Today In Patriots History March 23: Richard Bishop

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Richard Bishop​

In memory of Richard Bishop, who would have turned 75 today
Born March 23, 1950 in Cleveland
Died September 26, 2016 at the age of 66 in Miami
Patriot nose tackle and defensive end, 1976-1981; uniform #64
Signed as a free agent on September 5, 1976
Pats résumé: six seasons, 85 games (51 starts); 32½ sacks, 7 fumble recoveries, safety, blocked FG; 3 sacks in two playoff games; NT on Pats All-1980s Team


After high school Richard Allen Bishop spent two years in junior college before transferring to Louisville, where he played for Lee Corso. He was selected in the fifth round of the 1974 draft by Cincinnati but was a final camp cut, and never played for the Bengals. Bishop spent two seasons in the Canadian Football League with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Ottawa Rough Riders before finally signing with the Patriots as a free agent at the age of 26 in 1976.

Bishop was an impact player as a rookie, helping the Pats make the playoffs for the first time in thirteen years. He played a major role in one of the most famous (or more appropriately, infamous) plays in franchise history. That ’76 team was a juggernaut, finishing the season on a six-game winning streak. The offense averaged 27 points per game and 5.0 yards per carry, while the defense was equally productive, forcing 50 turnovers. The Patriots made the playoffs as an 11-3 wild card team, and met Oakland in the playoffs; the Pats had pummeled the Raiders earlier in the year, 48-17.


The officiating in the game was a travesty. Oakland was permitted to get away with one non-call after another. All world tight end Russ Francis was the primary target for the Raiders. On one play George Atkinson broke Francis’ nose with no flag thrown, and on another key play he was so blatantly held by Phil Villapiano that he could not raise either arm – again with no penalty called.

The non-call led to a long missed field goal with the Patriots up by four with four minutes remaining. Oakland drove but after a Mel Lunsford sack and two incompletions the Raiders were faced with a 3rd-and-18. The defensive play call was for a stunt with Bishop drawing defenders and leaving an open lane for Ray Hamilton. Ken Stabler got the pass off just as he was about to be sacked, but Ben Dreith flagged Hamilton for roughing the passer even though replays showed that was the incorrect call.


Back to Richard Bishop. He was a very solid player for the Pats, appearing in a grand total of 87 games with 52 starts from 1976-81. In the 1978 playoff game against the Oilers he was in on each of the three sacks on Dan Pastorini. Some of his best games were against division rivals. Bishop sacked Richard Todd eight times over his career, and also had a fumble recovery against the Jet quarterback. He also had a safety on Bob Griese in a crucial game against the Dolphins in '78. Bishop received the Jim Lee Hunt Memorial Award for Team's Most Outstanding Lineman, as well as the 1776 Fan Club Unsung Hero Award in 1978.


In 2014 Bishop was one of fifteen players to file a federal lawsuit against the NFL for negligence and purposeful concealment of knowledge that a direct relationship existed between concussions and the development of brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia and ALS. Richard Bishop passed away nine years ago at the age of 66.

‘Roughing the Passer’: The Patriots-Raiders Game You Should Know About

Now that Tom Brady has shown us his throwback resume, let’s flash back to the Patriots-Raiders AFC divisional playoff game that took place on Dec. 18, 1976.

www.boston.com

Patriots defensive end Mel Lunsford – who was drafted by the Raiders in ’72 – sacked Stabler for an eight yard loss and Pats fans were feeling pretty fancy with just 1:24 left to play.​

Stabler misfired on the next two passes and the Raiders were faced with a third and 18 from their own 28 yard line. The Patriots were seemingly poised to pull off a playoff win in enemy territory.​

The Snake then dropped back to pass and Patriots defensive tackle Ray "Sugar Bear" Hamilton came charging in on him. Hamilton got a piece of the ball on a pass intended for former Patriot halfback/kick returner Carl Garrett down at the goal line. Pass incomplete.​

Game. Set. Match.​

Not quite. The most horrible thing happened next. The most backbreaking, heartbreaking call you could imagine.​

Referee Ben Dreith called a highly-questionable roughing-the-passer penalty on Hamilton that gave the Raiders new life. Dreith said Hamilton came down on Stabler with excessive force, which forced him to throw the flag.​

“It goes incomplete on our sideline,” Patriots broadcaster Gil Santos told NFL Network in a look back at the game. “And then we see the flag. And then they call roughing the passer and I look at the replay and I said, ‘You gotta be kidding me.’”​

Hamilton could not believe the call was going to be on the Patriots.​

“I just figured that someone had held one of our guys,” Hamilton told NFL Network. “I just knew that’s what it was. It couldn’t have been anything else. I was totally shocked. It was just a phantom, bogus call.”​

And the Raiders took advantage of it as Stabler snaked into the end zone behind guard Gene Upshaw to score the winning touchdown with 10 seconds remaining to advance by a final score of 24-21.​

“With the Ray Hamilton penalty, we kind of lost our composure and they easily walked down the field,” Patriots Pro Bowl defensive back Mike Haynes would later admit.​

Penalties were a factor all game, with the Raiders getting flagged 11 times for 93 yards, while the Patriots had 10 penalties for 83 yards. But the only call that mattered in the end was the roughing the passer infraction that cost them a chance to live another week.​

“I seldom have walked away from a game with a feeling of anger and bitterness to equal the sensation that overcame me following the events of Dec. 18, 1976, when the New England Patriots had a playoff game stolen from them by the Oakland Raiders and by an officiating crew for whom there should be reserved a special place in athletic Hades…,” the Globe’s Bob Ryan wrote in 2002. “My conclusion was that the Patriots wuz robbed. I had seen a great injustice, and it bothered me. Worse yet, those damnable Al Davis Raiders went on to win that Super Bowl.”​

