New England: Rejuvenation Station

[JSn]

Yep, second thread in like... 10 minutes. Different topic, though.

For all of you guys that go back at least to 2000, what players that we basically cast-off's because of behaviour issues or a drop-off in skills have come to New England and thrived?

To me Seau, Moss and more recently Deltha O'Neil seem to fit, but I have to admit, I'm still learning my Pat's history. This team, especially since Kraft, seems to have a knack for turning low draft picks, UDFA's and cast-offs into special players. Can you guys throw me some more examples with a brief explanation?

Thanks guys. After spying on some opponents forums, they are LAME. You guys get A+'s for class (most of the time) and football knowledge. I appreciate your help!

 

[taltos]

Corey Dillon would seem to be a good example since he did well here for a while after having problems as a Bengal. It seemed that all he wanted was to win which was an attitude that did not fit into the Bengal system.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

I was going to post Corey. What about Rodney?

 

[SammyBlueCat]

Brian Cox and a huge chunk of the 2001 roster.

 

[Gunnails]

Hank Poteat!

 

[spacecrime]

Not so many behavior problems. I'd say the Pats have taken in fewer than any other team I can think of. Basically, Dillon and Moss. Deltha wasn't a problem in Denver or Cincinnati. Neither was Harrison in SD.

Most of the vets signed the last few years did't really have a dropoff in skills, I don't think. The ones that come to mind were from that big FA class (I want to say 17 FAs made the team) in 2001. All these guys showed dropoffs and were cut by original team and signed by the Pats and did well:
Cox
Vrabel
Phifer
O.T.I.S
Buckley
Pokey
Compton
Andruzzi (not all that high I guess but was cut-down casualty from GB, though it might have been 2000, now that I think of it)

 

[alamo]

Ted Washington. We got him in preseason for (if I recall correctly) a 4th. He was a key part of the 2003 defense, then as a result received a much better free agent contract in 2004 than we wanted to pay.

Roman Phifer.

Possibly Anthony Pleasant and Bobby Hamilton, but they didn't so much rejuvenate their careers as they used their knowledge from the late 90s Jets to get jobs here.

 

[eom]

whatever happened to lynch?
I thought he was coming back.

 

[AngerIsAGift]

O.T.I.S. Smith....like 3 times.

 

[jmt57]

Bryan Cox was one of the first of the BB era to be considered to have a 'bad attitude' and then not only perform better than expected but also be a leader in the locker room.