Currently at patriots.com, fans can vote for the newest member of the upcoming Patriots Hall of Fame between tight end Ben Coates, running back Jim Nance, and center Jon Morris. In a few years time, linebacker Willie McGinest could be debated for the honor.
As reported by ESPN, McGinest, in his third and final year with the Cleveland Browns, said he will retire after his contract is up. It would complete a 15-year career that lacked flash but was consistently played at high level.
Of those 15 seasons, the first 12 were played with the Patriots. For his years of service for the Pats, New England should do the right thing and sign McGinest after this season so Big Willie can retire as a Patriot.
He never was a star with the team, nor did he have the oversized personality to draw the media to his locker. But day in and day out he did his job and did it well.
Drafted fourth overall out of USC in 1994, McGinest carried the tradition of wearing 55 for the Trojans into the pros and lived up to it. After a modest rookie season, McGinest had a career-best eleven sacks in 1995. It was followed up with a 9.5 sack season as he paired with LB Chris Slade to form a intimidating pass rush duo.
Injuries cut short Slade's career, but McGinest kept going on, even though he dealt with injuries of his own. In 1999, Willie bounced back with nine sacks. And while his role changed with the arrival of head coach Bill Belichick and the 3-4 defense, McGinest adapted well and kept piling on the sacks.
During the three Super Bowl Seasons, McGinest totaled 21 sacks, with 9.5 in the 2004 dynasty year. By the time McGinest signed with the Browns, he was third in career sacks for the Patriots.
Hopefully there isn't any animosity between McGinest and Belichick. He was rankled that the team allowed Junior Seau to wear the number McGinest made famous. But the funny thing is, McGinest wore 55 for USC in part because Seau helped make the number what it is. The number had gone full circle.
When his career is done, Patriots owner Robert Kraft should make the phone call to bring McGinest back home. Whether or not Belichick felt McGinest was past his prime when Bill decided not to re-sign Willie, that doesn't matter. Hopefully it will be bygones for McGinest.
He will always be remembered as a Patriot and his career should end as a Patriot.