The Globe’s Will McDonough caught up with Stabler in 2002 and The Snake admitted the call was lousy.​

"That should have never been a penalty," Stabler told McDonough. "I got hit a lot worse than that in my career and it was never called. Hamilton just went for the ball and landed on me. That's all that happened."​

Patriots 1981 Media Guide - page 21

Retired NFL players accuse league officials of concealing long term effects of concussions

Officials with the National Football League have been aware of the long-term degenerative

pennrecord.com

Former Patriots DT Richard Bishop passes away

Richard Bishop Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Richard Bishop Career game log for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Sammy Morris​

Happy 48th birthday to Sammy Morris
Born March 23, 1977 in Oxford, UK; grew up in San Antonio
Patriot running back, 2007-2010; uniform #34
Signed as a veteran free agent on March 3, 2007
Pats résumé: 4 seasons, 47 games (14 starts); 1,486 yards rushing, 12 TD, 4.45 ypa; 49 catches for 453 yards (9.2 ypr); 7 kickoff returns


Sammy Morris III joined the Patriots in 2007 at age 30 after four years in Buffalo and three in Miami. The running back teamed with Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk in the Pats backfield but appeared in only six games, landing on IR with a chest injury. The following year he led the Pats in rushing yardage (727 yards) and rushing touchdowns (7), averaging a healthy 4.7 yards per carry. In 2009 Maroney received the most action and Morris’ playing time dwindled as he had only 92 touches, gaining 499 yards from scrimmage. The following season he saw the field even less with the additions of BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead. Although he appeared in all 16 games Morris at 33 years of age had noticeably slowed down, and he had just 20 carries in his final year with the Patriots.

In the first game of the 2008 season Morris' assignment was to protect Tom Brady in pass protection. Morris was successful, knocking a pass rusher to all fours on the ground. Unfortunately the opponent - Bernard Pollard - decided that rather than getting back up, he would just get part way up, and dive at Brady's knees. Morris took a lot of heat at the time for not doing his job, but in retrospect that was not the case, in my opinion. Pollard had been knocked down by Morris - and then he took a dangerous cheap shot at the quarterback.


Sammy Morris finished with 1,486 career rushing yards for the Patriots, which ranks 22nd in team history. Morris also ran for 12 touchdowns, which ranks 17th in New England history at the time (25th now). Over his 12-year NFL career he totaled 4,311 yards from scrimmage and 27 touchdowns.

Since hanging up his cleats he has worked as a comedy writer; on the coaching staff at Attleboro High School as the Special Teams Coordinator and Running Backs Coach; Strength and Conditiong Coach for the Patriots; Running Back and Special Teams Coach at Dean College; and since 2021 as Assistant Director of Player Support Development at his alma mater, Texas Tech.




Sept 17, 2007:
Under the Helmet: Sammy Morris -- Patriots.com

Oct 3, 2007:
Morris nominated for FedEx Ground Player of the Week

Sept 3, 2011:

Pats release Sammy Morris

Patriots coach Bill Belichick had to make what was likely a very difficult phone call today. He informed Sammy Morris of his release. The news on Morris comes from his agent Mark Slough, who tweete…

www.bostonherald.com

May 13, 2013:

Former Patriot Joins Bombardier Coaching Staff

Sammy Morris will be on the staff with Attleboro High School's new head coach Michael Strachan.

patch.com

Sammy Morris – Eagle's Eye

Posts about Sammy Morris written by abeeahs

ahseagleseye.wordpress.com

June 26, 2018:

Former New England Patriots RB Sammy Morris hired as assistant coach at Dean College

Former New England Patriots running back Sammy Morris has been hired as an assistant coach at Dean College, the school announced Tuesday.

www.masslive.com

2024:

Sammy Morris - Assistant Director for Player Support Development - Football Support Staff - Texas Tech Red Raiders

Texas Tech great and NFL veteran Sammy Morris enters his fourth season on the Red Raider football staff as the Director of Player Support Development and NFL...

texastech.com

Sammy Morris Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Checkout the latest stats for Sammy Morris. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, college, draft, and more on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Sammy Morris 2008 Highlights
1:02 Highlight Video




Sept 13, 2012:
Portrait STUdio: Ray Jackson Book Cover
2:45 comedy skit with Sammy Morris




Jan 22, 2025:
Sammy Morris Talks Playing Days With Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel
52:28 interview

 

[Pape]

Today in Patriots History
Richard Bishop​

In memory of Richard Bishop, who would have turned 75 today
Born March 23, 1950 in Cleveland
Died September 26, 2016 at the age of 66 in Miami
Patriot nose tackle and defensive end, 1976-1981; uniform #64
Signed as a free agent on September 5, 1976
Pats résumé: six seasons, 85 games (51 starts); 32½ sacks, 7 fumble recoveries, safety, blocked FG; 3 sacks in two playoff games; NT on Pats All-1980s Team


After high school Richard Allen Bishop spent two years in junior college before transferring to Louisville, where he played for Lee Corso. He was selected in the fifth round of the 1974 draft by Cincinnati but was a final camp cut, and never played for the Bengals. Bishop spent two seasons in the Canadian Football League with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Ottawa Rough Riders before finally signing with the Patriots as a free agent at the age of 26 in 1976.

Bishop was an impact player as a rookie, helping the Pats make the playoffs for the first time in thirteen years. He played a major role in one of the most famous (or more appropriately, infamous) plays in franchise history. That ’76 team was a juggernaut, finishing the season on a six-game winning streak. The offense averaged 27 points per game and 5.0 yards per carry, while the defense was equally productive, forcing 50 turnovers. The Patriots made the playoffs as an 11-3 wild card team, and met Oakland in the playoffs; the Pats had pummeled the Raiders earlier in the year, 48-17.


