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Today In Patriots History August 20: Monty Beisel

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Today in Patriots History
Monty Beisel



Happy 46th birthday to Monty Beisel
Born August 20, 1978 in Douglas, Kansas
Patriot ILB, 2005; uniform #52
Signed as a veteran free agent on April 8, 2005


Monty Beisel was a 4th round pick by the Chiefs in 2001, out of Kansas State. He didn't do anything particularly exceptional on the field in KC. 2004 was his only season as a starter for the Chiefs, with 55 tackles and 2.5 sacks. After Tedy Bruschi was sidelined with a stroke and Ted Johnson retired due to concussions, Beisel failed to step up and fill the void. Beisel finished his one season with the Patriots with one sack, one forced fumble, one pass defensed and 48 tackles in 15 games with six starts. The Patriots cut Beisel at the end of the 2006 camp, marking him forever as one of the most disappointing free agent signings in franchise history. Beisel then signed with Arizona and managed to last for four more years. In nine NFL seasons he played in 119 games with 19 starts, making 252 tackles and 4.5 sacks.

In hus post-NFL life Monty Beisel has worked as a luxury real estate broker, first in Beverly Hills and now in Miami.




April 15, 2005 - AP
The New England Patriots yesterday announced the signing of unrestricted free agent linebacker Monty Beisel and the re-signing of tight end Jed Weaver and cornerback Hank Poteat.​

Beisel, 26, spent his first four seasons with Kansas City. Last season he started nine games for the Chiefs, making 64 tackles, including a career-high 13 in a game against Carolina. He also has 58 special teams tackles. He was drafted from Kansas State in the fourth round of the 2001 draft.​

The additional of Beisel gives the Patriots depth at linebacker, where Roman Phifer has been released and Tedy Bruschi may not play in the coming season.​



July 30, 2005 - Mark Farinella:
Monty Beisel came to the New England Patriots hoping to fit in, learn a new system and eventually contribute to a linebacking corps that was due for an infusion of new blood.​

But in the short span of time between the June minicamps and the opening of training camp at Gillette Stadium, that linebacking corps lost two of its long-term mainstays on the inside — one anticipated, the other not — and suddenly, the pressure's on the former Kansas City Chief to master the 3-4 defense and get on the field.​

If you ask Beisel, however, he'll tell you that he doesn't feel a bit different today as opposed to before Tedy Bruschi and Ted Johnson left the roster.​

"I always put pressure on myself, so I don't feel anything different than what I did two weeks ago,” said the 6-foot-3, 245-pounder from Kansas State. "I came in here without expectations, regardless of the situation. Unfortunately, we're missing a couple of our guys who built a legacy around here, so there's guys now that have to fill in.​

"Hopefully we can establish some leadership here, and we can do some of the things that they've accomplished in the past,” he said.​



Nov 26, 2005:
Monty Beisel grew up 45 minutes from Arrowhead Stadium. He attended Kansas State, married a former Miss Kansas and spent the first four years of his NFL career with his hometown Kansas City Chiefs.​

The softspoken linebacker is a Midwest guy through and through, which makes today's homecoming particularly bittersweet. Beisel said he has no regrets about leaving as a free agent, but readily admits his first year with the Patriots has not progressed as planned.​

"It's been an interesting year," Beisel said. "It's not exactly what I had in foresight, but I have to deal with it as it comes and just try to take it for what it is. We've got six more games to play, and I've got to keep trucking along."​

Beisel signed a two-year contract with the Patriots in April and opened the year as the starting middle linebacker. He recorded seven tackles in the opener against Oakland, but his output quickly dropped.​

Beisel struggled to take on blockers, as well as wrap up opposing ball carriers. To compensate, the Patriots shifted outside linebacker Mike Vrabel to the inside.​

The return of Tedy Bruschi then relegated Beisel to part-time status. Beisel has also gone into somewhat of a shell, a marked change from the outgoing player who arrived in New England.​

"Obviously, a lot of things have changed since Day 1 when I got here," Beisel said. "People change. I'm trying to continue to get better and move along."​

Injuries haven't helped. Despite wearing gloves against Atlanta on Oct. 9, Beisel nicked a knuckle on his right index finger. The tiny wound soon became infected, and has since been cleaned twice.​

For his troubles, Beisel sports a hideous Frankenstein-like scar across half of his finger, which remains swollen and purple. He wraps it during practice and games.​

"It looks pretty good, huh?" Beisel said. "It's just one of those freak things. It was a little infection. There's not a whole lot you can do. You get a hundred cuts like that a year and nothing happens. This one just blew up on me."​

The same could be said of his decision to sign with the Pats, though there's still time to turn things around.​

"You've got to realize the NFL is a business," Beisel said. "You go where the opportunities are. At the time I felt it was a better opportunity to come here than stay in Kansas City. I felt playing in Kansas City for (coach) **** Vermeil for four years was a great opportunity, but that the time was right to move on."​



Sept 1, 2006:
The Patriots announced a wave of cuts yesterday and said goodbye to three veterans -- Monty Beisel, Chad Brown and Eric Warfield.​

The biggest name on the list is Beisel. The Patriots invested two years and $2 million with a $425,000 signing bonus before last season, but Beisel never found a groove in the team's 3-4 system.​




Jan 28, 2009 - Mike Reiss:
Linebacker Monty Beisel’s brief stint in New England was known as much for a locker-room flare-up with a reporter as it was his on-field production.​

