Farewell # 11 part 2

Just a follow-up to Thursday's Bledsoe post.

Dan LaMothe at masslive.com has a good roundup of Drew Bledsoe tribute videos, from an actually on-the-level Steve Burton joint, do the sublime, featuring music by The Who and Eminem.

Funny stuff.

So long, Drew

Drew Bledsoe is retiring and I can't help but post a few thoughts.

I know that he's become the butt of some jokes, that he has a penchant for throwing game-ending/drive-killing back-footed interceptions, that a block of concrete is more mobile in the pocket than he is.

But I still think New England Patriots fans should raise one high for #11.

Before Drew Bledsoe, Hugh Millen was our freakin' quarterback. The team sucked (think Bruins, but even worse) and there was a good chance they were going to be relocated to St. Louis.

Bledose arrives, Parcells takes over and three years later the Patriots are in the Super Bowl.

Is there any male between the ages of 25 and 40 who doesn't remember the 1994 game against the Minneota Vikings?

I remained in Bledsoe's camp much longer than most did -- still convinced he'd be OK with a better O-line and running game. But there's no doubting the game has changed and classic pocket quarterbacks aren't long for the league any more. Especially those with shaken confidence who hold onto the ball too long.

Tom Brady is the man now, but New England fans should still give at least Bledsoe a mental Standing Ovation if for no other reason than he's just a decent guy who played the game hard. He could have moped and complained publically about being benched for Brady, instead he just held the clipboard, came off the bench and won the AFC Championship game against the Steelers, and then helped celebrate when the Patriots won the Super Bowl.

He may not be Hall of Fame material, but his acheivements with the Patriots should not be forgotten.