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Today In Patriots History May 6, 2019: Rodney elected to Pats Hall of Fame

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Today in Patriots History
One Red Jacket Down,
One Gold Jacket To Go


May 6, 2019:
The New England Patriots announce that Rodney Harrison has been elected to the Pats Hall of Fame. The Sunday Night Football analyst won the 2019 fan voting over Richard Seymour and Mike Vrabel.



The strong safety spent the final six seasons of his 15-year NFL career with the Pats, after playing in San Diego for nine years. He admirably filled a large void on the defense when Lawyer Milloy was released as a cap casualty at the start of the 2003 season. Rodney played a key role in the Patriots winning back-to-back Super Bowl titles in his first two seasons in Foxborough.


Rodney Harrison was a clutch performer, with seven interceptions in nine playoff games with the Pats - including two in Super Bowl 39. His seven postseason interceptions are tied for the third-most in NFL history. In his first two seasons in New England, Harrison was not only the team's leading tackler each year, but also led all NFL defensive backs in tackles in both seasons. He was also the leading tackler in the '03 and '04 postseasons, while also registering two sacks, six interceptions, seven passes deflections and two forced fumbles in those six games.


Rodney is the all-time NFL leader in sacks by a defensive back with 30½, including nine while with the Pats. He is the only defensive back in NFL history with 30 sacks and 30 interceptions, with eight of those picks coming during his Patriots career. (Pro Football Hall of Fame CB Ronde Barber has 47 picks, but fell short od the dual-milestone with 28 sacks. The only other 30-30 player is another Hall of Famer, linebacker Ray Lewis.) Harrison was voted a team captain in each of his six seasons with the Patriots and is a member of the New England Patriots All-Decade Team of the 2000s; the Pats All-Dynasty Team; the Pats 50th Anniversary Team; and the San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team.

























Best of Rodney Harrison | Career Highlights
4:11 Highlight Video



Rodney Harrison - {Career Highlights} Necessary Roughness!!!!
8:50 Highlight Video by former forum member Jsn







 
What is the point of having an NFL HoF if someone like Rodney isn't in it? One of only 2 players, along with Ray Lewis who KAG and more probably 2, with 30 interceptions AND 30 sacks. One of the most feared secondary players of his day, it's disgraceful he isn't enshrined yet. Maybe he needs to kill a guy or 2
 
Today in Patriots History
Marcus Cannon


Happy 37th birthday to Marcus Cannon
Born May 6, 1988 in Odessa, Texas
Patriot right tackle, 2011-2022; uniform #61
Pats 5th round (138th overall) selection of the 2011 draft, from TCU
Pats résumé: ten seasons, 90-30 record in 120 games (73 starts); 14-5 in 19 playoff games; 3 super bowl rings



On April 20, 2011, just days before Texas Christian offensive line prospect Marcus Cannon was to enter the NFL Draft, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a treatable form of cancer found in lymph tissue. A little more than one week later, the Pats selected Cannon in the fifth round (138th overall) of the draft with the knowledge of his illness. The Patriots placed Cannon on the Reserve/Non Football Injury list to start the 2011 season while he received treatment and recovered. Cannon was activated to the 53-man roster later that year and is now set to enter his ninth season with the team.


Cannon made a full recovery and was named the Patriots 2011 Ed Block Courage Award winner - an annual award presented to select players in the National Football League who are voted by their teammates as role models of inspiration, sportsmanship and courage.


Marcus Cannon played in 124 regular season games with 77 starts: 72 at right tackle, three at left guard and two at left tackle. He also played in 19 playoff games, with the Pats going 14-5 in those contests - and earned three Super Bowl rings.


The draft picks used on Cannon and Stevan Ridley were acquired in draft day trade with Houston. In exchange the Texans received a second round (60th overall) pick used on safety Brandon Harris - who has been out of the league since 2014, after a 42-game career with zero starts. That trade was a big win for the Patriots.









 
Today in Patriots History
Derwin Williams


Happy 64th birthday to Derwin Williams
Born May 6, 1961 in Brownwood, Texas
Patriot wide receiver, 1984-1987; uniform #82
Pats 7th round (192nd overall) selection of the 1984 draft, from New Mexico
Pats résumé: three seasons, 42 games (one start); 14 receptions for 228 yards (16.3 ypc)



When the Patriots traded QB Matt Cavanaugh to San Francisco they received three draft picks; the first one was used on Derwin Dewayne Williams.


