Today In Patriots History April 7: Tim Wright

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Tim Wright​

Happy 35th birthday to Tim Wright
Born April 7, 1990 in Wall Township, New Jersey
Patriot tight end, 2014; uniform #81
Acquired along with a 4th round draft pick from Tampa Bay on August 26, 2014, for Logan Mankins
Pats résumé: one season, 16 games (2 starts); 26 receptions for 259 yards (10.0 ypc), six touchdowns; three playoff games, no stats

Tim Wright is most well known for being the player that the Patriots received when Logan Mankins was traded to Tampa. Overlooked at the time was the fact that New England also received a 4th round draft pick, which turned out to pay better dividends: that was used to select Trey Flowers.

As an undrafted rookie in 2013 Wright had showed some promise, with 54 catches for 571 yards and five touchdowns.

Wright had six touchdown receptions with the Pats in 2014, appearing in all 16 games with two starts. He had 26 receptions for 259 yards (10.0 ypc), but was waived prior to the start of training camp the following year. In 2014 he split playing time with Michael Hoomanawanui as a backup behind Gronk. The following offseason the Patriots added veteran Scott Chandler, and waived Wright well before the start of training camp on June 11.

The Bucs re-signed Wright, then traded him to Detroit prior to week one in 2015. He didn't do much with the Lions (9 receptions for 77 yards and 2 TD) in '15, and spent 2016 on injured reserve. KC signed him in 2018, but he did not make their 53-man roster. His career NFL stat line is 907 yards on 89 receptions, with 16 touchdowns in 41 games. He also has a ring with the Pats that he can thank Malcolm Butler for, from the Super Bowl victory over Seattle.

Some August 26, 2014 headlines:

Pats trade OG Mankins to Bucs for TE Wright

The New England Patriots have traded six-time Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for tight end Tim Wright and an undisclosed draft pick.

www.espn.com

In Tim Wright, Patriots get back an intriguing pass-catching tight end

FOXBORO — The trade of Logan Mankins justifiably sent shock waves through the Patriots locker room and New England on Tuesday afternoon. Only Tom Brady and Vince Wilfork had been with the Pats longer…

www.providencejournal.com

Logan Deal Shocks Foxborough -- Patriots.com

Logan Mankins' refusal to take pay cut led to trade -- NFL.com

Who Is Tim Wright? Some Things to Know About the Newest Patriot

Here are a few more things to know about the Patriots newest receiver acquired from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for Logan Mankins.

www.boston.com

Tim Wright Has High Upside

Not a lot was known about Tim Wright when he was named as the other player in the trade that sent offensive guard Logan Mankins to Tampa Bay. In exchange, the Pats got Wright, the undrafted second-year tight end out of Rutgers, along with a 2015 fourth-round pick.

www.nbcconnecticut.com

Then there were these, a year later:

Patriots release TE Wright after one season

In a mildly surprising move, the New England Patriots released tight end Tim Wright on Thursday.

www.espn.com

Patriots Release Tim Wright, Thinning Tight End Ranks Before Minicamp - NESN.com

UPDATE (4:43 p.m. ET): The New England Patriots officially released tight end Tim Wright after only one season. ORIGINAL STORY: It appears the Tim Wright era in New England is over after less than a year. The Patriots have released the 25-year-old tight end, a source told FOX Sports’ Mike...

nesn.com

Tim Wright's release provides springboard to revisit Patriots' Logan Mankins trade

Tight end was acquired in deal with Buccaneers that sent guard standout Logan Mankins to Tampa Bay.

www.espn.com

Some Tim Wright commentary here at PatsFans:

Patriots Player Departure Thread 'Logan Mankins Traded'

Aug 26, 2014

Jay Glazer ?@JayGlazer39 secs
Breaking: the Patriots have agreed to parameters of a trade to send Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins to the Bucs for a pick and TE Tim Wright

• VrabelMayeWin
• Replies: 1,149
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Thread 'Meet Tim Wright'

Aug 26, 2014

In the Mankins trade thread, it was asked:

who the **** is Tim Wright?

