Today In Patriots History 2022: Pats lose 33-24 at Miami; return to playoffs with 10-7 record

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Today in Patriots History
Pats fall behind early, lose 33-24 at Miami
Dolphins sweep Patriots for first time since 2000
NE finishes 10-7, return to playoffs as a wild card team​

Sunday January 9, 2022 at 1:00
2021 Week 18 at Hard Rock Stadium
Miami Dolphins 33, New England Patriots 24
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Brian Flores
Quarterbacks: Mac Jones, Tua Tagovailoa
Odds: Patriots favored by 6
Weather: 75°, 79% humidity, 8 mph wind
Game MVPs: Duke Johnson for Miami; Hunter Henry for NE
Pats finish the season 10-7, 2nd in AFC East, one game behind 11-6 Buffalo
Dolphins improve to 9-8, winning 8 of 9 after a 1-7 start

Patriots Can't Overcome Slow Start, Lose To Dolphins In Regular Season Finale

Miami remains a house of horrors for the New England Patriots.

www.cbsnews.com

Miami remains a house of horrors for the New England Patriots.​

The Patriots went to Miami on Sunday with a chance to win the AFC East -- a chance which was extinguished rather quickly. New England fell behind 14-0 after two drives, ultimately losing 33-24 to Miami.​

The loss -- New England's second of the year to Miami -- left the Patriots with a 10-7 record.​

Mac Jones completed 20 of his 30 passes for 261 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Tua Tagovailoa was 15-for-22 for 109 yards with one touchdown and no picks for Miami. Duke Johnson rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries.​

The Dolphins got out to a perfect start, driving 77 yards on 13 plays to open up a 7-0 lead before intercepting Mac Jones and returning it 37 yards for a touchdown to double that lead.​

Patriots close regular season with 33-24 loss in Miami

The Patriots will head into the postseason with a bad taste in their mouths. They dropped their season finale to the Dolphins 33-24 Sunday afternoon.

985thesportshub.com

The Patriots will head into the postseason with a bad taste in their mouths. They dropped their season finale to the Dolphins 33-24 Sunday afternoon in Miami.​

With the loss, the Patriots finish the season 10-7, good for either the fifth or sixth seed in the AFC playoff picture. They’ll now wait on the result of the Sunday Night Football game – if the Raiders win, the Patriots will head to Buffalo for round three against the Bills. If the Chargers win, it’s on to Cincinnati.​

To open the game, the Dolphins marched down the field going 77 yards in 13 plays for a touchdown. The drive heavily featured rookie Jaylen Waddle, who caught four passes for 25 yards and the score, putting Miami up 7-0.​

Things didn’t get much better when the offense got the ball. Facing a 3rd & 1, Mac Jones was intercepted in the flat by Xavien Howard, who returned it for a touchdown. It was 14-0 Miami just seven minutes into the game.​

Getting the ball back, the Patriots managed just one first down before being forced to punt. The Dolphins then broke out a fake punt which came up short, but Brandon Bolden was called for a questionable unnecessary roughness call. That extended the Dolphins’ drive to close the first quarter. Miami would eventually come away with a field goal, taking a 17-0 lead.​

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A 13-play, 50 yard drive to open the first half resulted in a 43-yard Nick Folk field goal, making it 17-10 Dolphins. The Dolphins went right back up two scores, with a pass interference call on Jalen Mills setting them up at the one yard line. Duke Johnson punched it in to set the score at 24-10.​

When it looked like the Patriots were ready to respond, they had another miscue. Jones fumbled a snap from Ted Karras, and Miami recovered the ball. They then ran 6:30 off the clock, taking the game into the fourth quarter. A forced punt was negated by a positional penalty on Lawrence Guy, and the Dolphins ended up kicking a field goal to go up 27-10.​

Patriots fall behind fast, lose 33-24 to Dolphins in regular season finale; Mac Jones throws pick-six

New England finished 10-7 on the season.

www.masslive.com

Sunday was not a banner day for Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, who threw a pick-six in the first quarter then fumbled on Miami’s 22-yard line in the third. Jones finished 20-for-30 for 261 yards and a touchdown, but his turnover trouble was the story at Hard Rock Stadium. . . .​

