FanHouse AndreTippett

With the Patriots linebackers dropping like flies in recent weeks, the news that veteran Tedy Bruschi could be done for the season probably isn't what New England fans want to hear as the team fights through the three-way battle at the top of the AFC East.

According to Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald, Bruschi suffered a knee injury in Sunday's win over Seattle that would likely keep him out of the lineup for three to four weeks. Since, as Guregian writes, the Patriots need every healthy body they can get in the final three games, it's likely they'll just place the 34-year-old Bruschi on injured reserve to free up his roster spot.

What they'll do with that roster spot, however, is unknown. A week ago, the Patriots brought in soon-to-be 40-year-old Junior Seau to replace Pierre Woods, after bringing in Rosevelt Colvin a few days earlier. If those recent moves are any indicators to the inner-workings of the Patriots front office, they'll likely take a look at anyone from Kevin Greene to Andre Tippett.

Bruschi has 75 tackles, no sacks and one pass defense for the Patriots this season.

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The lobbying that Redskins fans did on behalf of Art Monk, which was one of the factors in getting Monk finally in the NFL Hall of Fame, got me to thinking:

Who is pushing for more of the Luv Ya Blue-era Oilers to get into the Hall of Fame?

There are a number in there already, but a case could be made for a number of other ones, such as Oiler linebacker Robert "Dr. Doom" Brazile who played for the Oilers his entire career. He is likely to get lost with Tennessee fans never seeing him play, and Houston fans knowing he will belong in Tennessee's part of the Hall.

HoustonProFootball.com has a terrific summary of Robert Brazile's career here, and of various Houston greats here. Brazile was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1975, appeared in 7 Pro Bowls his first 7 seasons, was selected All Pro 8 times, and is a part of the 1970's NFL All Decade Team.

He is the only member of the 1970's All Decade Team not in the Hall of Fame. (the others in Canton are Bobby Bell, Dick Butkus, Jack Ham, Ted Hendricks, Jack Lambert). I believe next year is the last year Brazile will be considered with the modern candidates instead of the few senior candidate spots.

A regular feature profiling each of the 17 candidates for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Name: Andre Tippett

Position: Linebacker

Career: 1982-1993 New England Patriots

Pros: Led AFC with 16.5 sacks, named AFC Defensive Player of the Year during Patriots Super Bowl season in 1985. Five Pro Bowls, All-Decade team in 1980s. Played strongside linebacker, which is usually the harder spot for an outside linebacker to rush the passer from.

Cons: Was never considered the best player in the league at his position, and although he had a relatively long career, his peak was fairly short.

Verdict: Tippett wouldn't be a bad choice, but he didn't change the game the way the top linebackers of the 1980s, Lawrence Taylor and Mike Singletary, did, so he falls a little short of Hall of Fame caliber. He gets a vote of NO.

Previous votes:
NO: Richard Dent, Fred Dean, Ray Guy, Michael Irvin, Bob Kuechenberg, Art Monk, Andre Reed, Charlie Sanders, Gary Zimmerman, Roger Wehrli
YES: Russ Grimm, Gene Hickerson, Bruce Matthews, Paul Tagliabue, Thurman Thomas
Note: By rule, the Hall of Fame must induct between three and six new members.