PHOENIX, Ariz. - If Andre Tippett looked a tad uncomfortable while roaming through the media center and "radio row" at the Phoenix Convention Center yesterday, well, he was.

Tippett, among a handful of the greatest New England Patriots of all-time (100 sacks and a 5-time All-Pro), was doing his due diligence yesterday.

He was shaking hands and doing interviews on several sports radio shows around the country for one reason - to be seen. Basically, he was a somewhat willing participant in the dog-and-pony show called getting recognition for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Tippett is among 17 ex-NFL players and "builders" who are finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

For those who know Tippett, he is of the Jim Rice variety. He is not only shy, but he has a hard time talking about himself and his career.

There are 44 members of the Pro Football Writers Association who will be voting on Saturday, and meeting as many of those people as possible won't hurt his cause.

"This is not easy for me," said Tippett, who turned 48 on Dec. 27. "I'm a relatively quiet guy. But you have to do it. So I'm here."

Unfortunately, Tippett is right. Marketing is as important, if not more important, than the actual game.

Tippett, whose career was overshadowed by incomparable New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor's, shouldn't need "marketing."

Earlier this month, he was voted by a panel of former NFL players and coaches to Pro Football Weekly's All-Time "3-4" defensive team (the 3-4 defense was created in the mid-1970s) along with linebackers Harry Carson, Lawrence Taylor and Randy Gradishar, as well as linemen Howie Long, Lee Roy Selmon, and Curley Culp.

Combining his skills as a sack artist as well as his ability to stop the run as a strong side linebacker (on the quarterback's right side), he may have been his era's best "all-around" linebacker, even better than Taylor, the unstoppable pass rusher.

At one point yesterday, Sports Illustrated's Paul Zimmerman, a long-time Hall of Fame voter, told Tippett that the word is the odds might be stacked against him.

"There are a lot of pass-rushers up (for nomination)," said Zimmerman, who is still a voter. "It's not going to be easy."

Zimmerman is referring to three specifically, defensive ends Fred Dean (49ers) and Richard Dent (Bears) and fellow linebacker Derrick Thomas (Chiefs), who died in a car accident in February of 2000.

Thomas had more sacks (126.5), but he played 18 more games, wasn't as complete a linebacker as Tippett, and he never made it to the Super Bowl.

Tippett acknowledged the Zimmerman comments by nodding his head.

"I've heard the same thing," he said. "But I've also heard that I might be ahead of a lot of those guys. So you never know."

As Zimmerman leaves, he admitted this process is frustrating. Sometimes he feels like he's a shoo-in and other times he thinks the only Canton he'll be in is the one about 15 miles from Foxboro.

Either way, Tippett says he is prepared.

"If it doesn't happen, I'll be OK," said Tippett. "I'll persevere. In fact, if you look up perseverance in the dictionary, you'll see my picture next to it. I have a lot of great things in my life, especially my family and the job I have with the Patriots. I feel like I'm the luckiest guy in the world."

While Tippett doesn't have any regrets as a Patriot, he wouldn't mind replaying the Super Bowl game with the Bears in 1986 over again.

"That was disappointing because our defense had played a very good game," said Tippett of the 46-10 loss. "If we got a few breaks early our way it might've been different.

"I watched the game on the NFL Network the other day. I called (ex-Pats linebacker) Don Blackmon and asked him what happened on those two balls he should have intercepted and returned for touchdowns. He's ticked. But I call him every time I see that game to remind him."

Tippett says he has never been prouder being a Patriots employee (he works for the Patriots Charitable Foundation and community affairs). And that this Hall of Fame candidacy might not be possible if not for his boss, Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

"I have so much respect for Mr. Kraft," said Tippett. "He has taken a lot of risks over the years. He not only bought the franchise when nobody wanted it, but he has made it into the model franchise in all of sports.

"The fact that he had the guts to hire Bill Belichick, when a lot of people told him it was the wrong decision," said Tippett, who has been with the Patriots as a player, scout and front office member for 26 years. "I think it tells you how smart he is. I feel fortunate to be associated with this organization."

Tippett admits to feeling like it might be in the cards this year.

A year ago he was among 10 finalists, but wasn't among the six inductees, including ex-Dallas Cowboys great Michael Irvin.

But last year was different. The Colts and not the Patriots, were in the Super Bowl.

Now, according to several TV ratings this fall and winter, the Patriots might be with the most popular franchise in professional sports. The fact they are undefeated and right here, in Phoenix, has him wondering about fate.

"It feels like the stars have aligned," says Tippett. "It's amazing how everything has come together. It just feels like this would be perfect."

If it does happen? Tippett contemplated that for a moment before breaking into a smile.

"It would be a great day for me," said Tippett. "It would be my Super Bowl."

You can e-mail Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com. You can also check out his Super Bowl blog, which is updated throughout the day, at www.eagletribune.com.

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About Andre Tippett

Age: 48

Education: Barringer High in Newark, N.J., University of Iowa

Playing weight: 6-3, 240 pounds

Professional highlights: From 1982-93 (all with the Patriots) had 100 career sacks ranking him in top 25 all-time in NFL; was an All-Pro five straight years (1984-88), was second in the NFL with 18.5 sacks in 1984 and 16.5 in 1985

Miscellaneous: Fifth-degree black belt; is a convert to Judaism; in 1981 the All-American defensive end led Iowa to its first winning season, Big 10 title and Rose Bowl appearance in 22 years; drafted by the Patriots in the 2nd round (41st player overall); has worked for the Patriots for 27 years