On August 24, 1984 Williams was playing pretty well in a preseason game. Head Coach Ron Meyer instructed him to go on the field with the kickoff unit, hit somebody, fall down and pretend he had a concussion.


Williams did so, and spent his rookie season on injured reserve. Meyer succeeded in stashing Williams on IR, preventing another team from claiming him off waivers. Problem was the NFL found out, and penalized the Pats for Meyer's chicanery. As a result the Patriots were docked a 1986 third round draft pick.


Derwin Williams appeared in 42 regular season games plus two playoff games with the Pats. Down on the depth chart behind Stanley Morgan and Irving Fryar, he was limited to just one start. With limited reps he had 14 receptions for 228 yards, his final game coming in a 22-17 playoff loss to Denver on January 4, 1987. His primary contributions were on special teams, where he one season he had 15 tackles and a fumble recovery.


In his post-NFL career Williams settled in Pawtucket, RI and went on to become an official in Conference USA, as well as officiating some ECAC and high school games.
















Oct 13, 1985 -- Football -- Washington Post
The New England Patriots say they won't appeal a National Football League decision stripping them of their third-round draft choice next season for misusing the injured reserve list. The team announced it was being penalized for placing wide receiver Derwin Williams on the list last season, allegedly with a concussion. Williams later was quoted as saying he was told by Ron Meyer, the Patriots' coach at the time, to fake the injury.​



Obscure Patriot of the Week: Derwin Williams -- NE Patriots Life
This week's Obscure Patriot of the Week goes to Derwin Williams, a wide receiver on that magical Patriots team.​

Williams was selected by the Patriots out of New Mexico in 1984, but missed that whole season on IR and didn't get up and running until 1985. Falling in behind names like Stanley Morgan and Irving Fryar, Williams made one start in his rookie year (the only start of his career) and appeared in all 16 games, catching nine passes for 163 yards.​

Those nine passes turned out to be a career-high, as he spent two more seasons in the league, catching five more passes along the way in 26 more games. His main contributions came on special teams, and according to the Patriots' website, his 15 tackles were fourth-most on the special-teams units.​

Williams left the NFL in 1987, but didn't leave football entirely after that, serving as an official with Conference USA -- a position he still holds today, according to Google. Occasionally, he'll officiate with ECAC Boston, or find a high school game to ref as well.​

Williams' athletic lineage still endures today, as his son, Mason, is a prospect in the New York Yankees organization, having been selected in the fourth round of the 2010 draft. He spent five games with the Yankees this year, before being sent back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in July.​




 
Today in Patriots History
Mike 'Scooter' McGruder


Happy 61st birthday to Michael McGruder
Born May 6, 1964 in Cleveland
Patriot cornerback, 1996-1997; uniform #27
Signed as an unrestricted veteran free agent on April 5, 1996
Pats résumé: two seasons, 17 games; 25 tackles, 1½ sacks; three playoff games



The final two of Scooter's nine NFL seasons were in Foxboro, where he played in 17 games. McGruder was on the Patriot AFC Championship team that lost to Green Bay in the Super Bowl.


After graduating from Kent State, McGruder began his pro football career with the Oklahoma Outlaws of the USFL in 1984. He then played in the CFL from 1985-88, before signing with Green Bay. From 1989 to 1995 he played for the Packers, Dolphins, 49ers and Buccaneers, before joining the Patriots at the age of 32. A career depth player and special teamer, McGruder played in 92 NFL games with 18 starts over nine seasons.









McGruder has devoted much of his post-football career to charitable causes, including assistance for victims of domestic violence and youth literacy programs.


