The first of the Dynasty Pats has come up for the NFL Hall of Fame, with Ty Law being named a semi-finalist.
Here’s the 26 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2017! #PFHOF17 pic.twitter.com/5z4v6RIMvL
— Pro Football HOF (@ProFootballHOF) November 17, 2016
Law was selected in the first round of the 1995 draft and played 10 seasons with the Patriots and won three Super Bowls, appearing in four. Of all the dynasty defense, Law might’ve had the most flash and broad appeal, although Willie McGinest might have something to say about that. Law made five Pro Bowls and was twice named an All Pro (1998, 2003). 36 of his 53 career interceptions came with the Pats.
Perhaps most interesting about Law is the window he provided into how Bill Belichick values cornerbacks. Here’s a tidbit from a previous article I wrote on how things broke down for Law in New England:
We begin in 2000 with Ty Law and Otis Smith. Law was already in the midst of a seven-year, $51 million deal he signed before Belichick arrived, while Smith, at age 34, was brought in on a veteran minimum deal. Smith would go on to start Super Bowl XXXVI with Law.
Law was the first example of how Belichick valued cornerbacks. In 2004, Law wanted another extension and the Patriots offered him $26 million over four years. Even today that would be the biggest contract extension the Patriots ever awarded to a corner.
Law called the offer an insult and countered with a seven-year deal worth $63 million, including a $20 million signing bonus.
Then-general manager Scott Pioli simply responded “We can’t do that. Save the paper.”
Law would play out 2004 and then be cut in ’05 and sign with the Jets for an almost identical contract to his last, seven years, $50 million. He was released after just one year by the cap-strapped Jets and would then sign a five-year deal with the Chiefs worth $30 million. He would play just two seasons in Kansas City and continue to kick around until he retired after the 2009 season.
It will be interesting to see if Malcolm Butler, the closest thing the Pats have had to a cornerback of Law’s skill, ends up in a similar situation.
15 finalists will be named in January. Law should have a good chance, but of course I think that…