The officiating in the game was a travesty. Oakland was permitted to get away with one non-call after another. All world tight end Russ Francis was the primary target for the Raiders. On one play George Atkinson broke Francis’ nose with no flag thrown, and on another key play he was so blatantly held by Phil Villapiano that he could not raise either arm – again with no penalty called.

The non-call led to a long missed field goal with the Patriots up by four with four minutes remaining. Oakland drove but after a Mel Lunsford sack and two incompletions the Raiders were faced with a 3rd-and-18. The defensive play call was for a stunt with Bishop drawing defenders and leaving an open lane for Ray Hamilton. Ken Stabler got the pass off just as he was about to be sacked, but Ben Dreith flagged Hamilton for roughing the passer even though replays showed that was the incorrect call.


Back to Richard Bishop. He was a very solid player for the Pats, appearing in a grand total of 87 games with 52 starts from 1976-81. In the 1978 playoff game against the Oilers he was in on each of the three sacks on Dan Pastorini. Some of his best games were against division rivals. Bishop sacked Richard Todd eight times over his career, and also had a fumble recovery against the Jet quarterback. He also had a safety on Bob Griese in a crucial game against the Dolphins in '78. Bishop received the Jim Lee Hunt Memorial Award for Team's Most Outstanding Lineman, as well as the 1776 Fan Club Unsung Hero Award in 1978.


In 2014 Bishop was one of fifteen players to file a federal lawsuit against the NFL for negligence and purposeful concealment of knowledge that a direct relationship existed between concussions and the development of brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia and ALS. Richard Bishop passed away nine years ago at the age of 66.

‘Roughing the Passer’: The Patriots-Raiders Game You Should Know About

Now that Tom Brady has shown us his throwback resume, let’s flash back to the Patriots-Raiders AFC divisional playoff game that took place on Dec. 18, 1976.

www.boston.com

Patriots 1981 Media Guide - page 21

Retired NFL players accuse league officials of concealing long term effects of concussions

Officials with the National Football League have been aware of the long-term degenerative

pennrecord.com

Former Patriots DT Richard Bishop passes away

Richard Bishop Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Richard Bishop Career game log for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Was always one of my favorites as a kid... probably because i had his football card, and no other real reason...

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Abe Cohen​

In memory of Abe Cohen, who would have turned 92 today
Born March 23, 1933 in Plymouth, Pennsylvania
Died March 8, 2001 at the age of 67 in California
Patriot guard/linebacker, 1960; uniform #62
Signed as a free agent on June 11, 1960
Pats résumé: one season, 14 games (2 starts); an original Boston Patriot


Abraham Cohen attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, competing on the Mocs’ football and wrestling teams. In 1954 he won his conference’s weight class as a wrestler. A year later Cohen was drafted late (26th round, 306th overall) by the New York Giants, but never played for them. After two years of military service Cohen spent two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League.

In 1960 Cohen joined the fledgling American Football League with the Boston Patriots under head coach Lou Saban. Though not a starter Cohen appeared in all 14 games for the Pats that year, backing up Charley Leo and Jack Davis at guard. He remained in the area, coaching and playing for the Boston Sweepers in the Atlantic Coast Football League from 1961-1964. Cohen was inducted in to the UT-Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame in 1990 and to his native Luzerne County (PA) Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.

Cohen predated Stephen Neal as a college wrestling champion/pro football guard.

2013 Chattanooga Football Media Guide

Complete information on the 2013 University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs Football Team.

issuu.com

Abe Cohen (1990) - Hall of Fame - University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Athletics

Abe Cohen, Class: 1955 Induction: 1990 Sport(s): Football - Abe Cohen was an All-American center and linebacker for the Mocs football team from 1952-55. He helped

gomocs.com

Abe Cohen was an All-American center and linebacker for the Mocs football team from 1952-55. He helped Chattanooga to winning seasons in three of his four years.

Cohen was an Honorable Mention Little All-American in 1955. He was also the team MVP on that squad that finished with a 5-4-1 record.

Cohen was a three-time Southeastern Intercollegiate Athletic Association wrestling champion. He won at 191 pounds in 1954 and heavyweight in 1955 and 1956.

Bolling Air Base Wins 1957 Shrimp Bowl
Bolling Air Base Wins 1957 Shrimp Bowl
The Bolling Air Force Base Generals won their second shrimp bowl and the service football championship by defeating the San Diego Marines at Galveston, Texas, 28-7.


Jews In Sports – Abe Cohen
On September 9, 1960, Cohen played for the Boston Patriots in the first game of the American Football League. The Patriots lost to the Denver Broncos, 31-24.

In the mid-1950s, Cohen played for the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Moccasins (now known as the Mocs). In 1955, he was selected in the 26th round (308th overall) by the New York Giants in the NFL Draft, but never played for the franchise.

In 1957, Abe appeared with Fort Hood in the Shrimp Bowl and then played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League in 1958 and 1959. The following year, Cohen moved to the newly-formed American Football League signing with the Boston Patriots. Abe played in all 14 regular season games with Boston, who had a record of 5-9 and did not make the playoffs.

Abe Cohen

Sunday, March 11, 2001 Page: 7A Abe Cohen March 8, 2001 be Cohen, formerly of Plymouth, died Thursday in California. Born in Plymouth, he was the son of the late Jacob and Sarah Cohen. He was a graduate of Plymouth High School and the University of Chattanooga/Tennessee...

www.timesleader.com

He played professional football for the Boston Patriots and played in the Canadian Football League. He was also a football player and coach while serving in the U.S. Army.

