Today in Patriots History

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Super Bowl LII​

Sunday February 4, 2018 at 6:30
Super Bowl LII at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis
Philadelphia Eagles 41, New England Patriots 33
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Doug Pederson
Quarterbacks: Tom Brady, Nick Foles
Odds: New England favored by 4
Patriots finish 15-4 after a 2-2 start
Philadelphia goes 16-3, winning their fourth title (1948, 1949, 1960)

Every Patriot touchdown from the 2017-2018 season (14 min):



Patriots' 2017-2018 regular season highlights (28 min):
​

February 4, 2000:
Berj Najarian is hired to the Patriot football staff by Bill Belichick as the "executive administrator to the head coach".

I found the article below to be interesting and well worth reading - despite the fact that the author was only able to ask Najarian four questions.

Who is the mysterious Berj Najarian, Bill Belichick's right-hand man? | Boston Globe

When Belichick got the Patriots job, the Hoodie did not want to repeat the media mistakes he made as head coach in Cleveland. He wanted his own guy. He brought Najarian with him to Foxborough.​

​

“I knew him because of the PR connection with the Jets,’’ said Belichick. “We would play other teams and he would get PR material from them. It was a little different then. I would ask him to keep an eye out for articles relevant to our next game, like, ‘what are they saying about this guy’s knee?’ or things like that. That’s how we got started.​

​

“I needed somebody to do the non-football stuff. Somebody who was not a coach. As a head coach, you deal with a lot of non-football things that relate to the job. Berj and I talked about different options and he said, ‘Why don’t I just do that?’ And I said, ‘Well, let’s see how it goes.’ ’’​

Happy birthday to Billy Neighbors, who would have been 81 today
Born February 4, 1940 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (1940-2012)
Patriot RG, 1962-1965; uniform #73
Pats 6th round (46th overall) selection of the 1962 draft, from Alabama

Billy Neighbors was an All-American tackle at Alabama, then converted to guard with the Pats. He was a two-time AFL All-Star with the Patriots, member of the Pats All-Decade Team of the 1960s, and is in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Alabama football great Billy Neighbors dies at 72 | Tuscaloosa News

Neighbors was a freshman during Bryant’s first season at Alabama in 1958. He went on to become an All-American and to win the Jacobs Award, given annually to the best blocker in the Southeastern Conference. During his three years of varsity eligibility, Alabama was 26-3-4 and was an undefeated national champion in 1961.​

​

He also has an eight-year professional career with the Boston Patriots, who chose him in the sixth round of the American Football League draft, and the Miami Dolphins, twice earning All-Pro recognition.​

​

After he retired from professional football, Neighbors moved to Huntsville, where he became a successful stock broker.​

Billy Neighbors (1940-2012) | Bama OnLine

Neighbors was a key cog in the championship season, when the defense yielded a total of just 25 points, never gave up more than seven points in a game, and shut out six opponents. His career concluded with the Crimson Tide having finished in the top 10 nationally all three years, and he was named both the top lineman in the Southeastern Conference and the most valuable player in the Senior Bowl.​

Happy 84th birthday to Harry Jacobs
Born February 4, 1937 in Canton, Illinois
Patriot LB, 1960-1962; uniform #83

Harry Jacobs was originally drafted by Detroit in 1959, from Bradley. He failed to make the Lions roster and was signed by the Patriots the following year. He is the only player to have played in the first and the last game of the AFL, and one of only twenty who played in the league in all ten years before it merged with the NFL.

In 1963 the Patriots made the mistake of trading Jacobs to Buffalo for nothing but cash. He became a two-time all star with the Bills, and defensive captain on a team that won two AFL championships. Jacobs is also a member of the Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. He became a successful business consultant, member of the Small Business Administration (SBA) National Advisory Council, and was named Small Business Advocate of the Year in New York State.

Harry Jacobs - A Ten Year Man | Tales From The AFL

Former Bradley and AFL football player battles Alzheimer’s with a zest for life




Happy 74th birthday to Halvor Hagen
Born February 4, 1947 in Oslo, Norway
Patriot LG, 1971-1972; uniform #62
Acquired in trade with Dallas on August 1, 1971

Halvor Hagen was originally a third round draft pick by the Cowboys in 1969, from Weber State. He played 26 games for the Patriots with 15 starts, under John Mazur and Phil Bengtson.

Hagen was part of not one, but two infamous Patriot trades. In 1971 the Pats received RB Duane Thomas, safety Honor Jackson and Hagen in exchange for RB Carl Garrett and the Pats first round pick in the 1972 draft.

The disgruntled Thomas was such a headache that Mazur wanted to send him back to Dallas, as if he was returning an unwanted product to the local department store. Even more amazingly, commissioner Pete Rozelle stepped in and approved the refund. Thomas and Garrett went back to their original teams, while Jackson and Hagen stayed with the Patriots, in exchange for the Pats 2nd and 3rd picks in the '72 draft. Dallas got the best of that trade. That 2nd round pick turned out to be #35 overall, and they used it on FB Robert Newhouse, who would go on to become a two-time All-Pro.

In April of 1973 Hagen, Jim Cheyunski and Mike Montler were traded to Buffalo for Wayne Patrick, Edgar Chandler and Jeff Lyman. Cheyunski and Montler were solid starters for a Bills team that went 26-16 over the following three seasons. Chandler lasted one season with the Pats as their starting middle linebacker, while the other two never played a single game for the Patriots.

Halvor Hagen played in 75 NFL games from 1969 to 1975, and has had a very productive post-NFL career.

Hall of Fame - Halvor Hagen - Weber State Athletics

Hagen was drafted into the National Football League in 1969 as the third-round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys. While in the NFL, Halvor played with the Cowboys, New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills. He retired in 1977 after playing eight seasons in the league after knee surgeries forced his retirement.​

​

Hagen was a member of the Cowboys' Super Bowl-winning team in 1969. During his pro career he switched from defensive line to offensive guard.​

​

After a successful career as a CPA for Price Waterhouse, Hagen worked as a controller for a real estate company. He also served as CFO and contracts manager for New England Insulation, New England Distributions and AF Underhill.​

​

In addition to his career, Hagen serves as CFO for the Brockton Coalition for the Homeless, a post he has held since 1995. The Coalition provides emergency shelter and housing for more than 100 individuals and 60 families on a daily basis.​

​

Happy birthday to Fred Whittingham, who would have been 82 today
Born February 4, 1939 in Boston (1939-2003)
Patriot MLB, 1970; uniform #53
Signed as a veteran free agent on Sept 22, 1970

The Pats signed the native of Warwick, Rhode Island at the age of 31 after having played for the Rams, Eagles, Saints and Cowboys. From 1973 to 2000 Whittingham was a linebacker coach and defensive coordinator at both the college level (BYU, Utah) and in the NFL (Rams, Raiders).

Remembering Fred Whittingham




Other pro football players born on this date with a New England connection:

Jack Perrin (1898-1969)
Hartford Blues

A starting halfback on Michigan's undefeated 1918 national championship, team, Perrin then fought in World War I before returning to get his degree. He was initially a pro baseball player, playing for the Boston Red Sox in 1921. Perrin was a fullback, quarterback and kicker in 1926 for Hartford.


