Tip-top send-off for Tippett

FOXBOROUGH - Coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots won't be in Canton, Ohio, Saturday when Andre Tippett is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But Belichick and his team paid tribute to Tippett by inviting him to yesterday's team meeting, where he was congratulated on the honor.

"There is a good reason why no one wears No. 56 around here, and that's because he wore it," said Tedy Bruschi. "That number will never be touched again. We all wanted to let him know how proud we were of him, and how special this weekend is for him. We hope he has a great time."

The tip of the helmet from today's Patriots was part of a grand send-off for Tippett, who played linebacker for the Patriots from 1982-93 and is the team's executive director of community affairs. Following practice, Tippett, the team's all-time leader in sacks with 100, was brought onto the field, where he was acknowledged by the fans and owner Robert Kraft, who will present him for induction.

"I think Bill wanted the opportunity to basically be in front of the team and share some special, intimate time before I took off, and it was pretty good," said Tippett. "It was awesome. It got a little bit emotional, and I'm starting to become an emotional wreck a little bit because it's here."

Belichick paid Tippett the ultimate compliment, comparing him favorably with Lawrence Taylor, whom Belichick coached as the Giants' defensive coordinator.

"He, along with some other players in that era like Taylor, really defined that position of outside linebacker the way we really see it a lot in the National Football League today," said Belichick. "Prior to that, there really wasn't much 3-4 defense. There was the 5-3 defense in Miami, but that really wasn't predicated on the outside linebackers and the pressure they could put on the outside of the formation."

A member of the NFL's all-decade team for the 1980s, Tippett went to five straight Pro Bowls from 1984-88, and his 18 1/2 sacks in '84 and 16 1/2 in '85 made for the highest total (35) by a linebacker over a two-season span in NFL history.

Belichick said he used to show Taylor and Carl Banks of the Giants film of Tippett to see if they could adapt some of his techniques.

"Honestly, when you are coaching guys like Lawrence Taylor and Carl Banks, there really aren't a lot of guys that you can put on film and tell them, 'Let's do it the way that guy is doing it,' " said Belichick. "In most cases, [other players] couldn't do it as well as those two, but Andre was one who was every bit as dominating a player in his time and in his game [with] a little bit different style than Taylor and Banks."

Tippett will be the 17th linebacker and just the second player to spend his entire career with the Patriots - along with legendary offensive lineman John Hannah - to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He will have former teammates and Patriots linebackers Don Blackmon, Steve Nelson, Ed Reynolds, and Johnny Rembert in attendance Saturday.

"I can't wait to put that jacket on," said Tippett.

No keeping him down

Cornerback Fernando Bryant was forced to leave the field with an apparent leg injury during practice, but he did return. Bryant was shaken up on a play that resulted in a juggling interception by safety Brandon Meriweather, after a pass over the middle was tipped by Tank Williams.

Bryant remained on the ground for a few minutes before exiting under his own power. He could be seen flexing his left leg on the sideline before he returned and finished practice.

Everyone's against us

Kraft has liked what he's seen so far in camp, but expects the team to face tougher competition within the AFC East this year.

He said the Patriots have come to expect everyone's best shot on and off the field after going 16-0 last season. He also made a veiled reference to the shadow the Spygate saga cast over the franchise last season.

"I think when every team plays us, their best game comes out," said Kraft. "Everyone is either trying to raid our players, our coaches, or disrupt us any way they can to try to knock us down. So it's very important that our key managers and players all stay together, stay focused, and don't let anyone get in the middle of us and try to split us. This past year was a great test of that."

One yea vote

Rodney Harrison said he had not talked to linebacker Junior Seau recently about a possible return to the Patriots, but he'd welcome back Seau, who spent the last two seasons in New England. "He looked so good last year. He looked like he really enjoyed himself. I would like to see him out here," said Harrison . . . Belichick said it's possible a few of the nine players remaining on the physically unable to perform list, which includes Ellis Hobbs, Mike Vrabel, Wes Welker, Jarvis Green, Stephen Neal, and Mike Wright, could be ready to practice within a few days . . . Tom Brady did not practice yesterday. He was joined by safety James Sanders, tight end David Thomas, left tackle Matt Light, and cornerback Jason Webster, linebacker Vince Redd, and offensive lineman Anthony Clement . . . Randy Moss had a ridiculous one-handed catch between Mike Richardson and Williams on which he tipped the ball to himself . . . Richardson made a nice interception of a sideline pass intended for Sam Aiken . . . The Patriots will practice today from 8:45-10:30 a.m. and from 4-5:15 p.m. Both sessions are open to the public.