Jones then led New England’s offense on a quick touchdown drive as Brandon Bolden ran it in from 15 yards for his first of two touchdowns against his former team. The Patriots cut it to 17-10 on a 43-yard Nick Folk field goal in the second but then quickly surrendered a touchdown (a Duke Johnson one-yard run) as Miami went up 24-10 late in the third.​

The Patriots were threatening to score again on the next drive, but linebacker Jaelan Phillips recovered the fumble on a failed exchange and gave the Dolphins the ball back. Miami went up 27-10 on another Sanders field goal; Bolden’s 18-yard touchdown catch made it a 10-point game late in the fourth and then Damien Harris ran it in from one yard to cut it to a three-point deficit with 2:53 remaining.​

New England had a chance for its own Miami Miracle with three seconds remaining after forcing a Dolphins punt on their final drive. Jones threw a screen to Jakobi Meyers, who then threw a lateral into the arms of Dolphins linebacker Sam Eguavoen, who fell into the end zone for a defensive touchdown as time expired.​

Johnson (25 carries, 117 yards, touchdown) dashed New England’s defense all day as Miami rushed for 195 yards. Hunter Henry (five catches, 86 yards) led the Patriots in receiving while Meyers (four catches, 70 yards) had a solid game; both Damien Harris (37 yards) and Rhamondre Stevenson (34 yards) had quiet days in the backfield.​

While disappointing, the loss didn’t matter much for the Patriots in the big picture. Buffalo’s win over the Jets would have the AFC East for the Bills regardless of what New England did.​

Dolphins 33-24 Patriots (Jan 9, 2022) Game Recap - ESPN

Expert recap and game analysis of the Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots NFL game from January 9, 2022 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

Jaylen Waddle had a touchdown grab and set the NFL record for receptions in a rookie year, Tua Tagovailoa used his legs — not his arm — to get a critical first down in the final moments and the Dolphins finished their season by defeating the playoff-bound New England Patriots 33-24 on Sunday.​

Xavien Howard returned an interception for a touchdown and Duke Johnson rushed for 117 yards and a score for Miami, which finished with a winning record for the second consecutive season and once again didn’t have a playoff berth to show for it.​

Brandon Bolden scored two touchdowns — one rushing, one receiving — for the Patriots (10-7), who are headed to the playoffs as a wild card. But they were swept by the Dolphins for the first time since 2000 and the outcome handed the AFC East title to the Buffalo Bills, whose game against the New York Jets had not gone final when the Patriots-Dolphins game ended.​

The Bills won 27-10, so the Patriots wouldn't have won the division anyway. And hours later, when Las Vegas beat the Los Angeles Chargers 35-32 in overtime, the Patriots' opponent was set — they're going to Buffalo for a wild-card game on Saturday night.​

Dolphins top Patriots 33-24 in regular-season finale

The Patriots are now going to Buffalo for a wild-card game on Saturday night.

www.bangordailynews.com

The Patriots have played in wild-card games before under Belichick — but have never been to the playoffs in the Belichick era as a wild card. All 17 of the previous playoff appearances in his years there have come after a division title.​

Until now.​

That streak didn't end easily, though. New England needed only eight minutes to cut a 27-10 fourth-quarter deficit to 27-24. Mac Jones connected with Bolden for an 18-yard score on a screen to get New England within 10, Damien Harris rumbled in from a yard out a few minutes later and just like that the Patriots were within three.​

Miami took over with 2:53 remaining, on its 25, with no timeouts and Tagovailoa having thrown for the grand total of 2 yards in the second half. He wound up sealing matters with his feet, not his arm. Facing third-and-8 from his 42 with just inside of two minutes to go and New England poised to get the ball back, Tagovailoa scrambled for 11 yards.​

First down. And soon, game over.​

Dolphins top Patriots 33-24 to sweep New England for first time since 2000

The Miami Dolphins swept the New England Patriots this season for the first time in 21 years.

www.wptv.com

Slow start, penalties, turnovers all in a day’s work for Patriots in sloppy loss to Dolphins in finale - The Boston Globe

The Patriots lost for the third time in four games, ending their regular season on another sour note in Miami.

www.bostonglobe.com

Patriots' road woes against Dolphins continue in sloppy regular season-ending loss

A loss to Miami leaves the Patriots waiting to see if they'll play the Buffalo Bills or Cincinnati Bengals on Wildcard Weekend.