Timothy Wright, h-back, one of the few Rutgers players the Pats missed out on in the 2013 draft. College WR moved to TE with Tampa Bay. 54 catches for 571 yds and 5 TDs as a rookie. College pro day measurables:

6'3" 219 4.65/2.74/1.63 19 36" 09'10" 4.47 7.27

• patchick
• Replies: 211
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

M

Thread 'The Trade - 8 Games Later'

Oct 27, 2014

After 8 games, are we better off, or worse off?
=================================
Out - Mankins
In - Wright, 4th rounder, $7M in 2014 cap money
===================================
I agree that we might have actually used SOME of that cap money. Perhaps, we will by Tuesday. Otherwise, it will be put to good use next year.

• mgteich
• Replies: 301
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Thread 'Tim Wright'

Mar 5, 2015

I've been impressed with the guy early in the season, he somewhat disappeared in the playoffs but that's most likely the amount of time he had to work with the team this season, do you guys think he will be better next year and not fade away from the lineup towards the end of the season/playoffs?

I hope he works out, dual tight end threat would be awesome.

• thecore762
• Replies: 54
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Thread 'Anyone else think Gronk and Chandler will wreck the league?'

Mar 17, 2015

I just do not see how you gameplan for it personally. Chandler actually has a QB that can get the ball to him consistently. It would seem almost impossible to stop Tom finding an open man if those 2 along with Jules and Lafell are lined up for a pass play at the same time. Imagine they draft a beast to take the top off, it might just be unstoppable.

Again the consensus i think is not really how our offense will be next season but more about the turnover in personnel on D and to some extent can Tom be protected with regularity. If he is then this addition of Chandler is going to be one of...

• English Patriot
• Replies: 72
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Thread '2015 Patriots.'

May 24, 2015

I know it's still early on but...

I don't think our offense will have any problem. Blount will continue to rumble through defenders... it's not a great running game, but it's more than serviceable. With Edelman, Gronk, Chandler, and LaFell, we have a passing attack as potent as the 2010 days. That should be enough to get us through Brady's suspension no worse than 1-3 or 2-2, even with Jimmy G. at the helm. Considering we started 2-2 last year, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Now, the concern starts with the defense.
We have a decent front seven but there is still no pass rush...

• Interception
• Replies: 122
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Thread 'Tim Wright released'

Jun 11, 2015

shalise manza young ?@shalisemyoung 1m1 minute ago

#patriots have released TE Tim Wright

Evidently had low chance of contributing.

• Mack Herron
• Replies: 242
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

 

[signbabybrady]

I was thinking Tim Dwight but I remember Wright too

 

[jmt57]

I was thinking Tim Dwight but I remember Wright too

Neither one was here for long, and neither performed as well as they had previously.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Lovett Purnell​

Happy 53rd birthday to Lovett Purnell
Born April 7, 1972 in Seaford, Delaware
Patriot tight end, 1996-1998; uniform #48 ('96), #85
Pats 7th round (216th overall) selection of the 1996 draft, from West Virginia
Pats résumé: three seasons, 34 games (7 starts); 17 receptions for 149 yards (8.4 ypc), five touchdowns

Lovett Shaizer Purnell played in 34 games with seven starts over three seasons with the Pats, as a backup to Ben Coates. He had five touchdowns on 19 catches for 159 yards, averaging 8.4 yards per catch. He also had two receptions in three playoff games with the Patriots.

​

September 15, 1997:

Pats pull it out in OT

FOXBORO -- They came intent on feasting on tuna and instead nearly wound up eating crow. Adam Vinatieri's 34-yard field goal 803 into overtime gave the New England Patriots a 27-24 win over their f…

www.southcoasttoday.com

The Pats looked like they had their third straight win in tow, when early in the fourth quarter, little-used reserve tight end Lovett Purnell caught his first pass of the season, first as a pro and first touchdown since his senior year at the University of West Virginia in 1995.​

In the hot, sweaty days of training camp this summer at Bryant College, Purnell made sure that Carroll would find a place on the field for him. Although he was never a threat to unseat Ben Coates as a starter, Purnell's summer efforts made it clear he was a player on the rise. A bit small as a blocker, Purnell caught passes like a wide receiver and ran with the force of a fullback. That combination made Carroll keep him on the roster in favor of veteran John Burke, who was cut and later claimed by Parcells and the Jets.​

In 2007 Purnell was inducted to the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame.

