Today In Patriots History July 8, 2008: Kevin Faulk pleads no contest

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Kevin Faulk Pleads No Contest​

July 8, 2008:
Kevin Faulk pleads no contest to a February charge of possessing two joints at a Lil Wayne concert.

While it seemed innocuous at the time, it turned out to have grave consequences for the Patriots, who were motivated to avenge their Super Bowl loss and being deprived a perfect 19-0 season. The running back would end up being suspended from game one of the 2008 season. As a result it was Sammy Morris rather than Faulk who was protecting Tom Brady that day. On the Pats second possession the QB threw a long first down pass to Randy Moss down inside Chiefs red zone - at the same moment that Bernard Pollard took out Tom's knee, and ruined New England's chances as defending AFC champions in Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa.

Report: Faulk pleads no contest

Patriots running back Kevin Faulk has pleaded no contest to misdemeanor possession of marijuana, stemming from an incident this February, according to KATC-TV in Louisiana. Faulk will have his 5-month jail term suspended and will be given a one-year supervised probation with several conditions...

www.boston.com

Patriots running back Kevin Faulk has pleaded no contest to misdemeanor possession of marijuana, stemming from an incident this February.​

Faulk will have his 5-month jail term suspended and will be given a one-year supervised probation with several conditions, according to the television station. He will have to pay a fine of $300 along with $231 in court costs and a $250 fee for a drug analysis. In addition, he will have to perform 40 hours community service and complete 20 hours of a substance abuse program.​

On Feb. 22, Faulk was found with four hand-rolled cigars filled with the illegal substance while attending a Lil’ Wayne rap concert in his home state of Louisiana.​

Granted it was a suspended sentence, but the tiniest slip up or oversight (forgetting to renew your license, etcetera) would result in five months in jail, for four joints? WTAF! Apparently all the Louisiana state legislators genuinely believed the 1936 Reefer Madness propaganda.



Feb 26, 2008:

Patriots running back Kevin Faulk allegedly found with pot

LAFAYETTE, La. — New England Patriots running back Kevin Faulk was issued a misdemeanor summons last Friday for possession of marijuana.

www.seacoastonline.com

New England Patriots running back Kevin Faulk was issued a misdemeanor summons last Friday for possession of marijuana.​

Capt. John Babin of the Lafayette Metro Narcotics Task Force confirmed the summons on Tuesday.​

Faulk, a Louisiana native and former LSU star, was on his way to a suite in the Lafayette Cajundome to watch a performance by rapper Lil Wayne, when a routine search by a sheriff's deputy turned up four marijuana cigarettes, Babin said.​

Everyone heading to the suites was searched, Babin said.​

Faulk was not arrested or required to post bond.​

"He was cited for simple possession, which is a misdemeanor," Babin said. "It's based on an amount possessed for personal use."​

Faulk will be sent a letter notifying him of the court date when it is set.​

"There was no trouble, Kevin was very cooperative," Babin said.​

"We are aware of the report, but I don't have any additional comment at this time," Patriots spokesman Stacey James said.​

The NFL ended up suspending Faulk for the season opener, and also docked him for two game checks.


Below is 17 pages of interesting, conflicting reactions from the forum members of PatsFans at the time of the incident - which not surprisingly, turned into a bit of a social commentary/political debate:

SMY: Kevin Faulk cited for marijuana possession

http://www.beloblog.com/ProJo_Blogs/PatsBlog/archives/2008/02/faulk_arrested.html February 26, 2008 Faulk arrested for marijuana possession According to Louisiana station KATC, Patriots running back Kevin Faulk was arrested for misdemeanor marijuana possession on Friday night. Faulk, a team...

www.patsfans.com

 

[jmt57]

Off Topic, not football-related:

July 8, 1959:
The first Americans died in what would become the Viet Nam War.

I have known older friends from my hometown who fought in Viet Nam. On rare occasions they opened up to me what it was like. All I can say is that it was incredibly horrific, and listening to their gruesome stories captivated me - but not in a good way, closer to bringing tears to my eyes. My sincere condolences to anybody that had to fight there; I don't know how you survived what had to have scarred you for life.