www.boston.com

Patriots Takeaways: Seven Things We Learned From Loss To Dolphins

The Patriots closed out the regular season with a 33-24 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday. Here are seven things we learned in that matchup.

nesn.com

Ups And Downs: Patriots Suffer Brutal Loss To Dolphins To Close Out Regular Season

Stop us if you've heard this before: The Patriots suffered a brutal loss in Miami on Sunday. Not much went right for the Patriots in their first-ever Week 18 game, as they fell to the Dolphins, 33-24, in fairly brutal fashion.

www.cbsnews.com

Three Studs, Three Duds From Patriots' Disappointing Loss To Dolphins

Here are three studs, along with three duds, for the New England Patriots from their Week 18 Sunday matchup with the Miami Dolphins

nesn.com

How the Patriots’ season-finale loss to the Dolphins unfolded - The Boston Globe

The Patriots will open the playoffs in the wild-card round. Their seed comes down to tonight’s Chargers-Raiders game.

www.bostonglobe.com

Patriots vs. Dolphins Week 18 Highlights | NFL 2021
13:22 Highlight Video



New England Patriots vs Miami Dolphins Week 18 NFL 2021-2022 Full Game | Football 2021
2:19:13 Full Game
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New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins - January 9th, 2022 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

New England Patriots 24 at Miami Dolphins 33 on January 9th, 2022 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

Pats Media Dept Pre-Game Press Release
Pats Week 18 Roster
Pats-Dolphins Week 18 Depth Charts
Pats-Dolphins Week 18 Injury Reports
NFL Media Game Summary, with full team & individual stats, halftime stats, drive charts and complete play-by-play
Pats Media Dept Post-Game Notes
- Hunter Henry has his longest pass reception of the season (35 yards)
- Brandon Bolden has his first rushing touchdown of the season, and has second career two-TD performance
- Nick Folk extends mark to 55 consecutive field goals under 50 yards, one behind NFL record of 56 by Ryan Succop
- Damien Harris has second most single-season rushing TDs in team history with 15

 

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Today in Patriots History
Larry Carwell dies at the age of 39​

Larry Carwell was a third round draft pick by the Oilers in 1967, out of Iowa State. After two seasons there he was part of a blockbuster trade between Boston and Houston. Two months after the 'common' (combined AFL and NFL) 1969 draft, the Oilers sent Carwell, RB Sid Blanks, MLB Ron Caveness and WR Charley Frazier to the Patriots in exchange for CB Leroy Mitchell and the Pats second round draft pick in 1970. Mitchell was an All-Star with seven interceptions the previous year, and just 24 years old.

The Patriots of that time were rebuilding and in need of upgrades everywhere. In 1966 they seemed destined to win the AFL East and possibly represent the American Football League in the first super bowl. But the Pats were upset on the final game of the season and the entire roster seemed to age and get slow at the same time, resulting in back-to-back ten-loss seasons. Boston was willing to give up a high draft pick and a budding star for four players, but the plan did not work out. Blanks was an all star as a rookie, but had done next to nothing since then; he rarely saw any action behind Jim Nance and Carl Garrett. Frazier did score seven touchdowns in '69, but he was over the hill and had only nine receptions the following year. (If you are rebuilding aren't you trying to get younger, not older?) Caveness never played a single down for the Pats.

Larry Carwell was the only one of the four that made the trade close to being worthwhile. He was a four-year starter for the Patriots at left corner, from '69-'72, in a period of time when there was not much support from either the pass rush or from the offense. Carwell had ten interceptions (with one touchdown) for the Pats, and also contributed on special teams with 13 punt returns and two kickoff returns.

Remembering Larry Carwell

Larry Carwell was an exceptional Iowa State football player from 1964-66. He was also a huge success as a professional, playing six seasons (1967-72) in the AFL for the Houston Oilers and New England Patriots, collecting 14 career interceptions along the way.​

A native of Campbell, Ohio, Carwell lettered three years at Iowa State as an outstanding defensive back. He tallied 127 tackles and picked off seven passes in his career. On Oct. 8, 1966, Carwell picked off two Kansas passes and returned the interceptions for 123 return yards. His interception return yardage that day is still a Cyclone school record.​

Carwell started over 50 games in the AFL during his distinguished professional career. He had five interceptions for the Patriots in 1971 and returned two interceptions for touchdowns in his career.​