Abe Cohen | Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame — John Louis Popple Chapter

In two sports, football and wrestling, Abe Cohen has made a mark in Wyoming Valley and in national and international circles. As recently as in 1990, the Plymouth High School graduate was named to the Football Hall of Fame at the University of Tennessee/Chattanooga. In...

www.luzernecountysportshalloffame.com

In two sports, football and wrestling, Abe Cohen has made a mark in Wyoming Valley and in national and international circles. As recently as in 1990, the Plymouth High School graduate was named to the Football Hall of Fame at the University of Tennessee/Chattanooga.

In 1960, Abe Cohen qualified for the U.S. Olympics in wrestling in Rome, but went to play for the new AFL team in Boston as a guard.

Some other highlights of Abe’s career include:
- All-Scholastic and Player of the Year at Plymouth High School in 1950-51, the year the team won the Wyoming Valley Conference football championship.
- Southeast Conference (SEC) champ in wrestling, heavyweight, in 1954-55.
- Drafted in 1954 by the New York Giants.
- Heavyweight champion two years in Armed Services Wrestling.

Abe Cohen’s sports career began at Plymouth High School in 1947 when he signed up for freshman football. During his high school career, he participated in football, wrestling, and track. In varsity football, he played running back. He wrestled at 165 pounds. In track, he excelled at pole vault, discus, and long jump.

The first of many awards Abe received was a second place in the Rogers YMCA wrestling tournament. He went on during his high school career to be district champion in wrestling, second place in pole vault, and a member of the Wyoming Valley Conference championship team.

As he reached college age, Abe was heavily recruited by major colleges in the south, east, and midwest—among them Alabama, Navy, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Penn, Temple, Kentucky, Miami, Georgia, Rutgers, and Yale. He chose the University of Alabama and transferred to the University of Tennessee/Chattanooga after completion of his freshman year.

At the University of Tennessee/Chattanooga, he played end and linebacker in football and wrestled at 191 pounds. In wrestling he took second place in the SEC championship in 1952, first place—at heavyweight—in 1953-54, and first place in 1954-55.

In the NCAA wrestling tournament at Cornell, Abe lost to Peter Blair of Navy, who went on to win the NCAA championship and Olympic wrestling medal in Tokyo. During the 1954-55 season, Abe was drafted by the New York Giants. And in his last year at Chattanooga, he played in the Senior Christian Bowl, was selected to the Little All-America Team, a member of the 3rd team All America, and heavyweight champion in SEC wrestling.

He graduated from the University of Tennessee/Chattanooga with a bachelor of science degree in education. After graduation in 1956, Abe attended the New York Giants football camp and was drafted into the U.S. Army. As a player-coach at Fort Hood, Texas, his team won the Army championship, and went on to play Bolling Air Force Base at Galveston, Texas, in the “Shrimp Bowl.” He was also heavyweight champion two years in Armed Forces Wrestling. He completed his Anny athletic career as player-coach for football in Frankfurt, Germany, 3rd Anny Division.

After service, Abe played as guard-linebacker in 1959 in Canadian Football for the Hamilton Tiger Cats. In 1960, he qualified for the U.S. Olympics for wrestling in Rome but went to play for the new AFL in Boston as guard. He was player-coach of the Boston Sweepers in the semi-pro Continental League from 1961 to 1964.

On the home front, Abe has one son, Brad, a teacher and assistant hockey coach in Faribault, Minnesota, and a daughter, Gayle, a travel agent in San Jose, California. Abe is the son of the late Jacob and Sarah Cohen. From 1966 to 1974, Abe Cohen taught and coached in California, specializing in—most appropriately—football and wrestling. And in 1990, he was inducted into the University of Tennessee/Chattanooga football Hall of Fame.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Mark Buben​

Happy 68th birthday to Mark Buben
Born March 23, 1957; from either Methuen and/or Auburn Mass.
Patriot defensive end, 1979-1981; uniform #63
Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent from Tufts on May 21, 1979
Pats résumé: 3 seasons (one on IR), 32 games (4 starts); two fumble recoveries, one interception


After an outstanding collegiate career at Tufts, the Methuen or Auburn native (depending on what website you trust) remained local and joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 1979. He made the roster his rookie season as a backup defensive end and special teams player, appearing in all sixteen games. After spending all of 1980 on Injured Reserve Buben again appeared in all 16 games, this time with four starts. His 49 yard interception return was a key play in New England’s week 5 victory over the Chiefs, one of the few bright spots of that disappointing season for the Patriots.

Buben signed with the Browns in 1982 and then played in the USFL for four years. He still holds school records at Tufts for sacks in a single season and career.


Other than his 49 yard pick, Mark Buben has another claim to fame - or infamy - in Patriots history. In 1981 he made the roster over a 1980 third round draft pick by the name of Steve McMichael. "Mongo" then signed with Chicago and went on to have a 15-year NFL career, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024. Buben's NFL career was quite a bit shorter: 35 games, with four starts.


A couple of side notes:
- Wikipedia claims that Buben died in 2022. That is not correct - because, believe it or not, there is more than one person in the USA named Mark Buben.
- If the calendar in my brain is correct, Buben went to Tufts just about the same time that PatsWickedPissah did.
- Mark Buben is also the only person from Tufts to play in the National Football League in the last fifty years.


1981 Patriots Media Guide -- Page 22
Persistent ankle trouble finally felled Mark for the 1980 campaign as he was placed on injured reserve for the year during training camp (8-26) . . . Defensive Coordinator Fritz Schumur tutored Mark in his rookie campaign as a pro and said "he's an intense young competitor whose outstanding hustle and competitiveness earned him a spot on the roster" . . . played in all 16 games as a reserve DL and on special teams . . . was credited with 7½ tackles in the defensive cause.

