And so, the debate begins again.
On Thursday, the Patriots announced that the 23-person nomination committee selected Logan Mankins, Bill Parcells and Mike Vrabel as the 2023 Patriots Hall of Fame finalists. Patriots fans now have until May 2 to vote for the finalist they feel is most deserving of Patriots Hall of Fame induction.
The key words there are most deserving. If that is ultimately the most important criteria, Bill Parcells should have been in before many members that are in now.
There is no dynasty without Parcells. The team is probably in Connecticut or St. Louis and Gillette Stadium doesn’t exist. Obviously, that’s mostly Kraft’s department, but without the legacy of Parcells here to draw the fan base in, ticket sales would have continued to plummet. Parcells was the head coach here for four seasons (1993-96) and led the team to two playoff berths. Parcells finished his Patriots career with a 34-34 record, including 2-2 in the playoffs. In 1994,the team went on a season-ending seven-game win streak and clinched the franchise’s first playoff berth in eight years, earning Parcells the NFL’s Coach of the Year award. After finishing 6-10 in 1995, the Patriots won 11 games season in 1996, and earned their first division title in 10 years. The Pats took down Pittsburgh in the Divisional round before hosting their first ever AFC Championship game and beat Jacksonville 20-6, to earn a trip to the Super Bowl for the second time in franchise history. This is the fifth time that the Patriots Hall of Fame Nomination Committee has nominated Bill Parcells for Patriots Hall of Fame induction (2011, 2012, 2014, 2020 and 2023.
This isn’t to say that Mankins or Vrabel aren’t deserving – because they are – but considering Parcells is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and not the one in Foxborough is egregious. He clearly doesn’t have as many years left on this planet as the other two guys and deserves the honor before it’s too late.
Mankins is probably the best offensive linemen in team history, or at the very least in a discussion with only a handful of guys. Mankins was the ultimately bully up front and a massive reason Tom Brady stayed upright as much as he did. Logan played nine of his 11 NFL seasons here, joining the team as a first-round draft pick in 2005. Mankins was a three-time captain and a six-time Pro Bowl selection. Mankins also earned six All-Pro honors (2007, 2009-13), including first-team Associated Press All-Pro honors in 2010. Mankins started all 130 regular season and 17 postseason games in which he appeared as a member of the Patriots, which is arguably his biggest achievement given the position. With Mankins in the lineup (and Brady under center), the offense was top 10 in eight of his nine seasons with the Patriots – 2005 (7), 2007 (1), 2008 (5), 2009 (3), 2010 (8), 2011 (2), 2012 (1), 2013 (7). This is the second straight time Mankins has been a finalist. He’s clearly deserving, but not ahead of Parcells.
Lastly is Vrabel. Vrabel, who certainly wasn’t shy about criticizing the organization at times. Still, he’s a three-time Super Bowl Champion and was one of the most versatile linebackers and best free agent signings in team history. Vrabel played eight years in New England and was a model of positional versatility. Vrabel started at both inside and outside linebacker, but may be remembered most for regularly lining up on offense in short-yardage and goal-line situations. As a Patriot, he caught eight regular season passes and two more in the playoffs. Remarkably, all 10 of his receptions were for touchdowns, including touchdown receptions in back-to-back Super Bowl wins over the Panthers and Eagles in 2003 and 2004. Vrabel is now a Patriots Hall of Fame finalist for the seventh straight time. But, you can easily tell the history of the Patriots dynasty without mentioning Vrabel in at least the first 10-15 players named, which still leaves him less deserving than Parcells, or Mankins for that matter.
Do the right thing this year Patriots fans. Put Bill Parcells in The Hall.