Today In Patriots History 2008: Tomlinson sulks on bench as Pats beat Chargers in AFCCG

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
LaDainian Tomlinson pouts on the bench
Brady, Pats overcome three interceptions in 2007 AFCCG
Defense holds Chargers to zero TD in 21-12 win​

Sunday January 20, 2008 at 3:00
2007 AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium
New England Patriots 21, San Diego Chargers 12
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Norv Turner
Quarterbacks: Tom Brady, Philip Rivers
Odds: Patriots favored by 14
Weather: 23°, 17 mph wind, 9° wind chill
Game MVPs: Laurence Maroney and the entire Patriots defense
Pats improve to 18-0; advance to Super Bowl 42 vs Giants
Chargers finish season with a record of 13-6

LaDainian Tomlinson carried on the first two San Diego plays, and did not touch the ball again because he said his knee hurt.
Meanwhile Chargers QB Philip Rivers hung in despite a torn ACL and TE Antonio Gates played with a dislocated toe.​

Key Stats:
Third Down: Patriots 7-13; Chargers 3-12
Laurence Maroney: 4.9 yards per carry; 25 rushes for 122 yards and one TD
Kevin Faulk: 9 touches for 90 yards, including 8 receptions on 8 targets for 82 yards
Wes Welker: 7 receptions on 9 targets, 56 yards, one TD
Ellis Hobbs: Team-high 8 tackles (7 solo) and one interception

The game began slowly, with five short drives ending in a punt for the two offenses. On the first play of the third Patriot possession Quentin Jammer intercepted a deep pass on the right intended for Donté Stallworth. Four plays later San Diego had a first-and-goal at the nine, but the defense stiffened and held the Chargers to a field goal.

On the next possession Tom Brady completed five of six passes, using quick, short routes and screens to neutralize edge pass rushers Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips. The drive included a 14 yard end around from Randy Moss, and Kevin Faulk had three catches for 25 yards. Laurence Maroney's one-yard run gave the Patriots a 7-3 lead early in the second quarter.

San Diego moved the ball quickly on the next possession, with 6'5 Vincent Jackson catching passes of 15, 16 and 21 yards. Again the Patriot red zone defense held their ground, limiting the Chargers to a field goal after another first-and-goal at the nine yard line.

The Patriots were forced to punt again but pinned San Diego down on their own four yard line. Asante Samuel intercepted a pass and Pats took over on the Charger 24 yard line. Brady completed a pair of 12 yards passes, to Kevin Faulk and Jabar Gaffney, and New England led 14-6.

Ellis Hobbs ended the next Charger possession with an interception, but the Patriots went three and out. With 1:46 left in the half the Patriots focused on defending deep passes and the sideline; Darren Sproles ran up the middle twice for 34 yards to put the Chargers in position for their third field goal just before time expired.

The first possession of the second half ended with another pass intended for Stallworth being intercepted. Passes from Philip Rivers to Jackson put the Chargers in the red zone again, but on third-and-one from the four Junior Seau stood up Michael Turner for a loss of two. A fourth field goal by Nate Kaeding made the score 14-12.

Laurence Maroney ran for 18, 11, six and four yards on the next drive to give the Patriots a first and goal - but on third-and-two Brady was picked off again. Rather than go down in the end zone to give San Diego the ball at the 20, Antonio Cromartie attempted to run the ball out, despite being in the middle of the end zone and surrounded by bodies.

As a result, for the second time the Chargers were forced to start a drive from their own four yard line. Five plays later San Diego was forced to punt, and once again the Pats had the ball in good field position. Laurence Maroney's 20 yard run set up a six yard touchdown pass to Wes Welker, and the Pats led 21-12 with 12:16 left to play in the fourth quarter.

San Diego moved into Patriot territory on the ensuing drive, but was again forced to punt - a decision by Norv Turner that many questioned. From there it was all Maroney and Faulk as the Pats held the ball for the final nine minutes and 13 seconds. The Patriots simply kept the San Diego offense on the bench in the second half, with their final three drives going for 65 yards, 67 yards and 65 yards - and consuming a combined 19:10 off the clock. The Chargers had the ball just three times in the second half - a field goal and two punts - for a mere eight minutes and 22 seconds.