Paul Kuczo (1903-1970)
Born, raised and died in Stamford, CT

The Kuczos were historic figures in growth of the FCIAC | Stamford Advocate

Paul Kuczo coached at Stamford High School from 1928 through 1958 then moved into the athletic director’s job. In a time before soccer and lacrosse, Paul Kuczo was the head coach in football, basketball and baseball.​

​

The gymnasium at SHS is the Paul Kuczo gym for good reason.​

​

“My dad earned a full scholarship to Villanova University where he played football. He played pro football for the Staten Island Steamrollers until bad knees ended his career,” John Kuczo said. “So many kids he coached considered my dad their second father. Players always came over to our house.”​

Nick DeFelice, 81 (1940)
Born and raised in Derby CT; Southern Connecticut State
Tackle played two seasons with the Jets before being traded to Miami.
Where are they now: Nick DeFelice

DeFelice is the owner and president of Oxford Industries in New Britain, Connecticut.​

​

"My company is three companies. I have Oxford Industries, which is sales and marketing in the aerospace business. We don't build anything; we represent companies and sell their products. I've been in this business now for almost 40 years," DeFelice said. "And my sons are in the business. My son, Scott, we have a 3D printing company, Oxford Performance Materials. We print parts for the human body. We can replace any part in the human body with a plastic part.​

Ron Lamb (1943-2000)
Born in New London, CT
Running back from 1966-1972.


Bill Adams, 71 (1950)
Born in Lynn; Swampscott High School; Holy Cross
Offensive lineman played for Buffalo from 1972-1978.

 

[jmt57]

28-3
Roger That!​

Sunday February 5, 2017 at 6:30
Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium in Houston
New England Patriots 34, Atlanta Falcons 28
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Dan Quinn
Quarterbacks: Tom Brady, Matt Ryan
Odds: New England favored by 3
Patriots go 17-2, winning their last ten in a row
Atlanta finishes 13-6 after a 7-5 start

Comeback highlights (13 min):



Mic'd Up (33 min):



Condensed Full Game (45 min):
​

Inside the Patriots' overlooked play that made 28-3 possible | Washington Post

“Tom Brady should be in Hollywood for the acting job he does,” Faulk said.​

​

The performance provided White enough cover to slip behind Andrews and over the goal line. The Patriots had sliced Atlanta’s lead to 28-20, the first time they had come within reach.​

​

Ride 34 Direct had again occupied a unique place in Patriots’ lore, a testament to the Patriots’ attention to detail. They had prepared all year, and over multiple seasons, really, just in case the appropriate situation arose. When it did, they executed flawlessly. It was a small play that explained so much giant success, a couple seconds that illuminated a decade-plus of football excellence.​

​

In the aftermath, the Falcons may have felt one specific regret. They could have identified the play simply by noticing White’s cozy alignment with Brady, the split Faulk had taken against Carolina all those Super Bowls ago. They could have seen what was coming.​

​

“But things are happening fast,” Koppen said. “And we ran it three times in 17 years.”​

5 key plays that made the Patriots' historic comeback possible | boston.com

4th and 3 at NE 46, 6:04, third quarter — Brady to Amendola, 17-yard completion​

​

3rd and 1 at ATL 36, 8:31, fourth quarter — Dont’a Hightower strips Matt Ryan, Alan Branch recovers​

​

2nd and 11 at NE 23, 3:56, fourth quarter — Ryan sacked for -12 yards by Trey Flowers​

​

3rd and 10 at NE 9, 3:17, fourth quarter — Brady pass to Chris Hogan for 16 yards​

​

1st and 10 at NE 36, 2:28, fourth quarter — Brady pass to Edelman for 23 yards​

 

[Guts]

Greatest comeback in history.

 

[Nikolai]

28-3
Roger That!​

Sunday February 5, 2017 at 6:30
Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium in Houston
New England Patriots 34, Atlanta Falcons 28
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Dan Quinn
Quarterbacks: Tom Brady, Matt Ryan
Odds: New England favored by 3
Patriots go 17-2, winning their last ten in a row
Atlanta finishes 13-6 after a 7-5 start

Comeback highlights (13 min):



Mic'd Up (33 min):



Condensed Full Game (45 min):
​

Inside the Patriots' overlooked play that made 28-3 possible | Washington Post

“Tom Brady should be in Hollywood for the acting job he does,” Faulk said.​

​

The performance provided White enough cover to slip behind Andrews and over the goal line. The Patriots had sliced Atlanta’s lead to 28-20, the first time they had come within reach.​

​

Ride 34 Direct had again occupied a unique place in Patriots’ lore, a testament to the Patriots’ attention to detail. They had prepared all year, and over multiple seasons, really, just in case the appropriate situation arose. When it did, they executed flawlessly. It was a small play that explained so much giant success, a couple seconds that illuminated a decade-plus of football excellence.​

​

In the aftermath, the Falcons may have felt one specific regret. They could have identified the play simply by noticing White’s cozy alignment with Brady, the split Faulk had taken against Carolina all those Super Bowls ago. They could have seen what was coming.​

​

“But things are happening fast,” Koppen said. “And we ran it three times in 17 years.”​

5 key plays that made the Patriots' historic comeback possible | boston.com

4th and 3 at NE 46, 6:04, third quarter — Brady to Amendola, 17-yard completion​

​

3rd and 1 at ATL 36, 8:31, fourth quarter — Dont’a Hightower strips Matt Ryan, Alan Branch recovers​

​

2nd and 11 at NE 23, 3:56, fourth quarter — Ryan sacked for -12 yards by Trey Flowers​

​

3rd and 10 at NE 9, 3:17, fourth quarter — Brady pass to Chris Hogan for 16 yards​

​

1st and 10 at NE 36, 2:28, fourth quarter — Brady pass to Edelman for 23 yards​

Just rewatched this the other day. Tremendous.

I've said it here a few times and I said it when it happened; the KEY, inciting play was Brady scrambling up the middle for 15 yards on 3rd and 8, down 28-3, late in the third quarter. It was the spark.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

(reposting from an older thread)

In rewatching this amazing game, I kept a running tally of all of the times where all hope was lost, basically, unless the very next play were to pan out.

Some are obvious: the 4th down pass to Amendola when down 28-3, and the two 2 point conversions. But there seemed to be to be 10 plays in total that I'd put into that category, where not making a play would make winning nearly impossible. Most were 3rd and long conversions, or defensive plays to stop a FG attempt.

The list. Plays where the Patriots faced a do-or-die situation, on either offense or defense, where failure in that one play would make winning the game almost impossible:

1) Patriots 4th & 3 at NE 46 (6:04 - 3rd) (Shotgun) T.Brady pass short left to D.Amendola pushed ob at ATL 37 for 17 yards (D.Campbell). Failure would have meant turnover on downs, 25 points behind.

2) Patriots 3rd & 8 at ATL 35 (4:49 - 3rd) (Shotgun) T.Brady scrambles up the middle to ATL 20 for 15 yards (R.Alford). Failure would have meant 4th and 8 and a 53 FG attempt or a low percentage 4th down attempt.

3) Falcons 3rd & 11 at NE 42 (0:52 - 3rd) (Shotgun) M.Ryan sacked at ATL 49 for -9 yards (sack split by K.Van Noy and T.Flowers). Allowing even a short gain of 5 or more yards would have permitted a FG attempt with a reasonable chance of success.

4) Patriots 4th & Goal at ATL 15 (9:44 - 4th) Stephen Gostkowski 33 Yd Field Goal. Missing this would have meant a lead larger than 2 scores.

5) Falcons 3rd & 1 at ATL 36 (8:31 - 4th) (Shotgun) M.Ryan sacked at ATL 25 for -11 yards (D.Hightower). FUMBLES (D.Hightower) [D.Hightower], RECOVERED by NE-A.Branch at ATL 25. A.Branch to ATL 25. Conversion of 3rd and short would have cost 2+ minutes on the clock and would have cost 50+ yards of field position, relative to the fumble recovery.

6) Patriots 3rd & 11 at ATL 26 (7:03 - 4th) (Shotgun) T.Brady pass short left to M.Mitchell to ATL 14 for 12 yards (C.Goodwin). Failure would have meant 4th and 11 and a very low percentage 4th down attempt.

7) Patriots 2 point conversion attempt (5:56 - 4th). J.White rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. Missing this would have meant 2 scores were required to win.