Yet as Beisel looks back on the 2005 season and the ensuing offseason and training camp (he was cut before the 2006 season began), he now calls it a “great learning experience.”​

“I think it’s helped prolong my career; it’s definitely something I don’t regret,” Beisel said in the build-up to Super Bowl XLIII. “Before I went there, everyone wanted to know ‘How are they winning championships? What are the things their players and coaches are doing to take that next step?’ Being there for a year and a half, and seeing the steps they take to be successful, I think that definitely helped me the last two-and-a-half, three years I’ve been with the Cardinals.”​

Beisel is a backup with the Cardinals, contributing mostly on special teams.​

In New England, the hope was that Beisel could help fill the void left by the surprise retirement of Ted Johnson. When training camp opened in 2005, Beisel and Chad Brown were the top inside linebackers in the team’s 3-4 defense, as the Patriots were also without Tedy Bruschi, who had suffered a stroke earlier in the year.​

Before long, Beisel’s playing time “fell off the table” and Bruschi’s in-season return pushed him further down the depth chart. Beisel also couldn’t break through in 2006 and was released before the start of the regular season.​

Beisel’s time in New England is still remembered – thanks to a clip on sports radio WEEI that surfaces from time to time – for a shouting match with a local reporter.​

“I read one article that said I was seeing a psychiatrist and said I had anger problems, and all this crazy stuff that was just nuts,” he said. “What people don’t always realize is that these players are people. They don’t see it as someone who is changing jobs, new city, going through a divorce, is losing some playing time. Things kind of got crazy.”​
 
Today in Patriots History
Danny Shelton



Happy 31st birthday to Danny Shelton
Born August 20, 1993 in Auburn, Washington
Patriot DT, 2018-2019; uniform #71
Acquired in trade with Cleveland on March 15, 2018 for a 2019 third round draft pick


Danny Shelton was originally the 12th overall pick by the Browns in 2015, out of Washington. After going 0-16 in 2017, Cleveland cleaned house just prior to the start of 2018 free agency - at least in terms of personnel, while inexplicably retaining Hue Jackson - making four trades in a span of 48 hours, including the one that sent Shelton to Foxboro.

Mar 10, 2018:
The trade can't be officially announced until Wednesday. It's the fourth trade the Browns have made since Friday. They've acquired quarterback Tyrod Taylor from the Buffalo Bills, wide receiver Jarvis Landry from the Miami Dolphins and cornerback Damarious Randall from the Green Bay Packers.​

Shelton, 24, was the 12th overall pick in the 2015 draft out of the University of Washington. The 6-2, 335-pound defensive tackle has 71 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks in 46 career games (45 starts).​

On the defensive line, the Patriots have Malcom Brown, Lawrence Guy, Adam Butler and Vincent Valentine, who was on injured reserve all of last season. They did not pick up the option on Alan Branch, and on Friday Ricky Jean Francois said he wouldn't be back in New England next season.​

Shelton was the top DT prospect in the draft in 2015. The Patriots needed a big body to play with Brown and Guy on the interior. Those two saw a lot of work late in the season with Branch out of the rotation.​

Shelton will make $2.03 million this season. As a first-rounder entering his fourth season, the Patriots have until early May to exercise the fifth Year option on him.​


Danny Shelton played in 13 games with one start in his first season with the Patriots, and was on the field for 31% of the defensive snaps and 22% of special team snaps. He had two tackles and one TFL in Super Bowl 53 against the Rams. His playing time increased in 2019, playing in every game, starting all but two. Shelton played in 49% of the defensive snaps in 2019, with three sacks, six quarterback hits, two tackles for a loss, a forced fumble and 61 tackles. In the playoff loss to Tennessee Shelton had seven tackles, five solo.





March 18, 2020:
The New England Patriots have lost another defender to old friend Matt Patricia.​

Defensive tackle Danny Shelton has signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Detroit Lions. Shelton is the latest in a long line of former Patriots heading to Detroit, including linebacker Jamie Collins this offseason.​

While Shelton is among a large group of former Patriots scooped up by Patricia, the defensive tackle never actually played for the former Patriots defensive coordinator during his time in New England. Patricia left the Patriots to take the head coaching job in Detroit right after the 2017 season ended. It wasn’t until weeks afterward that the Patriots made the deal to acquire Shelton in March 2018.​

Shelton arrived in New England as a reclamation project from the Cleveland Browns. He had a decent first season with the Patriots as a run-stuffer before re-signing for one more year. Shelton’s 2019 season was considered to be one of his best, leading to him scoring a sizable payday in free agency this offseason.​

With Shelton gone, the Patriots are left a little barren along the defensive line. Lawrence Guy, Byron Cowart and Adam Butler are set to return as interior defensive linemen, but don’t have the massive run-stuffing frame that Shelton did. New England will likely be in the market for a replacement for Shelton this offseason.​




The Detroit Lions are signing former Patriots defensive tackle Danny Shelton to a two-year, $8 million deal, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus. Shelton spent the previous two seasons with New England and was a member of the Super Bowl LIII winning team during the 2018 season. Now, Lions head coach Matt Patricia, a former Patriots defensive coordinator, gets another Bill Belichick-coached defender.​

Shelton entered the league as the No. 12 overall pick of the Browns in the 2015 NFL Draft out of Washington. He spent three seasons in Cleveland before being acquired by the Patriots in a trade in 2018. In his first year with the Pats, Shelton totaled 21 tackles in 13 games played over the course of the regular season. He re-signed last offseason to just a one-year, $1.03 million deal and was looked to be a situational player along the interior of the offensive line, but rose back to the starting spot as the 2019 season progressed. He finished with a career-high 61 tackles and three sacks in 16 regular season games (14 starts).​