First Americans killed in the Vietnam War, July 8, 1959

On this day in 1959, Maj. Dale Ruis and Master Sgt. Chester Ovnand became the first Americans killed in the opening stages of the Vietnam War when Viet Cong guerrillas attacked a military assistance advisory group compound in Bien Hoa, 20 miles northeast of Saigon.​

In the aftermath of World War II, successive administrations in Washington viewed American involvement in South Vietnam as helping prevent a communist takeover while the North Vietnamese government in Hanoi and its Viet Cong allies in the South sought to reunify Vietnam under communist rule. They viewed the conflict as a colonial war, fought initially against France, then the United States and, finally, after the American troop withdrawal, against South Vietnamese authorities.​

The advisory group began arriving in South Vietnam in November 1955 to offer advice and assistance to the Vietnamese ministry of defense, the joint general staff and corps and division commanders in training centers and in provincial and district headquarters. Despite pressure from the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a Republican and a top general in World War II, resisted sending combat forces to the region or bombing communist targets.​

First Americans killed in South Vietnam | July 8, 1959 | HISTORY

Maj. Dale R. Buis and Master Sgt. Chester M. Ovnand become the first Americans killed in the American phase of the Vi...

www.history.com

Maj. Dale R. Buis and Master Sgt. Chester M. Ovnand become the first Americans killed in the American phase of the Vietnam War when guerrillas strike a Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) compound in Bien Hoa, 20 miles northeast of Saigon. The group had arrived in South Vietnam on November 1, 1955, to provide military assistance. The organization consisted of U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps personnel who provided advice and assistance to the Ministry of Defense, Joint General Staff, corps and division commanders, training centers, and province and district headquarters.​

1959 Biên Hòa compound raid - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

On 8 July 1959, six Viet Cong guerrillas attacked a Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) compound in Biên Hòa, a town about 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Saigon. Major Dale R. Buis (visiting from MAAG 5) and Master Sergeant Chester M. Ovnand (MAAG 7) would be among the first Americans killed in the Vietnam War. Two South Vietnamese guards were killed by the guerrillas. After the incident, MAAG personnel began carrying weapons.​

The Viet Cong attacked the mess hall, where six MAAG advisers were watching the film The Tattered Dress. Ovnand was about to switch to the next reel when VC guerrillas poked their weapons through the windows and sprayed the room with automatic weapons fire. Several 9mm rounds were fired at Ovnand. He quickly turned off the lights and went to the top of the stairs, where he was able to turn on the exterior flood lights. On the stairs, he died from his wounds. Buis was crawling towards the kitchen doors at the time. Buis saw the attacker coming through the kitchen doors when the exterior flood lights were switched on. He stood up and charged at the attacker, but was only able to cover 15 feet (4.6 m) before being fatally struck from behind. The attacker, who was about to throw his satchel charge through the door, was startled by his actions and this hesitation resulted in him blowing himself up. The Viet Cong also killed two South Vietnamese guards who were on duty that night. Captain Howard Boston (MAAG 7) and the Vietnamese cook's eight-year-old son were among those injured.​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
**** Christy dies at age 30​

July 8, 1966:
Former Patriot running back **** Christy dies at age 30 in a one-vehicle accident in his hometown Chester, Pennsylvania.


**** Christy was a 3rd round (27th overall) selection out of North Carolina State by the Packers in the 1958 NFL draft. Prior to the start of the season he was traded to Pittsburgh, where he played in 12 games (four starts) at both offensive and defensive halfback. Christy was released by the Steelers just prior to the start of the '59 season, and again by the Eagles as part of final roster cuts a year later. Eight days later he signed with the Patriots, getting a fresh start in the inaugural season of the American Football League.

Christy was part of a running back by committee on Lou Saban's 1960 Patriots, leading the team with 4.7 yards per carry while ranking second on both rushing attempts and rushing yardage. In addition to leading the team with four rushing touchdowns, Christy finished third on the team with 26 receptions, while also completing six-of-11 passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns.