Patriots 21, Chargers 12: Nearly perfect

FOXBORO - "Now we can look ahead." Bill Belichick, a coach of few words, said it all with that sentence after his New England Patriots claimed the AFC championship trophy. Looking ahead means only on…

www.metrowestdailynews.com

Despite a shaky Tom Brady, the Patriots were still too much for the banged-up San Diego Chargers, pulling out a 21-12 victory yesterday that sent them back to the NFL title game for the fourth time in seven seasons.​

Brady made several stunningly poor throws that fluttered in the wind, Randy Moss was a non-factor for the second straight game and the highest-scoring team in NFL history sputtered all afternoon. Instead, the Patriots (18-0) relied on Laurence Maroney's spins, cuts and helmet-rattling runs.​

Belichick's team eclipsed the 17-0 mark of the champion 1972 Miami Dolphins, and he'll soon try for his fourth NFL title.​

Brady earned his 100th career victory and advanced without a hint of girlfriend drama - taking notes, Tony Romo? The dimpled Patriots quarterback will bring true glam to Super Bowl: Imagine the paparazzi buzz if Brady is sighted with Gisele Bundchen.​

Touch the Titles: AFC Championship Trophies On Display | The Patriots Hall of Fame

www.patriotshalloffame.com

The Patriots entered the 2007 title game an undefeated 17-0 with the hopes of completing a perfect season. Their high-flying, record-setting offense seemed unstoppable, but it was the defense that would rise and send New England to Super Bowl XLVII as it helped the Patriots overcome three Tom Brady interceptions in a 21-12 Championship Game win. The Chargers took advantage of Brady’s first interception to take a 3-0 lead, but the Patriots answered with a 10-play, 65-yard touchdown drive. It was 7-6 when Asante Samuel intercepted Philip Rivers to set the Patriots up at the San Diego 24. Two plays later, Brady hit Jabar Gaffney for a 12-yard TD. The Chargers added another field goal to make it 14-9 at halftime. Brady was then intercepted again to start the second half, but the defense held firm and forced a field goal to preserve the lead at 14-12. Brady’s third interception came in the Chargers end zone on a third-and-goal-from-the-2 play, but the Patriots defense forced a punt, and with another chance, Brady tossed a 6-yard scoring pass to Wes Welker for a 21-12 lead with 12:15 left – a lead that stood and sent the Patriots to the Super Bowl in Arizona. The defense held Rivers to just 19-of-37 passing with no touchdowns and two interceptions.​

Perfect Patriots beat San Diego 21-12 in AFC Championship Game

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Perfection comes down to one game now. Despite a shaky Tom Brady, the New England Patriots were still too much for the banged-up San Diego Chargers in the AFC championship game Sunday, pulling out a 21-12 victory…

www.nydailynews.com

Tomlinson carried on the first two San Diego plays, and did not touch the ball again because of a bad knee. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers hung in despite a bum knee and star tight end Antonio Gates did his best with a dislocated toe.​

The Chargers (13-6) gave a better performance than early this season, when they were routed 38-14 at New England. They trailed just 14-12 midway in the third quarter this time, but Brady's 6-yard TD pass to Wes Welker was enough for New England.​

Maroney ran for 122 yards to help hold the lead.​

In stark comparison to Lady Tomlinson, Philip Rivers was a warrior, playing this game on a torn ACL.
​

LaDainian Tomlinson: A Great Player, Not a Great Leader - Bleacher Report

Webster's defines a leader as: a person who has commanding authority or influence.​

Watching the Patriots vs. Chargers game on Sunday, I did not observe these crucial qualities in LaDainian Tomlinson.​

I am not going to get into the fact that his injury does not seem serious enough to keep him off the field (although both Rivers, having recently undergone surgery, and Gates performed in that game). If it is safer for him to rest and let his leg heal, so be it.​

However if you are considered to be the best player in the world and are forced to sit out, I would expect a little more than just warming the bench donning a parka and a Darth Vader helmet. The least he could have done was cheeer his teammates on, either limping along the sidelines to pump up his peers, or yelling from the bench if he really could not walk around.​