8) Falcons 3rd & 23 at NE 35 (3:50 - 4th) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short left to M.Sanu pushed ob at NE 26 for 9 yards (L.Ryan). PENALTY on ATL-J.Matthews, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at NE 35 - No Play. If Chris Long had not drawn holding, ATL would have had a 43 FG attempt. The hold, plus a sack on the following play, prevented even trying.

9) Patriots 3rd & 10 at NE 9 (3:17 - 4th) (Shotgun) T.Brady pass short right to C.Hogan to NE 25 for 16 yards (J.Collins). Failure would have meant 4th and 10 and a very low percentage 4th down attempt.

10) Patriots 2 point conversion attempt (0:57 - 4th) T.Brady pass to D.Amendola is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. Missing this would have meant another score was required to win.

OT there were no 3rd down or 4th down plays. One could say that the coin flip was pretty important, though!

What are the chances of pulling off all 10 plays? Pretty low, I'd think.

 

[Steve102]

Brady's finest moment, with the encore in the AFCCG vs Mahomes.

 

[Steve102]

(reposting from an older thread)

In rewatching this amazing game, I kept a running tally of all of the times where all hope was lost, basically, unless the very next play were to pan out.

Some are obvious: the 4th down pass to Amendola when down 28-3, and the two 2 point conversions. But there seemed to be to be 10 plays in total that I'd put into that category, where not making a play would make winning nearly impossible. Most were 3rd and long conversions, or defensive plays to stop a FG attempt.

The list. Plays where the Patriots faced a do-or-die situation, on either offense or defense, where failure in that one play would make winning the game almost impossible:

1) Patriots 4th & 3 at NE 46 (6:04 - 3rd) (Shotgun) T.Brady pass short left to D.Amendola pushed ob at ATL 37 for 17 yards (D.Campbell). Failure would have meant turnover on downs, 25 points behind.

2) Patriots 3rd & 8 at ATL 35 (4:49 - 3rd) (Shotgun) T.Brady scrambles up the middle to ATL 20 for 15 yards (R.Alford). Failure would have meant 4th and 8 and a 53 FG attempt or a low percentage 4th down attempt.

3) Falcons 3rd & 11 at NE 42 (0:52 - 3rd) (Shotgun) M.Ryan sacked at ATL 49 for -9 yards (sack split by K.Van Noy and T.Flowers). Allowing even a short gain of 5 or more yards would have permitted a FG attempt with a reasonable chance of success.

4) Patriots 4th & Goal at ATL 15 (9:44 - 4th) Stephen Gostkowski 33 Yd Field Goal. Missing this would have meant a lead larger than 2 scores.

5) Falcons 3rd & 1 at ATL 36 (8:31 - 4th) (Shotgun) M.Ryan sacked at ATL 25 for -11 yards (D.Hightower). FUMBLES (D.Hightower) [D.Hightower], RECOVERED by NE-A.Branch at ATL 25. A.Branch to ATL 25. Conversion of 3rd and short would have cost 2+ minutes on the clock and would have cost 50+ yards of field position, relative to the fumble recovery.

6) Patriots 3rd & 11 at ATL 26 (7:03 - 4th) (Shotgun) T.Brady pass short left to M.Mitchell to ATL 14 for 12 yards (C.Goodwin). Failure would have meant 4th and 11 and a very low percentage 4th down attempt.

7) Patriots 2 point conversion attempt (5:56 - 4th). J.White rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. Missing this would have meant 2 scores were required to win.

8) Falcons 3rd & 23 at NE 35 (3:50 - 4th) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short left to M.Sanu pushed ob at NE 26 for 9 yards (L.Ryan). PENALTY on ATL-J.Matthews, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at NE 35 - No Play. If Chris Long had not drawn holding, ATL would have had a 43 FG attempt. The hold, plus a sack on the following play, prevented even trying.

9) Patriots 3rd & 10 at NE 9 (3:17 - 4th) (Shotgun) T.Brady pass short right to C.Hogan to NE 25 for 16 yards (J.Collins). Failure would have meant 4th and 10 and a very low percentage 4th down attempt.

10) Patriots 2 point conversion attempt (0:57 - 4th) T.Brady pass to D.Amendola is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. Missing this would have meant another score was required to win.

OT there were no 3rd down or 4th down plays. One could say that the coin flip was pretty important, though!

What are the chances of pulling off all 10 plays? Pretty low, I'd think.

You nailed all the key plays. Well done.

 

[sean10mm]

One insane thing about the comeback is that it started so late, was so slow and ended up using up almost all the available time in regulation.

The score was 21-3 (-18) at halftime.
At the end of the 3rd quarter it was 28-9 (-19)

We think of the comeback starting in the 3rd, but really they were still worse off at the end of the quarter than when they went into it!

 

[sb1]

The Bills famous comeback over Houston was bigger in points (32).

But with 4:30 left in the 3rd quarter the Pats were still down 28-3. At the same point the Bills were only down 35-24. So our comeback was way unlikelier at that point. And on a much bigger stage obviously. Greatest comeback in NFL history.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Laurence Maroney
Ron Sellers​

Happy 36th birthday to Laurence Maroney
Born February 5, 1985 in St. Louis
Patriot RB, 2006-2009; uniform #39
Pats first round (26th overall) selection of the 2006 draft, from Minnesota

The 2005 season was a bit of a letdown for the Patriots. After consecutive 14-2 seasons culminating in a Super Bowl championship, in '05 the Pats started 6-5, finished with four fewer wins at 10-6, and lost by 14 points in the division round. New England ranked 30th with 3.4 yards per rush, and a replacement for Corey Dillon would soon be needed. Dillon's rushing yardage dropped in half from 2004 to 2005, and his yards per carry fell from 4.7 to 3.5. He would turn 32 early in the 2006 season and his body was showing the wear from being tackled more than 2,600 times.

Laurence Maroney and Marion Barber formed one of the best college running back duos of the 21st century at the University of Minnesota. The pair rushed for 4,934 yards in 2003 and 2004, with Dallas drafting Barber in 2005. Maroney rushed for 1,464 yards in 2005, bringing his three year total as a Gopher to 3,933 yards and 6.0 yards per carry, with 33 touchdowns.

Maroney was the second running back taken in the 2006 draft, behind only Reggie Bush at #2. Unfortunately for the Pats other running backs selected later in the first (DeAngelo Williams, Joseph Addai) and second rounds (Maurice Jones-Drew) had more productive careers.

That's not to say Maroney was a bust. He was solid in the beginning, with over 900 yards from scrimmage in both of his first two seasons, and 13 touchdowns; he also averaged 28.0 yards returning kickoffs in 2006. Maroney had two very good games in the 2007 postseason, rushing for 122 yards and a touchdown against both Jacksonville and San Diego - but was able to gain just 36 yards on 14 carries in the loss to the Giants.

Maroney missed nearly the entire 2008 season after suffering a broken bone in his shoulder in week two. There was speculation that the Pats tried to hide the injury, as well as rumors that Maroney leaked that information to the press after being portrayed as being soft. Maroney returned in '09 as the lead back in a running back by committee, sharing playing time with Sammy Morris, Fred Taylor, Kevin Faulk and BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

In 2009 Denver was in dire need of a player to split carries with Knowshon Moreno after multiple injuries to their running backs, and the Patriots had such an excess at the position that Maroney was inactive for week one. The Pats sent Maroney to the Broncos to be reunited with Josh McDaniels in exchange for a fourth round pick.

