Today in Patriots History

[jmt57]

From February 4, 2019:

Ty Law getting measured for his Bust, HOF Ring of Excellence, and Gold Jacket by the Pro Football Hall of Fame

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History:
Shawn Jefferson​

Happy 50th birthday to Shawn Jefferson
Born February 22, 1969 in Jacksonville
Patriot WR, 1996-1999; uniform #84

- Pats vs Miami on MNF, 11/23/98
- Coaches were Pete Carroll and Jimmy Johnson
- Jefferson had 138 yards receiving
- For the tl;dr crowd, advance to the last two minutes of the game:

• Only missed one game with the Patriots
• 63 regular season games with 61 starts
• 178 receptions
• 3,081 yards receiving
• 14 touchdowns
• 17.3 yards per reception
• Led the Pats in receiving yards in'97 and in receiving touchdowns in '99
• Led the NFL with 22.7 yards per catch in 1998
• Played in six playoff games with the Patriots
• Had 24 postseason receptions for 284 yards
• 9 catches for 104 yards in the 1/3/98 playoff game versus Pittsburgh
• Spent 12 seasons in the NFL
• 470 receptions and 7,023 yards receiving still rank in top 200 in NFL history
• At that time was 8th in franchise history with 3,081 yards receiving (18th now)
• At that time was 15th in franchise history with 178 receptions (24th now)
• At that time was 15th in franchise history with 14 TD catches (27th now)
• All accomplished in just four seasons with the Patriots

Happy 79th birthday to Larry "Wild Man" Eisenhauer
Born February 22, 1940 in Hicksville, NY
Patriot RDE, 1961-1969; uniform #72
Pats 6th round (42d overall) selection of the 1961 AFL draft, from Boston College

New England Patriots History, or Why There Are Still Giants Fans in New England - New England Historical Society

They had a defensive tackle named Larry Eisenhauer, nicknamed Wild Man. He psyched himself up before games by bashing lockers, walls or his teammates and once ran onto a football field in Kansas wearing nothing but his helmet and a jock strap. He sent five opposing quarterbacks to the bench for visits with the doctor.​

MUST READ, (aka The Swimming Pool Incident):
The '63 Patriots Had Problems -- and Also a Lot of Fun

• Patriots All-Decade Team of the 1960s
• All-AFL Anniversary Team
• Four-Time All-AFL All-Star (1962, 1963, 1964, 1966)
• Patriots 35th Anniversary Team

1965 Boston Patriots preview - Sports Illustrated (Sept 13, 1965)

Happy 48th birthday to Max Lane
Born February 22, 1971 in Norbone, Missouri
Patriot RT/LG, 1994-2000; uniform #68
Pats 6th round (168th overall) selection of the 1994 draft, from Navy

Played in 100 NFL regular season games plus seven playoff games, all with the Patriots

OL Lane released by Patriots

Max Lane on football and life - The Martha's Vineyard Times




Happy 36th birthday to Antwain Spann
Born February 22, 1983 in Oceanside, California
Patriot safety, 2006-2008; uniform #31 ('06), #28

Appeared in 22 games, including all three 2006-07 playoff games.

12/23/2006: Patriots sign CB Antwain Spann and WR Kelvin Kight from practice squad; Place LB Don Davis on Reserve

Spann, 23, made his NFL debut with the Patriots on Oct. 1, 2006 and has played in five games for New England this season while recording five special teams tackles. The 6-foot, 190-pound cornerback was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent out of Louisiana-Lafayette on April 17, 2005. He first joined the Patriots as a practice squad player on Jan. 2, 2006. He was signed to New England’s active roster on Sept. 30, was released on Nov. 6 and re-joined the practice squad on Nov. 7. He was re-signed to the active roster on Nov. 18 and played in the Patriots’ game at Green Bay on Nov. 19, recording one special teams tackle. He was released from the active roster on Nov. 22 and re-signed to the practice squad on Nov. 24.​

 

[Wheelman]

I can't wait for Today in Patriots history every year now on this date.

 

[archstanton543]

I can't wait for Today in Patriots history every year now on this date.

