18. Matt Light
Matt Light arrived in New England as a second-round pick from Purdue in 2001 and went straight to left tackle. He started most of the games that season and helped the Patriots win Super Bowl XXXVI, keeping Tom Brady clean in a title game the franchise had never reached before. The assignment stayed the same after that. Light locked down the left side through the early dynasty years and was still there for two more Super Bowl wins in 2003 and 2004.
He handled the work without much drama. Light made his first Pro Bowl after the 2006 season, then turned in his strongest year in 2007. He started all 16 games, earned first-team All-Pro, and posted one of the league’s higher Approximate Value totals. The offense ran at a high level, and Light repeatedly won his one-on-one matchups against top edge rushers without needing constant help sliding over. He picked up another Pro Bowl selection after the 2010 season while continuing to start nearly every week.
The durability held up through the later years even when injuries shortened a couple of seasons. Light started 153 of the 155 regular-season games he played over eleven years. After the 2011 season, which included another Super Bowl start, he retired. His time in New England ended there. With the Patriots, he finished with 155 games and 153 starts, three Pro Bowl selections, and one first-team All-Pro. He did so while protecting Brady through three Super Bowl titles and five total appearances in the championship game.
Light entered the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2018. The left tackle who arrived as a second-rounder and stayed on the blind side the entire way left as one of the steadiest protectors the franchise has ever had.
Matt Light named to the New England Patriots HOF
One of our favorite franchise Halls of Fame has announced their latest inductee.
Former Offensive Tackle, Matt Light has been chosen via a fan vote to be the 27th member of the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.
Light was drafted in the Second Round in 2001 out of Purdue and he would quickly take over the starting Left Tackle role for the Pats. Light would play 155 Games for New England and started in 153 of them. Three times (2006, 2007 & 2010) Light was named to the Pro Bowl and he was chosen as a First Team All Pro in 2007.
He becomes the fourth player after Kevin Faulk, Troy Brown and Tedy Bruschi to enter the Patriots Hall of Fame with three Super Bowl Rings.
Light’s induction ceremony will be held on September 29th at the NRG Plaza.
We here would like to congratulate Matt Light on receiving this prestigious honor.
The New England Patriots Hall of Fame announce their Finalists
The New England Patriots have announced the three Finalists for their Hall of Fame and all three of them were members of the organization’s first three Super Bowls.
Matt Light is a first time nominee. The former Left Tackle played 153 Games in the NFL and started all of them in a career that was spent only in New England (2001-11). The former Purdue Boilermaker was a second round pick and was chosen for three Pro Bowls.
Richard Seymour is being nominated for the second time. Seymour played for New England from 2001 to 2008 and as a Patriot he was named to five straight Pro Bowls (2002-06) and three straight First Team All Pro squads (2003-05).
Mike Vrabel is a nominee for the third time. Vrabel played 125 (starting 110) for the Pats at Linebacker and was a Pro Bowl and First Team All Pro in 2007.
You can vote on who you think should be in the Hall at patriots.com/2018hof
Whoever is selected will be the 27th person selected for the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.
The 2017 Football Futures have been updated
We already had the Football Futures from 2016, 2017 and 2018 up, and we have first decided to add additional candidates to the 2017 Football Futures Section.
First, here are the 2017 Football Future candidates who had already been uploaded:
Albert Haynesworth, a controversial Defensive Tackle who was two time First Team All Pro.
Brian Dawkins, a Safety who was named to nine Pro Bowls, four First Team All Pros and is a member of the 20/20 club.
Chad Johnson, the charismatic Wide Receiver who was a six time Pro Bowler and once led the NFL in Receiving Yards.
Derrick Mason, a two time Pro Bowl Selection who once led the National Football League in All-Purpose Yards.
Hines Ward, a Wide Receiver who was a Pro Bowl Selection twice, and a two time Super Bowl Champion (and one time Super Bowl MVP) with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Jason Taylor, a Defensive Tackle who was a six time Pro Bowl Selection and was a former Defensive Player of the Year.
Jeremy Shockey, a brash Tight End who was a four time Pro Bowler and two time winner of the Super Bowl (one with the New York Giants and one with the New Orleans Saints).
Joey Porter, a Linebacker who went to four Pro Bowls and helped the Pittsburgh Steelers win the Super Bowl.
Kris Dielman, an Offensive Guard who played his entire career with the San Diego Chargers and went to four Pro Bowls.
LaDanian Tomlinson, a Running Back who was a two time Rushing Champion and five time Pro Bowler while playing with the San Diego Chargers.
Olin Kreutz, a Center who was a six time Pro Bowler and one time First Team All Pro while playing for the Chicago Bears.
Ricky Williams, an enigmatic Running Back who was the NFL’s leading rusher in 2002.
The new additions are as follows:
Aaron Kampman, a Defensive End with two Pro Bowl Selections and over 50 Quarterback Sacks.
Aaron Smith, a Defensive End with two Super Bowl Rings and two Pro Bowl nods in a career that was only spent with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Al Harris, a Cornerback who helped the Green Bay Packers win a Super Bowl and also a two time Pro Bowl Selection.
Bob Sanders, a Safety who was a former AP Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the Colts’ lone Super Bowl win in Indianapolis.
Casey Wiegmann, an undrafted Center who was a one time Pro Bowl Selection.
Chad Clifton, an Offensive Lineman who made two Pro Bowls and helped the Green Bay Packers win a Super Bowl.
Donovan McNabb, a Quarterback known for his time with the Philadelphia Eagles where he took them to multiple NFC Championship Games.
E.J. Henderson, a linebacker who played all nine of his seasons with Minnesota Vikings.
Jake Delhomme, a Quarterback who took the Carolina Panthers to their first Super Bowl appearance.
John Henderson, a Defensive Tackle who made two Pro Bowls while playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Joseph Addai, a Running Back who went to one Pro Bowl and was a big reason that Indianapolis Colts won the Super Bowl.
Larry Johnson, a Running Back who went to two Pro Bowls and earned a first Team All Pro spot.
Lito Sheppard, a Cornerback who went to a pair of Pro Bowls and was also a First Team All Pro Selection once.
Marion Barber, a Running Back who was a one time Pro Bowl Selection.
Matt Light, an Offensive Tackle who won three Super Bowls and went to three Pro Bowls with the New England Patriots.
Mike Sellers, a Fullback who made one Pro Bowl.
Neil Rackers, a Place Kicker who once led the NFL in Field Goals.
Nick Collins, a Safety who led the NFL once in Interception Return Yards, made three Pro Bowls and was a Super Bowl Champion with the Green Bay Packers.
Ovie Mughelli, a Fullback who was a one time Pro Bowl Selection.
Ryan Pontbriand, a Long Snapper who went to two Pro Bowls.
Shaun Ellis, a Defensive End who went to two Pro Bowls.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, a Wide Receiver who was a one time Pro Bowl Selection.
Thomas Jones, a Running Back who is a member of the 10,000 Yard Rushing Club.
Tommie Harris, a Defensive Tackle who was a three time Pro Bowler.
Vince Young, a Quarterback who went to two Pro Bowls.
We will be continuing our work on the football futures and you will be seeing that shortly. In the meantime we are hopeful that we will receive your inputs and votes on this batch of future eligible football players.