Mike “Scooter” McGruder is a former NFL player. Over his 12-year career, Mike has played in championship games for the Miami Dolphins, the San Francisco 49ers, and in Super Bowl XXXI with the New England Patriots.​
During Mike’s tenure in San Francisco, he became the team captain and led them in interceptions. He also tied for 3rd in the NFC for most interceptions and was selected as an alternate for the NFL Pro Bowl. In 1998, he announced his retirement.​
Mike was once voted as one of the best names in the NFL and received a True Value Award in 1995 and a Generation Excellence Award in 1997, which was given by United Way because of his impact on the lives of others. He also received an NFL Extra Effort Award and was a finalist in the Bar Starr Award in 1997—this is an award that is voted by NFL players for leading a life that models a high moral character. His former teammate, Steve Young, won this award.​
Mike’s business knowledge and success, has made him a sought-after speaker for high schools, higher education institutions, and corporate functions. He was a partner with the Trinity Entertainment Group for more than 10 years, which won the Blockbuster Video Franchise Award twice. He was also a partner of Trinity Properties, a Texas real estate management company.​
Raised in the inner city of Cleveland, Mike witnessed the devastating effects the streets can have on our youth. Heavily involved in charity work and passionate about improving the lives of others, Mike founded Platinum Charities (PC) in 2010.​








Pro Football Archives -- Mike McGruder Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- Mike McGruder Transactions
 
Today in Patriots History
Rob Holmberg


Happy 54th birthday to Rob Holmberg
Born May 6, 1971; from Mt Pleasant, Pennsylvania
Patriot inside linebacker, 2000-2001; uniform #50, #47
Signed as an unrestricted veteran free agent on June 4, 2000
Pats résumé: two seasons, 18 games (5 starts); 28 tackles, one TFL, one pass defensed



Robert Anthony Holmberg appeared in all 16 games for the Pats in 2000 with five starts, and two more games in October of 2001. Holmberg was originally a seventh round draft pick from Penn State via Navy in 1994 by the LA Raiders. He played in 112 games over eight NFL seasons with seven different teams, almost exclusively as a special teamer and backup MLB.






Aug 15, 2000:
She's had to endure five moves — from the East Coast to the West Coast and back again — while her husband seeks to stick on an NFL roster.


Oct 17, 2001:
Pats sign Ken Walter, release Holmberg -- Patriots.com
The New England Patriots announced that they have signed veteran punter Ken Walter today. Subsequently, the team released linebacker Rob Holmberg.

Holmberg, 30, is an eight-year veteran who appeared in every game for the Patriots in 2000 and both games since joining the Patriots on Oct. 5, 2001. The 6-foot-3-inch, 240-pounder was originally drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the seventh round of the 1994 NFL draft (217th overall). He was released by the Raiders in 1998, but played for two of the Patriots division rivals that year with three appearances with the Colts and nine games with the Jets. He was released by the Jets in 1999, but signed and appeared in every game for the Minnesota Vikings. In eight seasons, he has appeared in 107 games with six starts. He has 48 career special teams tackles and 38 defensive stops, including a pair of sacks.




Pro Football Archives -- Rob Holmberg Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- Rob Holmberg Transactions

 
Today in Patriots History
Howard Feggins


Happy 60th birthday to Howard Feggins
Born May 6, 1965 in South Hill, Virginia
Patriot cornerback, 1988-1989; uniform #27
Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 3, 1988
Pats résumé: one season; 11 games, one interception



Howard Anthony Feggins did not make the roster as a rookie in 1988, but returned a year later to give it another try. He was initially cut again, then re-signed to what was then known as the Developmental Squad (i.e., the Practice Squad). Feggins was elevated twice that year and appeared in eleven games in what was Raymond Berry's final season as head coach. Feggins' highlight came in a week 13 when he intercepted Jack Trudeau. The Pats would go on to come from behind to beat the Colts 22-16 that day, in a game that Jason Staurovsky connected on five field goals (in seven attempts!)

Feggins spent the entire 1990 season with the Giants, but did not make their roster. He finished his playing career in 1991 with the London Monarchs of the World league of American Football.

Later that same year Feggins embarked on a 34-year coaching career as an intern with the Giants - and he is still coaching today. Among his many stops was a wide receivers coach at Northeastern from 1999-2004, and he also worked as an offseason intern for the Patriots in 2003 and 2008.

Most recently he was the head coach for D-2 St Augustine's University in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2023, and since last year has been the special teams coordinator and running backs coach at FCS Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia.


Howard Feggins, former head coach at St. Augustine’s, joined the Hampton coaching staff in June 2024. The veteran coach has more than four decades experience as a player and coach. In four seasons as a coordinator, Feggins has helped lead the team to four championships.

