Patriots Daily News Thread NEW ARTICLE: Thursday Patriots Notebook 4/25: News and Notes

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Thursday Patriots Notebook 4/25: News and Notes
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It sounds like the Vikings may be throwing in the towel when it comes to potentially trading up to acquire a quarterback tonight.

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[jmt57]

“Just because you’re good at algebra, does that mean you’re good at calculus?” said McDaniel​

Now this is something I can relate to. Many decades later, I still have nightmares about being a newbie freshman taking calculus. I don't know how, but I did manage to pass the class.

Then a few years ago I met up with my cousin, who I hadn't seen in several years. I chatted with her son; thought he was a cool kid, chill, down to earth.
Also a brainiac. He said he was taking Calculus 5 just for the fun of it, something to fill out his schedule.
At that point I had the thousand mile stare, didn't hear anything else, and could no longer realte to him.

 

[jmt57]

It sounds like the Vikings may be throwing in the towel when it comes to potentially trading up to acquire a quarterback tonight.​

​

According to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, Minnesota is now expected to keep both of their first-round selections, which, rather than attempt a move up the board, they’ll instead stand pat and target players at #11 and #23 overall.​

​

The Vikings were said to be interested in North Carolina’s Drake Maye, who New England is also rumored to be targeting heading into tonight.​

​

However, New England has made it clear that it would take a significant haul to move them out of that spot, especially since they’re also among teams in dire need of a future quarterback. Based on this news, Minnesota doesn’t appear ready to give up the assets necessary to sway Eliot Wolf into relinquishing the #3 overall selection.​

Perhaps teams are leery about giving up a big haul to move up, after seeing what happened with Trey Lance. The 49ers got lucky by taking Brock Purdy with the final pick two years ago. John Lynch would be out of a job and back to do television commentary on Sundays; instead he's hailed as a genius GM.

As a result, it seems that if the Vikings can’t get their guy in Maye, they’ll simply shift gears and spend this weekend building around Sam Darnold and perhaps make a move at a later date. However, as Schultz notes, they’re still continuing to explore their options.​

Even though the Vikings apparently won't get Maye, they're still in a good spot. They would have been a playoff team if they had even semi-competent play at QB last year. They can draft a QB and either a WR or OT in the first, and be in great shape for 2024. I'd rather go with the rookie than Darnold.

 

[jmt57]

It sounds like Arizona is certainly doing New England a favor, with Schultz reporting that the Cardinals are driving a hard bargain to move back and are “more than happy” to take Marvin Harrison Jr. with the #4 overall pick.​

Putting on my amateur armchair GM hat, if I was Schultz I would be open to trading back slightly. Others here will disagree, but personally I don't see enough of a difference between MJH and Nabers or Odunze to turn down a trade offer. Take whichever of those three is left. Arizona is bad enough they could really use an extra 2nd or 3rd round pick from trading down, and still come away with a great WR.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Original Patriot Bill Brown, and other 4/25 Birthdays​

In memory of Bill Brown, who would have turned 88 today
Born April 25, 1936 in Mount Kisko, New York
Died April 18, 1989 at the age of 52 in Hempstead, NY
Patriot LB/C, 1960; uniform #54

Bill Brown went to the University of Bridgeport and then transferred to Syracuse, where he graduated in 1958. He was the defensive captain for the Orange, who were a top ten team back then. He was drafted by the Bears in 1957, but did not make their roster. The Patriots signed him sometime shortly before their inaugural training camp, one of hundreds of players that were trying out for the new team.

Brown was a middle linebacker for the Patriots in that 1960 season, appearing in all 14 games. He then became a high school football coach on Long Island, with his teams finishing undefeated four times. After that Brown remained near his hometown, serving on the coaching staffs at C.W. Post (now Long Island University) and Hofstra University, before dying from cancer at the young age of 52.

Happy 30th birthday to Markus Zusevics
Born April 25, 1989 in Arlington Heights, IL
Patriot OL, 2012-13; uniform #66
Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 10, 2012

At the 2012 combine Zusevics tore a pectoral muscle while participating in the bench press, and as a result went undrafted. In May the Patriots signed him and he began the year on the reserve/non-football injury list. The 6'5, 300-pound former Iowa Hawkeye was later added to the 53-man roster due to injuries on the offensive line, but never appeared in a regular-season game with the team. At the end of training camp in 2013 Zusevics landed on IR due to another pec injury, and was waived in March of 2014. The Jets signed him in May after a tryout during their rookie minicamp. He was released near the end of their training camp and never did appear in a regular season NFL game.