A local hero, Mark played his college ball at nearby Tufts University, a Division III school in Medford . . . MVP as a senior and Kodak Division III All-America selection . . . also college division winner of the prestigious New England football award, the Golden Helmet Award . . . in his final year as a collegian, had 12 QB sacks, 90 unassisted tackles and ten blocked passes in nine games . . . father is an Orthodox Minister . . . didn't play football until senior year in high school.

Dec 24, 1978:

All‐East Football (Published 1978)

www.nytimes.com

A few players I recognized alongside Buben include WR David Shula, QB Chuck Fusina, K Matt Bahr, DE Jim Haslett, DE Hugh Green and DT Matt Millen.


Oct 4, 1981:

The victory came four weeks later than expected, but... - UPI Archives

The victory came four weeks later than expected, but not a moment too soon for the struggling New England Patriots....

www.upi.com

Cavanaugh gave New England a 14-7 lead 8:12 into the second quarter on an 8-yard bootleg around right end. The Patriots had taken over on the Chiefs' 17 after linebacker Don Blackmon had hit Kenney on a pass attempt and defensive end Mark Buben picked up the ball in mid-air and ran 49 yards. Four plays later, on a 4th-and-1, Cavanaugh surprised the Chiefs with his bootleg for the score.

Tufts University Jumbos Football Program Records

Tufts University Jumbos Football Program Records

gotuftsjumbos.com

Tufts University Jumbos Football Program Records
Sacks:
Season
12, Mark Buben, 1977, 1978
Career
31, Mark Buben, 1975-78

Tufts Journal: Features: Gridiron history

Jumbos to play 1,000th game on October 14

tuftsjournal.tufts.edu

Though most Tufts football players go on to successful professional careers outside of the sport, nine Jumbos have roamed the fields of the National Football League. Most notably, defensive lineman Mark Buben, A79, played for the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns for three seasons. Peter Watson played at tight end for the Bengals in 1972 and went on to a successful career in the Canadian Football League.


Pro Football Archives -- Mark Buben

Mark Buben Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Mark Buben Career game log for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Jason Staurovsky​

Happy 62nd birthday to Jason Staurovsky
Born March 23, 1963 in Tulsa
Patriot kicker, 1988-1991; uniform #4
Signed as a veteran free agent on April 19, 1988
Pats résumé: four seasons, 40 games, 207 points; 57-59 on extra points (96.6%); 50-69 on field goals (72.5%), with a long of 53


Staurovsky’s path to becoming a kicker was unique. At the University of Tulsa he went from team manager to kicker, and he eventually set a school record with 53 field goals. Like many kickers he was not drafted and had tryouts with multiple teams. In 1987 he was signed for two games with the Cardinals as a replacement player, and a year later he was in Boston to try out for the New England Steamrollers of the Arena Football League. While there he asked for, and received a workout for the Patriots. The Pats had drafted Teddy Garcia in the fourth round but up to that point he had been awful. Raymond Berry liked what he saw – Staurovsky made 22 of his 23 attempts – but was not yet ready to pull the plug. Soon after Berry could not take any more of Garcia (he finished the season making just six out of 13 field goal attempts) and signed Staurovsky.

Greg Davis replaced Staurovsky as the kicker in 1989, but when he came down with food poisoning Staurovsky was re-signed for the last half of the season, making 14 of 17 kicks. In 1990 he finally remained on the roster for the full season – remaining upbeat despite what was happening around him – and was the sole kicker in training camp in 1991. Late in the season he pulled his quad muscle and was placed on IR. New England signed Charlie Baumann and stuck with him the following year, and Staurovsky’s career with the Pats was over. In 40 games with the Patriots he kicked 50 field goals, which at that time was fourth most in team history. A 1990 53-yard field goal in week 5 versus Seattle was the longest in franchise history at the time; that record stood for twelve years before Adam Vinatieri booted a 57-yarder in 2002.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Scott Lockwood​

Happy 57th birthday to Scott Lockwood
Born March 23, 1968 in Los Angeles; raised in Boulder, Colorado
Patriot running back, 1992-1993; uniform #40
New England's 8th round (204th overall) selection of the 1992 draft, from Southern Cal
Pats résumé: two seasons, six games; 35 rushes for 162 yards (4.6 ypc); 21.2 yard average on 11 kickoff returns


The running back was an 8th round pick (204th overall) in 1992, which was **** MacPherson’s final year as head coach. He was mostly used on special teams, but did have 35 rushes for 162 yards (4.6 yards per carry). He appeared in two games for Bill Parcells in ’93 and also spent time in NFL Europe.

For more on Lockwood, including his days at USC and his post-football career, check out this article.
As is often the case with bottom of the roster players Lockwood bounced around quite a bit.

