197. Drew Bledsoe

Did we make a mistake not ranking Drew Bledsoe in his first year of eligibility? Statistically speaking, we may have made a mistake, as his career statistics are more impressive than those of other Quarterbacks ranked higher than him. However, other intangibles come into play, which makes it hard for us to determine his perfect place on this list.

Sure, he has solid career totals and impressive statistical seasons, but what can never be forgotten is that once he got injured, Tom Brady stepped in and took the Patriots over the final hurdle Bledsoe never could; and that is where the problem lies. In his first year of eligibility, Bledsoe was not a semifinalist, which shows that many view him the same way we do…a very good QB who also was a bit of a stat accumulator at the end, yet has a bit of a Wally Pipp quality to him. Drew Bledsoe was very good, but a lot of things would have to go right for him to be considered a serious threat for Canton; that elusive Super Bowl (which he does have, but on the injured list) means more on a Quarterback’s Hall of Fame resume than any other position.

Should Drew Bledsoe be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 62.2%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 15.9%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 13%

No opinion. - 0.2%

No way! - 8.7%

The Bullet Points

Country of Origin: Ellensburg, Washington, U.S.A.
Eligible Since: Saturday, 01 January 2011
Position: Quarterback
Games Played: 194
Notable Statistics: 193 Games Started
3,839 Pass Completions
6,717 Pass Attempts
57.2 Pass Completion Percentage
44,611 Passing Yards
251 Touchdown Passes
206 Interceptions
77.1 Passer Rating
385 Rushing Attempts
764 Rushing Yards
10 Rushing Touchdowns
1 Reception
-9 Receiving Yards
139 Approximate Value

7 Playoff Games
6 Playoff Games Started
129 Pass Completions
252 Pass Attempts
51.2 Pass Completion Percentage
1,335 Passing Yards
6 Touchdown Passes
12 Interceptions
54.9 Passer Rating
13 Rushing Attempts
7 Rushing Yards
Played For: Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots
College: Washington State
Drafted: 1st Round, 1st Overall in 1993
Major Accolades and Awards: Super Bowl Rings (1) (New England Patriots, Super Bowl XXXVI)
Pro Bowl Selection (4) (1994, 1996, 1997 & 2002)
Most Pass Completions (2) (1994 & 1996)
Most Pass Attempts (3) (1994, 1995 & 1996)
Most Passing Yards (1) (1994)
Most Passing Yards per Game (1) (1994)
Most Pass Attempts per Game (3) (1994, 1995 & 1996)
Most Pass Completions per Game (2) (1994 & 1996)
Other Points of Note: Finished 3rd in Comeback Player of the Year Voting in 2002

Top Ten Finishes: Pass Completions (9) (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002 & 2005)
Top Ten Finishes: Pass Attempts (9) (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002 & 2005)
Top Ten Finishes: Passing Yards (7) (1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002 & 2005)
Top Ten Finishes: Passing Touchdowns (7) (1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2002 & 2005)
Top Ten Finishes: Passer Rating (3) (1996, 1997 & 2002)
Top Ten Finishes: Passing Yards per Game (6) (1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 & 2002)
Top Ten Finishes: Yards per Pass Attempt (5) (1997, 1998, 1999, 2002 & 2005)
Top Ten Finishes: Yards per Pass Completion (4) (1998, 1999, 2002 & 2005)
Top Ten Finishes: Pass Attempts per Game (9) (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 & 2002)
Top Ten Finishes: Pass Completions per Game (8) (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 & 2002)
Top Ten Finishes: Pass Completion Percentage (2) (1996 & 1997)
Notable All Time Rankings: 12. Pass Attempts per Game: 34.6
15. Pass Attempts: 6,717
18. Pass Completions: 3,839
20. Passing Yards: 44,611
29. Touchdown Passes: 251
33. Passing Yards per Game: 230
37. Pass Completions per Game: 19.8
Years Nominated for the Hall of Fame: None