Laurence Maroney trade analysis | Mike Reiss, espn

Maroney was entering the final year of his contract, so this is a sign that the Patriots didn’t expect him to be back in 2011.​

​

Maroney, who was limited by a thigh injury of late, was inactive for the team’s season-opening win. Yet even upon his return to health, he might have remained inactive as the 34-year-old Taylor had wrestled the No. 1 spot on the depth chart away from him.​

​

Also, Morris had leapfrogged Maroney because of his added value as a lead-blocking fullback, occasional ball-carrier, and contributor on special teams units.​

​

With Faulk entrenched as the team’s third-down back, that left Maroney fighting for the No. 4 spot on the depth chart.​

​

Because coaches often look for special teams value in that spot, Green-Ellis is a better fit than Maroney.​

​

Given that set of dynamics, plus the chance to pick up a fourth-round draft choice, the Patriots saw enough value in the deal to pull the trigger.​

Maroney played in just four games for Denver and was a healthy scratch for the final seven games. He was not re-signed the following offseason, never receiving a nice payday in free agency - and never again played in the NFL.

Laurence Maroney ranks 15th in franchise history with 2,430 career rushing yards (13th at the time he left New England), and is tied with Antowain Smith for 10th most rushing touchdowns by a running back (21). His 4.2 yards per carry ranks ninth among players with at least 250 rushing attempts, and fifth for those with at least 500 carries.

​

Happy 74th birthday to Ron Sellers
Born February 5, 1947 in Jacksonville, Florida
Patriot WR, 1969-1971; uniform #34
Pats first round (sixth overall) selection of the 1969 draft, from Florida State

Ron Sellers made the Pro Bowl as a rookie, scoring six touchdowns and averaging 26.1 yards per catch while totaling 705 yards receiving. Over three seasons he played in 35 games with 30 starts, compiling 1,477 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns. Sellers averaged 18.7 yards per catch while with the Patriots; that ranks as the third highest in franchise history for players with at least 75 receptions, behind only Harold Jackson and Stanley Morgan. At the time he left New England his touchdown reception ranked sixth in club history (31st now).

On July 13, 1972 the Patriots traded Sellers to Dallas for a third round draft pick. He began the season as a backup but eventually replaced former Olympian aand future Hall of Famer Bob Hayes in the starting lineup. In a 1998 postseason playoff game Sellers caught the winning touchdown from Roger Staubach to defeat the 49ers 30-28, capping a 17 point fourth quarter comeback with 52 seconds left to play. His final NFL season was with Miami in 1973, winning a Super Bowl over Minnesota.

Sellers worked at a Boston-based regional stock brokerage during his offseason time in New England. In 1975 he opened his own life insurance agency and has worked in the securities industry ever since. Ron Sellers was named to the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1973, and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1988.

Florida Sports Hall of Fame - Ron Sellers

College Football Hall of Fame - Ron Sellers

Ron Sellers was the greatest college pass receiver of his time. In three seasons at Florida State he caught 212 passes for 3,598 yards. His career yardage was a national record in 1968 and lasted 19 years. When he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1988, 20 years after his last game, he still held 16 school records. His best performance came in 1968 against South Carolina with 16 catches. In other games in his career he caught 14 passes (three times) and 13 passes (three times). His 14 receptions against Penn State in 1967 set a Gator Bowl record. Against Wake Forest in 1968 he caught five touchdown passes. It's no wonder Ron was twice All-America.​

Ron Sellers Bio: Hall of Fame class, 1977 | Seminoles.com

Ron Sellers was one of the finest receivers in the history of college football and many of his records lasted well into the pass-happy offenses used by schools in the 1990s. Sellers caught 212 passes for 3,598 yards from 1966-69 both of which have held up for at least 35 years. He averaged a remarkable 7.1 catches per game over his FSU career. He was a consensus All-American as a junior in 1967 after leading the nation with 1,228 yards and finishing second in receptions with 70.​

​

For his encore he turned in the greatest single season receiving performance in FSU history. He caught 86 passes for 1,496 yards and 12 touchdowns – all school records.​

FSU all-time countdown: #8, WR Ron Sellers

Born in Jacksonville, Florida, by the time Sellers was fielding college offers he had helped his high school win a state basketball championship and most people thought his athletic future would unfold on the hardwood. At 6-4 180, he was– by conventional standards– the wrong build to be a football player.​

​

"Funny," Sellers said in a 1968 Sports Illustrated article, "but if I hadn't been so thin I probably would have gone to college on a basketball scholarship. But people kept telling me I was too light to play football; that I'd get killed. It made me mad and I decided I'd show everybody. And so when FSU offered me a football scholarship, I took it."​

Jingle Joints should be judged by his cover | Sports Illustrated

"I don't know," said Sellers. "I think I just lull people to sleep with my long stride. They don't think I'm going as fast as I am, then pffft."​

​

People see Sellers for the first time, standing around or warming up, and invariably they are confused. How could this guy be so good? For sure, with his long, skinny bowed legs and thin frame, he's the most unlikely looking player on the field. Sellers can run 50 yards in 5.5 seconds, but always he looks as though at any moment his arms and legs will go flying off in entirely different directions. A Houston defensive back nicknamed him "Jingle Joints."​

About Us: Key Retirement Solutions

Ron has been inducted into 10 Sports Hall of Fames and was FSU’s first football player to be inducted into the National College Football Hall of Fame (1987). Ron was honored to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in all three post season bowl games during his career at FSU – the Gator Bowl, Peach Bowl and Sun Bowl.​

​

In 2007, Ron was honored by being named to The State of Florida’s “100 Greatest High School Football Players in Florida History.”​

Happy birthday to Eric Patterson, who would have been 28 today
Born February 5, 1993 in Tampa (1993-2019)
Patriot CB, 2015 offseason
Signed as an undrafted rookie from Ball State on May 9, 2015

Eric Patterson was only with the Patriots for a month, released prior to the start of training camp. He later spent time with the Colts, Rams and Browns, appearing in three NFL Games. Patterson was fatally shot by an intruder in his home on June 8, 2019.




Sunday February 5, 2012 at 6:30
Super Bowl 46 at Lucas Oil Stadium
New York Giants 21, New England Patriots 17

AP/ESPN recap

Washington Post recap

Boston.com recap

Greg Bedard recap

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Pats defeat Eagles to win Super Bowl
aka McNabb pukes while Andy Reid forgets what time it is​

Sunday February 6, 2005 at 6:30
Super Bowl 39 at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida
New England Patriots 24, Philadelphia Eagles 21
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Andy Reid
Quarterbacks: Tom Brady, Donovan McNabb
Odds: New England favored by 7
Patriots finish 17-2, defeating their playoff opponents by a combined score of 85-51
Eagles finally win the NFC on their fourth consecutive attempt, finishing 15-4

MVP Deion Branch catches a super bowl record eleven passes for 133 yards and Rodney Harrison intercepts two passes, but all the national media seems to focus on is Philadelphia: Donovan McNabb puking, Terrell Owens going for 122 yards on a bad leg, and Andy Reid apparently being completely unaware of how much time was left on the clock.

Donovan McNabb can't take the heat:



Super Bowl 39 Highlights:



Full Game Video:
​

Patriots win third Super Bowl, set up modern dynasty

Because they do not beat you over the head with their excellence or beat their chests in triumph, the New England Patriots are forever being cast as

vault.si.com

Patriots reign again after beating Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX - The Boston Globe

Football historians will look back upon the current run by the Patriots and decide if it is indeed a dynasty. But for now it’s clear that no football team in the world is better.

www.bostonglobe.com

2005 Super Bowl Summary (Published 2005)

www.nytimes.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Ty Warren​

Happy 40th birthday to Ty Warren
Born Feb 6, 1981 in Bryan, Texas
Patriot DE/DT, 2003-2010; uniform #94
Pats first round (13th overall) selection of the 2003 draft, from Texas A&M

The draft pick used on Ty Warren had a curious route before landing in Foxboro. Initially the Jets received that pick from Washington as compensation for the loss of restricted free agent WR Laveranues Coles. The Jets then packaged that pick with another first and a fourth in a trade with the Bears to move up to the #4 draft slot, where they chose DeWayne Robertson; Chicago used the latter first round pick on QB Rex Grossman. The Patriots then used the #14 overall pick - one that was acquired from Buffalo for Drew Bledsoe - together with a sixth round pick to move up one slot to draft Warren.