This is just the latest Patriots player that has been snatched up by a former Bill Belichick disciple. Earlier this week, Detroit came to an agreement with linebacker Jamie Collins, who spent all of the 2019 season in New England, on a three-year, $30 million deal. Elsewhere in the league, former Patriots de facto defensive coordinator turned Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores was able to pry linebacker Kyle Van Noy out of Foxborough and has him heading to South Beach on a four-year, $51 million contract.​

With all of these former Belichick assistants now becoming head coaches of their own throughout the league, it's proving to be much more difficult for New England to retain some of their marquee players.​



Sept 21, 2023:
Danny Shelton, the former University of Washington All-America defensive tackle, is looking for NFL work after drawing his release on Wednesday from the Kansas City Chiefs, multiple news outlets have reported.​

The massive 6-foot-2, 345-pound Shelton was on the Chiefs' practice squad for the second consecutive season after he failed to land a roster spot.​

In his ninth NFL campaign, Shelton originally was the 12th player taken overall in the 2015 draft by the Cleveland Browns, the first of five pro teams that have employed him.​

He's started 72 of 101 games in which he's played and has Super Bowl rings from the New England Patriots and the Chiefs.​

With his physical condition called into question, Shelton joined the Chiefs last year, appeared in one midseason game and basically sat out.​

This year, the former Husky made a commitment to getting into better shape, seemed to play well in the preseason, but still couldn't make the team.​

The Chiefs kept him through the first two weeks of the regular season before letting him go in order to sign cornerback Darius Rush to the practice squad.​

In his final full NFL season in 2021, Shelton appeared in 13 games for the New York Giants and recorded 31 total tackles, one tackle for loss and a half sack.​
 
Today in Patriots History
Olrick Johnson, the Singing Linebacker



Happy 47th birthday to Olrick Johnson
Born Aug 20, 1977 in Miami
Patriot LB, 2000; uniform #51
Signed as a free agent on August 22, 2000


Olrick Johnson was originally signed as an undrafted rookie out of Florida A&M in 1999 by the Jets, where he spent most of that year on their practice squad. Johnson was with Minnesota for the 2000 offseason, cut by the Vikings three days before the Pats picked him up. The 6', 244 pound Johnson played in twelve games as a backup and special teamer for the Patriots, making nine tackles (eight solo).


Since playing in the NFL, Olrick Johnson has worked in the entertainment industry. He has eight movie roles on his resume, as well as many live stage performances.

Originally from Miami, Florida, Olrick Johnson is a former NFL linebacker who loves the Arts. Olrick was a Theatre major and a Music minor at Florida A&M University where He was a Triple threat as An All American Athlete, Actor and Singer.​

While playing professional football, Olrick indulged in Songwriting and has written for numerous Grammy Award winning Artists and is the Co-Director for the NFL Players Choir. But his love for the stage has never left. Soon after hanging up his cleats he headed to Atlanta and never looked back...​

With a love for theatre, Olrick has starred in various stage plays and musicals including Hamlet, Godspell, Black Nativity, Fences, A Colored Museum and Single Husbands, just to name a few. He has also starred in various Tyler Perry stage plays and tours including Mr. Perry's latest production "Hell Have No Fury Like A Woman Scorned." He has filmed several feature films, and starred in various major network TV shows and commercials as well.​

Olrick is a truly a star on the rise and is taking the industry by storm. He is now in the process of filming two additional films and two TV Pilots, one of which he has a leading role and is directed by TV veteran Ms. Kim Fields. Olrick was recently featured in Moves Magazine as their 'Top 5 Entertainers on the Move'. His motto is "All The World's A Stage".​



Gospel singer and former NFL linebacker Olrick Johnson Jr.
sings the National Anthem before the 2005 Champs Sports Bowl December 27 in Orlando.​
 
Today in Patriots History
Shockmain Davis



Happy 47th birthday to Shockmain Davis
Born Aug 20, 1977 in Port Arthur, Texas
Patriot WR, 2000; uniform #84
Signed as an undrafted rookie on April 24, 2000


Shockmain Davis is one of 16 players to make it to the NFL from Angelo State in San Angelo Texas, the same school that produced Clayton Weishuhn. The 6', 205 lb receiver played in 12 games with one start - catching just two of the 11 passes thrown his way - for 12 yards and one first down. He was also credited with five special team tackles, and returned two kickoffs for 45 yards. The Pats re-signed Davis to an ERFA contract, then waived him at the end of training camp in 2001.


Davis spent the 2002 offseason with Seattle, played in the National Indoor Football League in 2003 and 2005, was with Rhein Fire of NFL Europe in 2004, and played two games for the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL in 2006.