A native of South Hill, Va., Feggins played safety and cornerback at North Carolina where he registered 169 tackles before embarking on a career in the NFL. Feggins played with the New England Patriots and the New York Giants as well as with the London Monarchs and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

He moved into the coaching ranks as an intern with the New York Giants. He spent two seasons in the high school ranks in Ohio before moving to the collegiate level at Wingate, Miami (Ohio), and Northwestern.

He spent 2003 with the New England Patriots with the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship. He served on the coaching staffs at Eastern Michigan, South Carolina State, and Norfolk State. For two seasons, he coached at high schools in Kentucky and Ohio.

He joined the coaching staff at Colorado State-Pueblo from 2018-22. He spent one season at Fayetteville State before being named head coach at St. Augustine’s. In his HBCU coaching stops, he has five championships. Feggins served as offensive coordinator in the HBCU Legacy Bowl.

Under his direction, Hampton finished second in the Coastal Athletic Association in rushing, averaging 195.8 yards per game. In addition, running back Eljah Burris earned an invitation to the prestigious HBCU Legacy Bowl.




Pro Football Archives -- Howard Feggins Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- Howard Feggins Transactions

 
Today in Patriots History
Josh Boyce


Happy 34th birthday to Josh Boyce
Born May 6, 1991 in Copperas Cove, Texas
Patriot wide receiver, 2013-2014; uniform #82
Pats 4th round (102nd overall) selection of the 2013 draft, from TCU
Pats résumé: two seasons; 10 games (3 starts); 9 receptions (on 19 targets, 42%) for 121 yards (13.4 ypc); six 1st downs, 0 TD



As a rookie Joshua Caleb Boyce played in nine games, returning 21 kickoffs and catching nine passes on 19 targets for 121 yards. He spent most of 2014 on the practice squad, activated for the final regular season game with no stats; he was a healthy inactive for all three playoff games. Boyce was IR-waived at the end of the 2015 training camp. He spent most of the 2016 off-season with Indy before being cut after the first preseason game. Boyce spent 2016 on Cleveland's practice squad and was cut at the end of training camp in 2017. He has not played any pro football since then.


His final NFL stat line (all with the Pats) reads 10 games played, 9 receptions on 19 targets for 121 yards (13.4 ypc) with a long of 30 yards, and zero touchdowns. Boyce also had nine kickoff returns for 214 yards (23.8 ypr) with a long of 41, for a grand total of 335 all-purpose yards.


On a side note, the draft picks used on Boyce, Jamie Collins and Logan Ryan were obtained from Minnesota in exchange for New England's first round pick, which the Vikings used on future Patriot Cordarrelle Patterson.


More trivia: Josh Boyce's high school quarterback was Robert Griffin III.







Third-year wide receiver Josh Boyce, a high fourth-round draft choice out of TCU whose solid testing skills in the pre-draft process never fully translated to on-field production, was one of five players waived by the New England Patriots on Monday.

The move doesn't come as a surprise given what has unfolded in training camp and the preseason, and highlights how Boyce didn't seize a nice opportunity presented to him.

With top receivers Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell, Aaron Dobson and Brian Tyms all sidelined early in camp, Boyce received a lot of run with the top unit. But it just never seemed to click consistently for him. The Aug. 13 preseason opener reflected his struggles, as he was targeted 11 times and had just two receptions.

In addition to Boyce, the Patriots also waived receiver Jonathan Krause, defensive tackle Joe Vellano, linebacker Dekoda Watson and tight end Jimmay Mundine.

Boyce -- who appeared to be dealing with some type of injury within the last week, as he wore a sleeve over his left arm -- and Krause (who took a big hit over the middle Friday night) were waived with injury designations. That means they could land on injured reserve if they clear waivers, or receive some form of injury settlement.​





Pro Football Archives -- Josh Boyce Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- Josh Boyce Transactions

 
Today in Patriots History
Markus Kuhn


Happy 39th birthday to Markus Kuhn
Born May 6, 1986 in Weinheim, Germany
Patriot defensive tackle, 2016; uniform #94
Signed as an unrestricted free agent on April 7, 2016
Pats résumé: one offseason



Markus Kuhn was with the Pats in the 2016 off season, but was let go as part of final roster cuts in early September. He had previously played with the Giants for four seasons, but the reclamation project did not come to fruition, as he never seemed to fully overcome a severe 2015 knee injury.