Happy 39th birthday to Jacob Bender
Born April 25, 1985 in Mayo, Maryland
Patriot OT, 2008; uniform #60
Signed as a free agent to the practice squad on September 1, 2008

Similar to Zusevics, Bender is an offensive lineman who never appeared in any games for the Patriots. The 6'6, 316-pound product of Nicholls State was on the New England practice squad in 2008, from September 1 to November 19. Bender was a 6th round draft pick by the Jets in 2007, and the Pats picked him up after their final roster cuts of training camp in '08. San Francisco later signed Bender to their roster off New England's practice squad, then waived him just before the start of the 2009 season. Bender also spent time with the Giants, New Orleans, Washington and Carolina, but appeared in only two NFL games.

4/14/2014: Edgewater native hopes to turn life around on football field, return to NFL

12/8/2018: Former Jets draft pick arrested on drugs, weapons charges

Fortunately for Bender his legal issues are nothing compared to the next player born today.




Happy (?) 54th birthday to Corwin Brown
Born April 25, 1970 in Chicago
Patriots SS, 1993-96; uniform #30
Patriot DB coach, 2010
Pats 4th round (110th overall) selection of the 1993 draft, from Michigan

Brown started 12 games as a rookie but served mostly as a backup and on special teams the following three seasons. In four years with the Patriots he played in 61 games with 14 starts, making 91 tackles with three fumble recoveries. In '97 Brown followed Bill Parcells to the Jets, and then spent 1999-2000 in Detroit.

(6/17/2010) Early coaching tendencies: Brown wanted to play, then analyze

The following year Brown reunited with former Patriot coach Al Groh, as the special teams coach at the University of Virginia. He later spent three seasons as the defensive backs coach for the Jets, and then was the DC for Charlie Weis at Notre Dame. In 2010 Bill Belichick hired Brown as a defensive backs coach but he lasted only one season. Reportedly Brown "just wasn't a good coach".

Things went disastrous for Brown after that. In 2011 a SWAT team was called in after neighbors reported a domestic disturbance and authorities heard gunfire. Corwin - who may have suffered from brain trauma - was hospitalized with a self inflicted gun wound and in 2012 he was sentenced to a suspended four-year sentence for hitting his wife, and pleading guilty but mentally ill to felony confinement and domestic battery.

Ex-Notre Dame coach Corwin Brown to remain on probation




Happy 33rd birthday to Lamar Miller
Born April 25, 1991 in Miami
Patriot RB, 2020 offseason; uniform #26
Signed as a veteran free agent on August 13, 2020

- Member of the Patriots All-Time Offseason All Star Team.

From 2013 to 2018 Lamar Miller ran for 31 touchdowns, while averaging 936 rushing yards and 1,189 yards from scrimmage per year. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2018, but during the third preseason game the following year he tore his ACL, ending his season.

Miller was placed on PUP after being signed, still recovering from his knee injury. The Patriots released him as part of final cuts on September 5, 2020




One other NFL player with New England roots born today:

Dave Rozumek, 70 (4/25/1954)
Rozumek was born and raised in Lawrence, and he is one of just ten players from the University of New Hampshire that went on to become a starter in the NFL for at least one season. The Chiefs selected Rozumek in the 15th round (415th overall) in the 1976 draft. He started all 16 games at inside linebacker for Kansas City in 1978, and appeared in 45 games overall with the Chiefs from 1976-79. After a career-ending shoulder injury he returned to New England, as head coach at Salem (NH) High School.

In 1985 Rozumek was one of a group of four people to split the winnings of a $5.3 million Megabucks jackpot.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Drew Bledsoe, Don Blackmon and other April 25 Transactions​

April 25, 1993:
Thanks to a strength of schedule tiebreaker (and blowing a winnable final game of the 1992 season), the Patriots have the first pick in the 1995 draft rather than Seattle.

The Pats dodge a bullet and select Drew Bledsoe rather than Rick Mirer.

April 25, 1988:
LB Don Blackmon retires. Five months earlier he was temporarily paralyzed after a hit in a game vs the Raiders - the same team that paralyzed Daryl Stingley, nine months prior.

New England Patriots linebacker Don Blackmon, who lay paralyzed...




April 25, 1980:
New England signs free agent guard Steve Schindler, the 18th overall pick of the 1977 draft by Denver. The former BC Eagle was placed on IR with a left knee injury on August 13, 1980, and then on the 'did not report list' on August 17, 1981. He never played for the Pats, and appeared in 28 NFL games, with only four starts.

1977: Rookies Steve Schindler, Rob Lytle and Denver HC Red Miller​

April 25, 1979:
Pats sign free agent WR Ray Jarvis, who had spent the previous eight seasons with Atlanta, Buffalo and Detroit. His best year was 1976 for the Lions, when he had 822 yards receiving and five touchdowns, averaging 21.1 yards per catch.

