Patriots announce All-Dynasty Team, spanning two decades
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Yes, it was a dynasty. For an extremely long time, by NFL standards, or any standard. The Patriots ruled the NFL with Tom Brady at quarterback from 2001-2019, and are now honoring their unparalleled run of six Super Bowl championships in an 18-year span with their new All-Dynasty Team.
The squad spans both decades, which could arguably be broken into two separate dynasties on their own. It features eight players who are already in the Patriots Hall of Fame, and plenty who will also don the red jacket in Foxboro some day. Plenty of the selections are obvious, like quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski. Others may surprise you.
The All-Dynasty Team will be honored with artifacts featured in a new exhibit at the Patriots Hall of Fame that will open on Friday, Oct. 23. Here’s the full All-Dynasty Team:
Head coach: Bill Belichick
Defensive line: Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork
Outside linebacker: Willie McGinest, Mike Vrabel, Rob Ninkovich
Inside linebacker: Tedy Bruschi, Dont’a Hightower, Roman Phifer
Cornerback: Ty Law, Asante Samuel, Stephon Gilmore
Safety: Rodney Harrison, Patrick Chung, Devin McCourty
Quarterback: Tom Brady
Running back: Kevin Faulk, Corey Dillon, James White
Fullback: James Develin
Wide receiver: Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, Troy Brown
Tight end: Rob Gronkowski, Daniel Graham
Tackle: Matt Light, Sebastian Vollmer, Nate Solder
Guard: Logan Mankins, Joe Andruzzi, Joe Thuney
Center: Dan Koppen
Kicker: Adam Vinatieri
Punter: Ryan Allen
Kickoff returner: Bethel Johnson, Ellis Hobbs
Punt returner: Julian Edelman
Special teamer: Matthew Slater, Larry Izzo
Long Snapper: Lonie Paxton, Joe Cardona
Honorable mention: ILB Jerod Mayo, S Lawyer Milloy, G Stephen Neal, G Shaq Mason, C David Andrews, K Stephen Gostkowski, RB LeGarrette Blount, WR Danny Amendola
Three game-used artifacts from Brady will be included in the exhibit: a play-calling wristband and play sheet from 2007, the jersey he wore in the 2007 season finale in which he broke the single-season touchdown record at the time, and the football he threw when he passed Peyton Manning in all-time passing yards in 2019.
Super Bowl artifacts include Richard Seymour’s jersey from Super Bowl XXXIX, and cleats worn by Adam Vinatieri, Willie McGinest, and Corey Dillon in the same game.
MORE: Richard Seymour is your 2020 Patriots Hall of Fame inductee
“As the 2010s drew to a close, we thought the timing was right to take a look back and compare the Patriots success to that of the other NFL teams and the dominance was obvious,” Patriots Hall of Fame executive director Bryan Morry said. “While the team concept is so much a part of that success, we thought it appropriate to also honor the best players from those teams, and the fans helped us make those selections.”
The only concern about this exhibit: does this mean the Patriots don’t expect to win the Super Bowl any time soon? It doesn’t feel like a realistic prospect. But this basically admits that their days of dominance are over. They’re counting the Brady era as its own monolithic run. Hopefully for Patriots fans, the future holds more winning, dynastic or not.
Sports Hub Sidelines Podcast
Ty Anderson and I discussed the latest with the Patriots and their upcoming schedule on the newest episode of the Sports Hub Sidelines podcast. Have a listen below. Patriots talk starts at 12:23.
Patriots Podcast
Alex Barth and I talked football again before the Patriots play the 49ers, plus gave our reactions to the All-Dynasty Team. You can check that out below.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff or send him a nasty email at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