March 21, 2005:

2009:
Inheriting an 8-8 team, the product of a franchise that had been on the decline a game at a time during the era New England came to know as the Bobby Grier-Pete Carroll error, once the new coach was hired 27 days into the year 2000, the Patriots had to get worse before they got better.​

That 2000 season fulfilled that requirement: An 0-4 start and a 5-11 finish in a year when Belichick's roster was comprised of names like Eric Bjornson, Shockmain Davis, John Friesz, Antwan Harris, Rob Holmberg, Sale Isaia, Garrett Johnson, Andy Katzenmoyer, Adrian Klemm, Antonio Langham and Harold Shaw.​

Those were the days of whine and losses in Foxboro.​


]​
 
Today in Patriots History
Al Crow



In memory of Al Crow, who would have turned 92 today
Born Aug 20, 1932 in Norfolk, Virginia
Died Sept 12, 2019 at the age of 87
Patriot DT, 1960; uniform #72

Acquired in a trade with the Bills for Wray Carlton on Sept 3, 1960


Buffalo got the better deal on this trade. Carlton would go on to lead the AFL with 5.6 yards per carry in 1962, and led the league in rushing touchdowns in '65. The running back scored 34 touchdowns in eight seasons for the Bills, twice being named to the AFL All Star Team.

Al Crow on the other hand played in just three games for the Patriots before his pro football career ended.



On May 22, 1954, he married his beloved wife, Nevia Ellen Turner of Fulks Run, Virginia.​

He graduated from Porlock High School in 1950, and then attended Staunton Military Academy for one year. Following that, he received a four-year athletic scholarship to The College of William and Mary in football. His career was interrupted as a result of being drafted into the Army during the Korean Conflict.​

He returned to William and Mary and completed his Bachelor of Science and Masters of Education in Physical Education.​

Al was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to play Professional Football for the New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, and the Boston Patriots prior to beginning his lifelong career in education.​

Al was a Physical Education teacher, Driver's Ed Instructor, Coach of Football, Baseball, Wrestling, and Track before being named the Athletic Director of Osbourn High School.​

When Osbourn Park High School opened, he became their first Activities Director and enjoyed a successful career there until his retirement in 1991. He was honored by the school naming the football stadium Al Crow Stadium.​

After retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Crow enjoyed eleven years on the Mission field in East Africa. He and Mrs. Crow have been active members of Manassas Baptist Church since 1961 serving as Deacons, Sunday School Teachers, Scout Leaders and many other roles.​




Happy 84th birthday to Gary Collins
Born Aug 20, 1940 in Williamson, Pennsylvania

Pats 1st round (6th overall) selection of the 1962 draft, from Maryland

The wide receiver was also a first round pick by Cleveland, and not surprisingly he signed with the Browns rather than the Pats. Collins went to two Pro Bowls and won a championship with Cleveland, scoring 70 touchdowns from 1962-1971.





Happy 45th birthday to Jason Glenn
Born August 20, 1979 in Aldine, Texas


Jason Glenn was never part of the Patriot organization, but his draft slot (6th round, 173rd overall of the 2001 draft) was involved in two transactions by the Pats.

On April 16, 2000 that 2001 draft pick was sent by San Francisco to the Patriots so the 49ers could add a seventh round pick to their 2000 draft class. The Niners used that on QB Tim Rattay, one of the six quarterbacks who were drafted before Tom Brady.

(In fairness to San Francisco, the Patriots themselves debated on whether to draft Rattay or TB12 in 2000.)

Back to the pick used on Jason Glenn: on April 21, 2001 the Pats packaged that sixth round pick with a second round pick in a trade with Detroit to move up two spots, to #48 overall. There the Patriots made a selection that turned out very well: Matt Light, who had been the left tackle at Purdue protecting QB Drew Brees.

The linebacker from Texas A&M played in 80 NFL games from 2001 to 2006.
Unfortunately for him, most were on special teams for the Jets.




Other notables born on this date:

John Rauch (1927-2008)
Second overall pick of the 1949 draft later became head coach of the Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills.

Tom Day (1935-2000)
DE played in 116 games, winning two AFL championships with the Bills.

Beattie Feathers (1909-1979)
The halfback was the first player to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season in 1934, and to this day his 8.4 yards per carry is still a single season NFL record. Feathers is a member of the NFL All-Decade Team for the 1930s, and surprisingly not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
 
Today in Patriots History
Super Turf



August 20, 1977:
Work is completed on the installation of a new surface, called Super Turf at Schaefer Stadium. This replaced the Poly-Turf that had been there since the stadium's inception. Poly-Turf used polypropylene for its artificial grass blades and was made by a company from Wellesley. It was marketed as an upgrade over Astro Turf (which used nylon for its artificial grass blades) because it included a 'shock pad' between the concrete and artificial grass.

The problem with Poly-Turf was that it was rushed to market and not properly tested. The product tended to mat down and become slick. It also deteriorated rather rapidly, with players tripping on seams. It was most notorious in Miami, where it was unable to withstand their unforgiving heat and humidity. The first version had to be replaced after just two years, and the next install lasted only four years. To add insult to injury, the severe Florida sun caused the product to discolor from green to blue.

After the Poly-Turf broke down, Schaefer Stadium reverted to Astro Turf, then installed natural grass in 1991.
 
Today in Patriots History
A Football Doubleheader



Anaheim Stadium opened in 1966 as the home stadium to major league baseball's Los Angeles Angels/California Angels. It was also the site of the American Football League's first and only doubleheader.




The game was organized by Jim Hardy. First, a bit on Hardy
As a Rose Bowl hero in the '40s, and for three other years the quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, Jim Hardy did what he could to satisfy southern California's hunger for football. Still, says Hardy, now an insurance man, the region remains on the brink of starvation.