Let's not forget just who LT is. This is a guy who while being the best player, is also quick to let us know what he thinks of his opponents, especially these "hated" Patriots. He called Patriots classless and has questioned their coach and leader Bill Belichick in terms of his off-field coaching. Before judging others, why doesn't LT himself act like a leader ON THE field?​

They always say you discover a man's true colors during a time of adversity. Well during this time of adversity LT sat on the sidelines sulking.​

Maybe this Chargers team would not talk so much and rather win more if they actually had a true leader. Maybe LaDainian Tomlinson still can learn how to be one, while rehabbing that "injured" leg over the offseason.​

» The Pretend Legend of LaDainian Tomlinson

grantland.com

In Tomlinson’s case, everyone danced around his checkered postseason history (10 games, 468 rushing yards, seven touchdowns, three upset losses to a lower seed) and his blatant hijacking of Lawrence Taylor’s nickname.​

Hypocritical LaDainian Tomlinson calls out Ezekiel Elliott: 'He quit on his team'

Tomlinson should be able to relate.

ftw.usatoday.com

LaDainian Tomlinson is an all-time great running back. Sometimes, great players have bad moments or bad games. One of the lasting images of his career, for instance, is an uninterested Tomlinson sitting alone on the bench injured while wearing his helmet and a large winter coat during the 2008 AFC Championship Game against the Patriots.​

Tomlinson is now an analyst for NFL Network. It’s his job to criticize players, but his criticism of Ezekiel Elliott may have been just a tad hypocritical. The Hall of Famer said Elliott quit on his Cowboys team during a blowout loss in Denver.​

When things weren’t going well for Tomlinson against the Patriots in 2008, he did not attempt to “rally the troops.” He sat on the sideline with his helmet on the entire game. Which is totally fine. We’re not knocking Tomlinson for having a negative reaction to what had to be one of the most heart-breaking moments of his career. Just don’t rip players for having similar moments.​

Worse than the clear hypocrisy, Tomlinson is drawing conclusions based on one clip of a frustrated Elliott on the sideline. We don’t really know if he wasn’t communicating with his teammates. We can go only go off what we saw on the field, and Elliott ran hard the entire game despite not getting much help from his teammates.​

Column: Chargers’ Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates, and Patriots’ Tom Brady, recall 2008 AFC title game cold

Time has a way of blurring the edges of our memories but keeping certain moments and feelings vivid for years.

www.latimes.com

Brady Is Far From Perfect, but the Patriots Still Are (Published 2008)

The Patriots seized control of the A.F.C. championship game with a fourth-quarter touchdown drive to take what has seemed their inevitable spot in Super Bowl XLII.

www.nytimes.com

Perfect Patriots overcame shaky Brady to beat San Diego 21-12 in AFC championship game

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Perfection comes down to one game now. Despite a shaky Tom Brady, the New England Patriots were still too much for the banged-up San Diego Chargers in the AFC championship game …

www.savannahnow.com

Patriots 21, Chargers 12 (Live Blog) - The Fifth Down

Patriots hold Chargers without a touchdown and win 21-12

The Patriots are heading to the Super Bowl with a defense that kept the Chargers out of the end zone. Three times the Chargers moved inside...

www.seattletimes.com

Chargers accuse Pats' Seymour of dirty play

New England Patriots Vince Wilfork and Ty Warren rushed to fellow lineman Richard Seymour's defense on Monday after Nick Hardwick of the Chargers called him “the biggest (expletive) I've ever come ac…

www.enterprisenews.com

Looking back: Hurt of ’07 AFC Championship immense for L.T., Chargers, San Diego

I was lucky enough to be in Canton, Ohio, this past weekend to celebrate LaDainian Tomlinson’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.The Hall of Fame weekend is special. Good friends from what seems like yesterday gather to…