I was about to post the same thing.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Jerod Mayo​

Happy 33rd birthday to Jerod Mayo
Born Feb 23, 1986 in Hampton, Virginia
Patriot ILB, 2008-2015; uniform #51
Pats 1st round (10th overall) selection of the 2008 draft, from Tennessee

News Blitz 2/17: Jerod Mayo retires

• NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, 2008
• First Team All-Pro, 2010
• Pro Bowl, 2010 and 2012
• Super Bowl XLIX champion
• Led NFL in 2010 with 175 tackles
• Led NFL in 2010 with 114 solo tackles
• 19 passes defensed, 4th most by a LB in Pats history
• 808 career tackles (535 solo) ranks 6th in franchise history
• 8 fumble recoveries, 10th most in Patriot history
• 30 tackles for a loss, 11th in team history
• 28 QB hits, 15th in team history

Happy 35th birthday to Jonathan Wilhite




Happy 25th birthday to Vincent Valentine




Happy 33rd birthday to Bear Pascoe




Happy 68th birthday to Dave McCurry




Happy 29th birthday to Kevin Dorsey




John Stephens, 1996-2009

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Marv Cook​

Happy 53rd birthday to Marv Cook
Born February 24, 1966 in Iowa City
Patriot TE, 1989-1993; uniform #46 ('89-90) and #85 ('91-93)
Pats 3rd round (63rd overall) selection of the 1989 draft, from Iowa

• 1st Team All-Pro, 1991
• Pro Bowl, 1991 and 1992
• Played in every game (80 regular season, 2 postseason) over five years with Patriots.
• Led Pats in touchdowns in 1990 and 1991, and receptions (82) in '91.
• In 1992 Cook and Irving Fryar were the first players to record 50 or more receptions in three consecutive seasons. Cook had 51, 82 and 51 catches during that span.
• Cook's 82 receptions ranked 4th in the NFL in 1991.
• The 82 catches set a franchise record for most in a single season by a TE, shattering the old mark of 66 by Derrick Ramsey in 1984. (Since surpassed by Ben Coates and Rob Gronkowski.)
• Tied a club record (with Don Hasselbeck, 1981) for most yards receiving by a Tight End with 808 in 1991. (Since surpassed by Coates and Gronk.)
• 1,843 receiving yards was 16th most in franchise history in '91 (35th now).
• 210 receptions was tied with Sam Cunningham for 6th most (18th now).
• 11 TD receptions ranked 17th in club history at the time (37th now).

Marv Cook, Financial Advisor, Marsh Cook Investment Group

 

[italian pat patriot]

Cook the best 4 TE we ever had after Gronk Coates and Francis ?

 

[jmt57]

Cook the best 4 TE we ever had after Gronk Coates and Francis ?

Yes, probably #4, when you consider how the game was played then (less pass interference, etc) and the inferior talent he had to work with.

You could make a case for Ben Watson instead, but Cook had Marc Wilson, Hugh Millen, Tommy Hodson, Scott Zolak, Jeff Carlson and others as his QB. Cook's coaches were Rod Rust and **** MacPherson. The GMs were Pat Sullivan, Joe Mendes and Tom Bass. The owners were Victor Kiam and James Orthwein. Watson had TB12, BB, and Kraft.

Cook wasn't that big for a TE (6'4", 234) but he was fearless going after the ball.

 

[jmt57]

Other birthdays today include:

Happy 59th birthday to Dennis Owens
Born Feb 24, 1960 in Clinton, NC
Patriot NT, 1982-1986; uniform #98
Played in 71 regular season and 5 playoff games with the Patriots

Interview with Coach Owens

Dennis Owens, now Midway’s line coach, was once a New England Patriot. From 1982 to 1986, Owens played nose tackle for the Patriots.

Dennis earned the starting NT role in the Patriots’ 1983 training camp. He may have been the team’s biggest surprise in ’82 in that he was the only rookie free agent to make the team.

He played in all 16 games in ’83 with 14 starts. In the ’83 season, he was in on 49 tackles and recorded four QB sacks

Dennis had a big day in the Patriots’ 37-21 win over San Diego (10-16-83) when he was in on five tackles and recorded one QB sack. Dennis nearly single handedly controlled the line of scrimmage and was in on seven tackles on a snow-covered Sullivan Stadium field in Patriots’ 7-0 victory over New Orleans (12-4-83).

