Patriots announce three Hall of Fame finalists

Bill Parcells, Richard Seymour and Mike Vrabel are finalists for the Patriots Hall of Fame.

On Tuesday, Richard Seymour, Mike Vrabel and Bill Parcels were announced as the three finalists for this year’s Patriots Hall of Fame induction. A 27-person committee whittled down the many deserving choices to the three names. Fans now have until May 8 to vote for the person they think should be enshrined this summer.

All three names should be familiar to Patriots fans. This marks Vrabel's fifth-straight year as a finalist. This is the fourth year in a row that Seymour made it to the final vote. For Parcells, this is the fourth time (2011, 2012 and 2014) he's made it to the final round as well.

Parcells will likely be the most controversial name on this list. It’s also a name that’s been debated for years. A Pro Football Hall of Fame coach, Parcells helped turn the Patriots franchise around. As the head coach for four seasons (1993-1996). He took over a team that went 14-50 in the previous four seasons. Under Parcells, the Patriots went to the playoffs twice, including a trip to the Super Bowl for the second time in franchise history.

In 1992, the year before Parcells took over, the Patriots were 2014. By 1996, the Pats won 11 games, a then franchise record, and won their first division title in 10 years. Of course, things went south fast for Parcells and the Patriots. He feuded with owner Robert Kraft over control of the NFL Draft. While preparing for Super Bowl XXXI, the news broke that Parcels was leaving New England to become the head coach of the New York Jets.

Parcels also introduced Bill Belichick, who was the Patriots defensive backs coach in 1996, to Kraft.

Seymour spent the first eight years of his career in Foxboro. He was part of the Pats first three Super Bowl titles, anchoring the defensive line. With the Patriots, Seymour was named to five straight Pro Bowls (2002-2006) and three straight first-team All-Pro bids (2003-2005). Seymour's five Pro Bowls are the most by any Patriots defensive lineman since 1970.

Seymour started 105-of-111 games played in New England. He made 460 total tackles and 39 sacks. He was traded to Oakland in 2009 and should one day enter the NFL's Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Vrabel also played a big part of the Patriots first dynasty and was part of the team's first three Super Bowls. He came to the Patriots as a free agent in 2001 after being used as a special teams player in Pittsburgh. Vrabel played both inside and outside linebacker. His versatility also included play on offense, where he lined up as a tight end. In 2005, he became the first player since 1982 to have two touchdown receptions and a sack in the same game. In 2007, he earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors after finishing with 12.5 sacks.

Vrabel started 110-of-125 games in New England. His 48 sacks are the seventh most in franchise history. On offense, Vrabel caught eight passes for eight touchdowns with the Patriots. He also added two receptions for two touchdowns in the playoffs.

Fans can vote for their choice at https://www.patriots.com/hof.

mdaniels@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @MarkDanielsPJ