Lovett Purnell – Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame

desports.org

Lovett Purnell enjoyed a four-year National Football League career after achieving phenomenal athletic success at Seaford High School, Valley Forge Military Academy and West Virginia University. The highlight of Purnell’s NFL career was playing in the Super Bowl as a tight end with New England in 1997. He spent three years with the Patriots before being traded to Baltimore.​

Lovett was a four-year starter at Seaford in football, basketball and baseball. He was named first team All-State a total of five times in three major sports, and starred in the Delaware All-Star game in each sport. In football, Purnell led the state in scoring and was named the News Journal Player of the Year. In the Blue-Gold All-Star Football Game, he became the first player in history to win both major awards – The Jim Williams Sportsmanship Award and MVP. In basketball, he finished his career with 1,563 points, second only at Seaford to Delino DeShields.​

After a brilliant high school baseball career, he was drafted by the Chicago White Sox. Lovett chose to attend Valley Forge, where he was captain and MVP in all three sports and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. At WVU, he was a football captain, and All Big East selection. Lovett led the team in receptions, setting a WVU single-season record for tight ends. Named the team MVP, he was also named to the WVU All-Century team. While playing in the Carquest Bowl, Lovett caught two touchdown passes.​

Well Coached -- Buccaneers.com

Hopefully, you'll forgive us the cliché when we refer to Lovett Purnell as 'versatile'.​

It's a classic and complimentary adjective for a tight end, referring to a player that can block or receive equally well. That description fits Purnell, but it's not what we're talking about here.​

Nor are we referring to his name, which seems to read just as well backward as it does forward. As a matter of fact, it often is. He is used to being called Purnell Lovett, even by the media at times, and it doesn't bother him a bit.​

And, though it's fitting, we are also not making a reference to the rather un-football-like sport pursued by the 6-3, 250-pound Purnell during his leisure time: tennis.​

No, we call Purnell versatile because he has played for a pair of head coaches, Bill Parcells and Tony Dungy, who seem drastically different in style, and loved every minute of it.​

Pro Football Archives -- Lovett Purnell Transactions

Lovett Purnell Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

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

www.pro-football-reference.com

Lovett Purnell - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

After the 1999 season with the Baltimore Ravens, Purnell quietly stepped away from on-field competition. Post-NFL, Lovett found tremendous success in the telecommunication industry in Tampa, FL where he currently resides. Whether on the field, or in the corporate world, Lovett has always had the reputation of being an all-around nice guy and team player.

If that sounds like a bit of marketing department hyperbole, it probably is. Purnell spent the 2000 offseason with Tampa Bay, then played in the XFL after he was cut by the Bucs. As for the 'highly successful telecommunications industry', the closest thing I could find was Purnell apparently working retail, selling cell phones as a "solutions specialist". But he definitely is a good guy:

Quick action saves a life at Verizon Wireless store.

Equipped with knowledge from safety training and supported by some NFL muscle, Tampa manager runs to a crisis to save a life.

www.verizon.com

When the security guard at the Dale Mabry Verizon Wireless store in Tampa collapsed recently, solutions manager Steve Currier had the experience and help needed to act quickly and save her life.​

Steve knew what to do based on training he’d received in the Army and at Verizon. But he needed some help. Enter solutions specialist and former NFL player Lovett Purnell, who worked with Steve to turn the guard face up.​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Bob Suci​

In memory of Bob Suci, who would have turned 86 today
Born April 7, 1939 in Flint, Michigan
Died December 21, 2015 at the age of 76 in his hometown Grand Blanc, Michigan
Patriot cornerback/punt returner/kick returner, 1963; uniform #21
Signed as a free agent on Septmber 9, 1963
Pats résumé: one season, 14 games (5 starts); 9.3 yard avg on 23 punt returns; 21.2 yard avg on 17 kickoff returns; 7 picks, 2 TD


Robert Leslie Suci spent four seasons in the AFL with the Oilers and Patriots, but unfortunately a knee injury cut his career short. In 1963 he appeared in all 14 games for the Patriots, averaging 9.3 yards on 25 punt returns and 21.2 yards on 17 kickoff returns. That same year Suci led the AFL in pick-sixes (2) and interception return yardage (277). His 98-yard TD interception off George Blanda was the highlight of a 45-3 rout over the Houston at Fenway Park on November 1, 1963. The crucial victory put the Patriots and Oilers in a first place tie.

Suci was in on nine turnovers for that excellent '63 Patriot defense, with seven interceptions and two fumble recoveries. The Pats ranked first in yards allowed and second in points allowed that year, claiming the franchise's first title (AFL East) and first playoff victory in a 26-8 victory at Buffalo.