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

Patriots vs. Chargers: Game notes

The temperature at kickoff of today's game was 23 degrees with a wind chill of nine degrees. It is the coldest kickoff temperature for a Patriots game since the 2004 AFC Championship Game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh, when the kickoff temperature was 11 degrees with a wind chill of minus-one degree (Jan. 23, 2005). Today's kickoff temperature marks the coldest Patriots home game since the a 2003 divisional playoff game against Tennessee, when the temperature was four degrees with a wind chill of minus-10 (Jan. 10, 2004). Today's kickoff temperature of 23 degrees ties a Dec. 27, 1992 game against Miami as the seventh-coldest home game in Patriots history. With their victory today, the Patriots improved to 16-1 since 1993 when the kickoff temperature is 30 degrees or less.​

Getty Images - 235 Photos

Remember that Game When Philip Rivers Played on a Torn ACL?
2:26 Highlight Video



2007 Chargers at Patriots AFC Championship Highlights
8:31 Highlight Video



New England Patriots 2007 Season - AFC Championship vs San Diego Chargers
2:17:04 Full Game
​

AFC Championship - San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots - January 20th, 2008 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

San Diego Chargers 12 at New England Patriots 21 on January 20th, 2008 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[Pape]

18-0...

.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Had Rivers and Tomlinson been healthy, they may have made the Pats sweat. The Pats, for some reason, didn't have much urgency that game which was concerning. The Chargers ended up being the Giants MVP injuring Tom's ankle. This was a huge factor the media has ignored to this day.

 

[NFL Mystique]

Patriots won. But they were very beatable that day.

Unfortunately, a sign of things to come.

 

[Pape]

Patriots won. But they were very beatable that day.

Unfortunately, a sign of things to come.

what the **** are you on about?

They weren't "very beatable that day" ... chargers had one drive all day that exceeded 50 yards.

 

[NFL Mystique]

what the **** are you on about?

They weren't "very beatable that day" ... chargers had one drive all day that exceeded 50 yards.

Chargers were in the game despite the injuries.

Their defense was pretty good

 

[Pape]

Chargers were in the game despite the injuries.

Their defense was pretty good

they weren't.

 

[NFL Mystique]

they weren't.

We can agree to disagree

 

[p8ryts]

I was at that game, the Chargers were severely limited by the Rivers injury.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Patriots won. But they were very beatable that day.

Unfortunately, a sign of things to come.

what the **** are you on about?

They weren't "very beatable that day" ... chargers had one drive all day that exceeded 50 yards.

Chargers were in the game despite the injuries.

Their defense was pretty good

I do agree with this. The Chargers DB's were bullying the passing game. Moss got bullied by Cromartie and Welker was held in check by Cason. However, Maroney finally showed up when called upon and had probably his best game of his career.

Rivers had no business playing on a torn ACL and couldn’t step into any of his throws. But the question remains whether Rivers were healthy would've been up to the task as he's shown his entire career to choke big regular season games and playoff games.

 

[Pape]

I do agree with this. The Chargers DB's were bullying the passing game. Moss got bullied by Cromartie and Welker was held in check by Cason. However, Maroney finally showed up when called upon and had probably his best game of his career.

Rivers had no business playing on a torn ACL and couldn’t step into any of his throws. But the question remains whether Rivers were healthy would've been up to the task as he's shown his entire career to choke big regular season games and playoff games.

the game was never in doubt. Not even with two second half ints. The Chargers could not move the ball.

The 16-0 game was much more of a nail biter than the chargers game.

 

[TheRainMaker]

the game was never in doubt. Not even with two second half ints. The Chargers could not move the ball.

The 16-0 game was much more of a nail biter than the chargers game.

I agree the game was never in doubt, mostly because Rivers was throwing on one leg and Tomlinson tapped out. LT mentioned why he did this recently, but I can't remember.

With that said, the Pats offense was a concern.

 

[Pape]

I agree the game was never in doubt, mostly because Rivers was throwing on one leg and Tomlinson tapped out. LT mentioned why he did this recently, but I can't remember.

With that said, the Pats offense was a concern.

It was par for the course vs the chargers...

 

[PF_SU]

I agree the game was never in doubt, mostly because Rivers was throwing on one leg and Tomlinson tapped out. LT mentioned why he did this recently, but I can't remember.

LT said that with him being banged up he deemed that the Chargers had a better chance with a healthy Michael Turner taking the snaps rather than him.