By way of relief, he and four associates are backing an American Football League doubleheader (in the new Anaheim Stadium in August) in which Boston will play Oakland at 6 p.m. and Kansas City will play San Diego at 8:30. Hardy's admitted motive is to land an AFL franchise for the Los Angeles area. "It would be a boom," he says. "Look around: it's been years since anyone has been able to get good seats for the Rams' games."​


Hardy passed away five years plus one day ago at the age of 96:
Hardy had been the oldest living football player from both USC and the Rams, a former quarterback and defensive back who led the Trojans to Rose Bowl victories in 1944 and 1945. Behind Hardy, who earned Rose Bowl MVP honors in 1945, USC turned both games into runaway shutouts.

Hardy’s attendance at the Rose Bowl would extend far beyond his collegiate career at USC. His streak of 85 consecutive Rose Bowls, including all but the first two of the Trojans’ 34 appearances, was believed to be the longest attendance record in the history of the nation’s most storied bowl game.

Even after his retirement, Hardy remained inextricably linked to football in Southern California — and especially at USC. Hardy attended nearly every home game at the university since he was 8 years old, when he first saw a game at the Coliseum.

His father, who worked the telegraphs for Western Union, brought him to the press box in 1931. From then on, a young Hardy dreamed of playing at USC.

After starring at Fairfax High, Hardy got his wish. His love for USC never faded. Until two years ago, Hardy would make the two-hour drive once every week from his home in La Quinta to USC’s football practice.

From 1973 to 1986, after a successful business career, Hardy served as general manager of the Los Angeles Coliseum.​


Jim Hardy's big claim to football fame has nothing to do with the doubleheader or college football though.

Hardy, a quarterback, was the eighth overall pick of the 1945 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. He did not ever play for the team that drafted him, instead logging seven seasons with the Rams, Chicago Cardinals and Lions. He passed for 5,690 yards and 54 touchdowns in his career.

Hardy remains the only quarterback in league history to have eight passes intercepted in a single game as the Philadelphia Eagles picked him off eight times with the Cardinals on Sept. 24, 1950. Eight others have been picked seven times in a game, most recently done by Ty Detmer with the Lions in a game against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 23, 2001.

Hardy would throw six touchdowns the following week against the Baltimore Colts.​


Back to the doubleheader...


There is at least one account that claims that Hardy was so driven to hold a pro football game in Anaheim that he pitched the concept to multiple teams and oversold the idea, resulting in two commitments. That doesn't sound right though, considering that programs were printed in advance with four teams and the two games.

36,000-plus attended the doubleheader, which resulted in the Pats beating Oakland 21-10, and KC defeating San Diego 31-21. The night was promoted by the fact four Heisman Trophy winners would be playing: Joe Bellino, John Huarte, Mike Garrett and Billy Cannon.


From the newspaper clipping above:

The Patriots, who had not won an exhibition since they beat New York four years ago, were out-gained by Oakland 360 yards to 147. But a couple of throws to Jim Whalen, a second year end from Boston College, got the Patriots all the points they needed.

John Huarte, the Heisman Trophy winner who played high school ball at nearby Santa Ana, started at quarterback for Boston. For most of the first half, he was more of a canvasback. He completed 6 of 10 passes but was thrown seven times for losses totaling 54 yards.

With two minutes to go in the first half, however, Huarte got the Bostons off on an 80-yard scoring drive. On the fourth play of the series, he hit Whalen on a 54-yard pass play that put Boston on the Oakland 8. The Patriots were driven back to the 15, but from there Huarte passed to Whalen for the first score of the game.

Oakland, directed by rookie quarterback Charlie Green of Wittenberg, took a 10-7 lead in the third period.

But veteran Babe Parilli, who quarterbacked Boston most of the second half, threw a nine-yard scoring pass to Whalen in the first minute of the fourth quarter and Boston took command, 14-10.

Jim Nance, the 240-pound fullback from Syracuse pulled off the biggest play in the drive gaining 48 yards on a draw play and delivering the ball to the 32.

Oakland's Mike Mercer attempted two field goals in the first half - and both times the ball hit the crossbar and bounced back onto the field. The first try was from 46 yards in the opening period and his second from 47 in the second.​











 
Today in Patriots History
August 20 Old News



Aug 20, 2024:

On Tuesday, the team announced that they had claimed wide receiver Matt Landers off of waivers. The move corresponded with New England placing rookie receiver JaQuae Jackson on injured reserve following a knee injury he sustained in what Patriots coach Jerod Mayo described as a "scary incident on the field” during the second preseason game.​

Landers heads to the Patriots after being cut by the Cleveland Browns. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Landers has an intriguing blend of size and speed, having run the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds at the 2023 NFL scouting combine. He’s considered a tremendous athlete who remains raw as a receiver.​

Landers is in his second season as a pro. The former Arkansas receiver arrived in the NFL last season as an undrafted free agent and spent time on the Seahawks and Panthers practice squads.​

Earlier this year, Landers spent time with two UFL teams but was waived before appearing in a game. He went on to sign with the Browns in May before being waived on Aug. 19.​

As for Jackson, the Patriots lost the rookie receiver after he was carted off during last week’s preseason loss to the Eagles. Jackson, who was a D-II star before transferring to Rutgers, was having a solid camp.​

After catching a touchdown in the Patriots’ preseason opener, Jackson went down in pain on an errant throw against the Eagles.​

He remained on the field for an extended period of time as a significant portion of the Patriots bench came out to support him as he was carted off the field. Since he was placed on injured reserve before roster cut downs, Jackson’s 2024 season is now over.​

