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Tippett once again Hall Finalist

New England Patriots linebacker Andre Tippett, who made it to the final 10 last year but fell short in the final vote, is once again among the finalists for this year's Pro Football Hall of Fame induction class.

Tippett, who recorded a franchise-record 100 sacks in his 151-game career, is one of 17 finalists. One of the dominating linebackers of his era, Tippett was a member of the NFL Team of the Decade for the 1980s; the strongside 'backer had a career-high 118 tackles and still-standing franchise record 18.5 sacks in 1984. The next year, when the Patriots surprisingly advanced to Super Bowl XX, Tippett had 16.5 sacks.

The Hall of Fame selection committee will meet in Arizona during on Feb. 2, the day before the Super Bowl, to pick this year's class. Nominees need to receive at least 80 percent of the vote to gain induction; there are 44 members on the voting committee, including one from each of the NFL's 32 franchise cities, one from the Pro Football Writers of America, and 11 at-large members. Hall rules stipulate that a minimum of four and maximum of seven inductees are chosen each year.

The full list of finalists, listed alphabetically:

Cris Carter – Wide Receiver – 1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins

Fred Dean – Defensive End – 1975-1981 San Diego Chargers, 1981-85 San Francisco 49ers

Richard Dent – Defensive End – 1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles

Marshall Goldberg – Back – 1939-1943, 1946-48 Chicago Cardinals

Randy Gradishar – Linebacker – 1974-1983 Denver Broncos

Darrell Green – Cornerback – 1983-2002 Washington Redskins

Russ Grimm – Guard – 1981-1991 Washington Redskins

Ray Guy – Punter – 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders

Bob Kuechenberg – Guard – 1970-1984 Miami Dolphins

Randall McDaniel – Guard – 1988-1999 Minnesota Vikings, 2000-2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Art Monk – Wide Receiver – 1980-1993 Washington Redskins, 1994 New York Jets, 1995 Philadelphia Eagles

Andre Reed – Wide Receiver – 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins

Paul Tagliabue – Commissioner – 1989-2006 National Football League

Derrick Thomas – Linebacker – 1989-1999 Kansas City Chiefs

Emmitt Thomas – Cornerback – 1966-1978 Kansas City Chiefs

Andre Tippett – Linebacker – 1982-1993 New England Patriots

Gary Zimmerman – Tackle – 1986-1992 Minnesota Vikings, 1993-97 Denver Broncos

**Carter and Green are in their first year of eligibility.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 5:23 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Photo: Don't forget your seat warmer for Sunday's game

Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach
Workers clear Monday's snow from Gillette Stadium seats today in preparation for the AFC Championship game Sunday afternoon against the San Diego Chargers. The long-range weather forecast for Foxboro calls for light snow on Thursday night, followed by freezing rain on Friday. But Sunday is expected to be mostly cloudy, brisk and cold, in the 20s.

Posted by Andrea Panciera  at 4:30 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Post a photo of yourself doing the Lights-Out Dance

During last season's Divisional Playoff Game, some Patriots players were observed mimicking the "Lights-Out Dance" of super Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, leading Merriman's teammate LaDainian Tomlinson to complain that the Patriots had no class at all.

We're hoping that a few brave readers will take the opportunity to post pictures of themselves doing the dance. Click here to post your image, and we won't accuse you of being classless.

AP photo / Chris Park

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 2:41 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Belichick talks Bolts / Photo

Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach
Patriots receiver Donte Stallworth jokes with the press who swarmed around him in the locker room today.

Hey all --

Bill Belichick has wrapped up his press conference for the morning, and there was of course a great deal of talk about the San Diego Chargers.

When he was asked how the Chargers are different since New England's 38-14 victory over them on Sept. 16, Belichick said little has changed schematically, but that San Diego is simply executing better. He reiterated, however, that that game will have little bearing on Sunday's.

He praised San Diego's secondary, which includes Pro Bowler Antonio Cromartie, Quentin Jammer, Drayton Florence, Eric Weddle and Marlon McCree.

"They had 30 interceptions, 18 fumbles...they're a great turnover team. They're second only to the Ravens (in number of turnovers forced) over the last (few years). Cromartie has done a lot of that, and he gets big yardage when he gets his hand on the ball," Belichick said.

Belichick also spoke briefly about running back Laurence Maroney, who has seemingly been an improved player over the last month. But Belichick said the team has been happy with the running back's performance all season, and that they measure yards per opportunity, based on blocking and what kind of yards are there for Maroney to gain rather than raw yards per carry.

There is no on-field work for New England today, just meetings and the usual weight work and physical rehab/upkeep.

The locker room will open shortly, and Wes Welker, Kevin Faulk and Richard Seymour will also speak from the podium here in the media workroom.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Download today's Sports cover

Bill Reynolds says the numbers add up to make Patriots quarterback Tom Brady No. 1, and read Kevin McNamara's story on the unusual PC-UConn hoops "tradition."
Download file

Posted by Rich Lee  at 9:34 AM | Permalink | Comments 1