In 1984, Dennis Owens started all 16 games at nose tackle. That season, Dennis won the game ball vs. Cincinnati on New England’s 10-14 win. During the ’84 season, he had 12 solo and 43 assisted tackles; was second best on the team in sacks with six and a half for 36 yards.

Dennis played both right DT and NG during his tenure at N.C. State where he was listed as running a 4.8 40-yard dash as a senior.​

Happy 73rd birthday to Art McMahon
Born Feb 24, 1946 in Newark
Patriot safety, 1968-1972; uniform #28
Pats 15th round (385th overall) selection of the 1968 draft, from North Carolina St

• Had three interceptions and two fumble recoveries over 43 games with the Pats
• Later went on to play in the World Football League

Happy 29th birthday to Dwayne Allen
Born Feb 24, 1990 in Fayetteville, NC
Patriot TE, 2017-present; uniform #83

Dwayne Allen | Patriots.com




Happy 67th birthday to Chuck Ramsey
Born Feb 24, 1952 in Rock Hill, SC
Pats 6th round (141st overall) selection of the 1974 draft, from Wake Forest

The punter did not survive training camp cuts, and spent two years in the World Football League. After the WFL closed their doors he returned to the NFL with the Jets from '77 to '84.




Three other pro football players with New England connections:

Jordan Todman turns 29
Born Feb 24, 1990 in Dartmouth MA
Went to Dartmouth HS and UConn; NFL RB, 2011-2017

Tom Hogan (2/24/1895-4/4/1937)
Born and raised in Holyoke MA
NFL lineman in the 20s

Joe Sabasteanski (2/24/1921-7/1/1972)
Born and raised in Portland, Maine
OL/LB from the 40s, played with the Boston Yanks

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Local Gridiron Hero Turns Down Patriots​

Jack Concannon
Born Feb 25, 1943 in Boston
Died Nov 28, 2005 at age 62 in Newton

• Grew up in Dorchester and went to Matignon High School in Cambridge
• Boston College, class of '64
• Pats 1st round (1st overall) selection of the 1964 AFL draft
• Signed instead with Philadelphia, who selected him in the 2nd round (16th overall) of the 1964 NFL draft
• Spent 10 years in the NFL, appearing in 90 games
• Starter for 3 seasons, backup for 7; went 20-24-1 in 45 starts
• Best season was 1970 with the Bears, when he ranked 3rd in pass attempts (385), 5th in completions (194), and 6th in TD passes (16)

Former Letterman Jack Concannon Dies | BC Eagles

Concannon played quarterback for the Eagles from 1961 to 1963 and also played baseball and basketball at BC. He was the 1963 recipient of the Scanlan Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a Boston College football player, as well as the George "Bulger" Lowe Award, presented by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston to the outstanding player in New England. He won the 1962 Eddie O'Melia Memorial Trophy, presented by the Holy Cross Club of Boston to the outstanding player in the annual BC- Holy Cross football game. He was inducted in 1973 to BC's Varsity Club Hall of Fame.​

This article from the Chicago Tribune gives a very good look back at Concannon's life and career: Jack Concannon 1943-2005

Jack Concannon, whom the Bears obtained in a 1967 trade for Mike Ditka, is remembered by former teammates as the fun-loving but frustrated quarterback who embodied the struggles of the last team George Halas coached and the four years of the Jim Dooley-coached teams.

1967: Bears trade Mike Ditka to Eagles for Jack Concannon

The 24-year-old Concannon was Philadelphia’s second-round draft choice out of Boston College in 1964. At 6’3” and 205 pounds, he was known for his flashy running ability as a quarterback in college and showed off the same form in the NFL – at least, on the rare occasions when he played. Backing up veteran QB Norm Snead (along with King Hill) as a rookie, he was given a late-season start against Dallas and passed for two touchdowns while also rushing for 99 yards in just 8 carries. It was enough to make him a fan favorite, but did not guarantee him more playing time.

After mostly sitting on the bench for the next two years, sometimes relieving at quarterback and occasionally returning punts, Concannon got two late-season starts in 1966 (as part of Head Coach Joe Kuharich’s odd three-man starting quarterback rotation), and they were wins. Against the Steelers, he set a club single-game rushing record for a quarterback with 129 yards that lasted until 2010.