Jones signed with the Falcons after going undrafted in 2021 and he’s also spent time with the Dolphins, Titans, Packers, and Panthers since entering the professional ranks. He played in one game for the Packers and one game with the Panthers and has also gotten game action in the CFL.​

McCarroll was undrafted out of Grand Valley State this year. He had 67 tackles and eight sacks in his final college season.​



Aug 20, 2022:
Elliott, 24, signed with New England on Aug. 2 after spending the past two seasons with the Lions. He signed with Detroit as an undrafted free agent in 2020.​

Hafford, 24, re-signed with the Patriots on Aug. 14. He originally signed with the Patriots as a rookie free agent out of Tarleton State on May 9 and was released on May 16. He spent time with the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL after his release from New England in the spring.​



Aug 20, 2019:



Aug 20, 2012:
The Patriots released offensive lineman Kyle Hix prior to Monday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Hix joined the team out of Texas as a rookie free agent last July. He spent his rookie season on injured reserve and battled an undisclosed injury throughout training camp.​



Aug 20, 2011:
Newest signees S James Ihedigbo of UMass (wearing No. 43) and LB Ricky Brown (No. 47) of Boston College were on the field.​



Aug 20, 2003:
Ken Walter edged out Daniel Pope to retain his spot as the New England Patriots' punter just in time for tomorrow night's exhibition game against Philadelphia.​

The Walter-Pope matchup was reminiscent of a midseason tryout in 2001 when New England brought them in after deciding to cut Lee Johnson. Walter won that one too and played in the last 11 regular-season games and the Patriots' Super Bowl win.​

This year's decision announced Wednesday came down to establishing consistency in the kicking game coach Bill Belichick said.​


Rookies Spencer Nead and Chad Lee also were waived yesterday.​

The Patriots drafted tight end Nead, 25, in the seventh round -- 234th overall -- of the 2003 draft. He appeared in both of New England's preseason games. Lee, a 22-year-old linebacker, was signed as a non-drafted rookie free agent in May after starring at Louisville.​



Aug 20, 2001:
Just one day after saying that he wanted to play nose tackle Giradie Mercer more in Saturday's win over the Carolina Panthers, Bill Belichick cut the second-year lineman.​

Today, it was Mercer who was squeezed out even after the Patriots missed a chance to add seven-year veteran defensive tackle Mike Wells, who was cut by the Bears for salary cap purposes. Wells, who is from Missouri and played collegiately at Iowa, reportedly agreed to a three-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts. The Patriots had interest in Wells, but he turned down their offer to stay in the Midwest.​

Unless a roster addition is on the horizon, it can be deemed mildly surprising to see Mercer get cut after limited opportunities with the Patriots. He has only been with the Patriots for three weeks and no mandatory cuts are due until Aug. 28. Mercer did not record a tackle in either of the Patriots preseason games and the limited fourth-quarter defensive snaps affected his playtime in Carolina. In fact, the Patriots defense was only on the field for 1:40 of the fourth quarter in that game.​

Mercer, 25, was claimed off waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles on July 31. The 6-2, 285-pound nose tackle originally signed with the Carolina Panthers as a rookie free agent out of Marshall following the 2000 NFL draft. He was released by the Panthers and signed by the Philadelphia Eagles on July 19, 2000. He suffered an injury in the Eagles' second preseason game at Baltimore on Aug. 5, 2000 and was placed on injured reserve for the remainder of his rookie season.​

That leaves the Patriots with only Garrett Johnson and Jace Sayler at that position. The move may indicate Belichick's satisfaction with the early play of both players. Sayler is a rookie free agent out of Michigan State and Johnson is a former rookie free agent originally signed by the Patriots after the 1999 draft.​
 
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Today in Patriots History
Ty Law and Ted Johnson Get Paid



Aug 20, 1999:
Ty Law says he didn't need to be the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. He just wants to play like him.​

"The first name that you hear when people say cornerback is Deion Sanders... I would even say Deion Sanders," Law said Friday after agreeing to a contract extension that could pay him $50 million over the next seven years.​

"I want to be at that same level. When I retire, five years later I want to be inducted into the Hall of Fame."

Law, who had one year remaining on the contract he signed as a rookie in 1995, agreed to a six-year entension that makes him the second-highest paid cornerback in football behind Sanders. Both the total package and the $14.2 million signing bonus are the biggest in franchise history.​

"It's a special contract," said Patriots vice president Andy Wasynczuk, "but we think we have a real special player."​

The deal is structured so that it frees up about $450,000 in salary cap space this season, Wasynczuk said. He also said he did not expect any complaints from quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who had been the highest-paid player on the team since he signed his seven-year, $42 million deal in 1995.​

"Ty is obviously a key part of this club. Drew is a key part," Wasynczuk said. "Drew's deal was done four years ago. When we get to his deal, the market will still be changing. The most important thing is putting together the deal that makes sense at the time."​

Law, the Patriots' first-round draft choice in 1995, led the team with nine interceptions last season and was named co-MVP in the Pro Bowl. He has 18 interceptions in four seasons, good for 10th on the team's all-time list.​

"He has separated himself (from the pack) as a tremendous play-maker," coach Pete Carroll said. "It's rare that we have the opportunity to draft a guy No. 1, see him come through to this level and really be able to reward him for his accomplishments."​

Law's first chance to prove his worth it comes Saturday night in an exhibition game against Sanders' Dallas Cowboys. But Sanders, who makes about $10 million per year, will not play in the game because he is recovering from an injury to his left big toe.​






