Serious Question for Patriot Fans

[-Slap-]

Steve Nelson or Tedy Bruschi, who is the better linebacker?

http://www.sportsattic.com/nflphoto/photos11/Nelson,Steve5.jpg http://www.afgrant.com/images/gillette/bruschi_manning011605.jpg

Vote.

[Kaylore]

Steve Nelson...am I allowed to answer?

[Doufer]

there werent any die hard pats fans before 2001.

[monsterzero]

Both could plug the holes in the run game though Nellie was a slight bit better. Bruschi is much better in coverage than Nellie was so i'd give him the edge overall.

[rijew]

there werent any die hard pats fans before 2001.
I was the one.

And to answer the question: Andre Tippet

[trench]

And to answer your question: Andre Tippetgood answer...

[monsterzero]

there werent any die hard pats fans before 2001.

Since Jim Plunkett was patrolling the sidelines.

[BostonIrish]

Steve Nelson was awesome for a team that generally was not that good. He may have been a better player but Bruschi clearly raises the level of play of the rest of the defense. I don't think one is clearly the choice over the other but I think I'd take Bruschi in a close vote.

[ludo21]

I answered Nelson, but Tedy is pretty good.

[-Slap-]

I was the one.

And to answer the question: Andre Tippet
Tippet was flashier, but Nelson was the heart of that defense.

[cafeman]

Nelson was a great player,Bruschi;however,is better in coverage and is a MUCH better blitzer when called upon to do so.

[-Slap-]

Nelson was a great player,Bruschi;however,is better in coverage and is a MUCH better blitzer when called upon to do so.
The Patriots always had OLBs like Tippet and Blackmon taking up most of the blitzes in the defensive gameplan. I'm sure if Nelson was called upon to fill that role, he could have done it. He was busy racking up huge tackle totals instead. Bruschi's best year in tackles was probably less than Nelson averaged over 13 seasons.

[40yrpatsfan]

Bruschi is the better athlete. He can run and jump, can cover and intercept, has tremendous instincts, and gives up his body like no linebacker I've ever seen. They call him Gumby. He's also the signal caller for a the most intricate defense in the NFL, and is a great emotional leader.

Nelson was a terrific player, a tackling machine. Bruschi is a HOF player.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Bruschi is the better athlete. He can run and jump, can cover and intercept, has tremendous instincts, and gives up his body like no linebacker I've ever seen. They call him Gumby. He's also the signal caller for a the most intricate defense in the NFL, and is a great emotional leader.

Nelson was a terrific player, a tackling machine. Bruschi is a HOF player.

He is? Sure doesn't look like it based on his stats.

[trench]

Bruschi is a HOF player.The Pats might retire his number but that's about it...

[B B]

Bruschi is intense and like most modern players more athletic than Nelson was. But I give it to Nelson for tackling ability and the fact that he made the pro-bowl roster and had his best year when he was almost 35 years old.

As a side note to Doufer: There may not be any 'die-hard patriot fans' prior to 2001 in your neck of the woods. But in New England more people know who Babe Parilli is than know what they're having for supper tonight. Start sometime in Worcester and wind your way north through NH up to the White Mountains, cut across Arrostook county in Maine and follow Rte.1 all the way down along the coastline and through Boston until you cut west of Providence and find yourself heading for New Haven where the fan line is drawn between Giants/Patriots. 46 seasons, 6 state fan base, yankee pride.....and I don't mean pinstripes. Ayuh.

[max7]

nellie was better.
bruschi is on a way better team.

both Ds at their best were prolly equal, besides the coaching.

[Sassy]

Just curious...do you Patriot fans...except Patswin...even follow the Broncos during the regular season...minus the one game we played against each other???

;D

[B B]

Just curious...do you Patriot fans...except Patswin...even follow the Broncos during the regular season...minus the one game we played against each other???

;D

Not sure what that question has to do with the thread-but sure, why not. Yes I imagine some/most follow game recaps and keep an eye on all threatening afc teams....not sure that equates to 'following' a particular team though. Obviously as the season draws to end the focus gets sharper on the contenders. And while I have not seen all the posts here by fans- both Pats/Broncos alike - I don't think I have run across many that feel the Broncos are not a legitimate threat to the Patriots post-season play. Assuming you felt somehow slighted that maybe some Pat fans were not giving the bronc's their due.

Coach said it best at the end of last weeks win over the Jags in the locker room. " Both Indianapolis and Denver are waiting for us, not sure which one we will play, but you can bet it will take our best game of the season" I can assure you that us fans feel EXACTLY the same way.

[Sgt Sauce]

Linebackers..

<img src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f210/bretschertz37/Motion%20JPEGs/Branchbroke.gif" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

[NEFan]

I would say Bruschi is the better football player. He makes great decisions on the filed.

[No1BroncoFan]

I have to wonder how many of the newly registered Pats fans around here even knew who Steve Nelson is and that he ever played for the Pats. The majority of them, 40mopatsfan and sonofBobsYourInformationMinister come to mind, strike me as bandwagonners of recent seasons.

Ben

[40yrpatsfan]

I have to wonder how many of the newly registered Pats fans around here even knew who Steve Nelson is and that he ever played for the Pats. The majority of them, 40mopatsfan and sonofBobsYourInformationMinister come to mind, strike me as bandwagonners of recent seasons.

Ben

I went to my first Pats game in 1960 at age 7, against the Denver Broncos. Inaugural year of the AFL. Have listened to, watched or attended virtually every Pats game ever played.