Ty Warren went on to become a very solid player, perhaps a bit underappreciated by the media and some fans due to his role as a space eater on the line. He played in 106 regular season games for New England when players like Richard Seymour, Willie McGinest, Ty Law and Tedy Bruschi received most of the recognition on defense. Warren had 37 tackles for a loss, 20.5 sacks, six fumble recoveries and 376 tackles. He also played in 16 playoff games for the Pats, earning a pair of super bowl rings.

The Patriots thought so highly enough of Warren that he was named a captain, and given a five year, $35 million contract in 2007. He suffered a hip injury early in the 2010 training camp and spent the season on injured reserve, then was released at the start of training camp in 2011.

Ty Warren is a member of the New England Patriots All-Decade Team of the 2000s.

Ty Warren is out for season with hip injury | Mike Reiss, espn

Warren said he could have played through the pain, but he had concerns about the long-term effects it could have on his career.​

​

"I didn't want to be laboring around and not looking myself," Warren said.​

​

Losing Warren is a big blow to the Patriots, as he's been a fixture at left defensive end in the team's 3-4 alignment. He has started 92 of 105 games since the Patriots selected him in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft, recording 496 tackles, 20.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.​

​

"It's a tough break for Ty, but we have to move on," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Friday. "He's missed quite a bit of time the last couple of years. We've had to deal with that anyway. It's unfortunate, but unfortunately that's part of the game. We'll just move ahead."​

Ty Warren selected to Texas A&M Athletics Hall of Fame

Ty Warren no longer in running to be Somerville football coach

More information released on drowning at Ty Warren's home

Former A&M DT Ty Warren talks coaching, daughter signing with A&M

.

 

[Pape]

Today in Patriots History
Pats defeat Eagles to win Super Bowl
aka McNabb pukes while Andy Reid forgets what time it is​

Sunday February 6, 2005 at 6:30
Super Bowl 39 at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida
New England Patriots 24, Philadelphia Eagles 21
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Andy Reid
Quarterbacks: Tom Brady, Donovan McNabb
Odds: New England favored by 7
Patriots finish 17-2, defeating their playoff opponents by a combined score of 85-51
Eagles finally win the NFC on their fourth consecutive attempt, finishing 15-4

MVP Deion Branch catches a super bowl record eleven passes for 133 yards and Rodney Harrison intercepts two passes, but all the national media seems to focus on is Philadelphia: Donovan McNabb puking, Terrell Owens going for 122 yards on a bad leg, and Andy Reid apparently being completely unaware of how much time was left on the clock.

Donovan McNabb can't take the heat:



Super Bowl 39 Highlights:



Full Game Video:
​

Patriots win third Super Bowl, set up modern dynasty

Because they do not beat you over the head with their excellence or beat their chests in triumph, the New England Patriots are forever being cast as

vault.si.com

Patriots reign again after beating Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX - The Boston Globe

Football historians will look back upon the current run by the Patriots and decide if it is indeed a dynasty. But for now it’s clear that no football team in the world is better.

www.bostonglobe.com

2005 Super Bowl Summary (Published 2005)

www.nytimes.com

eagles fans talked all kinds of siht, and walked away with their tails tucked up under their legs afterwards...

that was a freaking cold game too... after the sun went down, it was like see your breath cold... had a great time though

 

[jmt57]

Tom Tupa
and other February 6 events and birthdays​

February 6, 1969:
John Mazur is hired as offensive coordinator by new head coach Clive Rush.
Mazur had been the offensive backfield coach for Buffalo since 1962, and prior to that was an assistant coach at Boston University.



Besides Ty Warren, Tom Tupa and two other former New England Patriots celebrate a birthday today.


Happy 55th birthday to Tom Tupa
Born Feb 6, 1966 in Cleveland; hometown: Brecksville, Ohio
Patriot P/QB, 1996-1998; uniform #19
Signed as a veteran free agent on March 15, 1996

Tom Tupa was originally drafted by the Phoenix Cardinals in the third round of the 1988 draft. He punted for all four years at Ohio State but did not become a starting quarterback until he was a senior, after backing up Mike Tomczak. In the NFL he was a starting quarterback for only one season in Phoenix, then took over punting duties in 1994 in Cleveland under Bill Belichick. The Hoodie loves versatility in his players, and that made Tupa very valuable. Being a punter and backup QB saved a roster spot for another player, and his experience as a quarterback made him a genuine threat to pass out of a punting formation.

Tupa averaged 44.7 yards per punt in his three seasons with the Patriots, making him one of the better punters in franchise history. In 1999 he left to sign with the Jets, who played the Pats in week one. Tupa was forced to play quarterback after Vinny Testaverde went out with a torn Achilles, and Tupa went 6-10 for 165 yards with two touchdown passes against the Patriots. That same year he was named as the first team All Pro at punter.

Check out the video below:

Patriots-Jets, Week One 1999 (7:48):
​

Tom Tupa played in 220 NFL games from 1988 to 2004. He was the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week five times, and of the month once. He ranked in the top ten for yards per punt eight times, including three times in the top three.

For a bit of NFL trivia Tom Tupa was the first player in NFL history to score a two-point conversion. He is also a member of the New England Patriots All-Decade Team of the 1990s as their punter. In his post-NFL life Tupa returned to his Ohio hometown as their Recreation Director, and is also the offensive coordinator on the high school football team.




Happy 75th birthday to Gary Bugenhagen
Born Feb 6, 1945 in Buffalo; hometown: Clarence, NY
Patriot guard, 1970; uniform #67

Gary was originally a fourth round draft pick by the Bills in 1967, from Syracuse. The Bengals selected him a year later in the AFL expansion draft, and in 1969 he was playing for the Indianapolis Capitals of the minor league Continental Football League. The 1970 Patriots could use whatever help they could find, and signed him as a veteran free agent. Bugenhagen played in ten games with seven starts for the Patriots in 1970. The Pats waived him on August 2, 1971, ending his pro football career. Since then he has worked in the real estate business in central New York.

Gary Bugenhagen | Syracuse University Athletics

Bugenhagen earned 1966 All-American honors at SU. Bugenhagen aided fellow All-American Larry Csonka in rushing for 1,012 yards in 1966. He was part of a team that holds the seventh-best rushing record in SU history (431 yards vs. West Virginia). He was named to Syracuse University's All-Century team in November, 1999.​

Happy 64th birthday to Doug McDougald
Born Feb 6, 1957 in Fayetteville, North Carolina
Patriot DE, 1980; uniform #70
Pats fifth round (124th overall) selection of the 1980 draft, from Virginia Polytechnic Institute

The 6'5 Virginia Tech Hokie played in each of the first three games as a rookie with the Patriots in 1980. He didn't play again until mid-November due to an injury, reactivated on November 21. McDougald played in the final five games of the season as well, but that turned out to be his one and only season in the NFL.




Other football players born on this date with a New England connection:

Eric Frampton, 37 (1984)
Draft Pick Trade
The Patriots were very thin at wide receiver in 2006, and on September 2nd of that year they traded a fifth round pick to Oakland for WR Doug Gabriel. The Raiders used that pick on Frampton; the safety and special teamer would go on to play in the NFL for seven seasons.

Ryan LaCasse, 37 (1983)
Born and raised in Stoughton MA; Stoughton High School
A 7th round pick by the Ravens, the linebacker was part of Indy's 2006 super bowl championship team.

Nathan Davis, 46 (1974)
Born in Hartford, CT
The defensive end was a second round pick by Atlanta in 1997; he was also later with the Cowboys and Broncos.