Pro Football Archives -- Markus Kuhn Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- Markus Kuhn Transactions

On January 27, 2017, Kuhn announced his retirement, never having played in a regular season game since being injured on December 14, 2015.




Other pro football players with New England connections born on May 6:

George Tarasovic, 1930-2019
Boston College
DE spent 13 seasons in the NFL, playing in 155 games, primarily with the Steelers.

Kid Hill, 1904-1973
Brighton MA, Portland (Maine) Prep, Amherst College
Tackle with the Giants back in the (old) twenties
 
Today in Patriots History
Nathan Rourke and other May 6 Pats Trivia


May 6, 1971:
The New England (no longer Boston) Patriots sign four of their draft picks

- 6th round pick David Hardt
Attleboro native was a TE from Kentucky; never played in the NFL

- 13th round pick Lewis Swain
Safety from Alabama A&M never played in the NFL

- 14th round pick Alfred Sykes
Florida A&M alum played in four games for the Pats in '71, with one 15-yard reception

- 17th round pick Ron Leigh
DE from Elizabeth City State never played in the NFL




May 6, 1980:
Pats sign John 'Jack' Lazor, a two-time All-American linebacker from Kent State
That is all, I got nothing else on this piece of trivia.




May 6, 2021:
33-year old CB Jason McCourty signs with Miami

Jason had played in 44 games over the previous three seasons with the Pats, winning one super bowl ring.
He played in seven games for the Fins before landing on IR, then retired on July 15, 2022.




Other forum discussion from this date included Mac Jones being an equivalent to Chad Pennington, and whether or not Sony Michel would be on the 2022 roster.








May 6, 2022:
The forum discussion on this date centered on a bizarre rumor about Jimmy G being traded because he had knocked up Robert Kraft's then 36-year old girlfriend (when Bob was 75).

Slow offseason.






May 6, 2024:
The impossible dream dies.

 


Not only is this my favorite picture of Harrison, but it's one of my favorite pictures of the Patriots, ever.
 
Today in Patriots History
One Red Jacket Down,
One Gold Jacket To Go


May 6, 2019:
The New England Patriots announce that Rodney Harrison has been elected to the Pats Hall of Fame. The Sunday Night Football analyst won the 2019 fan voting over Richard Seymour and Mike Vrabel.



The strong safety spent the final six seasons of his 15-year NFL career with the Pats, after playing in San Diego for nine years. He admirably filled a large void on the defense when Lawyer Milloy was released as a cap casualty at the start of the 2003 season. Rodney played a key role in the Patriots winning back-to-back Super Bowl titles in his first two seasons in Foxborough.


Rodney Harrison was a clutch performer, with seven interceptions in nine playoff games with the Pats - including two in Super Bowl 39. His seven postseason interceptions are tied for the third-most in NFL history. In his first two seasons in New England, Harrison was not only the team's leading tackler each year, but also led all NFL defensive backs in tackles in both seasons. He was also the leading tackler in the '03 and '04 postseasons, while also registering two sacks, six interceptions, seven passes deflections and two forced fumbles in those six games.


Rodney is the all-time NFL leader in sacks by a defensive back with 30½, including nine while with the Pats. He is the only defensive back in NFL history with 30 sacks and 30 interceptions, with eight of those picks coming during his Patriots career. (Pro Football Hall of Fame CB Ronde Barber has 47 picks, but fell short od the dual-milestone with 28 sacks. The only other 30-30 player is another Hall of Famer, linebacker Ray Lewis.) Harrison was voted a team captain in each of his six seasons with the Patriots and is a member of the New England Patriots All-Decade Team of the 2000s; the Pats All-Dynasty Team; the Pats 50th Anniversary Team; and the San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team.

























Best of Rodney Harrison | Career Highlights
4:11 Highlight Video



Rodney Harrison - {Career Highlights} Necessary Roughness!!!!
8:50 Highlight Video by former forum member Jsn








I don't recognize that other Hall of Fame until Rodney is in it. It's absolutely criminal he's not.
 
What is the point of having an NFL HoF if someone like Rodney isn't in it? One of only 2 players, along with Ray Lewis who KAG and more probably 2, with 30 interceptions AND 30 sacks. One of the most feared secondary players of his day, it's disgraceful he isn't enshrined yet. Maybe he needs to kill a guy or 2
And he had 30 sacks, as a *safety*.
 
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