2023 Hall of Fame Finalists

[tims4wins]

For a middle linebacker, tackles are a pretty darned good indication of production.

I also don't really agree with the general assertion, but that's another story.
Bruschi made more plays in big games because his team was much better and played in more big games. I think those work in favor of Bruschi, who probably still falls just short of being a Hall of Fame level player, but it can't take anything away from Thomas imo. The team around him was not very good.

14 more sacks though. I'm not talking about just playoffs.

But, playoffs are huge too. Bruschi has what Edelman doesn't in that he has both a regular season and playoff resume. In the 9 wins from 2001, 2004, he had 1 INT, 1 FF, and... SIX fumbles recovered. Involved in 8 turnovers in 9 games. That's insane.

 

[Rudy's Curve]

Thomas had 148 AV. Bruschi had 88. Maybe AV isn't the best measure of production just like tackles or honors might not be, but yeah.

 

[NYCSox]

But that isn't true of Jimmy Johnson's Dolphins. Their defense carried the corpse of Marino.

Oh absolutely. I was thinking more of guys like Eugene Lockhart on the pre -Jimmy Cowboys or Hardy Nickerson on the early 90s Bucs.

 

[rodderick]

I kinda hate these kinds of comparisons. When they were contemporaries, did anyone think Bruschi was a better player than Zach Thomas other than a small minority of Patriots homers? I love Teddy, but come on.

 

[Super Nomario]

Thomas had 148 AV. Bruschi had 88. Maybe AV isn't the best measure of production just like tackles or honors might not be, but yeah.

Tackles and honors are both part of the AV formula. But I agree with your overarching point - Thomas was widely considered the better player in their primes, except among Pats fans.