Boston was 5-9 in 1960 and had finished at the bottom of the league in points scored. There was a particular need for depth at quarterback behind 36-year-old Butch Songin, and Babe Parilli - a backup with the Oakland Raiders with a big arm and a month short of his 31st birthday - looked to be a good fit. On April 4, 1961 the Patriots traded Christy, FB Alan Miller and DT Hal Smith to the Raiders for Parilli and FB Billy Lott. It turned out to be one of the biggest deals in the American Football League’s history.

Oakland traded Christy to the New York Titans, a team with even more financial ownership issues than Billy Sullivan's Boston Patriots. Christy scored 13 touchdowns for the Titans in 1961-62, then saw his playing time decrease the following year. He finished up his pro football career playing minor league football in 1965-65. Overall he played for 12 different coaches from 1957 to 1965, never playing for the same coach in multiple seasons.

https://gopack.com/news/2016/8/9/football-2016-nc-state-athletic-hall-of-fame-****-christy

https://gopack.com/honors/nc-state-athletic-hall-of-fame/****-christy/22

Awards

• 1957 ACC Player of the Year
• 1958 ACC Athlete of the Year
• Consensus All-American (1957)
• First-team All-ACC (1957)
• No. 40 jersey retired
• AFL All-Star (1962)
• New York Titans MVP (1962)
• ACC 50th Anniversary Football Team (2003)
• **** Christy Award, given to the MVP of the NC State-South Carolina football game, is named in his memory.
• ACC Silver Anniversary Team (1978)

Individual Records

• Owned 14 NC State and four ACC records when his career ended
• Still owns school record for best rushing average (7.1 yards per carry) in a single season
• Ranks 11th in school record books with 20 career touchdowns, 12th in rushing yards (1,817), 15th for rushing career touchdowns (15), and sixth for yards per attempt (5.22)
• Led the ACC in scoring (83 pts), kick returns (45.4 yds) in 1957
• NC State's leading rusher for three consecutive seasons, gained 1,817 yards in career
• Scored all 29 points in a 29-26 win in season-finale against South Carolina to clinch NC State's first ACC title

Team Records

• 1957 ACC football champions

General Information

• Signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1958
• Played five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Boston Patriots and New York Titans
• Led the AFL in punt returns and punt return touchdowns in 1961 and 1962
• Led the AFL in kick returns in 1962
• Led the AFL in all purpose yards in 1962
• Born: Nov. 24, 1935; Died: Aug. 27, 1966

Dick Christy Pro Football Record

The trusted source for pro football information about **** Christy. Get statistics, transactions. biographical data and more at Pro Football Archives.

www.profootballarchives.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/****_Christy

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Marty Schottenheimer traded​

July 8, 1971:
Patriots trade LB Marty Schottenheimer and a 1972 fourth round draft pick to Pittsburgh for Mike Haggerty


Haggerty had started at LT for the Steelers in 1970 and had played 43 games with 30 starts since 1967. He played in 13 games as a backup swing tackle for the Pats in '71, then finished his NFL career with Detroit.

Schottenheimer had played in all 56 games for the Bills from '65-'68, making the AFL All-Star team as a rookie. He played in 23 games in two seasons for the Pats, then went on to have a great second career as coach. Marty began as a linebackers coach and defensive coordinator from 1974 to 1984 with the Giants, Browns and Lions, then won 200 games as head coach with the Browns, Chiefs, Washington and Chargers from 1984 to 2006. San Diego owner Alex Spanos made the boneheaded decision to fire Schottenheimer after the Chargers went 14-2 in 2006 because they had the audacity to lose to the Patriots 24-21 in the divisional round playoff game. Hint to Spanos: Norv Turner was not a better head coach...