But yes, with the state the Chargers offense was in, the game was never in doubt. The Patriots despite all the Brady INTs went up by 9 early in the 4th quarter and after forcing the Chargers to punt the next drive, ran out the clock with that 9 minute drive.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Brady bests Mahomes in Frozen Shootout
Sony Michel runs for 113 yards; Edelman with 96 yards receiving
Pats dominate time of possession; overcome turnovers to win in OT​

Sunday January 20, 2019 at 6:40
2018 AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium
New England Patriots 37, Kansas City Chiefs 31 in OT
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Andy Reid
Quarterbacks: Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes
Odds: Chiefs favored by 3
Weather: 19°, 14 mph wind, 5° wind chill
Game MVPs: Pats - Tom Brady, Sony Michel, Julian Edelman; KC - Sammy Watkins
Pats improve to 13-5; advance to Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta versus Rams
Chiefs finish season with a record of 13-5


44 points were scored from the start of the fourth quarter on, in what was one of the most exciting games in franchise history. As part of the league's 100th anniversary, this game was ranked as the 36th greatest game in NFL history, dubbed The Frozen Shootout.

NFL Films Highlight Video (16:49):
​

THEY'RE GOING AGAIN

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — By the time the fourth quarter came, the Patriots looked like they were in control. Then all hell broke loose. The Patriots entered the final quarter up 17-7. By the time there…

www.telegram.com

By the time the fourth quarter came, the Patriots looked like they were in control.​

Then all hell broke loose.​

The Patriots entered the final quarter up 17-7. By the time there was 1:57 left on the clock, the lead had changed three times – and not in the Pats favor in this wild AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs. Tom Brady took the field down 28-24 with the seconds ticking away in Sunday’s title game.​

Like he’s done time and time again, Brady orchestrated another fourth-quarter comeback, but this day was different. Rex Burkhead ran in for a 4-yard touchdown to give the Patriots a 31-28 lead with 39 seconds remaining. It took the Chiefs 31 seconds to get a 39-yard game-tying field goal from Harrison Butker.​

The Final Drive (1:01):
​

This Time It Took Overtime but the Patriots Are Back in the Super Bowl Yet Again (Published 2019)

The victory over the Chiefs means Tom Brady and Co. will be playing for the title for the ninth time in the last two decades.

www.nytimes.com

As Tom Brady led the New England Patriots down the field in the crucible of overtime, there was a familiar sense of inevitability, an atmosphere that was both tense and predictable. These were only the latest minutes in a cavalcade of triumphant overtime postseason Patriots moments that stretch from a snowy game in 2002 to the one played in frigid conditions here Sunday night.​

More of Brady’s passes failed than succeeded in the overtime period against the Kansas City Chiefs, but all the ones that mattered most were reliably rifled into the arms of his receivers. As the Patriots neared the Chiefs’ goal line, a winning touchdown and a ninth Patriots Super Bowl appearance this century seemed preordained.​

Once again, Chiefs come up just short in AFC title game

The Patriots spoiled the Chiefs’ opportunity—the closest the team has come in years—to bring the Hunt Trophy back to Kansas City.

www.si.com

The Lamar Hunt Trophy was supposed to finally come back home. It was to be won by Kansas City in their stadium, with their MVP quarterback, in what was unquestionably the biggest home game in team history.​

But this game ended like so many of the postseason contests of the last generation for the Patriots—and for the last two generations for Kansas City.​

That the Chiefs were even in position to make their first Super Bowl in 49 years after four quarters against the Patriots was a feat within itself. New England almost doubled Kansas City in time of possession during regulation, had 12 more first downs than the Chiefs and totaled 161 more yards of total offense. The Kansas City offense was shut out in the first half for this first time this season.​

By the time Patriots’ Matthew Slater called heads on the coin toss for overtime, the Chiefs’ defense had been on the field for 39:07 of the 60 minutes, and had to go back onto the field for three minutes and 50 more seconds. First and second downs weren’t an issue, but third downs went like this: Julian Edelman for 20 yards on third-and-10 from the New England 35. Edelman for 15 yards on third-and-10 from the Kansas City 45. Rob Gronkowski—the same Gronk who has one foot in Hollywood and who hadn’t been targeted more than eight times this season—for 15 yards on his 11th target on the day to get inside the red zone.​

