Musket Fire
FanSided

New England Patriots: 16 most important Patriots during their dynasty

By Brian Hines

FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 29: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots talks with Tom Brady #12 during the fourth quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on October 29, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 29: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots talks with Tom Brady #12 during the fourth quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on October 29, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 16
Next
New England Patriots: 16 most important Patriots during their dynasty
ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 11: Willie McGinest #55 of the New England Patriots rests on the sideline during the game with the Buffalo Bills on December 11, 2005 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The Pats won 35-7. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) /

12. Willie McGinest

The Ringers Rank: 11

Robert Kraft’s “first son” according to Kraft. McGinest was Kraft’s first draft choice while owning the team, taking him fourth overall in 1994.

McGinest was one of the first Patriots to follow Belichick’s method of the the “Patriot Way”. He did what was asked of him and his production on the field skyrocketed. In five seasons under Belichick, McGinest racked up 38.5 sacks.

His postseason production was a large part of the victories in all three Super Bowls. During the first two Super Bowl runs, he collected a sack in every postseason game but one. McGinest owns the NFL record for most playoff sacks with 16 (11.5 coming under Belichick) and a single-game record with 4.5 in 2005.

"“Really competitive guy, tough, team-oriented,” Belichick said. “Winning was really important to him; winning more than personal stats. He took losing hard, which I think that’s a good thing, more than personal accomplishments. Great example for younger players. He had kind of that nice balance of being able to talk to a guy, but also you just watch him do it and that was a good example. It wasn’t really all one or the other.”"

Home/Patriots News