1963 Patriots Media Guide -- page 27
Bob Suci DB 23 5:10 185 Michigan State
Aggressive and rugged, Bob has been a welcome addition to the Patriots . . . He was dropped by the Oilers earlier in the year, but as a punt returner and reserve defensive back Bob ranks among the bright new prospects the Pats have come up with this season . . . Bob started off well with Houston last season, but an injury sidelined him for the last half of the schedule.

Lots of people had trouble defending Lance Alworth, not just Bob Suci



Signed 1963 Boston Patriots football​

Suci, Bob – Greater Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame

gfashof.org

Legend of former Michigan State, AFL player Bob Suci still lives on after death

Not many athletes were able to accomplish what Bob Suci did in his heyday.

www.mlive.com

Not many athletes were able to accomplish what Bob Suci did in his heyday.​

In the late 1950s, he emerged as one of the greatest all-around athletes in Genesee County history.​

On Dec. 21, Suci died of Parkinson's disease and severe dementia that stemmed from his football career, according to his youngest daughter, Heather. He was 76.​

"A lot of people asked my dad to autograph stuff," Heather said. "I remember that happening a lot. All I remember hearing my whole entire life was that he was the best athlete that Grand Blanc and Genesee County ever produced."​

Even when his memory began to fade, Heather said that those who watched him play would constantly remind him of how good he was. His legendary career still lives on at Grand Blanc High School, where he earned 15 of a possible 16 letters in football, basketball, baseball and track.​

Football turned out to be his niche, though.​

"He really didn't bring it up unless somebody brought it up to him," Heather said. "I remember being 7 years old and not being able to go anywhere with my dad without 35 people stopping us to say, 'This was the best athlete in Genesee County,' and I would just say, 'Oh, God, can we just get through the mall?'"​

In 1997, he became the first and only Grand Blanc football player to have his No. 22 jersey retired.​

Pro Football Archives -- Bob Suci

Bob Suci Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

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

www.pro-football-reference.com

Lol, I'm old enough to remember these football and baseball bottle caps​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Kenny Price​

Happy 75th birthday to Kenny Price
Born April 7, 1950 in Houston, Texas
Patriot linebacker, 1971; uniform #54
Signed as a free agent late in the 1971 season
Pats résumé: appeared in the final game of the 1971 season, a 21-17 victory at the Baltimore Colts

Kenny Price was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Iowa by Dallas in 1971. He spent time on the taxi squad, and appeared in just one game with the Patriots. On December 19, 1971 John Mazur's squad upset Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts 21-17. The winning points came on an 88-yard 4th quarter touchdown pass from Jim Plunkett to Randy Vataha; that was the second Plunkett-to-Vataha TD connection of the day.

That was the final regular season game in '71, with the Pats finishing 6-8: a four-win improvement over the previous season. It was also Kenny Price's one and only NFL game. The Patriots released Price on August 15, 1973, and he played in the World Football League in 1974.

On the Wikipedia page for the 1971 draft Price is listed as one of eleven notable undrafted players. Apparently their definition of notable and mine differ.


Patriots 1972 Media Guide -- page 54
Ken Price LB Iowa
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 232 Born 5-8-49 at Gadston, Ala.
Signed by Dallas as a free agent in 1971 . . . waived by Cowboys and picked up by Patriots late in the season . . . activated for the final game of the year . . . strong outside linebacker who has excellent speed and coverage.

Pro Football Archives -- Kenny Price

Kenny Price Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

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

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Jemea Thomas​

Happy 35th birthday to Jemea Thomas
Born April 7, 1990 in Fitzgerald, Georgia
Patriot cornerback, 2014; uniform #21
New England's sixth round selection (206th overall) of the 2014 draft, from Georgia Tech
Pats résumé: one offseason and training camp

Kenny Price may have only played in one game with the Patriots, but that's one more than the Pats' sixth round pick from the 2014 draft.

Jemea Thomas was later picked up by the Cowboys, and then the Rams and Titans. His NFL career consisted of 28 special team snaps over two games in 2014, one each with St. Louis and Tennessee. Thomas' last pro football stop was with the Titans for their training camp in 2015.