Hits & misses: No. 1 NFL draft picks

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
TB12 Ties The Knot​

Tom Brady married Gisele Bündchen on February 26, 2009









On February 26, 1973 Marshall Faulk was born.
Has there ever been anybody in the history of the NFL that is in more dire need of psychiatric therapy due to an utter and complete inability to accept defeat, than this delusional paranoid?

Marshall Faulk Still Feels Cheated By Patriots Winning Super Bowl XXXVI

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Chandler Jones
​

Happy 29th birthday to Chandler Jones
Born February 27, 1990 in Rochester, New York
Patriot DE, 2012-2015; uniform #95
Pats 1st round (21st overall) selection of the 2012 draft, from Syracuse

Chandler Jones played in 55 games with 52 starts over four seasons with the Patriots; he also started nine playoff games. While with New England he had 36 sacks, 134 solo tackles (plus 88 assists), 10 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, nine passes defensed, one interception and a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown. Jones was named to the Pro Bowl in 2015. In Super Bowl 49 he had three tackles, a sack and one tackle for a loss.

The Pats sent Jones to the Cardinals in March of 2016 in exchange for Jonathan Cooper and a second round draft pick. That second was then traded for a third (Joe Thuney) and a fourth (Malcolm Mitchell) round pick. Despite the bizarre shirtless incident in front of the Foxboro police station in the midst of a playoff run, Arizona signed Jones to a 5-year, $82.5 million contract with $53 million guaranteed.

​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
February 28 Birthdays​

Happy Birthday to Ryan Allen, Eric Moore, Tim Goad and Jess Phillips.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Mike Wright​

Happy 37th birthday to Mike Wright
Born March 1, 1982 in Cincinnati
Patriot DE/DT/NT, 2005-2011; uniform #99

The Pats signed Wright as an undrafted rookie free agent from the University of Cincinnati in 2005. Bill Belichick had this to say about him near the end of the 2010 training camp:

"From where he’s started, he’s really had a good career to this point. And he continues to work hard and build on it. Every year, he becomes more dependable, more versatile, a guy who has more experience and uses it. Some guys gain experience and it doesn’t really seem to help. He’s a guy that gains experience and doesn’t repeat a lot of mistakes from previous years or situations."​

Following Belichick's compliments, Mike Reiss added this observation:

Wright's nine starts last year were a career high, and his December performance in Buffalo -- in which he totaled 10 tackles and a sack -- was lauded by Belichick at the time as a performance that was as good as it gets for a player at his position.​

Unfortunately Wright was snakebit with injuries. After playing every game of the '06 season he was placed on IR and missed the playoffs. In '07 Wright played in the first nine games before landing on IR again. He didn't miss any time in '08 or '09, but in 2010 Wright was inactive for the final six games due to a concussion after a scary looking neck/head injury versus the Colts - yet still led the Patriots in sacks that season. Then during a nice week one performance at Miami to start the 2011 season Wright suffered another concussion - and he would never play another down of pro football again.

January 7, 2011: Patriots place DL Mike Wright on IR

March 2, 2011: DL Mike Wright making strides

The status of defensive lineman Mike Wright, who missed the final six regular-season games with a concussion before being placed on injured reserve, was one of the bigger health-related issues with the Patriots in 2010.

Wright sustained the concussion Nov. 21 against the Colts, and the Patriots held a roster spot for him in hopes he could return. But by Jan. 7, the week leading up to the playoff loss to the Jets, the team placed him on season-ending IR.

That has led to questions about Wright's longer-term prognosis, and some of those questions percolated again this week after the Patriots reached agreement on a two-year deal with free-agent defensive end Marcus Stroud.

Wright, according to a source, has made strides in his recovery and has been working out at Gillette Stadium. While some players have left the area over the last few months, Wright has stayed close by, positioning himself to be at his strongest when organized workouts ultimately begin.

Wright, who turned 29 on Tuesday and enters his seventh NFL season, led the Patriots with 5.5 sacks last season. His contract runs through 2012.​

I considered Wright to be a very solid performer who was underrated, perhaps due to his not being drafted. It's really unfortunate that injuries derailed his career, and hopefully he got out of football before suffering severe permanent damage.

October 13, 2011: Losing interior pass rusher Mike Wright a big blow to Patriots

Tough news out of Foxboro today with Mike Wright being put on IR for a second straight season due to lingering effects of a concussion. I’ve been preaching for a while now that Wright was possibly the number one injured Patriot that they most needed back for his interior pass rush skills.

