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Patriots All-Pre-Belichick Era team

The problem with looking at any "all-time best Patriots" list is that they're usually dominated by players from the Bill Belichick era. Some of the best players to come through New England did play from the year 2000 on. However, some of the franchise's greatest players tend to be overshadowed by stars from the Super Bowl teams.

As such, here's a look at the best of the Pre-Belichick Era Patriots. The criteria: Nothing a player did from 2000 on counts. That means no Willie McGinest, Troy Brown or Adam Vinatieri (all of whom played over half their Patriots careers for Belichick).

Here's who made the team:

(AP Photos)

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QB: Drew Bledsoe (1993-1999*)

Bledsoe is one of the few players on this list that did play for Belichick, but only for one season (and a couple games in 2001). By the time Belichick had come to town, Bledsoe had already established himself as one of the most prolific passers in the NFL. For much of the 90s, he was the Patriots offense.

Also considered: Babe Parilli (1952-1967)

*The 2000 and 2001 season under Belichick were not counted.

(AP Photo)

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RB*: Jim Nance (1965-1973)

Nance didn't have the longevity of some other running backs, but few dominated like he did when he lead the league in rushing in 1966 (1,458 yards, 11 TDs) and 1967 (1,216, 7 TDs).

Also considered: Sam 'Bam' Cunningham (1973-1982)

*Nance was technically a fullback, but for the purposes for this list, we're looking at him as a lead rusher.

(AP Photo)

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FB: Mosi Tatupu (1978-1990)

For over a decade in New England, Tatupu set the standard for what people think of when talking about big, bruising fullbacks who clear the way in the running game. Tatupu was also a key contributor on special teams.

(AP Photo)

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WR: Stanley Morgan (1977-1989)

Even after all these years of Tom Brady running some of the NFL's greatest passing offenses, Morgan is still the Patriots' franchise leader in receiving yards - and it's not even close. The closest to Morgan's mark of 10,352 is Wes Welker, who logged 7,459 yards in New England.

(AP Photo)

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WR: Irving Fryar (1984-1992)

Fryar, who's currently serving a 5-year sentence in prison, wasn't perfect -- but he was talented. Over nine seasons, Fryar never recorded over 900 yards receiving, but was still as dangerous any any player in his era. He's currently fourth in Patriots history with 5,726 receiving yards.

(AP Photo)

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TE: Ben Coates (1991-1999)

Before there was Gronk, there was Ben Coates. One of the first modern prolific receiving threats, Coates was the star of the passing game for the Patriots in the mid-90s, making five straight Pro Bowls from 1994-1998.

(AP Photo)

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OT: Bruce Armstrong (1987-1999*)

Technically another exception, Armstrong finished up his 14th and final NFL season under Belichick in 2000. Before that, Armstrong was a mainstay at tackle in New England, making six Pro Bowls over his career.

Armstrong holds the franchise record for games played with 212, and is one of only three players in NFL history to play for the same team in three different decades.

(AP Photo)

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OG: John Hannah (1973-1985)

If not for Tom Brady, Hannah would easily be considered the greatest player in Patriots history. Still, the guard is one of the best offensive linemen to ever play the game, making nine Pro Bowls and six All-Pro teams.

(AP Photo)

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C: Jon Morris (1964-1974)

For someone who played one of the game's less glorious positions, Morris raked in the accolades: Member of the Patriots Hall of Fame, Pro Football Hall of Fame's All-Time AFL Second Team pick, nine-time All-Star/Pro Bowler, first-ever Patriot named to the Pro Bowl.

(AP Photo)

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OG: Billy Neighbors (1962-1965)

Neighbors only played four seasons with the Patriots, but made an AFL All-Star team and All-Pro team during that time. He was also named to the Patriots 1960s All-Decade team.

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OT: Leon Gray (1973-1978)

The four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro selection paved the way for one of the best rushing attacks in the league from 1976-1978 next to John Hannah on the left side of the offensive line. Gray has been on the cusp of the Patriots Hall of Fame, making it as a finalist in 2015.

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DE: Bob Dee (1960-1967)

Quincy, Mass. native started 112 straight games and never missed a game -- from the dawn of the Boston Patriots until his retirement. The five-time AFL All-Star also has the honor of scoring the first touchdown in AFL history (a preseason fumble recovery). He was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 1993.

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DT: Jim Lee Hunt (1960-1970)

"Earthquake" made four All-Star teams with the Boston Patriots, and was known for being an amazing athlete for his size, and once returned an interception 78 yards for a touchdown -- outrunning two running backs in the process.

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Congratulations to Willie McGinest and Houston Antwine on their recent induction to the #Patriots Hall of Fame pic.twitter.com/5BVHabmOmO — Patriots SPORTalk (@SPORTalkPats) August 7, 2015

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DT: Houston Antwine (1961-1971)

Antwine was a star in the 60s, making six straight AFL All-Star teams and built a legacy that ultimately landed him on the Patriots 50th Anniversary Team and the 1960s All-Decade Team.

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DE: Larry Eisenhauer (1961-1969)

One of the Boston Patriots' earliest defensive stars, Eisenhauer was an All-Star and All-Pro selection in 1962, 1963 and 1964. He was also an All-Star in 1966.

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LB: Andre Tippett (1982-1993)

One of the most feared 3-4 outside linebackers ever to play, Tippett was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 1999. After a long wait, he finally made it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008. He played all 12 of his NFL seasons in New England, recording 100 sacks.

(AP Photo)

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LB: Steve Nelson (1974-1987)

Nelson was a tackling machine during his 14-year run in New England, including an unofficial team record 207 tackles in 1988. He was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 1993.

(AP Photo)

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LB: Nick Buoniconti (1962-1968)

A Springfield native who played at Cathedral High, Buoniconti made five AFL All-Star teams and four All-Pro teams during his seven-year run with the Boston Patriots. He took night classes at Suffolk University and received his law degree in 1968. Oh, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.

(AP Photo)

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CB: Mike Haynes (1976-1982)

Haynes, a member of the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team, made six Pro Bowls in the seven seasons he spent in New England before being traded to the Raiders. Haynes was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997.

(AP Photo)

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CB: Raymond Clayborn (1977-1989)

Clayborn, a three-time Pro Bowler, was one of the finalists to make the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2016, with a strong 13-year resume in the Patriots secondary to back up his credentials. He partnered with Haynes early in his career to create a formidable duo in the defensive backfield.

(AP Photo)

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S: Ron Hall (1961-1967)

The Patriots' single-season interception mark belongs not to one of their famous cornerbacks -- but to Hall, who picked off 11 passes in 1964. The aggressive free safety made one Pro Bowl and one All-Pro team, and was the forefather to the hard-hitting safeties that would become famous down the road.

(AP Photo)

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S: Fred Marion (1982-1991)

Marion played all 10 of his NFL seasons in New England, making a Pro Bowl in 1985. Marion was a mainstay during that decade in the Patriots defensive backfield, playing in 133 games and recording 29 interceptions.

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K: Gino Cappelletti (1960-1970)

It was a tough choice between Cappelletti and John Smith (1974-1983) here. Smith actually had a big edge in field goal percentage (67.0 - Cappelletti's 52.9). But on the other hand, it'd basically be heresy to not go with Cappelletti for this spot.

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P: Rich Camarillo (1981-1987)

Here it is: The most controversial spot of them all. Punter.

Jokes aside, Camarillo makes this decision pretty easy. He's the Patriots career leader in punts (468) by a pretty wide margin, and has the highest yards per punt (42.6 yards) of any punter who played multiple seasons before 2000.