April 25, 2022:
Three days before the 2022 NFL Draft, the Patriots send a fifth round pick (5.170) to Houston for a Texans sixth (6.183) and seventh (7.245). The Pats had received that fifth round pick from Tampa Bay in a previous trade for Shaq Mason. The Texans used that pick on TE Teagan Quitoriano; New England use their picks on RB Kevin Harris and G Andrew Steuber.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
It is Draft Day: Time to Overreact!!!!!​

April 25, 1988: Day Two (rounds 8-12) of the NFL Draft
Marriott Marquis, New York City

- 8.208 - previously used in trade for Doug Flutie
- 9.240 - DB Neal Galbraith, Central Oklahoma
- 10.267 - C Rodney Lossow, Wisconsin (pick from prior Brian Holloway trade with Oakland)
- 11.294 - RB Marvin Allen, Tulane
- 11.296 - this pick was obtained in the previous Rich Gannon trade. The Patriots traded it back to Minnesota for a 1989 ninth round pick
- 12.321 - NT David Nugent, Boston College




April 25, 1993: Day One (rounds 1-4) of the NFL Draft
Marriott Marquis, New York City

The Patriots were one of five teams tied for the most selections in the 1993 draft, with ten.

- 1.1 -- QB Drew Bledsoe, Washington State
- 2.31 - DE Chris Slade, Virginia
- 2.51 - G Todd Rucci, Miami (pick from prior Irving Fryar trade with Miami)
- 2.56 - WR Vincent Brisby, NE Louisiana
Note: the Raiders owned th #56 draft pick, but did not make a selection in time. As a result the Patriots moved up from the first pick of the third round to the last pick of the second round.
- 4.86 - DT Kevin Johnson, Texas Southern
- Pats had received 4.99 in March 30 trade with the Packers for John Stephens
- Pats trade down, sending 4.99 to San Diego for 4.110 and 5.138
- 4.110 - SS Corwin Brown, Michigan




April 25, 1994: Day Two (rounds 4-7) of the NFL Draft
Marriott Marquis, New York City

- Pats trade down, sending 4.107 to Arizona for 4.121 and 5.135
- 4.121 - TE John Burke, Virginia Tech
- 5.135 - P Pat O'Neil, Syracuse
- 5.137 had been sent to the Chargers the previous day in the Marion Butts trade
- 6.166 - WR Steve Hawkins, Western Michigan
- In 1993 Seattle had sent the Pats a sixth round pick in a trade for RB Jon Vaughn
- 6.168 - OT Max Lane, Navy
- 7.198 - QB Jay 'Sky' Walker
- In 1993 Dallas had sent the Pats a seventh round pick in a trade for QB Hugh Millen
- 7.222 - LB Marty Moore, Kentucky (Mr. Irrelevant)




April 25, 2004: Day One (rounds 1-3) of the NFL Draft
The Theatre at Madison Square Garden

- In 2003 the Patriots traded their first round pick (#19) to Baltimore for a Ravens second round pick, and 2004 first. Brian Billick used that '03 first on the immortal QB Kyle Boller.
- 1.21 - NT Vince Wilfork, Miami (from trade above)
- 1.32 - TE Ben Watson, Georgia
- 2.24 - used April 19 in trade to Cincinnati for Corey Dillon
- 2.63 - DE Marquise Hill, LSU
- 3.95 - SS Guss Scott, Florida




April 25, 2009: Day One (rounds 1-2) of the NFL Draft
Radio City Music Hall, New York City

- Pats trade down, sending 1.23 (Michael Oher) to Baltimore for 1.26 and 5.162
- Pats trade down, sending 1.26 (Clay Mathews) and 5.162 to Green Bay for 2.41, 3.73 and 3.83
- (Pre-draft trade: Pats received 2.34 from KC for Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel, on Feb 28, 2009)
- 2.34 - S Patrick Chung, Oregon
- Pats trade up, sending 2.47, 4.124 and 6.199 to Oakland for 2.40
- 2.40 - DT Ron Brace, Boston College
- 2.41 - CB Darius Butler, UConn
- 2.58 - OT Sebastian Vollmer, Houston




April 25, 2013: Day One (round 1) of the NFL Draft
Radio City Music Hall, New York City

- Pats trade down, sending 1.29 to Minnesota for 2.52, 3.83, 4.102 and 7.229.
The Vikings select WR Cordarrelle Patterson.




April 25, 2019: Day One (round 1) of the NFL Draft
Lower Broadway, Nashville TN

1.32 - WR N'Keal Harry, Arizona State




April 25, 2020: Day Three (rounds 4-7) of the NFL Draft
Bronxville NY via video-conference call

- 5.159 - K Justin Rohrwasser, Marshall
- Pats trade up, sending 6.212 and 6.213 to Detroit for 6.182
- 6.182 - OL Michael Onwenu, Michigan
- 6.195 - OT Justin Herron, Wake Forest
- 6.204 - LB Cassh Maluia, Wyoming
- 7.230 - C Dustin Woodard, Memphis