Fare Thee Well Bledsoe

Now that he’s announced his retirement, the debate over whether Drew Bledsoe is worthy of admission to the Hall of Fame will begin in earnest.

 

Indeed, that was the subject of this morning’s sports talk radio, and the judgment was decidedly mixed.

 

On the one hand, Bledsoe is ranked 7^th all-time in passing yards, led a team to a Super Bowl, was a top 5 QB in the mid to and won a ring with another Patriots team. (For those who discount the ring by pointing out that Brady was the starter, the Bledsoe camp counters that Bledsoe did start games in the first half of that season, and more importantly, came into the AFC championship game (vs. Steelers) after Brady went down with a  knee injury when Lee Flowers hit him low and won the game.) Regardless, I think the whole “won a championship” thing is wildly overrated in determining Hall credentials.

 

Then again, Bledsoe detractors suggest that he threw a TON of interceptions, never really had a truly stand out year, and never gave of that “winner” vibe. Personally, I think some of this is forgetfulness and a perception colored by his last couple of seasons: Bledsoe was a premier QB back in the day and he obviously struggled his last years in Buffalo and finally being so shaky that Parcells finally had to bench him for Romo.

 

But the most interesting thing to me about this entire debate, is the surprising amount of divisiveness Bledsoe’s name produces. People either like him, or more people hate him. I don’t understand where this animosity comes from. Bledsoe’s never been in trouble with the law, no TO antics on or off the field, no controversies, so what gives? Sure, he’s a bit of a diva, QB prima donna, but that can hardly be the reason for the anger towards him. I don’t get it.