USC Trojans Football, Basketball & Recruiting

The latest USC Trojans news, recruiting, transfers, and NIL information from on3.com

usc.rivals.com

“Drafted by New England in the eighth round (when they had eight rounds) after the 1991 season,” Lockwood answers, “then traded to Detroit, then they waived me, picked up again by New England, then moved on to Seattle before being injured and going on IR,” Lockwood says.​

Wow, lots of back and forth over your career?​

“That was the first eight weeks,” Lockwood says with a laugh. Yes, his NFL career was an interesting, and something of a whirlwind time for the 196-pound running back and special teams guy who could fly. His best times were a 10.54 100 meters and a 4.34 in the 40.​

“We could all run on those USC teams.”​

Lockwood's NFL career had him returning kicks and serving as the special teams wedge-buster for the Patriots for a time but his final year in the game, with the Scottish Claymores in NFL Europe that featured bad hotels and even worse food, convinced him that rather than go back to Atlanta to rehab after the season, he'd head home to Boulder.​

A communications major at USC, Lockwood has always been involved in sales, whether it was a restaurant, real estate or now as the national franchise director for Camp Bow Wow, a Colorado-based string of 115 full-service doggy day-care, boarding and grooming operations that has four locations in Southern California -- Agoura Hills, San Clemente, Temecula and Anaheim.​

But it's what he added to his plate three months ago that brings him back to his football roots. "It's the best of both worlds," he says of his new job of spreading the word nationally about the protective Guardian Cap concept for practice head protection to high schools, colleges, the NFL, and even or maybe most importantly, pee wee football.​

Developed by an Atlanta-based company that has worked mainly in plastics for the military, Boeing, Oakley and even for the latest Titleist golf ball, the Guardian helmet cover is a lightweight (less than five ounces), waterproof, one-size-fits-all stretchable protective cap that pulls on over a player's helmet, protects the expensive helmets from scuffing, keeps heads cool in the heat and warm in the cold and retails for $69.95 ($59.95 team price) and cuts down the impact of blows to the head by as much as 35 percent.​

"It's strange that no one out there, a Nike or someone like that, had ever come up with this," he says of the concept of using an impact-deadening gel in 20 cells over the helmet for practice.​

"It's like the way linemen now wear those knee braces or getting your ankles taped every day for practice," says Lockwood, who remembers USC Coach Larry Smith coming by at the start of practice and making players roll down their socks to show they'd gotten their ankles taped. "It's like wearing a mouthpiece."​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
More March 23 Trivia​

March 23, 1970:
One day after the town of Foxboro had informally approved a proposition for land to be used to build the Patriots a stadium, the Boston City Council voted 7-2 to defeat a proposal to build a stadium near Neponset Circle in Dorchester off the Southeast Expressway, at what was then the Neponset Drive-In. The politicians in Boston had feared voter backlash for killing the deal should the Patriots leave the area, but felt they were off the hook once Foxboro made their offer.

 

[Pape]

Today in Patriots History
Mark Buben​

Happy 68th birthday to Mark Buben
Born March 23, 1957; from either Methuen and/or Auburn Mass.
Patriot defensive end, 1979-1981; uniform #63
Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent from Tufts on May 21, 1979
Pats résumé: 3 seasons (one on IR), 32 games (4 starts); two fumble recoveries, one interception


After an outstanding collegiate career at Tufts, the Methuen or Auburn native (depending on what website you trust) remained local and joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 1979. He made the roster his rookie season as a backup defensive end and special teams player, appearing in all sixteen games. After spending all of 1980 on Injured Reserve Buben again appeared in all 16 games, this time with four starts. His 49 yard interception return was a key play in New England’s week 5 victory over the Chiefs, one of the few bright spots of that disappointing season for the Patriots.

Buben signed with the Browns in 1982 and then played in the USFL for four years. He still holds school records at Tufts for sacks in a single season and career.


Other than his 49 yard pick, Mark Buben has another claim to fame - or infamy - in Patriots history. In 1981 he made the roster over a 1980 third round draft pick by the name of Steve McMichael. "Mongo" then signed with Chicago and went on to have a 15-year NFL career, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024. Buben's NFL career was quite a bit shorter: 35 games, with four starts.


A couple of side notes:
- Wikipedia claims that Buben died in 2022. That is not correct - because, believe it or not, there is more than one person in the USA named Mark Buben.
- If the calendar in my brain is correct, Buben went to Tufts just about the same time that PatsWickedPissah did.
- Mark Buben is also the only person from Tufts to play in the National Football League in the last fifty years.


1981 Patriots Media Guide -- Page 22
Persistent ankle trouble finally felled Mark for the 1980 campaign as he was placed on injured reserve for the year during training camp (8-26) . . . Defensive Coordinator Fritz Schumur tutored Mark in his rookie campaign as a pro and said "he's an intense young competitor whose outstanding hustle and competitiveness earned him a spot on the roster" . . . played in all 16 games as a reserve DL and on special teams . . . was credited with 7½ tackles in the defensive cause.

A local hero, Mark played his college ball at nearby Tufts University, a Division III school in Medford . . . MVP as a senior and Kodak Division III All-America selection . . . also college division winner of the prestigious New England football award, the Golden Helmet Award . . . in his final year as a collegian, had 12 QB sacks, 90 unassisted tackles and ten blocked passes in nine games . . . father is an Orthodox Minister . . . didn't play football until senior year in high school.

Dec 24, 1978:

All‐East Football (Published 1978)

www.nytimes.com

A few players I recognized alongside Buben include WR David Shula, QB Chuck Fusina, K Matt Bahr, DE Jim Haslett, DE Hugh Green and DT Matt Millen.


Oct 4, 1981:

The victory came four weeks later than expected, but... - UPI Archives

The victory came four weeks later than expected, but not a moment too soon for the struggling New England Patriots....

www.upi.com

Cavanaugh gave New England a 14-7 lead 8:12 into the second quarter on an 8-yard bootleg around right end. The Patriots had taken over on the Chiefs' 17 after linebacker Don Blackmon had hit Kenney on a pass attempt and defensive end Mark Buben picked up the ball in mid-air and ran 49 yards. Four plays later, on a 4th-and-1, Cavanaugh surprised the Chiefs with his bootleg for the score.