Many Patriots fans are always clamoring for a “pass rusher” thinking only outside linebackers are real pass rushers. The reality is that Mike Wright was arguably the best pass rusher on the Pats, he just did it from the interior of the line.

You can have elite outside pass rushers but if the quarterback is able to step up into the pocket it won’t matter. That push up the middle is vital and there is not a Patriot currently on the roster able to get up field with quickness and power required to do so.​

February 2, 2012: Patriots release OL Rich Ohrnberger and DL Mike Wright

Wright ended up playing in 81 regular season games for the Patriots, with 133 tackles (99 solo). He had 29 quarterback hits, 18 tackles for a loss, 15 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries and two passes defensed. Wright also played in four postseason games with the Patriots.




Happy 68th birthday to Prentice McCray
Born March 1, 1951 in Los Angeles
Patriot strong safety, 1974-1980; uniform #34

In 1976 (the season the Patriots had an NFL championship stolen from them by Ben Dreith), McCray had seven turnovers (two fumble recoveries and five interceptions), and two picks returned for touchdowns. Beginning with week one as a rookie, McCray started 58 consecutive games before being injured.

Over 81 games with the Patriots McCray had 15 interceptions and six fumble recoveries.






Happy 49th birthday to Ray Crittenden
Born March 1, 1971 in DC
Patriot WR/KR, 1993-1994; uniform #81

The Patriots signed Crittenden as an undrafted rookie out of Virginia Tech, where he was a three sport athlete (football, basketball, and soccer) at the college.

Crittenden appeared in every game for the Patriots from '93-'94, including the playoff loss to Bill Belichick's Cleveland Browns. He averaged 15.3 yards per catch on 44 receptions, with four touchdowns. Crittenden also averaged 9.1 yards on 21 punt returns, and 20.0 yards on 47 kickoff returns.

Ray Crittenden is now a concussion research coordinator with UConcussion, the University of Miami Health System Concussion Program. After his professional sports career, Ray completed his Masters in Biomedical Sciences and has been conducting Clinical Research at the University of Miami for 5 years in oncology.

Ray joined our team in May 2013 and is currently studying for medical school.




Happy 29th birthday to Griff Whalen
Born March 1, 1990 in Detroit
Patriot WR, 2016; uniform #14

The Pats signed Whalen on December 8, 2016, less than a week after Rob Gronkowski had been placed on injured reserve. Whalen was released a week later after the Pats claimed WR Michael Floyd off waivers from Arizona.




Happy 25th birthday to Keionta Davis
Born March 1, 1994 in Red Bank, Tennessee
Patriot DE, 2018-present; uniform #58

Keionta Davis - University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Keionta Davis - Patriots.com



Davis an intriguing pass-rush option for the Pats

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Way to go, Ray!

Regards,
Chris

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History​

​

Happy 29th birthday to Malcolm Butler
Born March 2, 1990 in Vicksburg, Mississippi
Patriot CB, 2014-2017; uniform #21

In the aftermath of the 2014 NFL draft the Patriots came to terms with several undrafted prospects. The Pats signed TE Tyler Beck, RB Roy Finch, S Shamiel Gary, LB Cameron Gordon, DB Travis Hawkins, RB Stephen Houston, TE Justin Jones, LB Deontae Skinner, and TE Asa Watson.

It was not until a week later, at the start of the rookie minicamp, that the Patriots signed three more players - considered by most to be nothing more than camp bodies: Maine WR Derrick Johnson, West Texas A&M LB Taylor McCuller, and West Alabama CB Malcolm Butler.

Butler began his career literally at the bottom of the 90-man roster at both his position as well as special teams. He stuck to make the 53-man roster over defensive backs Justin Green, Kanorris Davis, Dax Swanson, Shamiel Gary, Jemea Thomas and Jeremy Deering. Butler earned that roster spot for his special teams play over others such as WRs Greg Orton, Reggie Dunn and Josh Boyce, RBs Roy Finch and Stephen Houston, and TEs Nate Byham, Ben Hartsock, DJ Williams, Justin Jones and Steve Maneri, despite a logjam at cornerback.

