Anyone that listens to the Wicked Pissa Dude Podcast knows, I am NOT a numbers guy. I can't recite how many tackles Tedy Bruschi had in his first season with the New England Patriots or how many interceptions he ran back for a touchdown in his career. (see Scotty Dukes post below for that information.)

I am a heart guy. What is a heart guy? I measure a player by how big their heart is. Of course, I don't think someone should get into the Hall of Fame just because they had a big heart and played hard, of course that would not be possible. I do however, think that getting into the hall is not ALL about the numbers. Getting into the Hall of Fame should be an honor bestowed on the most prolific players to have ever played the game, but also on those men who put up great numbers (maybe not HOF worthy numbers) but also worked hard, played with dignity, a generous heart and most importantly a committment to his team and fans.

Tedy Bruschi met and exceeded all of those criteria that I would set to put someone into the Hall of Fame. In his press conference yesterday he said that he set out to play for the New England Patriots for his entire career because he was tired of players moving around. God bless him for that, because I too am tired of players moving around. We are lucky to have had him play for the New England Patriots for his entire career.

For the intesity he showed on the field and the heart he showed off the field, Tedy Bruschi deserves to be inducted into both the Hall @ Patriot Place and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH.

I think Tedy Bruschi should be the first in a line of players that are measured for their professional achievements and their contributions to the community in which they play. The NFL runs all these ads during games about how the NFL is committed to the communities they have franchises in, Tedy Bruschi embodied that and for that he is a true New England hero.

-Adam

Labels: canton OH, New England Patriots, patriot place, Pro Football Hall of Fame, tedy bruschi

If you have been fortunate enough to see the Patriots play in person at Gillette stadium in the past 10 or so years you no doubt have seen the banner that has hung in the north east corner of the lower bowl at field level. It is placed there by season ticket holders who occupy those seats. It simply reads "54 FULL TILT FULL TIME" - it is in honor of the one and only Tedy Bruschi. The guy this show refers to as Tedy Beercan. Full Tilt came to an end today as he announced his retirement.

The guys celebrate his career and play a song in his tribute. Adam and Timmy also rant about the Sox and the upcoming College Football season as well. Thanks for listening and we'll see you on the field.

theshow@wickedpissadude.com

Labels: bc eagles, Boston College Eagles, college football, full tilt full time, New England Patriots, tedy bruschi

Today at a press conference in Foxboro a New England Patriot legend has announced his retirement from the gridiron. In 1996 when the Pats drafted Tedy "Beercan" Bruschi in the third round no one would have guessed we'd be talking this way about him 13 seasons later. Heck we were all too busy talking about how great Terry Glenn was going to be, and "she" was for awhile. The linebacker from the University of Arizona went from special teams captain to captain of the entire defense in just a few short seasons. 1,110 tackles 30.5 sacks and 12 INTs are numbers that could and should get him into the Hall, and not just the Hall at Patriot Place either. At first glance those numbers don't wow you, but when you dig into his career, he is the only player in NFL history to return four consecutive INT's for touchdowns, he was the defensive captain on 2 of 3 Super Bowl winning teams. But numbers are not what we will remember most about Tedy Bruschi.

After one of the greatest seasons in Patriots history, only days after winning the third championship in four years all of Pats nation stood stunned to learn that Bruschi had a stroke and was in the hospital in Boston. He was suffering from a heart defect which caused the mild stroke, and many at this point were just hoping he would walk out of that hospital again never mind come back and play for the Pats.

Though he would announce that he would sit out the entire 2005 season, Tedy was cleared to play in October and with the heart of a Patriot, and with the nervousness of us all watching, Tedy came back and played against the Buffalo Bills Oct 29th on national TV and wound up winning the defensive player of the week. He would go on to win Comeback Player of the Year that season, and of course play THREE more seasons with New England, something many thought was not possible. That heart and determination is what we will remember most.

Tedy "Beercan" Bruschi is a New England Patriot, and at age 36 he has done everything a football player can do. He is retiring with his head held high, he will not go down as the greatest linebacker there was, but he will be in my mind one of the greatest New England Patriots I have ever had the pleasure of watching.

scotty@wickedpissadude.com

Labels: Bill Belichick, New England Patriots, NFL, Super Bowl, tedy bruschi, Terry Glenn, University of Arizona

With temperatures hitting the mid-90's for the third straight day, the New England Patriots training camp is turning into a sweat-fest. Being in full pads yesterday and again today, Tom Brady and company MUST be burning up right now.

Often on the blog and show we start to trash the professional athletes we love because either they are SUCKING (see: Boston Red Sox) or they are whining about one thing or another. So, I wanted to take a moment out and praise these guys for the hard work and dedication they are showing this week and throughout training camp.

Now, I know, they get paid millions and millions of dollars to play a kids game, but I still think it is absolutely remarkable that they put on a ton of pads and go hit the crap out of each other in this heat.

As I sit here typing this, I am in my underwear (you're welcome) and I still can't get cool. All I am doing is typing and sweat is pouring off my face. Now, I am not a finely tuned professional athlete, BUT muscles and cardio fitness are not going to protect you from the sweltering heat that is New England in mid-August.

So here's to you Tom Brady. Here's to you Logan Mankins. Here's to you Randy Moss. Here's to you Tedy Bruschi. And to the rest of the New England Patriots who are battling this heat to get ready to be a finely tuned machine come opening night. We appreciate it.

- Adam

Labels: Boston Red Sox, Logan Mankins, New England Patriots, Randy Moss, tedy bruschi, Tom Brady

Let me think, Seymour, Wilfork, Mayo, Bruschi, Springs, Warren, Hobbs, Thomas and now there are whispers of the Pat's trading for Julius Peppers. Sign me up. Peppers wants to move to a 3 - 4 defense and play outside linebacker. Hmmm, isn't that the position that Vrabel played. I think that means the Pat's have an opening in that position. Oh Yeah. That would add one of the best pass rushers in league to an already potent defense. That would sure help the Defensive Backs, if the QB doesn't have time to pass then the DB's don't have to cover as long.

Bring on the Pepper. Oh by the way the offense has signed Fred Taylor, Greg Lewis, Chris Baker and Joey Galloway. Plus they get that guy named Brady back. I think this team is looking better than the one that went 16 - 0 in the 2007 season. Someone pinch me I mush be dreaming. Well that's all for now, I am Rubba Shoes Corey, keepin' it real. If you would like to find me on FaceBook look up Bill Corey and if you request to be a friend put in the request that you are a friend of Wicked Pissa Dude Radio.

billy@wickedpissadude.com

Labels: Adalius Thomas, ellis hobbs, jerod mayo, julius peppers, New England Patriots, richard seymour, shawn springs, tedy bruschi, Ty Warren, vincent wilfork