Ralph Calcagni (1922-1948)
Boston Yanks
The Pennsylvania native was an NFL tackle in the forties. He was a lieutenant in WWII and died at the age of 26 due to gangrene in his small intestine.

Jimmy Kennedy (1900-1974)
Born in Boston; raised in Somersworth, NH; Boston College, Holy Cross
Fullback for the Buffalo Bisons, 1925.

 

[jmt57]

February 7 is a slow news day in the history of the New England Patriots.


February 7, 1983:
Rod Rust is hired as defensive coordinator by Ron Meyer.

Rust had been the DC for the Kansas City Chiefs since 1978. He began his coaching career as an assistant at New Mexico in 1960, then held the same position at Stanford for four years. In 1967 Rust became the head coach at North Texas State, then defensive coordinator for the CFL's Montreal Alouettes from 1973-1975. The following year Rust moved to the NFL as a linebackers coach, a position he held for two seasons before moving to KC.

In Foxborough Rust replaced Jim Mora, who accepted a job as head coach of the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL. Mora would win two championships in the USFL before the league disbanded, then coached for the Saints and Colts for 15 years.

Jim Mora responds to Peyton Manning's 4-interception performance:​

​

See what happens when you throw Peyton under the bus? Your NFL career is over.​

Rust was a central figure of the drama that led to Meyer being fired. Meyer fired Rust after a 44-24 loss to Miami in the middle of the 1984 season without notifying general manager Patrick Sullivan. The GM wasn't bothered by Meyer's decision to make a change, but he was extremely upset about being kept out of the loop and hearing about the move second hand. The next day Rust was reinstated and Meyer was fired, despite the team having a winning record at that time.


On December 18, 1978 Rust was also in the middle of more Patriot drama. News that Chuck Fairbanks would leave the Patriots to coach at Colorado had leaked out, which infuriated the Sullivans. Fairbanks was suspended for the final game of the regular season. Rather than choose one coach to be the interim head coach, it was decided that the Pats would use two head coaches: their offensive coordinator would be the head coach when the Patriots had the ball, and the defensive coordinator would be in charge when the opponent had the ball. No word on what happened on punts and kickoffs.

In 1990 the Patriots hired Rust to be their head coach. The timing for him could not have been any worse, as the distractions from the Lisa Olson incident proved to be far too much to handle. After that Rust continued to coach in the NFL and CFL as a defensive coordinator and linebackers coach until he was 77, in 2005.




Before moving on to Patriot birthdays, let's stick with Peyton for a moment.

February 7, 2010 in Miami
Super Bowl 44

Tracy Porter's Pick-Six off Peyton Manning:
​

Former Patriot TE David Thomas earned a super bowl ring in this game with New Orleans, a bit of retribution after having been beaten by the Colts when he was with the Pats in the 2006 AFC championship game.




One pro football player born on this date with a New England connection:

Happy 66th birthday to Rolf Benirschke
Born February 7, 1955 in Boston
The placekicker was the Walter Payton Man of the Year in 1983 and made the Pro Bowl in 1982, playing for the Chargers from 1977 to 1986.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Lou Saban​

February 8, 1960:
The Patriots hire Lou Saban as the franchise's first head coach.

Lou Saban, 87, first coach of Patriots | The Boston Globe

But it was the winter of 1960 when Mr. Saban, who had played football in college and then with the Cleveland Browns under the great Paul Brown, was picked by Ed McKeever and team owner Billy Sullivan to build the first Patriots team.​

​

In a 1994 interview with Globe sportswriter Michael Madden, Mr. Saban recalled the obstacles he faced.​

​

"The thing is, we started so late," he said. "We were the last team. All the good players were gone. . . . We had to take what was left over.​

​

"We had tryouts in the city of Boston from one end to the other. We had bricklayers, we had carpenters, we had stoker men . . . you name it, we had it."​

​

In time a team was formed, a hardworking one. But the Patriots went 5-9 for the season.​

​

"We just never wanted to look bad," Mr. Saban recalled. "We wanted to show we could play so the NFL wouldn't make fun of us."​

​

As his second season began, Mr. Saban was shoring up his defensive line, bringing in some talented young players, and just as "we were starting to have a team," he was fired, he told Madden. Sullivan replaced him with Mike Holovak, who went on to win seven games. "No hard feelings," Mr. Saban said. "Mr. Sullivan owned the team. He could do what he wants. I've always felt that way."​

​

Mr. Saban, who was 95-99-7 in 16 seasons of pro football, was also president of the New York Yankees from 1981 to '82.​

​

"He has been my friend and mentor for over 50 years, and one of the people who helped shape my life," Steinbrenner said yesterday in a statement.​

​

Patriots chairman Robert Kraft also honored Mr. Saban yesterday.​

​

"A part of his football legacy will forever be linked to many of the firsts in our franchise's history," Kraft said in a statement. "This season, we will be celebrating the Patriots' 50th anniversary and reflecting back on that inaugural season. It should give us all cause to appreciate Lou's many contributions during the Patriots' formative years."​

Happy 39th birthday to Eric Alexander
Born February 8, 1982 in Tyler, Texas
Patriot LB, 2004-2009; uniform #49, #51
Signed as an undrafted rookie from LSU on April 28, 2004

Eric Alexander was waived at the end of training camp in 2004 and 2005, and spent most of those two seasons on New England's practice squad. He was allocated to NFL Europe before finally spending 14 games with the Pats in 2006. Alexander was a special teams ace and backup linebacker from '06-'09, with the exception of 2008 when he spent all but one game on injured reserve. He played in 45 regular season games plus seven playoff games in a Patriot uniform, and earned a ring from super bowl 39.

Alexander is unfortunately most remembered for the 2006 AFC championship game - despite having ten solo tackles, a forced fumble, a tackle for a loss, a pass defensed and a quarterback hit. Pats fans forget that part and instead remember one replay where his back is turned and you can see his name and number. Alexander was the player who was beaten by Colt WR Bryan Fletcher for a 32-yard gain on Indy's game winning drive in Indy's 38-34 victory.

The forgotten part of that event is that happened due to the Patriot defensive philosophy of taking away an opponent's top offensive threats - in this case Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. The tactic worked - very well. Those two were limited to a combined nine receptions on twenty passes thrown in their direction, plus three coverage sacks when they were blanketed. However that strategy ultimately left a 240 pound linebacker covering a speedy number three receiver down the sideline with no safety help, and the rest is history.

Eric Alexander - Patriots Alumni

10/9/05 - Pats Sign LB Eric Alexander from Practice Squad; Release C Gene Mruczkowski

11/23/09 - Extension for Eric Alexander | Mike Reiss

LinkedIn - Eric Alexander

​

Happy 32nd birthday to Justin Francis
Born February 8, 1989 in Opa-Locka, Florida
Patriot DE, 2012; uniform #94
Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 4, 2012, from Rutgers

Nov 11, 2012: Justin Francis sacks Ryan Fitzgerald​

11/4/2012 - Football journey: Justin Francis | Mike Reiss

• 10 games played
• 3 sacks
• 9 tackles (6) solo
• 4 tackles for a loss
• 7 quarterback hits

Justin Francis was part of the Greg Schiano / Rutgers-to-Foxboro pipeline. His teammates with the Scarlet Knights included future Patriots Duron Harmon, Logan Ryan, Devin McCourty, Jonathan Freeny, Steve Beauharnais, Alex Silvestro, Jason McCourty, Tiquan Underwood, Alex Silvestro, Tim Wright and Mohamed Sanu.

In a surprise move Justin Francis was released on August 31, 2013. He later agreed to an injury settlement (high ankle sprain).

Francis was later with the Portland Thunder and Portland Steel of the Arena Football League, and the Nebraska Danger of the Indoor Football League. He last played in 2016.




