Analyzing 2014 Patriots Hall of Fame Nominees

The fifth Annual Patriots Hall of Fame ceremony will be held in the Patriots Place in Foxboro, Massachusetts sometime in August 2014. The ceremony will feature a presentation held by owner, Robert Kraft and his son, Jonathan Kraft. The ceremony will also include word from previous Hall of Fame inductees as well. A panel is being put into place to select between three possible nominees, Ty Law, Raymond Clayborn and Bill Parcells, the latter of whom was a nominee for the third consecutive season. The panel will place their votes on the top two choices and fans will be able to vote to decide who the selections are.

1. Ty Law

Ty Law, Tedy Bruschi and others tackle Donavon McNabb during Superbowl 39 Victory

Ty Law, former Patriots cornerback who helped the Patriots on their three Superbowl victories was the cornerstone of the Patriots defense throughout his 10 year tenure (1995-2004) in New England. Law has recorded 53 interceptions in his 14 year career, including over 10 interceptions in the NFL playoffs. Law is known for his 47-yard interception return touchdown against Kurt Warner during his Superbowl 36 victory, the play that set the tone for the Patriots during their dynasty years. Law also has caught 10 interceptions against quarterback Peyton Manning.

"Coming back full circle now and being considered one of the Patriots’ all-time [greats], is very humbling to me," Law said. "I left and I played on different teams, but my heart was always with the Patriots regardless of where I was at. It’s an amazing feeling. I’m never one to be too lost on words, but I am right now. It’s still fresh, it’s new. ... I feel like I’ve already been accepted just by being nominated and by being one of the finalists. It’s a great feeling but it’s all about the journey to this moment right now."

Law has also played in two different stints for the New York Jets, and played for the Kansas City Chiefs, before ending his career with the Denver Broncos after being cut during the 2010 offseason.

"It’ll mean a lot," Law said. “It'll put the icing on the cake as far as my playing career with the Patriots."

2. Bill Parcells

Parcells, a former two-time champion Head Coach with the New York Giants, had an incredible coaching career, but only a short time in New England. Parcells helped launch the careers of many present-day coaches, including Bill Belichick, Tom Coughlin, Jason Garrett, Jim Swartz, and New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton. The man helped launch Belichick's nfl coaching career, learning under Parcells during his stint with the Giants as the defensive coordinator, then bringing his coordinator skills to the Patriots for two years during the 1995 and 1996 seasons. Parcells resume speaks for itself, and it would take far too long to go into depth about what he did for the NFL and Patriots, but a three-time runner up in Patriots hall-of fame honors should NOT be overlooked.

3. Raymond Clayborn

Raymond Clayborn, a former Patriots cornerback for 12 seasons spanning (1977-1989) was overlooked by many of deserving honors to represent Patriots hall of fame honors. The three-time pro-bowl selection and former first round draft pick is absolutely deserving. At the conclusion of his Patriots career, Clayborn led the Patriots with the most interceptions in Patriots history, a feat later topped by fellow hall-of-fame nominee, Ty Law. Clayborn totaled 36 interceptions in his Patriots career, with the most interception return yards (555) in Patriots history until that feat was also topped by Law and four nfl touchdowns. Clayborn helped the Patriots reach the Super bowl against the Bears during the 1985 season, recording a fumble during that game as well.

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