Tufts University Jumbos Football Program Records

Tufts University Jumbos Football Program Records

gotuftsjumbos.com

Tufts University Jumbos Football Program Records
Sacks:
Season
12, Mark Buben, 1977, 1978
Career
31, Mark Buben, 1975-78

Tufts Journal: Features: Gridiron history

Jumbos to play 1,000th game on October 14

tuftsjournal.tufts.edu

Though most Tufts football players go on to successful professional careers outside of the sport, nine Jumbos have roamed the fields of the National Football League. Most notably, defensive lineman Mark Buben, A79, played for the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns for three seasons. Peter Watson played at tight end for the Bengals in 1972 and went on to a successful career in the Canadian Football League.


Pro Football Archives -- Mark Buben

Mark Buben Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Mark Buben Career game log for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

mark buben... only pic i could find...


another claim to fame for mr buben? you might have guessed it, he was one of the few patriot players featured on the Frito Lay trading cards...


(see? it really is the only pic, lol)

 

[Pape]

Today in Patriots History
Scott Lockwood​

Happy 57th birthday to Scott Lockwood
Born March 23, 1968 in Los Angeles; raised in Boulder, Colorado
Patriot running back, 1992-1993; uniform #40
New England's 8th round (204th overall) selection of the 1992 draft, from Southern Cal
Pats résumé: two seasons, six games; 35 rushes for 162 yards (4.6 ypc); 21.2 yard average on 11 kickoff returns


The running back was an 8th round pick (204th overall) in 1992, which was **** MacPherson’s final year as head coach. He was mostly used on special teams, but did have 35 rushes for 162 yards (4.6 yards per carry). He appeared in two games for Bill Parcells in ’93 and also spent time in NFL Europe.

For more on Lockwood, including his days at USC and his post-football career, check out this article.
As is often the case with bottom of the roster players Lockwood bounced around quite a bit.

USC Trojans Football, Basketball & Recruiting

The latest USC Trojans news, recruiting, transfers, and NIL information from on3.com

usc.rivals.com

“Drafted by New England in the eighth round (when they had eight rounds) after the 1991 season,” Lockwood answers, “then traded to Detroit, then they waived me, picked up again by New England, then moved on to Seattle before being injured and going on IR,” Lockwood says.​

Wow, lots of back and forth over your career?​

“That was the first eight weeks,” Lockwood says with a laugh. Yes, his NFL career was an interesting, and something of a whirlwind time for the 196-pound running back and special teams guy who could fly. His best times were a 10.54 100 meters and a 4.34 in the 40.​

“We could all run on those USC teams.”​

Lockwood's NFL career had him returning kicks and serving as the special teams wedge-buster for the Patriots for a time but his final year in the game, with the Scottish Claymores in NFL Europe that featured bad hotels and even worse food, convinced him that rather than go back to Atlanta to rehab after the season, he'd head home to Boulder.​

A communications major at USC, Lockwood has always been involved in sales, whether it was a restaurant, real estate or now as the national franchise director for Camp Bow Wow, a Colorado-based string of 115 full-service doggy day-care, boarding and grooming operations that has four locations in Southern California -- Agoura Hills, San Clemente, Temecula and Anaheim.​

But it's what he added to his plate three months ago that brings him back to his football roots. "It's the best of both worlds," he says of his new job of spreading the word nationally about the protective Guardian Cap concept for practice head protection to high schools, colleges, the NFL, and even or maybe most importantly, pee wee football.​

Developed by an Atlanta-based company that has worked mainly in plastics for the military, Boeing, Oakley and even for the latest Titleist golf ball, the Guardian helmet cover is a lightweight (less than five ounces), waterproof, one-size-fits-all stretchable protective cap that pulls on over a player's helmet, protects the expensive helmets from scuffing, keeps heads cool in the heat and warm in the cold and retails for $69.95 ($59.95 team price) and cuts down the impact of blows to the head by as much as 35 percent.​

"It's strange that no one out there, a Nike or someone like that, had ever come up with this," he says of the concept of using an impact-deadening gel in 20 cells over the helmet for practice.​

"It's like the way linemen now wear those knee braces or getting your ankles taped every day for practice," says Lockwood, who remembers USC Coach Larry Smith coming by at the start of practice and making players roll down their socks to show they'd gotten their ankles taped. "It's like wearing a mouthpiece."​

scott lockwood (barely in frame) taking a handoff from #17 jeff carlson...

 

[Pape]

Today in Patriots History
Abe Cohen​

In memory of Abe Cohen, who would have turned 92 today
Born March 23, 1933 in Plymouth, Pennsylvania
Died March 8, 2001 at the age of 67 in California
Patriot guard/linebacker, 1960; uniform #62
Signed as a free agent on June 11, 1960
Pats résumé: one season, 14 games (2 starts); an original Boston Patriot


Abraham Cohen attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, competing on the Mocs’ football and wrestling teams. In 1954 he won his conference’s weight class as a wrestler. A year later Cohen was drafted late (26th round, 306th overall) by the New York Giants, but never played for them. After two years of military service Cohen spent two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League.

In 1960 Cohen joined the fledgling American Football League with the Boston Patriots under head coach Lou Saban. Though not a starter Cohen appeared in all 14 games for the Pats that year, backing up Charley Leo and Jack Davis at guard. He remained in the area, coaching and playing for the Boston Sweepers in the Atlantic Coast Football League from 1961-1964. Cohen was inducted in to the UT-Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame in 1990 and to his native Luzerne County (PA) Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.

Cohen predated Stephen Neal as a college wrestling champion/pro football guard.