Happy 49th birthday to Marcus Pollard
Born February 8, 1972 in Valley, Alabama
Patriot TE, 2008 offseason; uniform #87
Signed as a veteran free agent on April 23, 2008

• Released on August 19, 2008
• NFL career stats: 192 games; 349 receptions; 40 TD; 4,280 yards

7/26/08 - Marcus Pollard thrilled to be with the Patriots | Boston Herald

8/19/08 - Patriots release TE Marcus Pollard; Sign Tyson DeVree | Patriots.com

8/19/08 - Patriots cut Marcus Pollard | AP/ESPN

The New England Patriots released 13-year veteran tight end Marcus Pollard on Tuesday.​

​

They also signed rookie tight end Tyson DeVree, who joins Benjamin Watson, David Thomas and Stephen Spach at that position.​

​

Pollard signed with the Patriots on April 23 after being released by Seattle, where he spent one season. He played his first 10 seasons with Indianapolis and two with Detroit.​

​

"It wasn't really going to work out here the way that we had hoped and he had hoped," coach Bill Belichick said. "At the same time, there are still a couple preseason games left and time before the season opener and I think there are some other teams that are looking for tight ends and maybe there is a better opportunity for him somewhere else."​

​

In 191 games, including 133 starts, Pollard caught 349 passes for 4,280 yards and 40 touchdowns. Last season, he had 28 catches for 273 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games.​

​

DeVree originally signed with the Patriots on May 5 as a rookie free agent and was released on June 11. He played two seasons at Western Michigan and two at Colorado.​

​

​

​

​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Logan Ryan​

Happy 30th birthday to Logan Ryan
Born February 9, 1991 in Berlin, New Jersey
Patriot CB, 2013-2016; uniform #26
Pats 3rd round (83rd overall) selection of the 2013 draft, from Rutgers

Logan Ryan never missed a game while with the Patriots, appearing in 64 games with 40 starts. In the regular season he had 13 interceptions, including a 79 yard pick-six off Geno Smith.

​

During his time in Foxborough the corner made 259 tackles (202 solo) with 2½ sacks, four forced fumbles, five tackles for a loss and six quarterback hits.

​

Logan Ryan also appeared in ten playoff games for New England, with the Patriots going 8-2 in those contests. He earned two rings, for Super Bowl victories over Seattle and Atlanta. Logan was on the field for 976 defensive snaps in 2015 (89%) and 897 in 2016 (86%), and for all but one defensive snap in the five 2016 and 2017 postseason games. Ryan’s fourth quarter interception against Houston that he ran back to the six yard line – just after the Texans had scored – set up the game clinching touchdown run by Dion Lewis.

Tennessee lured Ryan away in 2017 with a three year, $30 million contract. That was a nice payday for Logan, and he got himself a nice second free agent deal in 2020: a three year, $31 million contract with the Giants that included a $6 million signing bonus, $20 million guaranteed, and an average annual salary of over $10 million. Good for him.




Happy 50th birthday to Pat O’Neill
Born February 9, 1971 at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois
Patriot punter and kicker, 1994-1995; uniform #5
Pats 5th round (135th overall) selection of the 1994 draft, from Syracuse

Doctor Patrick O’Neill handled kickoffs and punts with the Patriots for a year and a half. He could have gone on to have a much longer NFL career, but decided instead to put his brain power to use for a better purpose.

The Big, Slow Guy Wins the Race for the Football | New York Times

Late in the third quarter, with the Jets leading, 13-10, the Patriots faced fourth down and 7 yards to go from New York’s 31-yard line. It seemed time for a 49-yard field goal attempt but the Patriots’ kicker, Matt Bahr, while making 23 of 28 this year, had not kicked one beyond 48 yards.​

​

The Patriots sent out their field-goal team – but with Pat O’Neill, the punter and long-distance field-goal kicker, rather than Bahr. Everyone expected a field-goal attempt – everyone except Scott Zolak, the holder. On the sideline, he was told to call the fake.​

​

The Jets lined up for a field goal, but Zolak called the signal that said it would be a fake. Zolak put his hands out to take the supposed snap. Instead, it went directly to O’Neill, who kicked a soft punt instead.​

​

The ball landed on the 10-yard line and bounced toward the end zone. A team expecting a punt would have had someone back there to block anyone trying to down the ball short of the end zone. But the Jets were expecting a field-goal attempt and had no one stationed deep. Todd Rucci, the 291-pound guard for the Patriots, had clear sailing past Ronnie Lott. He downed the football on the 1, and the Jets had their backs to the goal.​

​

Three plays later on third-and-6, Boomer Esiason passed for Ryan Yarborough. Ricky Reynolds intercepted and ran 11 yards for a touchdown – and the Patriots led, 17-13.​

NFL punter becomes a surgeon | Sarasota Herald

The trick play sparked the Patriots to their fourth straight win after a miserable start. They kept it up through their last game, tying Miami’s record at 10-6 and winning a wild-card playoff berth.​

​

The Patriots drew the Cleveland Browns in the first round, and O’Neill pulled off another trick play, throwing a pass for a first down. Percentage-wise, he had a better day than quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who threw three interceptions in a 20-13 loss.​

​

That first year he averaged 41 yards per punt, good for playing half his games at open, wind-swept Foxboro. It placed him 10th in the 14-team league, but less than a yard off the average punter. He also hit the fourth-longest punt of any kicker that year.​

​

The numbers, though, masked a challenging season. Punting looks simple on television, but November brings cold and trials invisible to the cameras.​

​

“The ball’s a piece of stone, the wind blows, you have no footing because the grass won’t grow and the field doesn’t absorb moisture,” he said.​

​

In the end, despite the highlight-reel moments, despite the trip to the playoffs, it was disappointing.​

​

“There were games where I was as good as anyone I’d seen. Then there were games I didn’t do well,” he said recently, at the end of a day of seeing patients. “At some point, I said, ‘I like this, but is it worth it?’”​

​

So that off-season, while his teammates rested, he tackled something in some ways more arduous than training camp: He took the MCAT, the medical school admission test.​

Dr. Patrick J. O’Neill | Patrick J. O’Neill, MD

Dr. O’Neill is highly trained in the latest non-surgical and surgical treatments for a wide range of disorders of the foot and ankle. He treats sports-related injuries, tendon disorders, foot and ankle trauma, diabetes, nerve disorders, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, heel pain, bunions, hammer toes, and amputations. Any area of the foot and ankle may be involved, including the forefoot, midfoot, hindfoot, or ankle. Patients may have either simple common problems, or more complex problems which could require complicated reconstructive procedures.​

​

While at Syracuse University, Dr. O’Neill excelled both on and off the playing field. Some of his academic accomplishments include Academic All-American and University Scholar, Syracuse’s highest honor. Dr. O’Neill was also a member of the Syracuse Orangemen football team as a Punter and Kicker, and was ultimately named to the All-20th Century Football Team. Upon leaving Syracuse, Dr. O’Neill was drafted in the 5th round of the NFL draft by the New England Patriots, and in his first year he was named the NFL All-rookie Punter.​

Happy 46th birthday to Terry Billups
Born February 9, 1975 in Wiesbaden, Germany
Patriot CB, 1999; uniform #23

Terry Billups went undrafted out of North Carolina, and spent time with Dallas in 1998. In ’99 he played for the Rhein Fire in NFL Europe, and also saw action in two games for the Patriots. With four tackles in one game against Baltimore he is okay in my book.

Billups is another player who has had a nice professional post-NFL career. He was a federal law clerk in Illinois, then an attorney in Cleveland from 2006 to 2014. He then worked as general counsel at Ursuline College for over five years, and opened his own law firm in 2019.




