In watching that Glenn thread a few down, I started to think about Andy Katzenmoyer's time with the Patriots.
I have been a huge pats fan since i was about 13 (1993) and I don't really remember much about the PC years and 1999 in particular - but he had 107 tackles as a rookie - 3.5 sacks as a MLB and an Int for a TD...he had promise..This year would be his 10th in the NFL - do you think he would still be on the team (if not for the injury) and do you think his style would have fit well with the BB 3-4 defense?
Here is his 1999 season synopsis from Patriots.com:
1999 Season
Played in every game as a rookie, starting the first 11 at middle linebacker for the injured Ted Johnson ... Performed admirably through his 11 starts, keeping the Patriots defense among the top-ranked units in the NFL throughout the season ... The unit finished the season ranked eighth overall, the highest by a Patriots team since 1988 ... Finished his rookie campaign ranked third on the team with 107 tackles, including 76 solo stops ... His 3.5 sacks ranked third on the team behind Willie McGinest (9) and Chris Slade (4.5) ... Returned his only interception of the season 57 yards for a touchdown - his first career touchdown. NY Jets (9/12): One of three rookie starters for the Patriots (along with Damien Woody and Kevin Faulk), the most in a season opener since 1993. Indianapolis (9/19): Registered his first of five double-digit tackle totals of the season with 10 hits in a 31-28 victory over the Colts. N.Y. Giants (9/26): Credited with 10 tackles for the second consecutive week and helped the Patriots to a 16-14 victory over the Giants ... Limited the Giants to just 57 yards rushing on 26 carries (2.2 avg.). Cleveland (10/3): Led the team with nine tackles while limiting the Browns to just 70 yards rushing ... Limited the Browns to just a touchdown in a 19-7 Patriots victory. Kansas City (10/10): Credited with his first career sack when he teamed up with Chad Eaton to stop Elvis Grbac for no gain ... It was one of 13 tackles on the day. Miami (10/17): Earned Miller Lite Player of the Game honors for his performance against the Dolphins ... Intercepted his first career pass when he stepped in front of Tony Martin and returned the Dan Marino pass 57 yards for a touchdown ... It was the first touchdown of his career and his only interception of the season ... Recorded a season high with 12 solo stops ... His 12 tackles led the team ... He shared team-high honors with Lawyer Milloy with 12 tackles ... He was also credited with two of the team's nine sacks on Damon Huard, sharing team-high honors with Chris Slade. Denver (10/24): Led the team with 14 tackles, including 11 solo stops, to help the Patriots to a 24-23 victory over the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Broncos Dallas (12/5): Replaced in the starting lineup by Ted Johnson ... Averaged two tackles per game over the next five games while seeing limited action in a reserve role. Buffalo (12/26): Registered his final sack of the season when he brought down Doug Flutie for no gain.
I have been a huge pats fan since i was about 13 (1993) and I don't really remember much about the PC years and 1999 in particular - but he had 107 tackles as a rookie - 3.5 sacks as a MLB and an Int for a TD...he had promise..This year would be his 10th in the NFL - do you think he would still be on the team (if not for the injury) and do you think his style would have fit well with the BB 3-4 defense?
Here is his 1999 season synopsis from Patriots.com:
1999 Season
Played in every game as a rookie, starting the first 11 at middle linebacker for the injured Ted Johnson ... Performed admirably through his 11 starts, keeping the Patriots defense among the top-ranked units in the NFL throughout the season ... The unit finished the season ranked eighth overall, the highest by a Patriots team since 1988 ... Finished his rookie campaign ranked third on the team with 107 tackles, including 76 solo stops ... His 3.5 sacks ranked third on the team behind Willie McGinest (9) and Chris Slade (4.5) ... Returned his only interception of the season 57 yards for a touchdown - his first career touchdown. NY Jets (9/12): One of three rookie starters for the Patriots (along with Damien Woody and Kevin Faulk), the most in a season opener since 1993. Indianapolis (9/19): Registered his first of five double-digit tackle totals of the season with 10 hits in a 31-28 victory over the Colts. N.Y. Giants (9/26): Credited with 10 tackles for the second consecutive week and helped the Patriots to a 16-14 victory over the Giants ... Limited the Giants to just 57 yards rushing on 26 carries (2.2 avg.). Cleveland (10/3): Led the team with nine tackles while limiting the Browns to just 70 yards rushing ... Limited the Browns to just a touchdown in a 19-7 Patriots victory. Kansas City (10/10): Credited with his first career sack when he teamed up with Chad Eaton to stop Elvis Grbac for no gain ... It was one of 13 tackles on the day. Miami (10/17): Earned Miller Lite Player of the Game honors for his performance against the Dolphins ... Intercepted his first career pass when he stepped in front of Tony Martin and returned the Dan Marino pass 57 yards for a touchdown ... It was the first touchdown of his career and his only interception of the season ... Recorded a season high with 12 solo stops ... His 12 tackles led the team ... He shared team-high honors with Lawyer Milloy with 12 tackles ... He was also credited with two of the team's nine sacks on Damon Huard, sharing team-high honors with Chris Slade. Denver (10/24): Led the team with 14 tackles, including 11 solo stops, to help the Patriots to a 24-23 victory over the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Broncos Dallas (12/5): Replaced in the starting lineup by Ted Johnson ... Averaged two tackles per game over the next five games while seeing limited action in a reserve role. Buffalo (12/26): Registered his final sack of the season when he brought down Doug Flutie for no gain.