“The defense played great but it’s hard to play 50 minutes of football,” All-Pro guard Mitchell Schwartz said. “And we kind of left them on the field the entire day.”​

Tom Brady does it again, his clutch play beats Chiefs and puts Patriots into Super Bowl LIII

The Patriots won a thriller in the AFC championship game, and will move on to Super Bowl LIII to face the Los Angeles Rams.

www.yahoo.com

Five Ways the Patriots Could Have Lost the AFC Championship Game

But they weren't going to lose, obviously.

slate.com

Chiefs' defense collapses in 37-31 OT loss to Patriots

The Chiefs' defense collapsed in the fourth quarter and overtime as the New England Patriots escaped with a 37-31 victory in the AFC title game.

apnews.com

Chiefs' overtime rule change proposal inspired by Patriots falls flat

The Kansas City Chiefs’ complaints have fallen on deaf ears. The Chiefs’ proposal to change the NFL’s overtime rules so that both teams are guaranteed possession died Wednesday when it didn’t receive enough support to reach a vote, NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent...

www.nbcsports.com

"Epic in Arrowhead" - Full Game Video:
​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Flacco outduels Brady with three TD passes
Ray Lewis, Ravens defense dominates
Baltimore wins 28-13 in 2012 AFCCG​

Sunday January 20, 2013 at 6:40
2012 AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium
Baltimore Ravens 28, New England Patriots 13
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, John Harbaugh
Quarterbacks: Tom Brady, Joe Flacco
Odds: Patriots favored by 7½
Weather: 41°, 18 mph wind, 32° wind chill
Game MVPs: Anquan Boldin, Joe Flacco
Pats finish season with a record of 13-5
Ravens improve to 13-6; advance to Super Bowl 47 vs 49ers in New Orleans


The Patriots led 13-7 at halftime but were unable to score again. Baltimore's first drive of the second half stalled after only one first down, and after a punt New England took possession at their own 9-yard line. The Pats drove to the Raven 36 yard line, but could only pick up two more yards. Rather than attempt a 52 yard field goal on a windy day, the Patriots punted.

Baltimore drove 87 yards on ten plays to take a 14-13 lead. The Pats went 3-and-out, and the Ravens scored again - on another ten play drive, this one finishing on the first play of the fourth quarter.

On the ensuing drive old nemesis Bernard Pollard forced a Stevan Ridley fumble, and Baltimore recovered. Four plays later the Ravens were in the end zone to make the score 28-13. The Patriots responded, advancing to a first down at the Baltimore 25 on a pass to Deion Branch. The Pats were faced with a 4th-and-4 from the 19 yard line and down by 15 with 8:35 to play. A field goal would not help; the Patriots would be down by 12, and therefore still need to score two touchdowns. Brady's pass to Branch fell incomplete, and for all intents and purposes the game was over.

The Patriots were without Rob Gronkowski after he reportedly broke his forearm the previous week against Houston, blocking on an extra point when up by 35 points. The Pats were led offensively by Wes Welker (8 receptions for 117 yards and one touchdown) and Aaron Hernandez (9 receptions for 83 yards). Anquan Boldin had two fourth quarter touchdown receptions for Baltimore. RLKAG led the Ravens defense with 14 tackles.


This would turn out to be the final game for Wes Welker in a Patriot uniform - and little did we know it at the time, but also the last NFL game for Aaron Hernandez.

AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots - January 20th, 2013 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Baltimore Ravens 28 at New England Patriots 13 on January 20th, 2013 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Sugar Bear Hamilton​

Happy 74th birthday to Ray 'Sugar Bear' Hamilton
Born Jan 20, 1951 in Omaha, Nebraska
Patriot NT, 1973-1981; uniform #71
Pats 14th round (342nd overall) selection of the 1973 draft, from Oklahoma
Pats résumé: 9 seasons, 132 games (117 starts), plus 2 playoff games; 53½ sacks, 14 fumble recoveries; Pats All-1970s Team


Ray Hamilton played in 134 NFL games, all for the New England Patriots. He also worked as an assistant defensive line coach with the Pats from 1985 to 1989 for Raymond Berry, and was the defensive line coach for the 1998 and 1989 seasons under Pete Carroll. Sugar Bear was also employed as a defensive line coach with several other NFL teams from 1991 to 2013.

