Hats off to Tippett

It's been a long time in the making, but one of pro football's most dominant defensive players of his era finally got the honor he deserved tonight. Andre Tippett, who didn't become a finalist for the Hall of Fame until 2007, was at long last inducted into the Hall 14 years after playing his last game with the New England Patriots.

Tippett amassed incredible statistics with a mostly terrible Patriots franchise. In 1984 and 1985, Tippett became the first, and only, linebacker in the history of the game to rack up 35 sacks in two seasons combined. His 18.5 sacks in '84 still stands as a team record, as do his 100 career sacks.

He was selected defensive player of the year in '85, and he earned positions on four consecutive pro bowls. 

Bill Belichick even said he showed his great Giants linebackers of the '80s film of Tippett to learn how to improve. Now that's praise coming from the man who coached some of the best players at all time at the position.

Tippett joins John Hannah as the only two Patriots to play their entire career with the team and be enshrined in the Hall. 

He was truly a dominant player, and he absolutely deserved the honor. The only problem was that it took too long.