Playing his college ball at South Dakota State, Vinatieri began his pro career with the Amsterdam Admirals of the World League of American Football.  The New England Patriots signed him after and in 1996, he was officially a National Football League player.

New England was a team on the rise and if we are to agree that New England has been the best team in the last 20 years, it was Vinatieri’s kick in the snow that began the dynasty.  Against the Oakland Raiders in the playoffs, Vinatieri booted a 45 Yard Field Goal in a blizzard to send the game in Overtime, which he would win for them with a 23 Yard FG.  The Patriots would then beat the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI, with Vinatieri again kicking the winning Field Goal, this time from 48 Yards out.  He would go to two Pro Bowls and earn two First Team All-Pro Selections as a Patriot, and would also win two more Super Bowls.

Vinatieri signed with the Indianapolis Colts in 2006 and he would win his fourth Super Bowl in his debut season in the Hoosier State.  He played for Indianapolis until 2019, and left the game as the all-time leader in Points (2,673) and Field Goals (599), and if any kicker has a shot at first ballot induction, it is Vinatieri.

Vince Wilfork was one of the most popular players in New England Patriots history and by many accounts one of the nicest guys ever to play on the gridiron.  While all of that is fine and good, the most important facet that Pats fans really think of is that he was so fundamentally good at Nose Tackle, clogging lanes and taking up space that offensive rushers wanted nothing to do with.

Making four consecutive Pro Bowls and a First Team All-Pro Selection, Asante Samuel was an integral part of a pair of Super Bowl Championships by the New England Patriots. Samuel would lead the National Football League in Interceptions twice, had 51 overall and would become one of the more recognized Defensive Backs in the NFL.

Splitting his career between the San Diego Chargers and the New England Patriots, Rodney Harrison has a lot of labels attached to him. Statistically, Harrison is the first man ever to have 30 Sacks and 30 Interceptions, an impressive defensive feat that quantified his versatility on the gridiron. He has two Pro Bowls and two Super Bowl Rings for the Pats; where he was one of their defensive leaders. However, Harrison also has been bestowed as one of the dirtiest players ever to play the game, and he is also remembered for being the player who David Tyree made the spectacular catch for the Giants that propelled them to the Super Bowl win over New England (which New York fans will always point out). Harrison criminally only made two bowls, but the master of the safety blitz, was one of the best at stopping the run among all defensive backs, and his cover work improved over time.  He is also gaining Hall of Fame momentum, having made it as a Finalist for the first time in 2024.

Should Rodney Harrison be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely, put him in! Maybe, but others deserve it first. Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. No opinion. No way!

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Definitely, put him in! - 25%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 50%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0%

No opinion. - 0%

No way! - 25%