In 2011 Butler was at the bottom of the CB depth chart, behind Darrelle Revis, Alfonzo Dennard, Brandon Browner, Logan Ryan and Kyle Arrington. He played in 11 games that season, and was active for every game over the next three years. In his 11 playoff games the Patriots went 9-2. The two losses were the 20-18 2015-16 AFCCG at Denver, and the Super Bowl loss to Philly when he was benched.

Butler finished his Patriot career with 278 tackles (237 solo), 3 tackles for a loss and 3 quarterback hits. In 59 games he had 47 pass deflections, 8 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries.





Happy 61st birthday to Preston Brown
Born March 2, 1958 in Nashville, Tennessee
Patriot WR/KR, 1980-1982; uniform #87 and #81
Pats 6th round (160th overall) selection of the 1980 draft, from Vanderbilt

Brown's stat line with the Patriots:
14 regular season games played, with four starts
28.5 yards per catch on four receptions for 114 yards
17.3 yard average on 9 kickoff returns
4.2 average on 10 punt returns
1 catch for 8 yards in one playoff game
Highlight: a 4th quarter 38-yard touchdown catch from Matt Cavanaugh in 1982 at Cleveland that tied the score 7-7

Former NFL Player Offers A Champion Game Plan For Life

However, Brown has seen his fair share of hardships. He has endured the death of a spouse, after 30 years of marriage, as well as fought and survived cancer, at 40-years-old.

In “A Champion Game Plan for Life,” Brown shares a daily devotional and plan for success, while navigating the vicissitudes of life.​

Happy 56th birthday to Ron Shegog
Born March 2, 1963 in Batesville, Mississippi
Patriot safety, 1987; uniform #42

Shegog played in all three of the replacement player games in '87. He had an interception in the 21-7 victory at Houston. He also played for Denver in the Arena League in '89.




Happy 40th birthday to Ross Tucker
Born March 2, 1979 in Wyomissing, PA
Patriot G, 2009; uniform #69

Tucker was an All-Ivy League offensive lineman at Princeton. He bounced around the NFL for seven seasons, mostly as a backup or on practice squads. He played in 42 NFL games. Tucker was with the Patriots for four weeks in '09; inactive for three, and appearing in one.

Tucker is more well known for his post-NFL career (and bashing the Patriots when the opportunity arises). He can be heard on a morning show on Sirius XM NFL Radio, commentating NFL games nationally on Westwood One Radio stations, and on his football podcasts; he also and writes columns for The Sporting News and Sports Illustrated.

Edit To Add: Tucker may be an Ivy Grad, but he's no Einstein:









Others born today with New England connections include:
Will Beatty: went to UConn before becoming an OT with the Giants and Eagles.

Al Del Greco was born in Providence; kicker played in 248 NFL games, scoring 1,584 points.

Manch Wheeler grew up in Maine; played for the Bills before the AFL-NFL merger.

Louis 'Rabbit' Weller was a wingback for the Boston Redskins in the thirties (and ironically was a Native American). He had the longest play of the 1933 season, a 50-yard touchdown run that gave Boston the lead in a 21-20 victory over the New York Giants.

Stanley Burnham was born in Ipswich, went to Gloucester High School and then Harvard. He was a tailback in the twenties for the Frankford Yellow Jackets.




Some other notable NFL players born today:
QB Ben Roethlisberger
RB Reggie Bush
K Sebastian Janikowski
K Mike Nugent
DL Bill Maas
OT Lee Artoe
LB Michael Brooks
RB Pete Johnson
DT Corey Simon
WR Earnest Gray
RB Tatum Bell
RB/WR/PR Hopalong Cassady
QB John Reaves

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
**** Felt​

No, this is not the latest headline from Robert Kraft's recent issues.

**** Felt was born on this day in 1933, in Lehi, Utah
Patriot CB, 1962-1966; uniform #24

Felt was part of the first great Patriot defense. The 1963 Pats squashed Buffalo 26-8 to win the AFL East in the franchise's first-ever postseason game. He was a two-time AFL All-Star, with 12 career interceptions for the Patriots.