Aug 20, 1998:
Bob Kraft apparently learned last spring that it's better to be safe than sorry in the National Football League.​

Having lost a gamble that small money would keep All-Pro tailback Curtis Martin in the fold, the owner of the New England Patriots yesterday coughed up megabucks to extend the contract of middle linebacker Ted Johnson for five more years.​

According to Johnson's agent, Jack Mills, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound former All-American at Colorado signed a deal with the Pats that could earn him $25.4 million over the next six seasons.​

"I wouldn't say his contract is better than the one Pittsburgh gave (linebacker) Levon Kirkland," said Mills, "but it's certainly in the same neighborhood and Ted is very pleased."​


Indeed, Johnson claimed to be "kind of overwhelmed" by the Pats' offer.​

"I realize I'm very fortunate," said Johnson, whose totals of 115 and 127 tackles have been the team's best the last two seasons. "This is a dream come true."​

Mills said the Pats had agreed to pay Johnson, whose base salary this fall remains $403,000, an immediate $3-million bonus and a second $5-million bonus in 1999.​

He described the total Johnson stands to receive over the life of the deal as "pretty appropriate" for a 25-year-old player whose upside appears unlimited.​

Indeed, only Kirkland, who recently accepted a five-year, $25.3-million offer from the Steelers, is a better-paid NFL linebacker.​

"Ted certainly was a beneficiary of Curtis Martin's leaving," said Mills, "but at the same time we were facing the possibility he'd been stuck with a franchise-player label once Martin had gone out the door.​

"By offering us this deal, the Patriots probably avoided a potential good-will problem they could have faced with Ted down the road, although it's a fact that Ted wasn't trying to leave and didn't even want to explore the possibilities of free agency."​

Martin had been a restricted free agent after the '97 season when Bill Parcells stole him away for the New York Jets by offering the tailback a six-year, $36-million contract the Pats couldn't afford to match.​

Had Johnson become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the current season, the Pats could have labeled him as their 'franchise' player and retained his services for about $3.6 million, the average of what the top five middle linebackers earn.​

But as Mills pointed out, such a move might have negatively affected Johnson's performance or prompted him to leave the Pats in another season or two.​

"In my opinion, this was a wise decision on their part," the agent added. "The Patriots now have a building-block player under a long-term contract for the sort of money he deserves. It's not an ego thing for a player to want to be compensated the way other top guys at a position are, and this deal certainly is fair from that standpoint.​

Mills said that because Johnson's bonuses are being pro-rated over the life of his contract, the Pats will be charged only $903,000 for his services this season and about $1.6 million in '99.​

"I think it makes sense because with expansion (to Cleveland) coming, the salary cap is likely to go up by another $6 million to $8 million next year," Mills said.​

Coach Pete Carroll said he and Bobby Grier, the team's vice president of player personnel, had both urged Kraft to extend Johnson's contract.​

"I think this makes a clear statement about what we're trying to do," Carroll said. "We're going to make our investments in people of this caliber. For the immediate future and long range, this is the kind of guy we want on our club."​

Quarterback Drew Bledsoe and outside linebacker Todd Collins were among the first to endorse the signing.​

"That's outstanding," Bledsoe said when he learned about the deal. "He deserves to be compensated this way because he's a great team player who works hard every day."​

Added Collins "If anybody deserves big money, he does. It's nice to know the club holds him in the same sort of respect as his teammates do."​
 
Today in Patriots History
Pats Cut a Pair of Kickers



Robbie Gould is not the only kicker who was once part of the Patriots organization, then went on to have a lengthy, Pro Bowl NFL career elsewhere.

He and Phil Dawson both never made it onto the Pats regular season roster because of a guy named Adam Vinatieri.


Aug 20, 1998:
Patriots claim Phil Dawson off waivers from Oakland. The Pats waived the kicker ten days later.

Dawson ranks ninth in NFL history for most successful field goal attempts, with 441.

Dawson was a record-setting kicker at the University of Texas, a two-time All-American.​

“I had petitioned the NFL after my junior year to see what kind of interested there’d be if I turned pro,” said Dawson. “They said I’d be a middle-round pick. I decided to go back to Texas for my senior year and had a good season.”​

Dawson said some NFL people said he could go as high as the second or third round.​

“We rented my favorite barbeque joint in my home town of Dallas,” said Dawson. “Back then, the first three rounds were on the first day. I didn’t get picked. I thanked everyone, and said to stay tuned for tomorrow – that was when the rest of the rounds took place.”​

This time, the Dawson family invited people to their house. They had ESPN and Mel Kiper Jr. on the television. Day Two of the draft opened with the fourth round.​

“We were sitting around, waiting for the phone to ring,” said Dawson. “It never did.”​

Dawson believes he was impacted because in 1997, the Packers selected kicker Brett Conway in the third round. He was cut during his rookie season. “Teams became afraid to draft kickers,” Dawson said.​

He went to the old Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. It was spring time. “There were no goal posts,” said Dawson. “It was baseball season. Bill Cowher was the coach. He took me to the outfield and told me to aim in a certain direction. I was kicking with no uprights.”​

That didn’t work.​

“The Raiders had the worst kicking performance in the NFL in 1997,” said Dawson. “I made it through the minicamps. Once veteran camp started, it was clear I wasn’t a good fit there. I asked for my release after the second preseason game and they were more than happy to grant it.”​

“The Patriots claimed me on waivers,” said Dawson. “I spent the entire season there on the practice squad. Adam Vinatieri was the kicker, and he was great with me. I learned so much from him. New England is where I first learned how to kick and handle the cold weather.”

