Last year the NFL Network waited almost 30 minutes for Michael Irvin to arrive and televised his entire press conference. But this year they cutoff their coverage and didn’t allow Pats fans all over the world to hear Andre Tippett. This is a travesty. Tippett is a legend and he finally gets into the Hall and no gives a damn. I’m furious. First, Rich Eisen almost fainted because Art Monk got nominated then the NFL Network cuts off one of the best defensive players in NFL history so it can air Put Up Your Dukes. Like I said earlier, I will be canceling the NFL Network as soon as I get home and I suggest other Patriots fans to do the same. That channel sucks. I was honored to give Tip a big hug after he got in. It was one of the highlights of my life. He’s a class act and deserves to be mentioned with the game’s best, even if the NFL Network doesn’t care about him.

Well, now that I got that off my chest, Andy Hart and I are off to the Penthouse Party. Don’t ask.

So get this one. The NFL Network cuts off its coverage before Tip gets there. Then when he’s talking to the local media - the people who actually care about him - the NFL Network comes in and grabs Tip while he’s in the middle of answering a question so they can get him up there with Adam Schefter. This is the same Adam Schefter who hasn’t mentioned Tip’s name once in the past two years as someone who should get into the Hall. It’s also the same Adam Schefter who has to stand on a box while on TV because he’s a “little person.”

Andre just got here and is making his way over to the NFL Network anchor desk. It’s taking him a little longer to get there because he’s currently being swarmed by reporters and photographers eager to get his reaction. More in a few minutes …

Are you kidding me with the NFL Network? They have basically two shows of programmimg and they can’t wait to stop their coverage of the Hall of Fame inductees so they can put Adam Schefter’s face on TV again? This is a joke. I will be cancelling my subscription to the NFL Network the second I get home. Oh, and did anyone else think that Rich Eisen was going to start belting out “Hail to the Redskins?” What a freaking joke.

Andre was waiting to hear the news from his hotel room here in Arizona, some 30 minutes north of downtown Phoenix. We’re pretty sure he’s en route to the Media Center to address the assembly here about his election to the Class of ‘08. Stay tuned …

As an aside, the NFL needs more men like Darrell Green. He just gave one of the most moving, unscripted speeches you’ll ever hear a pro football player deliver.

He said, without a hint of insincerity, that from the moment he arrived in Washington, he was overpaid, overappreciated, and over-cared-for. And for that, he is eternally grateful. He acknowledged the role of the media, and how he always treated them with respect because he understands how important our jobs are to society.

Green, as many of you may recall from his days as a player, is a very spiritual man as well, and he made several from-the-heart statements about that aspect of his life. He revealed that when free agency began in the NFL, he felt the urge from God not to pursue those opportunities, not even to talk to another team. He felt blessed to be in Washington, raising his family there for his entire career.

I’m sure when Tipp arrives, he’ll have equally wonderful words to say, so we can’t wait for him to get here. Seems like guys like Tipp and Darrell Green are few and far between nowadays.

Joining Tipp in the Hall this year will be CB Darrell Green, WR Art Monk, DE Fred Dean, CB Emmitt Thomas, and T Gary Zimmerman.

Green just arrived to a standing ovation. He’s at the podium, all choked up, and rightly so.

It’s official … former New England Patriots LB Andre Tippett is a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Well, the entire PFW crew is here at the NFL Media Center, anxiously awaiting the 2:30 Mountain Time press conference announcing the 2008 Class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The mood around here is that our guy, Andre Tippett, stands a good chance of getting in. We’ll know for sure in about 10 minutes. There’s a very exciting vibe here in this room right now. . .

Tipp is not only a colleague of ours, but also a great guy. We’ll be very psyched for him if he finally receives this long-overdue honor from the league.

Patriots great linebacker Andre Tippett will find out later this afternoon if he’s made the cut for the 2008 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Tippett is one of 17 finalists currently being discussed by the panel of voters who make the final picks. Up to seven members could get the call for induction in Canton. The voters have been presenting candidates and discussing them all morning — former Boston Globe writer Ron Borges is making the presentation for Tippett —  at the Phoenix Convention Center and will anounce the selection(s) at 4:30 pm ET on NFL Network. PFW will be in the room for the anouncement and will attempt to get reaction from Tippett on what will hopefully be a very happy afternoon. My guess is that he gets in, but the process can be very political and unpredictable and we’ll all have to wait to find out for sure.

Good luck Andre, we’re all pulling for you. And if you get in, can I get an autograph?

Friday night gave some of the members of the PFW/Patriots.com crew a chance to wind down at the Commissioner’s party in Mesa. The ticket-only NFL event was held in a few air craft hangers. The three rooms had stages with bands. Each had a different theme of past, present and future. Re-conditioned WWII war planes were all around. The food was good. The drinks were free. And Patriots.com webmaster Chris was in the house so there was plenty to laugh at. All the regular media members were in attendance. Unfortunately the PFW boys didn’t get the special silver tickets that led to the VIP area where owners and other big-wigs were getting down. Still, it was a good time. And the eye-candy was in full effect. Overall, a good night.