1970 Boston Patriots Media Guide








​

Marty Schottenheimer Pro Football Record

The trusted source for pro football information about Marty Schottenheimer. Get statistics, transactions. biographical data and more at Pro Football Archives.

www.profootballarchives.com

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SchoMa01.htm

Marty Schottenheimer - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Supposed to be John Smith's replacement​

July 8, 1982:
Patriots sign tenth round draft pick Brian Clark


While in college Brian "Thunderfoot" Clark was involved in a controversial field goal attempt. Florida lost at Auburn in 1981, 14-12, when Clark's 40-yard field goal attempt with seconds remaining was ruled inches wide. Clark, his holder and several reporters standing directly behind the uprights thought the kick had easily made it within the standards and was good.

Clark was a perfect 62-62 on PATs in three years with the Gators, while also booting 43 field goals from 1979-81. Despite that setback versus Auburn, Clark was still considered talented enough to be drafted; at the time he held school records for career field goals made, single season field goals made, and most field goals made in a single game (5). He became the first player that was strictly a placekicker to be drafted in the history of the Patriots franchise.


Incumbent Patriots kicker John Smith had regressed, from connecting on 76.5% in his Pro Bowl year of 1980, to 62.5% in 1981. Particularly galling was Smith (who would turn 33 during the upcoming season), going 2-6 on field goal attempts from 30-39 yards out in '81. Head coach Ron Meyer was looking for Smith's heir apparent, or at minimum an open competition for the place kicker position.

The plan looked great on paper, but Clark's hamstring did not cooperate with the agenda. On the second of three roster cutdown dates, August 31, Clark was placed on injured reserve.

Unfortunately for Meyer, Smith was not available, still recovering after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee. That left the kicking job to Rex Robinson for the first two games and first (week 11) post-strike game, Dan Miller (who ironically played against Clark in college while at Miami) for the next two games, and finally Smith returned for the final four games, plus the playoff loss. A year later Smith was again hobbled, and finally put out to pasture following the 1983 season.


As for Clark, perhaps it was for the best; how would the warm-weather Florida native reacted had he been called upon for a game-winning field goal in The Snowplow Game late in the 1982 season? Would we as Patriots fans have been denied that iconic moment?


Clark was later with the Falcons and Bucs, spent one season on IR and another in the USFL; he only appeared in one NFL game before retiring from pro football.

For nearly 40 years Brian Clark worked his way up the corporate ladder with Steelcase Office Solutions, where he is the Business Development Manager at their Birmingham location.


There are several interesting Florida Gators football records in the following article.

These records were made to last forever

It's coming and you can smell it. College football season is near and you're itching for it, which explains the scratching. Well, that and prickly heat. Tuesday is the beginning of Southeastern Con…

www.gainesville.com

PAT percentage (career): Brian Clark was a steady kicker at UF and made all 62 of his extra point tries during his career. One bad hold, one slip in the mud and a kicker's streak can end suddenly. This record could be exceeded if a kicker made 63-of-63, but the percentage can never be eclipsed.​

LinkedIn - Brian Clark





That 1982 draft class that Brian Clark was part of should have been a gold mine: the team had the first overall pick, two first round picks, three 2nds, two 3rds and two 4ths. Kenneth Sims underwhelmed as the first overall pick, snakebit by injuries. NT Lester Williams (1.27), RB Robert Weathers (2.40), OT Darryl Haley (2.55), WR Cedric Jones (3.56), DE George Crump (4.85) and LB Brian Ingram (4.111) ranged from average to awful. LB Clayton Weishuhn was an absolute beast, but injuries resulted in a short career. Thankfully the Pats fourth choice - Andre Tippett (2.41) salvaged what would have been a draft debacle, with help from S Fred Marion (5.112).