Dawson said he can now see how that 1998 season practicing with the Patriots prepared him for Cleveland.​

“The Browns were an expansion team,” said Dawson. “Vinatieri was a free agent. He was ready to go to Cleveland and sign. But at the last minute, he changed his mind and stayed in New England.”​

Then the Browns called Dawson. “I went to Cleveland, Washington and Pittsburgh (outfield tryout) three days in a row to kick,” said Dawson. “I admit, I still hadn’t gotten over not being drafted...and being cut. But I chose to make that motivation.”​

Dawson said the Browns and Washington both offered him a contract. But the Browns “had a true opening because they were an expansion team.”​

“I had to figure out how to kick in Cleveland with the wind and the cold,” he said. “Back then, there were only 30 jobs not just in the NFL – but 30 kicking jobs like this in the world. You couldn’t be picky.”​

So he studied wind and weather patterns. He used to go to FirstEnergy Stadium during the week to practice kicking, “but I stopped after a few years. The weather on Wednesday was not the same as Sunday. It was always changing.”​

Dawson is now an assistant football coach at Lipscomb Academy in Nashville. The head coach is former Browns QB Trent Dilfer. Dawson loves working with high school kids, and likes the Christian-school setting. His son Beau is on the football team. He will be a senior in the fall and plays H-back and long-snapper.​






Aug 20, 1996:
Whenever his Patriot or New York Giant teams drove within field goal range, Bill Parcells would look over at kicker Matt Bahr and wait for 'the look.'​

Sometimes with just a wink or a nod of his head, Bahr would translate his feelings on the potential success of a kick to Parcells. "I'd look at him and he'd know the answer before I even asked him a question. He'd say 'Six more yards,' or, 'Get me to the 33.' If I asked what the chances were, he'd say, 'it's 50-50 from here, Bill.' He knew," Parcells said.​

Releasing Bahr Yesterday, Parcells Won't Have A Clue What His Kicker Is Thinking In Tight Situations. He'll have to build the immense confidence he had in Bahr in the Patriots' new kicker, rookie free agent Adam Vinatieri. Parcells prides himself on being a tough guy but he couldn't hide his emotions as he talked about letting Bahr go, one of the toughest personnel moves he's ever made.​


Parcells made it clear he's not marrying himself to Vinatieri for the entire season. Several veteran kickers like Bahr will be cut in the next week or so and if the rookie from South Dakota State falters, he won't be around long. Bahr would likely get the first call, but "whenever you waive a player, the options may be taken away from you very quickly. I just told Matt to stay in shape."​

This is one of Parcells' riskiest moves as the Patriot coach. The last time he entrusted the team's kicking chores to a rookie was in 1993 when fifth round draftee Scott Sisson won the job. Sisson went on to kill the Pats in several games that year, earning the nickname "Missin' Sisson" in the process.​

Bahr, 40, was released by Philadelphia on Dec. 13 and Parcells called the next day. He told Bahr that Sisson had "gone berserk," and let the veteran go to work.​


Also on Aug 20, 1996:
- Bobby Abrams and Rupert Grant are placed on IR.
- John Elmore, Chris Griffin, Kevin Lee, Rich McKenzie and Byron Thompson are waived.



Aug 20, 1994:
- Kevin Lee is placed on IR.
- Richard Griffith, Ronnie Harris, Bryan Hooks, Mike Saxon, Rich Tylski, David White and Derrick Witherspoon are waived.



Aug 20, 1993:
Pats waive Marion Hobby



Aug 20, 1991:
Pats place Hart Lee Dykes on injured reserve
Hart Lee Dykes, the New England Patriots’ No. 1 draft pick in 1989, is expected to sit out the season after surgery on a broken right kneecap. The wide receiver was injured in Saturday night’s 46-0 exhibition loss to the Phoenix Cardinals.​

Dykes, from Oklahoma State, caught 83 passes for 1,343 yards and seven touchdowns in 26 games for the Patriots. He started all 16 games as a rookie and played in 10 games last season, spending six weeks on injured reserve because of an eye problem.​

Ilia Jarostchuk and David Viaene were also placed on IR.



Aug 20, 1989:
The New England Patriots announced Sunday they have signed holdout wide receiver Hart Lee Dykes, their first round draft choice, to a four-year contract reportedly worth at least $2.25 million.​

Dykes was the 16th overall pick in the draft and first wide receiver chosen. Dykes, an All America from Oklahoma State where he also played baseball as a left-handed pitcher, finally signed after flirting with an offer from the Chicago White Sox.​

'Things worked out so I don't have to worry about baseball,' Dykes said. 'The contract I have with the Patriots is to play football. I'm excited about that. I'm going to put 110 percent toward playing football.'​

Dykes, 22, a native of Bay City, Texas, caught a school-record 74 passes for 1,278 yards and 14 touchdowns for Oklahoma State last season.​





Aug 20, 1987:
Tony Franklin is re-signed to a four-year contract
Glenn Dennison is traded to Washington for a late round conditional draft pick
Peter Hibler is waived



Aug 20, 1984:
Patriots trade their 1985 tenth round pick to Denver for Luke Prestridge



Aug 20, 1979:
**** Conn is placed on IR with a neck injury
Oliver Barrett, Ken Ebeling, Greg Schaum and John Spagnola are waived
 
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