I watched the Patriots before him some, but man were they horrid. The days of Leonard Russel, Scott Zolak, and even some greats like Bruce Armstrong were painful to watch. But then in 1993 we got Bill Parcells, and drafted Drew Bledsoe. This made the Patriots somewhat better, we still were pretty poor for Drew’s rookie season, but over the next few years evolved in to a team that was at least very competitive in the NFL.

The 90′s Patriots were not the 2000′s Patriots but they were competitive, exciting, and restored a fandom to New England in the NFL. Drew Bledsoe and Bill Parcells were responsible for this, and one left in disgrace, and one was classy every step of the way. Drew Bledsoe could have handled everything a lot different when Tom Brady took over for him in 2001. But he was nothing but supportive, and I will never forget that. Possibly my favorite game in NFL history was when Drew came off the bench to lead the Patriots over the Steelers in 2001. I love watching Tom Brady, but there was something special about that game and how Drew brought the team together to get to the Super Bowl.

Mr Kraft, I doubt you will ever read this, but Ben Coates in in the Patriots Hall of Fame now, Drew Bledsoe should not only follow him in to the Patriots Hall of Fame now, but should have his number up alongside John Hannah’s in Foxboro Stadium!