I wanted to take another approach in the selection process since I've been connecting random players to Sanders too easily. I couldn't determine if it was just dumb luck or I wasn't challenging myself. Here's my new method: I called up my father (an avid sports fan) and asked him a question. My question took rigorous research and analysis. I combed the far regions of this world just to find the secret to uncovering the beginning to this question. Then, I spent hours deciphering what I uncovered, and when I felt that I was ready, I dialed the numbers.
"Dad," I said. "Who do you think would be a difficult player to link up to Deion Sanders if you had to do it in six degrees of separation or less?"
Immediately, he responded, "It's easy to go back to the past and make it connect to the present. But what is difficult is trying to take something ahead of the time of your subject of study and bring it into that past. Simply put, try connecting a player who came into the league after Prime Time and work backwards in your connection process. That should prove difficult."
Ok, I lied. He didn't really say that. But it sounds a whole lot better than, "I don't know...Tom Brady?" So, without further adieu, with the 199th pick overall in the 6th round of the 2000 NFL draft, the New England Patriots select:
QB, Tom Brady
University of Michigan
1. Drafted in 2000, Tom Brady found himself beginning the season as a backup for starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe. Bledsoe was injured on September 23rd of 2002 when New York Jets linebacker Mo Lewis slammed into his leg. The second-year pro, Tom Brady, took the helm and never looked back. Unfortunately, in the AFC championship, Brady suffered an injury of his own, and, for a game, Bledsoe regained the starting job, elevating the Patriots to the Super Bowl. Brady healed up by game time on Super Sunday and led the Patriots to victory over the St. Louis Rams on .
One question you might ask is: How did Brady become the number two quarterback after being drafted in the sixth round. Well, he started as the team's number three. In training camp, he outperformed Damon Huard to earn the number two spot behind Bledsoe. The rest is history.
2. Damon Huard was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1997 out of the University of Washington. He played for the Dolphins until 2001 when he was signed by the Patriots. He lost out on the number two spot behind Bledsoe to Brady, and when Brady the Pats to victory in the Super Bowl, Huard spent two more seasons as Brady's backup before moving on to Kansas City in 2004. He served as Trent Green's backup until last season when Green was hurt, and he gained the starting job.
When he joined the team in 2004, the lead running back for KC was Preist Holmes, who was coming off a record breaking year with the most rushing touchdowns in a season. Holmes was injured in 2004 and Larry Johnson took over as the starting tailback. Before Holmes joined the Chiefs in 2001, he was the running back for the Baltimore Ravens from 1997 to 2000. Playing for the Ravens on the other side of the ball was middle linebacker, Ray Lewis.
3. Ray Lewis was drafted by the Ravens in 1996 out of the University of Miami with the 26th pick overall in the first round. He is entering his 12th season in the NFL with the Ravens. In his ninth season in pro football, and with the help of cornerback and fellow defenseman, Corey Fuller, Lewis recruited a cornerback to help the team on defense. That man, who came out of three years retirement, was none other than Deion Sanders.
4. And with the fourth degree, we reach Neon Deion, once again.
University of Michigan
1. Drafted in 2000, Tom Brady found himself beginning the season as a backup for starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe. Bledsoe was injured on September 23rd of 2002 when New York Jets linebacker Mo Lewis slammed into his leg. The second-year pro, Tom Brady, took the helm and never looked back. Unfortunately, in the AFC championship, Brady suffered an injury of his own, and, for a game, Bledsoe regained the starting job, elevating the Patriots to the Super Bowl. Brady healed up by game time on Super Sunday and led the Patriots to victory over the St. Louis Rams on .
One question you might ask is: How did Brady become the number two quarterback after being drafted in the sixth round. Well, he started as the team's number three. In training camp, he outperformed Damon Huard to earn the number two spot behind Bledsoe. The rest is history.
2. Damon Huard was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1997 out of the University of Washington. He played for the Dolphins until 2001 when he was signed by the Patriots. He lost out on the number two spot behind Bledsoe to Brady, and when Brady the Pats to victory in the Super Bowl, Huard spent two more seasons as Brady's backup before moving on to Kansas City in 2004. He served as Trent Green's backup until last season when Green was hurt, and he gained the starting job.
When he joined the team in 2004, the lead running back for KC was Preist Holmes, who was coming off a record breaking year with the most rushing touchdowns in a season. Holmes was injured in 2004 and Larry Johnson took over as the starting tailback. Before Holmes joined the Chiefs in 2001, he was the running back for the Baltimore Ravens from 1997 to 2000. Playing for the Ravens on the other side of the ball was middle linebacker, Ray Lewis.
3. Ray Lewis was drafted by the Ravens in 1996 out of the University of Miami with the 26th pick overall in the first round. He is entering his 12th season in the NFL with the Ravens. In his ninth season in pro football, and with the help of cornerback and fellow defenseman, Corey Fuller, Lewis recruited a cornerback to help the team on defense. That man, who came out of three years retirement, was none other than Deion Sanders.
4. And with the fourth degree, we reach Neon Deion, once again.
Photo taken from www.bobbyworks.com
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