Former Patriots DB and Two-Time AFL All-Star **** Felt Passes Away - Patriots.com

Born March 4, 1933 in Lehi, Utah, Felt, starred at Brigham Young University in the 1950s. After his college career, Felt served in the Air Force and made the All-Service Football Team before playing professionally for seven seasons with the New York Titans and the Boston Patriots in the American Football League (1960-1966). He was an all-star in 1961 and 1962 and helped the Patriots reach the 1963 AFL Championship game against San Diego.​

http://www.talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/1963-Fleer-08-****-Felt-216x300.jpg

​

Former BYU football player and coach **** Felt dies at age 79 - Salt Lake Tribune

Some of legendary BYU football coach LaVell Edwards' best memories in the game came when he was a defensive coach at BYU in the early 1970s and shared an office with fellow assistant **** Felt.

"We had a lot of fun," Edwards said. "**** was not only a great player and great coach, he was also a wonderful person. He was a low-key, soft-spoken guy, and a very patient coach. Had great rapport with his players and fellow coaches. Just a lot of fun to be around."

The former BYU player and coach and professional football all-star died the morning of the BYU-San Jose State football game almost exactly 50 years after he ran for four touchdowns in one quarter against San Jose State (Nov. 8, 1952) to set a BYU record that still stands.

After graduating from Lehi High School, Felt played halfback and defensive back for BYU and was inducted into the BYU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1977 as a player. After serving in the Air Force and making the All-Service Football Team, Felt played professionally for seven years for the New York Titans and Boston Patriots in the American Football League (AFL) and was an all-star in 1961 and '62. He played for Boston in the 1963 AFL championship game, a loss to San Diego.​

BYU football, AFL legend **** Felt made lasting impression - Deseret News

Felt, a star at Lehi High and BYU, once scored four touchdowns in a quarter for the Cougars and went on to play for the New York Titans and Boston Patriots. He then joined LaVell Edwards’ staff as the secondary coach with legends Fred Whittingham, and Dave Kragthorpe.

Felt had a reputation for detail, an innate kindness, a natural generosity. He loved golf and building relationships, especially with his players and coaches.

One of those players, a lanky cornerback from La Crescenta, Calif., became **** Felt’s protégé. He starred in BYU’s secondary before earning four Super Bowl rings with the San Francisco 49ers. Tom Holmoe then coached at Stanford before becoming the head coach at Cal and is now BYU’s athletic director.

“I loved that man,” said Holmoe, standing outside the team bus at San Jose State’s Spartan Stadium late Saturday night.

Holding an umbrella over Holmoe’s head in one hand and a tape recorder in the other, I listened to Holmoe speak of Felt. His face lit up while reciting memories of the man who took him under his wing at a new home away from home, a man who taught him the nuances of the game — little cheats to set up a receiver and quarterback in coverage; how to be a man in a game that is organized carnage.

“He was a real, huge influence on my game,” Holmoe said. “He had a lot of faith in me — he took me aside and taught me the finer things I don’t think I would have gotten anywhere else. He was a pro. He taught me to love football, telling old pro stories about the Titans and Patriots and showing me tricks of the trade, and we watched a lot of film together.”

“I don’t know a player who didn’t love him. We had problems, we had issues, but he resolved them. If you messed up, he’d help you but he never made you feel bad.”​

Happy Birthday also to former Patriots Ryan Wendell and Spencer Larsen

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

**** Felt​

No, this is not the latest headline from Robert Kraft's recent issues.

:snicker:

​

Regards,
Chris

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Roman Phifer​

Happy 51st birthday to Roman Phifer
Born March 5, 1968 in Plattsburgh, New York
Patriot LB, 2001-2004; uniform #95

Phifer was viewed by many as an over the hill guy when he joined the Patriots at the age of 33. He had been a 2nd round (31st overall) pick by the Rams when they were still in LA in '91. After eight seasons with the Rams and two with the Jets before being cut as a salary dump. The Pats signed him on August 3, 2001 for the vet minimum of $520k.

All he did after that was to become an integral part of a defense that won three Super Bowls over the next four seasons.

Roman Phifer Media Day Transcript - Patriots.com

“To come here and have the success we had in 2001 really kind of rejuvenated me and I felt motivated. After losing for so long early in my career to have that success it’s kind of contagious and it motivates you to keep working hard. Here I am going for my second ring. Hopefully it will work out.”