2013 Chattanooga Football Media Guide

Complete information on the 2013 University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs Football Team.

issuu.com

Abe Cohen (1990) - Hall of Fame - University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Athletics

Abe Cohen, Class: 1955 Induction: 1990 Sport(s): Football - Abe Cohen was an All-American center and linebacker for the Mocs football team from 1952-55. He helped

gomocs.com

Abe Cohen was an All-American center and linebacker for the Mocs football team from 1952-55. He helped Chattanooga to winning seasons in three of his four years.

Cohen was an Honorable Mention Little All-American in 1955. He was also the team MVP on that squad that finished with a 5-4-1 record.

Cohen was a three-time Southeastern Intercollegiate Athletic Association wrestling champion. He won at 191 pounds in 1954 and heavyweight in 1955 and 1956.

Bolling Air Base Wins 1957 Shrimp Bowl
Bolling Air Base Wins 1957 Shrimp Bowl
The Bolling Air Force Base Generals won their second shrimp bowl and the service football championship by defeating the San Diego Marines at Galveston, Texas, 28-7.


Jews In Sports – Abe Cohen
On September 9, 1960, Cohen played for the Boston Patriots in the first game of the American Football League. The Patriots lost to the Denver Broncos, 31-24.

In the mid-1950s, Cohen played for the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Moccasins (now known as the Mocs). In 1955, he was selected in the 26th round (308th overall) by the New York Giants in the NFL Draft, but never played for the franchise.

In 1957, Abe appeared with Fort Hood in the Shrimp Bowl and then played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League in 1958 and 1959. The following year, Cohen moved to the newly-formed American Football League signing with the Boston Patriots. Abe played in all 14 regular season games with Boston, who had a record of 5-9 and did not make the playoffs.

Abe Cohen

Sunday, March 11, 2001 Page: 7A Abe Cohen March 8, 2001 be Cohen, formerly of Plymouth, died Thursday in California. Born in Plymouth, he was the son of the late Jacob and Sarah Cohen. He was a graduate of Plymouth High School and the University of Chattanooga/Tennessee...

www.timesleader.com

He played professional football for the Boston Patriots and played in the Canadian Football League. He was also a football player and coach while serving in the U.S. Army.

Abe Cohen | Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame — John Louis Popple Chapter

In two sports, football and wrestling, Abe Cohen has made a mark in Wyoming Valley and in national and international circles. As recently as in 1990, the Plymouth High School graduate was named to the Football Hall of Fame at the University of Tennessee/Chattanooga. In...

www.luzernecountysportshalloffame.com

In two sports, football and wrestling, Abe Cohen has made a mark in Wyoming Valley and in national and international circles. As recently as in 1990, the Plymouth High School graduate was named to the Football Hall of Fame at the University of Tennessee/Chattanooga.

In 1960, Abe Cohen qualified for the U.S. Olympics in wrestling in Rome, but went to play for the new AFL team in Boston as a guard.

Some other highlights of Abe’s career include:
- All-Scholastic and Player of the Year at Plymouth High School in 1950-51, the year the team won the Wyoming Valley Conference football championship.
- Southeast Conference (SEC) champ in wrestling, heavyweight, in 1954-55.
- Drafted in 1954 by the New York Giants.
- Heavyweight champion two years in Armed Services Wrestling.

Abe Cohen’s sports career began at Plymouth High School in 1947 when he signed up for freshman football. During his high school career, he participated in football, wrestling, and track. In varsity football, he played running back. He wrestled at 165 pounds. In track, he excelled at pole vault, discus, and long jump.

The first of many awards Abe received was a second place in the Rogers YMCA wrestling tournament. He went on during his high school career to be district champion in wrestling, second place in pole vault, and a member of the Wyoming Valley Conference championship team.

As he reached college age, Abe was heavily recruited by major colleges in the south, east, and midwest—among them Alabama, Navy, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Penn, Temple, Kentucky, Miami, Georgia, Rutgers, and Yale. He chose the University of Alabama and transferred to the University of Tennessee/Chattanooga after completion of his freshman year.

At the University of Tennessee/Chattanooga, he played end and linebacker in football and wrestled at 191 pounds. In wrestling he took second place in the SEC championship in 1952, first place—at heavyweight—in 1953-54, and first place in 1954-55.

In the NCAA wrestling tournament at Cornell, Abe lost to Peter Blair of Navy, who went on to win the NCAA championship and Olympic wrestling medal in Tokyo. During the 1954-55 season, Abe was drafted by the New York Giants. And in his last year at Chattanooga, he played in the Senior Christian Bowl, was selected to the Little All-America Team, a member of the 3rd team All America, and heavyweight champion in SEC wrestling.

He graduated from the University of Tennessee/Chattanooga with a bachelor of science degree in education. After graduation in 1956, Abe attended the New York Giants football camp and was drafted into the U.S. Army. As a player-coach at Fort Hood, Texas, his team won the Army championship, and went on to play Bolling Air Force Base at Galveston, Texas, in the “Shrimp Bowl.” He was also heavyweight champion two years in Armed Forces Wrestling. He completed his Anny athletic career as player-coach for football in Frankfurt, Germany, 3rd Anny Division.

After service, Abe played as guard-linebacker in 1959 in Canadian Football for the Hamilton Tiger Cats. In 1960, he qualified for the U.S. Olympics for wrestling in Rome but went to play for the new AFL in Boston as guard. He was player-coach of the Boston Sweepers in the semi-pro Continental League from 1961 to 1964.

On the home front, Abe has one son, Brad, a teacher and assistant hockey coach in Faribault, Minnesota, and a daughter, Gayle, a travel agent in San Jose, California. Abe is the son of the late Jacob and Sarah Cohen. From 1966 to 1974, Abe Cohen taught and coached in California, specializing in—most appropriately—football and wrestling. And in 1990, he was inducted into the University of Tennessee/Chattanooga football Hall of Fame.