July 8, 1982:
The Patriots release Jeff Roberts

Roberts made such a quick exit from Foxborough, he didn't even have a bio in the 1982 Patriots Media Guide. In May Roberts failed his initial physical shortly after being selected in the seventh round (168th overall) selection in the 1982 draft. After being let go by the Pats, the LB/DE from Tulane never caught on with another NFL team. Instead he headed far north, from the Mississippi delta to Saskatchewan, playing for the Roughriders in the CFL through 1988. In '84 he led the team with 13 sacks.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
The Chief Purser​

July 8, 1991:
The Patriots name Michael Quashie the team's Director of Operations

Like the vast majority from the Victor Kiam-Sam Jankovich-**** MacPherson era, Mike Quashie's employment with the Patriots ended after Bill Parcells was hired by James Orthwein in 1993.


According to his Facebook bio, Mike is now a Chief Purser with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. That position is essentially the senior administrative and financial officer aboard a passenger ship, overseeing guest services, managing the crew, and handling onboard financial operations. As the Chief Purser, he is effectively the boat's hotel manager, managing onboard accounts, foreign exchange, crew payroll, and casino funds. In addition he oversees the front desk staff, resolves cabin complaints, and manages passenger accommodations. The Chief Purser also processes ship manifests, prepares documents for customs and immigration, and handles visas and passports at every port of call.

Between his time in Foxborough and now, Quashie also worked as the assistant athletic director at the University of Miami; director of security at the James L Knight Center in Miami; and director of security at the Four Seasons in Miami.

Michael Quashie

Michael Quashie is on Facebook. Join Facebook to connect with Michael Quashie and others you may know. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected.

www.facebook.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
News from the Aughts​

July 8, 2002:
Tony Scott is claimed off waivers from the Jets
Terrell Buckley signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The news on Tony Scott first broke on Friday July 5, but was formally announced on Monday the 8th.

Patriots are awarded Tony Scott off waivers

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots were awarded their claim on cornerback Tony Scott (on July 5) after he was waived by the New York Jets.

www.patriots.com

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots were awarded their claim on cornerback Tony Scott (on July 5) after he was waived by the New York Jets.​

Scott, 25, was originally drafted by the Jets in the sixth round (179th pick overall) of the 2000 NFL draft out of North Carolina State. The 5-foot-10-inch, 193-pound cornerback is entering his third season. In 2000, he played in all 16 games for the Jets as a rookie and recorded his first career interception against Miami. In 2001, he appeared in nine games for New York, playing mostly on special teams.​

Bucs sign Buckley - Sarasota Herald-Tribune

TAMPA -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Florida State's all-time interception leader, Terrell Buckley, to a one-year contract Monday.​

The 10-year NFL veteran has played with Green Bay, Miami and Denver and was a member of New England's Super Bowl XXXVI-champion Patriots last season.​

The 5-foot-9, 176-pound Buckley was a first-round pick by the Packers in the 1992 NFL draft and has 41 career interceptions and 469 tackles. Buckley had 21 interceptions at FSU.​

= = = = = = =​

The New England Patriots signed cornerback Tony Scott off waivers from the New York Jets. He is the fourth player picked up from the Jets since the Patriots won the Super Bowl. The others are safety Chris Hayes and defensive linemen Steve Martin and Rick Lyle, who were free agents.​

After released by Jets, Scott lands with Pats - Len Pasquarelli, ESPN.com

Having learned the significance of roster depth during their Super Bowl championship season in 2001, the New England Patriots didn't forgot that key lesson, claiming young defensive back Tony Scott on waivers Friday.​

Released last week by the New York Jets, the two-year veteran joins an already crowded secondary unit, and creates even more competition for places in the "nickel" and "dime" coverage packages and also on special teams.​

Scott was released by the cap-strapped Jets so that the team could sign two "street" free agents, one each on the offensive and defensive lines. But the former North Carolina State star also never fit in with the Herman Edwards coaching staff and would have had a difficult time making the New York roster.​

He comes relatively cheap, with a 2002 base salary of $375,000, having re-signed with the Jets in April as an "exclusive rights" free agent. New England officials want to add a "split" provision to Scott's deal, which would pay him less than his scheduled base salary if he was injured in training camp.​

The Patriots like Scott's size, quickness, ability to break on the ball, and the fact he can probably line up at either cornerback or safety. He is expected to battle with backups like Leonard Myers, Tom Knight, Antwan Harris and Brock Williams for playing time in "nickel" and "dime" situations.​

In 23 appearances with the Jets over two seasons, Scott, a sixth-round choice in the 2000 draft, had one interception, one pass defensed, one tackle from scrimmage and 10 tackles on special teams units.​

Scott would be released on August 24, just ahead of the first wave of cuts to bring the roster down to 65 players. He spent the 2003 offseason with Seattle, but again was cut in late August. After that Scott played in the Arena Football league from 2004 to 2008.