Other pro football players born on this date with New England connections:

Dan Ross would have been 64 today
Born Feb 9, 1957 in Malden
Went to Everett High School and Northeastern

Ex-Bengal Ross, Super Bowl record holder, dies at 49 | espn

Ross was the Bengals’ second-round choice in the 1979 draft, the 30th player selected overall that year. He earned a starting berth as a rookie and notched 41 catches for 516 yards and one touchdown. In his first five seasons with the Bengals, Ross posted more than 40 receptions every year, and he averaged 51.4 catches and 628.2 yards and scored 16 touchdowns.​

​

His best season was in 1981, when Ross had 71 receptions for 910 yards and five touchdowns. Following that season, in a Super Bowl XVI loss to the San Francisco 49ers, he had 11 catches for 104 yards and two touchdowns. The 11 receptions remain a Super Bowl record shared by Jerry Rice of the 49ers and Deion Branch of the New England Patriots.​

​

Ross left the Bengals following the 1983 season to sign with the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL. He returned to Cincinnati in 1985 and split that season between the Bengals and Seattle Seahawks. His final season in the NFL was in 1986 with the Green Bay Packers.​

​

In 104 regular-season games, Ross had 290 receptions for 3,419 yards and 19 touchdowns. He appeared in the 1983 Pro Bowl game.​

Dom Principe
Born Feb 9, 1917 in Brockton
Sandwiched around his time in the war, the Brockton High School alum was a fullback for the NFL’s New York Giants and AAFC Brooklyn Dodgers.


Tommy Myers
Born Feb 9, 1901 in New Britain CT
The Fordham Flash was a blocking back for a couple seasons in the twenties.


**** King
Born February 9, 1895 in Boston
Richard Stewart Cutter King went to Boston Latin High School and Harvard University. He was a coach and roadshow star fullback-wingback-tailback before the NFL was the NFL, when semi-pro teams toured middle america. In NFL’s infancy King played for teams like the Hammond Pros, Milwaukee Badgers, Rochester Jeffersons and St. Louis All-Stars. King was an anomaly, a married Harvard student working his way through college to pay for the two children he had by the age of twenty. He later made headlines marrying a twice-divorced woman, then died a mysterious death at the age of 35 in Bogata, Columbia.

 

[captain stone]

That very last paragraph, about fellow BLS alum Richard King, would seriously make for an interesting made-for-TV movie...

 

[TheRainMaker]

His best moment was the crotch grab endzone celebration after an INT vs the Jest. Pure swag baby!

 

[jmt57]

Today In Patriots History
Ty Law
​

Happy 47th birthday to New England Patriots cornerback Ty Law. The Pro Football Hall of Famer had a total of 40 interceptions for the Pats, including four in the postseason.

Happy 47th birthday to Ty Law
Born February 10, 1974 in Aliquippa, PA
Patriot CB 1974-2004; uniform #24
Patriots first round (23rd overall) selection of the 1995 draft, from Michigan

​

The résumé speaks for itself:

• Pro Football Hall of Fame, 2019
• Patriots Hall of Fame, 2014
• Patriots All-Decade Team of the 1990s
• Patriots All-Decade Team of the 2000s
• NFL All-Decade Team of the 2000s
• Three-time Super Bowl Champion: 36, 38, 39
• Two-time First Team All Pro: 1998, 2003
• Four Pro Bowls: 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005

​

New England Patriots Franchise Records:

• 36 career interceptions ranks 1st in Pats history (tied with Raymond Clayborn)
• 583 career interception return yards ranks 1st in team history
• Six career pick-sixes ranks 1st in franchise history
• 539 career solo tackles ranks 4th
• Four-time team season leader in interceptions – 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003
• Only player in team history to record three interceptions in a single playoff game (January 18, 2004 off Peyton Manning vs the Indianapolis Colts)

Playoff Stats with Patriots:

• 12 games played (Pats went 9-3)
• 4 interceptions, one touchdown, eight pass deflections; 34 tackles (31 solo)

Regular Season Stats with Patriots:

• 141 games played
• 36 interceptions, returned for 583 yards and six touchdowns
• 65 passes defensed, 3 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries
• 635 tackles (539 solo), 12 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks
• Led NFL in pass deflections (23) in 1993
• Led NFL in interceptions (9) in 1994
• Led NFL in interceptions returned for a touchdown (2) in 2001

Besides Ty Law there are a few other (far less well known) Patriots born on this date.


Happy 75th birthday to Hubie Bryant
Born February 10, 1946 in Pittsburgh
Patriot PR/KR/WR, 1971-1972; uniform #45, #84
Claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh on Sept 9, 1971

In a 1971 28-20 victory versus Houston, Bryant had five receptions for 79 yards – including a 10 yard TD catch from Jim Plunkett that gave the Pats a lead they never relinquished. That was the season that gave Pats fans of that era a glimmer of hope. After winning just two games the previous season the Pats finished 6-8 with the rookie Plunkett under center.

Hubie Bryant spent seven years playing professional football between the NFL, CFL and WFL. Since then he has been a coach at Virginia Union University, St. Paul College and Virginia University of Lynchburg. Bryant has been with the Pittsburgh Job Corps Center since 2015.

Happy 71st birthday to Rodrigo Barnes
Born February 10, 1950 in Waco, Texas
Patriot LB 1974-1975; uniform #59, #55
Claimed off waivers from Dallas on Nov 11, 1974

Rodrigo Barnes was a seventh round draft pick by the Cowboys in 1971, from Rice. At one time he had been projected to go much earlier than that, but his draft stock fell due to teams being wary of his being a vocal proponent of civil rights. He played in six games for the Patriots and is credited with one fumble recovery. Barnes earned a super bowl ring with the Raiders in 1976 but had to retire the following year after multiple knee injuries.

From 1979 to 1981 Barnes was a general manager and coach in the USFL. He went back to college to get his masters and has been in the education field since 1983. Rodrigo Barnes is now an assistant principal in Garland Texas.

​

Happy 72nd birthday to Irvin Mallory
Born Feb 10, 1949 in Glen Allen VA
Patriot safety 1971; uniform #43

Irvin Mallory was a late draft pick by the Bengals in 1971, from Virginia Union. He played in the first two games of the 1971 season for the Patriots, with one kickoff return for 19 yards. Mallory was inducted into the Virginia Union Hall of Fame in 2010.

Other pro football players born on this date with a New England connection include:

Jim Rourke, 64 (1957)
Born in Weymouth; BC High; Boston College
Jim was an offensive tackle in the NFL from 1980 to 1988, primarily with the Chiefs.

Jim Rourke filled in for the Bengals | The Boston Globe

Jim Rourke (1999) – Varsity Club Hall of Fame | Boston College Athletics

A standout at Boston College High School, Jim Rourke continued his distinguished playing career at Boston College. A three-year starter at offensive guard/tackle, he was noted for his incredible blocking techniques. He started every game in his junior and senior seasons and was selected to play in both the Blue-Gray Game and the Senior Bowl. He enjoyed a six-year NFL career, playing six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and one each with the New Orleans Saints and the Cincinnati Bengals.​

Elijah Wilkinson, 26 (1995)
UMass
The 6’6, 329 pound lineman went undrafted in 2017, but has appeared in 45 games with 26 starts for Denver from 2017-20. Wilkinson started the final seven contests of 2018 at right guard for the Broncos, and played in 15 games with 12 starts at right tackle in 2019. Last year he was limited to nine games after fracturing his shin in September.

Elijah Wilkinson – Football | University of Massachusetts Athletics

Elijah Wilkinson Bio | Denver Broncos



Ray Monaco (1918-2002)
Born and raised in Providence; Central High School in Providence; Holy Cross
Ray was an NFL offensive lineman in the mid forties.



Don Deeks (1923-1995)
Boston Yanks
The Oregon native was the 31st overall pick of the 1945 draft. He played left tackle for Boston at Fenway Park from 1945-1947, and later played for the Packers.