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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13 SEP 1992: ANDRE TIPPETT OF THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS IN ACTION AGAINST THE LOS ANGELES RAMS AT ANAHEIM. Mandatory Credit: Ken Levine/ALLSPORT /

3. OLB Andre Tippett

He played in an era where defenses were just beginning to make the switch from the traditional 3-4 to the 4-3 scheme. A lot of that transition had to with the successes enjoyed by teams such as the Houston Oilers and the Denver Broncos’ fabled “Orange Crush.”

There was also New York Giants’ demon Lawrence Taylor, the second-overall pick in the 1981 draft whose play at outside linebacker influenced an entire league.

In 1982, the New England Patriots made University of Iowa standout Andre Tippett the 41st overall pick in the draft. The second-round selection would have a stellar career with the club and wind up being part of the team’s first Super Bowl appearance in 1985.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame defender wound up playing a total of 11 seasons (missing 1989 with a shoulder injury) and accumulated exactly 100 sacks, to go along with 19 fumble recoveries – two of which he returned for touchdowns.

Tippett was named to five straight Pro Bowls from 1984-88 and twice earned All-Pro honors over that stretch as well. Over those five seasons, he played in a total of 68 regular-season contests and totaled an impressive 64 sacks and eight fumble recoveries.

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