Bound for county sports hall: Scott's love of the game took him from Burns to the NFL - Shelby NC Star

Where Are They Now: Tony Scott

Catch Up with the Jets Legend from North Carolina State

www.newyorkjets.com

Tampa Bay waived Terrell Buckley as part of final roster cuts, and the Patriots signed him a few days later. Buckley played in all 16 games for the Pats in '02. His three picks brought his two-year total of interceptions to seven with the Pats, and he finished his NFL career with 50 interceptions.

Former Florida State defensive back Terrell Buckley named to College Football Hall of Fame - Tallahassee Democrat

Terrell Buckley (2019) - Hall of Fame - National Football Foundation

footballfoundation.org

Terrell Buckley - Assistant Coach/Cornerbacks - Staff Directory - Ole Miss Athletics - Hotty Toddy

A College Football Hall of Famer, Terrell Buckley is in his second season as cornerbacks coach at Ole Miss. A native Mississippian, Buckley joined the Rebels...

olemisssports.com

July 8, 2004:
Pats re-sign two ERFAs: Shawn Mayer and Wilbert Brown

Mayer had been signed as an undrafted free agent out of Penn State by the Pats in 2003. The safety played in 9 games that year with 15 tackles, including one in Super Bowl 36. He only played in three games in 2004, and in February 2005 he signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Falcons, who then allocated him to NFL Europe. Mayer excelled as a member of the Hamburg Sea Devils, matching the NFL Europe record for interceptions in a game (3), setting team records for picks in a season (5) and earning All-NFL Europe honors. He played in twelve NFL games while collecting two super bowl rings.

In his post-NFL career Mayer worked as a personal trainer, served as a player development coach at Rutgers for two years, then transitioned to law enforcement, with the Department of Defense and now as a police officer in Baltimore.


Wilbert Brown was an interior offensive lineman who entered the league as an undrafted rookie out of Houston in 1999. He had been the starting right guard for Washington in 2003 before arriving in Foxborough. Brown only got on the field for one game with the Pats in '04, but that was enough for him to get a super bowl ring as well.

Shawn Mayer closes in on Ricky Proehl in Super Bowl 38​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
More news from the Aughts​

July 8, 2006:

it hurts to say goodbye,but-----

We pickup David Patton upon release. We trade Branch to Philly and Graham to Bronco. That should get us a first and second round choice in next years draft and we could even send Neal to the west coast for a second rounder. That allows us to pick up a receiver plus a cornerback in the first...

www.patsfans.com

O

Thread 'it hurts to say goodbye,but-----'

Jul 8, 2006

We pickup David Patton upon release. We trade Branch to Philly and Graham to Bronco. That should get us a first and second round choice in next years draft and we could even send Neal to the west coast for a second rounder. That allows us to pick up a receiver plus a cornerback in the first round. The picks that are left, a future center and a blocking tightend. now depending on injuries we have a very good chance at three-in-a-row. no more contract disputes, a fully loaded team with no glaring weakness but that starts next year not now. we still have a shot this year but only if Brady...

• Owl
• Replies: 64
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Post in thread 'it hurts to say goodbye,but-----'

Jul 8, 2006

If you were to trade Branch and Graham, you would be significantly diminishing our offense this year. They are both very productive players and with who would you replace that productivity?

It's easy to say "trade them because we won't be able to sign them." But what about that production for this year. Personally, I'd rather they just let them play out their final years here. At least we'd get 16 games and playoffs out of them this year and challenge for another SB.