“I really felt like coach Belichick gave me an opportunity after I was released by the Jets to rejuvenate my career. He really gave me an opportunity when there really weren’t too many teams knocking down my door to give me an opportunity to play. I’m thankful for that. I just come to work, try to work hard, do what they ask me to do and try to contribute.”​

In 59 regular season games with the Pats, Phifer had 337 tackles (233 solo), 16 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries, 3 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions and 14 passes defensed.

He is one of 22 players to win three rings with the Pats from 2001-04:
Patriots to Honor Three-Time Super Bowl Champions at Halftime vs Broncos

Phifer has a perfect 9-0 postseason record. In the Snow Game (aka Tuck Rule Game) he had 8 tackles, one tackle for a loss and a pass deflection. Seven of those tackles were on runs that gained a combined 15 yards, or two yards per carry. Only one of those tackles netted a first down (a 1o-yard pass play).

In the 2003 AFCCG Phifer had a 4th quarter sack on Peyton Manning; on the next play Ty Law picked Manning off. That gave the Pats possession and a 14-point lead with just over 8 minutes to play, virtually sealing victory. Phifer also had four passes defensed in that game, with only one pass completed his way - a four-yard completion when the Patriots forced Indy to use up almost of the clock to score what would be a meaningless touchdown.

Since his playing days ended Phifer has stayed worked as an assistant linebackers coach for the Broncos, Director of Player Development at UCLA, and is now an Area Scout for the Detroit Lions.

Roman Phifer - Football Coach - UCLA

Roman Phifer

He Fights for Players After the Final Whistle Blows.





Happy Birthday also to Zeke 'Patriot Missile' Mowatt and Rocky Bleier - who was, alas, actually a member of the Patriots for a short while.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Today in Patriots History
Roman Phifer​

Happy 51st birthday to Roman Phifer
Born March 5, 1968 in Plattsburgh, New York
Patriot LB, 2001-2004; uniform #95

Phifer was viewed by many as an over the hill guy when he joined the Patriots at the age of 33. He had been a 2nd round (31st overall) pick by the Rams when they were still in LA in '91. After eight seasons with the Rams and two with the Jets before being cut as a salary dump. The Pats signed him on August 3, 2001 for the vet minimum of $520k.

All he did after that was to become an integral part of a defense that won three Super Bowls over the next four seasons.

Roman Phifer Media Day Transcript - Patriots.com

“To come here and have the success we had in 2001 really kind of rejuvenated me and I felt motivated. After losing for so long early in my career to have that success it’s kind of contagious and it motivates you to keep working hard. Here I am going for my second ring. Hopefully it will work out.”

“I really felt like coach Belichick gave me an opportunity after I was released by the Jets to rejuvenate my career. He really gave me an opportunity when there really weren’t too many teams knocking down my door to give me an opportunity to play. I’m thankful for that. I just come to work, try to work hard, do what they ask me to do and try to contribute.”​

In 59 regular season games with the Pats, Phifer had 337 tackles (233 solo), 16 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries, 3 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions and 14 passes defensed.

He is one of 22 players to win three rings with the Pats from 2001-04:
Patriots to Honor Three-Time Super Bowl Champions at Halftime vs Broncos

Phifer has a perfect 9-0 postseason record. In the Snow Game (aka Tuck Rule Game) he had 8 tackles, one tackle for a loss and a pass deflection. Seven of those tackles were on runs that gained a combined 15 yards, or two yards per carry. Only one of those tackles netted a first down (a 1o-yard pass play).

In the 2003 AFCCG Phifer had a 4th quarter sack on Peyton Manning; on the next play Ty Law picked Manning off. That gave the Pats possession and a 14-point lead with just over 8 minutes to play, virtually sealing victory. Phifer also had four passes defensed in that game, with only one pass completed his way - a four-yard completion when the Patriots forced Indy to use up almost of the clock to score what would be a meaningless touchdown.

Since his playing days ended Phifer has stayed worked as an assistant linebackers coach for the Broncos, Director of Player Development at UCLA, and is now an Area Scout for the Detroit Lions.

Roman Phifer - Football Coach - UCLA

Roman Phifer

He Fights for Players After the Final Whistle Blows.





Happy Birthday also to Zeke 'Patriot Missile' Mowatt and Rocky Bleier - who was, alas, actually a member of the Patriots for a short while.

Roman is one of my favorite "non stars" ever to wear the uniform.

Zeke....not so much.