The Patriots All-Decade Team Has One Glaring Mistake

Last week the New England Patriots announced their All-Decade Team for the 2010s.  The team consists of 12 players on both sides of the ball, four special teamers and Coach Belichick. For the most part I think whoever put this together did a bang up job. I want to think this is Belichick's workings, but I have a hard time seeing him publicly praise players; especially ones like Welker and Mankins who never won a ring.

After actually reading the write-up that accompanied this graphic on patriots.com it appears the decision was made by Patriots Hall of Fame Nomination Committee; a 27 person panel of former players, staff and reporters came up with this decision virtually on April 13th. 

I would love to get my hands on this ballot and see who's responsible for leaving Duron Harmon off this list.

via GIPHY

I don't understand how anybody in their right mind can think LAWRENCE GUY is more worthy of a spot on this team than Duron "the Closer" Harmon. 

I really don't want to hear shit about "hE's A sAfEtY" and there's only two players per defensive position. We all know I'm not a rules guy; I'm a "what's right" guy and leaving Duron Harmon off this list isn't right.

Plus from a pure football stand point he's been on the field way more than Lawrence Guy, not to mention Duron was a Patriot for seven seasons compared to Guy's three (and counting?). Three rings to his one...need I go on?

Duron Harmon's career snap counts.

Lawrence Guy's career snap counts.

Every year they've been teammates (2017-2019) Harmon has been on the field AT LEAST 11% more of the time.

In today's NFL where teams are passing the ball what feels like 75% of the time it makes much more sense to carry three safeties or a DB flex for Harmon than a 2nd interior defensive linemen. I don't mean this blog to bring down Guy. I appreciate what he's done in New England,  he's no slouch by any means.

Lawrence Guy's 90.1 elite overall grade ranked 11th among interior d-linemen in 2018 pic.twitter.com/LWR1TOjcTH

— PFF (@PFF) February 20, 2019

But this is Duron Harmon we're talking about here. When you think big games of the 2010s; especially playoff games, Harmon was usually making big plays. What memories do you have of Guy? I get it DT isn't a sexy position, but we sure as shit remember Vince. Duron won three Super Bowls in New England and played in a fourth. His interception in Super Bowl LII was legitimately the Patriots only defensive highlight the entire night; in a two score game at the time (15-6) his INT kept the Patriots in the game. 

Sure it would be unorthodox to include a third safety, but that's exactly what the Patriots are. When you think 2010s big moments for the Pats Duron Harmon's name comes up a hell of a lot more than Lawrence Guy's. His INT in the 4th quarter of the Wild Card game should've lead to a win, but the Pats were pussies and didn't go for it on 4th and 3 in Titan territory. It bums me out they traded him away for basically nothing, but I'll always appreciate what Duron Harmon accomplished during his time in New England. It's an absolute shame he was not recognized as a member of the Patriots 2010s All-Decade team.