I'm new here, but welcome to the board

• belichickaholic

July 8, 2007:

Where have they gone? Devin Wyman

So I'm half asleep this morning....and I here the name Devin Wyman on espn in the backround. I remember a promising sixth round draft pick by the Pats back in 1996. Couldn't be him.....that was over ten years ago. I look up at the TV.....and see that it's Arena league football highlights. I...

www.patsfans.com

Thread 'Where have they gone? Devin Wyman'

Jul 8, 2007

So I'm half asleep this morning....and I here the name Devin Wyman on espn in the backround. I remember a promising sixth round draft pick by the Pats back in 1996. Couldn't be him.....that was over ten years ago. I look up at the TV.....and see that it's Arena league football highlights. I go to my computer and google him....sure enough Devin Wyman is still playing football (if you want to call it that)

Does anyone remember him? I remember Devin being talked about, as the steal of the draft.

http://www.arenafootball.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3500&ATCLID=96359&Q_SEASON=2007

• Nordberg
• Replies: 1
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Post in thread 'Where have they gone? Devin Wyman'

Jul 8, 2007

So I'm half asleep this morning....and I here the name Devin Wyman on espn in the backround. I remember a promising sixth round draft pick by the Pats back in 1996. Couldn't be him.....that was over ten years ago. I look up at the TV.....and see that it's Arena league football highlights. I go to my computer and google him....sure enough Devin Wyman is still playing football (if you want to call it that)

Does anyone remember him? I remember Devin being talked about, as the steal of the draft...

• Tunescribe

July 8, 2008:

Defense Blew Game, OL Blew Season

The one question which still hasn’t been adequately answered: Why?

www.patsfans.com

At the epicenter of this disaster was the offensive line, a unit which was at or near the top of all offensive lines in the league. Three of the five players were selected to play in the Pro Bowl. Another one may get a trip to Honolulu before long. All season long, they protected Brady expertly and efficiently, and helped Maroney become the featured back everyone thought he would become. The offensive line was as much of a lock in any game as Brady was. . . . .​

Let's begin with perhaps the biggest culprit, All Pro left guard Logan Mankins. The massive guard from Fresno State (at least the baseball players at his alma mater know how to close the deal) is among the most ferocious players in the NFL. A champion calf-tier, Mankins could calf-tie Tuck blindfolded. Yet Tuck repeatedly went through Mankins as if the former Bulldog was a turnstile. Why?​

All Pro left tackle Matt Light sometimes has a problem with speed rushers. He finds the Jets easier pickings since John Abraham moved elsewhere, for example. He drew Umeniyora in the Super Bowl, not Strahan. Light may be well known for his sense of humor, but on the field he is as intense as it gets. In the Super Bowl, Umeniyora was more intense. Why?​

Dan Koppen, himself an All Pro center, calls out blocking assignments and helps greatly with run blocking up the middle. Strong safety James Butler and middle linebacker Antonio Pierce led the Giants in tackles. Butler isn't really the problem here (Harrison led the Patriots in tackles), it's Pierce. Not enough blocking up the middle. Why?​

Stephen Neal is insulated from this discussion, as he spent most of the game injured. Right tackle Nick Kaczur and backup guard Russ Hochstein should have helped out better than they did. Hochstein, for example, did yeoman work against Brentson Buckner and Kris Jenkins four Super Bowls ago in a backup role. But not this year. Why?​

Basically, here's why, and we have the Celtics to thank for this theory. . . . .​

The bottom line is that the Patriots did not take the Giants seriously, and had they did they would have won the Super Bowl going away. The offensive line is a direct reflection of that, as a monster unit with three Pro Bowlers were left to waste by a defensive unit which came at them with more ferocity and intensity until they finally ran out of gas in the fourth quarter. The Patriots might have felt they caught a break by not having to face Brett Favre and the Packers, but instead drew a familiar opponent which they were easily able to move the ball on just after Christmas time. There is simply no other explanation. The Giants brought more intensity to the game than the Patriots did, and the Patriots paid for it in the worst way possible.​