May 10, 2014:

Patriots Draft Snapshots: Georgia Tech DB Jemea Thomas

The Patriots drafted Georgia Tech DB Jemea Thomas with the 206th pick of the fourth round.Key StatsThe 5-foot-10, 190-pounder was a 1st Team All-ACC selection in 2012. This past season, he had 88 tackles, 3 QB sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2…

www.bostonherald.com

The Patriots drafted Georgia Tech DB Jemea Thomas with the 206th pick in the sixth round.​

Key Stats​

The 5-foot-10, 190-pounder was a 1st Team All-ACC selection in 2012. This past season, he had 88 tackles, 3 QB sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions.​

The Positives​

Tough player with good ball skills. Is versatile, having played every position in the secondary. Aggressive, capable of making impact plays.​

The Negatives​

Undersized, so his durability is considered an issue. Sometimes gets a little bit out of control.​

Potential for 2014​

Seen as a nickel back at the NFL level. Will provide competition for the incumbents.​

May 10, 2014:

New England Patriots draft DB Jemea Thomas in 6th round

FOXBOROUGH – The Patriots added some depth to their secondary by selecting defensive back Jemea Thomas with their final pick of the sixth round of the NFL draft. Thomas (5-foot-9, 192 pounds) recorded nine interceptions over his final three seasons...

www.masslive.com

The Patriots added some depth to their secondary by selecting defensive back Jemea Thomas with their final pick of the sixth round of the NFL draft.​

Thomas (5-foot-9, 192 pounds) recorded nine interceptions over his final three seasons at Georgia Tech and recorded 224 tackles. He also returned eight kicks for 188 yards as a senior.​

He possesses the ability to move around the secondary, playing at corner, safety, and nickelback, and is described as a physical player.​

If Thomas projects as a safety in the NFL, he will join a group that currently contains Devin McCourty, Duron Harmon, Patrick Chung, Tavon Wilson, and Kanorris Davis.​

May 10, 2014:

Patriots pick Jemea Thomas in 6th

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The pick: Jemea Thomas, DB, Georgia Tech (206th overall).My take: This is the first defensive back the Patriots have selected and it's easy to see what the Patriots like in Thomas, who at 5-foot-9 1/4 and 192 pounds is undersized but instinctive.

www.espn.com

The pick: Jemea Thomas, DB, Georgia Tech (206th overall).​

​

My take: This is the first defensive back the Patriots have selected and it's easy to see what the Patriots like in Thomas, who at 5-foot-9 1/4 and 192 pounds is undersized but instinctive. He caught the eye of colleague Field Yates in April based on the way he reads coverages and works in the weight room, and Scouts Inc. noted he "loves the game." Thomas' name also came up in the pre-draft process as a comparable player, in part, to 2013 Patriots third-round pick Logan Ryan. Thomas' ticket for a roster spot, as it often is for late sixth-round picks, will start on special teams. He has experience covering punts.​

Safety depth chart: Devin McCourty, Duron Harmon, Patrick Chung, Tavon Wilson, Nate Ebner, Kanorris Davis, Jemea Thomas​

Logan Ryan trickle-down effect: There has been some chatter, first noted by the Boston Herald, about the Patriots possibly working cornerback Logan Ryan at safety. One wonders how the addition of Thomas might alter any plans along those lines because this now adds a seventh safety to the roster. It also looks like Thomas has corner-safety position flexibility. Another factor to consider at the position is that Devin McCourty is in the final year of his contract, so Thomas, should he develop, adds another young player to the pipeline.​

August 16, 2014:

Patriots Cut Six, Including Sixth-Round Pick Jemea Thomas, Ben Bass - NESN.com

FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots already cut ties with a 2014 sixth-round draft pick, cornerback Jemea Thomas. The Patriots whittled down their roster to 75 players Tuesday by waiving Thomas, defensive lineman Ben Bass, defensive back Travis Hawkins, wide receivers Derrick Johnson and...

nesn.com

The New England Patriots already cut ties with a 2014 sixth-round draft pick, cornerback Jemea Thomas.​

The Patriots whittled down their roster to 75 players Tuesday by waiving Thomas, defensive lineman Ben Bass, defensive back Travis Hawkins, wide receivers Derrick Johnson and Wilson Van Hooser and linebacker Deontae Skinner. The Patriots also placed running back Tyler Gaffney and linebacker Cameron Gordon on injured reserve.​

April 7, 2008:
Patriots sign veteran free agent Victor Hobson, after five years with the Jets. There were high expectations for Hobson, but strong training camp performances by rookies Jerod Mayo and Gary Guyton resulted in Hobson's release at the end of camp.