Hamilton is a member of the New England Patriots All-Decade Team of the 1970s, but he is most well known for being on the wrong end of one of the worst calls by a referee in NFL sports history. He was incorrectly flagged by Ben Dreith in a 1976 playoff game at Oakland for roughing the passer on a fourth down incomplete pass. Ken Stabler himself later stated that it was the incorrect call.

The next opponent was Pittsburgh, and at that point the Steelers were dealing with so many injuries they posed no threat in the AFC championship game. That was also a down year for the NFC; there were at least three teams in the AFC that would have beaten any NFC team in the Super Bowl. The winner of the Patriots-Raiders game would be a heavy favorite to become the next champion of the NFL.

​

 

[jmt57]

January 20, 2006:
The Patriots name Josh McDaniels as their offensive coordinator, while retaining the title of quarterbacks coach. He had unofficially filled the role of OC in 2005 after Charlie Weiss departed to become head coach at Notre Dame.

On the same date Matt Caracciolo was promoted to Director of Football Operations, handling the daily logistical travel and training camp operations.

Behind the scenes: Matt Caracciolo

(Each day over the next few weeks, during our pre-training camp vacation, ESPNBoston.com will highlight one behind-the-scenes Patriots employee and their role with the club.

www.espn.com

Happy 59th birthday to Chris Gannon
Born January 20, 1966 in Brandon, Florida
Patriot DE, 1990-1993; uniform #91
Pats 3rd round (73rd overall) selection of the 1989 draft, from SW Louisiana

Chris Gannon did not make the Patriot roster in 1989, and was claimed off waivers by the Chargers. He performed long snapper duties for the first ten games before landing on IR with a knee injury that would require surgery. San Diego assumed nobody would claim him due to the injury, and the Pats re-signed him on April 1, 1990. Gannon played in thirty games with two starts over the next four seasons, as a backup and situational defensive end.

After his playing days ended Gannon went back to the Ragin' Cajuns as an assistant coach from 1995-2000. Since then he has been employed by as a pharmaceutical sales rep by Allergen.




Happy 26th birthday to Keion White
Born January 20, 1999 in Garner, North Carolina
Patriot DE, 2023-present; uniform #99
Pats 2nd round (46th overall) selection of the 2023 draft, from Georgia Tech via Old Dominion




Happy 32nd birthday to DeVante Parker
Born January 20, 1993 in Louisville, Kentucky
Patriot WR, 2022-2023; uniform #1
Acquired in a trade with Miami on April 5, 2022, along with a 2022 fifth-round pick, in exchange for a 2023 third-round pick




Happy 53rd birthday to Alcides Catanho
Born January 20, 1972 in Elizabeth, New Jersey
Patriot LB, 1995; uniform #54
Signed as an undrafted rookie on May 1, 1995

Alcides Catanho began the 1995 season on the practice squad, and was then promoted to the active roster on September 13. He played in twelve games for the Patriots with one fumble recovery to his credit.




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

Chapelle Russell, 28 (1997)
Draft Pick Trades
April 29, 2019: Traded by Seahawks as 2020 7th round pick (241st overall) to Patriots for Jacob Hollister
April 21, 2020: Traded by Patriots as 2020 7th round pick (241st overall) with Rob Gronkowski to Bucs for 2020 4th round pick (117th overall subsequently traded, D.J. Wonnum)

Frank Mattiace, 64 (1961)
Holy Cross
The defensive lineman is one of nine Crusaders to make it to the NFL since 1987.

Tom Rodgers (1923-1992)
Tackle was drafted by the Boston Yanks in 1947, and played in nine games for that team.

 

[Delicate Genius]

Two things that stick out about the 2007 AFCCG:

1. Tomlinson bundled up like a ***** on the bench while Rivers somehow played with a badly injured knee

2. A Chargers fan coming on here after the game and posting a video from outside his house bragging about how warm it was in San Diego in January