There is no need to retool this unit. Just tell Neal to stay healthy and Kaczur to stay out of trouble. Otherwise, this unit should remain intact in 2008. They will once again provide Brady and the running game with all they need to excel, though perhaps not at record levels, again in 2008. It remains an outstanding unit which picked the worst possible time to have its one bad game of the season.​

July 8, 2008:

The "What player will get cut and shock others" thread

O.K. Training camp is very close by and my annual "What player will surprise everyone by getting cut" thread is back. You are guarandamnteed best be sure at least one player getting cut will be a shocker,so who will it be? I will vote for shocker cut player to be ..... Heath Evans...

www.patsfans.com

Thread 'The "What player will get cut and shock others" thread'

Jul 8, 2008

O.K. Training camp is very close by and my annual "What player will surprise everyone by getting cut" thread is back.

You are guarandamnteed best be sure at least one player getting cut will be a shocker,so who will it be?

I will vote for shocker cut player to be ..... Heath Evans

Yours??? (BTW: No Tom Brady or Richard Seymour or other top player ****** smartass answers O.K.?)

• PATRIOT64
• Replies: 95
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Post in thread 'The "What player will get cut and shock others" thread'

Jul 8, 2008

Wildcard Possibilities...
Izzo...older, slower and challenged by many younger cannon fodder bodies
Kaczur...runs afowl of John Law agin
Harrison...ages suddenly and becomes too pricey for his contribution
Cassell...like, would this really be a surprise?
Chad Jackson...injury settlement...(Patsfans loses 400 Thread topics in 2008 & folds)

• PatsWickedPissah

Post in thread 'The "What player will get cut and shock others" thread'

Jul 8, 2008

Heath is also a receiving option. last year i remember him splitting and hauling in a key first down 16 yrd catch. not sure i trust eckel receiving skills.Heath lined up quite a few times as TE due to his receving skills.

Eckel i am not sure lined up as a blocking FB many times .he played RB late in games not a blocking FB and never as a blocking TE with a few catches thrown his way.

• satz

July 8, 2009:

Goodell to make a decision on SB 44 halftime show - Which is your choice?

Alex Marvez has a couple of choices for Goodell to think about.. Which act will get the nod for Super Bowl XLIV? - FOX Sports on MSN I would think it would be beyond cool to see Bon Jovi as the singing act,especially if Jon's good buddy Belichick is on the sidelines :) Bon Jovi is my...

www.patsfans.com

Thread 'Goodell to make a decision on SB 44 halftime show - Which is your choice?'

Jul 8, 2009

Alex Marvez has a couple of choices for Goodell to think about..

Which act will get the nod for Super Bowl XLIV? - FOX Sports on MSN

I would think it would be beyond cool to see Bon Jovi as the singing act,especially if Jon's good buddy Belichick is on the sidelines

Bon Jovi is my choice - Any other good suggestions for wholesome 'Family' type musicians that Goodell desires instead of seeing Janet Jacksons tit?

• PATRIOTSFANINPA

Post in thread 'Goodell to make a decision on SB 44 halftime show - Which is your choice?'

Jul 8, 2009

Wow, that's... not a good list. I'm a DMB fan, but that doesn't fit with football at all. Out of that list, Bon Jovi would be the best choice, definitely.

• BradyFTW!

Post in thread 'Goodell to make a decision on SB 44 halftime show - Which is your choice?'

Jul 8, 2009

Alex Marvez has a couple of choices for Goodell to think about..

Which act will get the nod for Super Bowl XLIV? - FOX Sports on MSN

I would think it would be beyond cool to see Bon Jovi as the singing act,especially if Jon's good buddy Belichick is on the sidelines

Bon Jovi is my choice - Any other good suggestions for wholesome 'Family' type musicians that Goodell desires instead of seeing Janet Jacksons tit?

eric clapton not even close

• diggemsmack