pro Bowler and arguably the best left guard of his time. Legendary offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia considers him one of the best he’s ever coached.
Mankins brought a much-needed edge to the Patriots offensive line. He was also one of the toughest players to ever suit up for the team. He played an entire season with a torn MCL. He also somehow played an AFC Championship game and Super Bowl with a torn ACL.
There’s tough. And then there’s crazy tough.
Vinatieri?
The Patriots don’t get to play in the dynasty-starting Super Bowl against the St. Louis Rams, or win the game without him.
Vinatieri was the definition of clutch, with a boatload of game-winning kicks, several of those coming on the biggest stage.
A Class of 2025 finalist, Vinatieri is bound for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It’s only a matter of time.
From the trio, who would I select?
I covered all three, and greatly admired them for what they accomplished in New England. They’re also Hall of Fame people.
As a member of the 22-member panel that nominates the three finalists, I’ve heard all the discourse and cases supporting each candidate.
My feeling is Edelman, Mankins and Vinatieri will eventually gain entry into the Patriots Hall.
But the pressing question is who should be the first? That’s what fans have to decide during the three weeks the voting window is open.
My vote would go to Vinatieri, who was part of the first run of championships.
His clutch kicks set the dynasty in motion. After Brady, it was Vinatieri who was the biggest catalyst for the team winning during that first decade.
Bill Belichick’s assessment of what Vinatieri meant to the Patriots puts Vinatieri’s importance into perspective.
“Adam Vinatieri is the greatest kicker of all-time who made the greatest kick of all-time in the 2001 divisional playoffs,” Belichick said in wake of Vinatieri retiring in 2021. “His consistency, mental toughness and performance under pressure was legendary.”
Vinatieri’s 45-yard field goal in a driving snowstorm against the Oakland Raiders can’t be topped. As Belichick mentioned, that was the greatest kick ever.
Vinatieri then went on to drill a 48-yard walk-off field goal in the Super Bowl against the Rams. Two years later, he kicked a 41-yard field goal to break a 29-29 tie against the Carolina Panthers for championship No. 2.
A year after that, he also had the game-winning boot against the Philadelphia Eagles for the Patriots third Super Bowl win in four years.
“I am honored to have coached Adam, going all the way back to his rookie year in 1996 and through some of the most special moments in Patriots and league history,” Belichick said. “Adam is in the rarest of echelon of athletes whose career accomplishments may never be matched.”
Specifically, he stands as the NFL’s all-time leading scorer (2,673). He also holds the record for most career field goals made (599), and most consecutive field goals made (44).
After leaving New England, Vinatieri signed with the Indianapolis Colts where he helped win another Super Bowl.
He is also the only player to score 1,000 points for two different franchises.
What he did with the Patriots, however, is why he should be the selection this year.
And beyond the record-setting numbers, and all of the clutch kicks, let’s remember Vinatieri wasn’t just a kicker. He was a football player in every sense of the word, and took great pride in that.
He once managed to chase down all-world Dallas Cowboys running back Herschel Walker from behind on a kick return, saving a touchdown.
So Vinatieri not only authored the greatest kick of all-time, he is up there for one of the best football plays as well.
All as a Patriot.
Meanwhile, Edelman’s resume is enhanced by the fact he converted to receiver after being a college quarterback. He also gets more points given his exploits as a returner.
Understandably, there will be plenty of fans in his corner to get the nod. Mankins, too.
This time around, however, Vinatieri is the choice. Of the three finalists, he should be the first one in.
And, as an added bonus, he’d get to go in alongside Bill Parcells, who in 1996 brought him to Foxborough as an undrafted free agent out of South Dakota State.
The symmetry is hard to ignore. If you ask me, it’s perfect.
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