10 greatest New England Patriots of all time

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: A detail as Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots communicates a play at the line of scrimmage in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

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FOXBOROUGH, MA – CIRCA 1981: Mike Haynes #40 of the New England Patriots in action against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL football game circa 1981 at Foxboro Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Haynes played for the Patriots from 1976-82. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

6. CB Mike Haynes

For the record, both Raymond Clayborn and Pro Football Hall of Famer Ty Law own the franchise record with 36 interceptions. But there’s another performer who has a bust in Canton, Ohio, who may lie claim to being the best cornerback to play. It’s all subjective but be it with the New England Patriots or later the then-Los Angeles Raiders, savvy Mike Haynes made a habit out of stifling opposing wide receivers.

He was the fifth-overall pick in the 1976 draft from Arizona State University. The team was coming off a 3-11 showing the previous year but thanks in part to the eventual NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, the club finished 11-3 and reached the playoffs. Haynes would be named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons with the Pats and in six of his seven campaigns with the franchise. With New England, the opportunistic defender picked off 28 passes and recovered 11 opponent’s fumbles.

He would wind up taking his talents to the City of Angels and played seven more seasons with the Raiders – earning a Super Bowl ring with teams in 1983 (XVIII). He would be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997.

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