Unlike today’s professional athletes, players in the 1970s were underpaid. They needed a second career to survive, and Carwell was determined and ready for another challenge.​

Anybody who knew Carwell would quickly tell you about his love of children and his hatred for drugs. He was sickened how drugs filtered down to kids and ruined their lives. He was going to join the fight and the DEA was his calling.​

It was important for Carwell to set an example for his wife, Lural, and his two children, Larry Jr., Shauntel.​

Carwell entered the United States Drug Enforcement Administration in 1974 shortly after retiring from the pros. He soon became a special agent for the DEA, and on Jan. 9, 1984, Carwell, along with four Air Force servicemen, died in a helicopter crash during an anti-narcotics mission.​

Larry Carwell was stationed in Houston with the United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration’s Houston Field Division soon after becoming a special agent. He was a Sunday school teacher for a local Baptist church and active in drug prevention and sports programs in the community.​

Carwell was sent to Miami with the task of stopping drug runners in the Bahamas. During the 1980s, cocaine smuggling was at its peak and the Bahamas was a key link in the smuggling chain.​

Just off the coast of the Bahamas, his helicopter developed complications. The aircraft suffered from a dual engine flame out and crashed into the sea. All five bodies were never found.​

Carwell was 39 years old.​

Special Agent Larry N. Carwell, United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Government

Special Agent Carwell was killed when the U.S. Air Force UH-1N helicopter he was riding in crashed during an anti-narcotics operations flight off the coast of Nassau, Bahamas.

www.odmp.org

Larry N. Carwell​

Special Agent Carwell was killed when the U.S. Air Force UH-1N helicopter he was riding in crashed during an anti-narcotics operations flight off the coast of Nassau, Bahamas.​

Four Air Force servicemen were also killed in the crash, and four were rescued, after the helicopter was ditched in the sea. The bodies of the lost were never recovered and it is believed they were trapped in the helicopter when it sank in 6,000 feet of water.​

Special Agent Carwell had served with the Drug Enforcement Administration for nine years and was assigned to the Houston District Office.​

DEA Museum - Wall of Honor - Larry N. Carwell

Larry N. Carwell​

Special Agent​

August 05, 1944 - January 09, 1984​

Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Larry N. Carwell of the Houston District Office died on January 9, 1984, in a helicopter crash during an operations flight near the Bahamas. He was 39 years of age at the time of his death.​

During the 1980s, the Bahamas was a critical link in the cocaine smuggling chain that stretched from Colombia to the United States. DEA agents were assigned to the Caribbean in an effort to reduce drug trafficking activities in that area.​

Special Agent Carwell joined DEA in May 1974. During his 10 years in Houston, he was very active in drug prevention programs and worked closely with Houston area sports teams to raise awareness about drug misuse. After his death, Special Agent Carwell received the International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association's Medal of Valor in October 1984 "for having performed his duty at a personal risk of life."​

 

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Today in Patriots History
The Undertaker​

Happy 60th birthday to Vincent Brown
Born Jan 9, 1965 in Atlanta
Patriot LB, 1988-1995; uniform #59
Pats 2nd round (43rd overall) selection of the 1988 draft, from Mississippi Valley State
Pats résumé: 123 games (120 starts); 811 tackles, 16½ sacks, 17 takeaways (10 Int, 7 FR), 2 TD

Vincent Brown played in 123 games for the Patriots, missing just five games over his eight years with the Pats. He registered 811 tackles, 16.5 sacks, ten interceptions, seven fumble recoveries, six forced fumbles, and scored two touchdowns. "The Undertaker" led the Patriots in tackles five times, a genuine star player on teams that were not very deep with talent.

Brown finished his career with five consecutive 100+ tackle seasons, with a career high of 158 in 1993 when he was a 2nd Team All Pro.

Despite the relatively short NFL career, Brown's name can still be found in the Patriot record books.
- Ranks second im most sacks in a single game with 3½ at Buffalo on Oct 26, 1986
- Ranks 37th with 16½ career sacks, just ahead of Johnny Rembert and Vince Wilfork
- Ranks 50th with 123 regular season games played, tied with Rob Ninkovich

Since 2001 Brown has been coaching, primarily at the college level. He spent one season as a linebacker coach with the Dallas Cowboys, and has also been a position coach at the University of Virginia and Richmond, and defensive coordinator at UConn, Howard and William & Mary. For the last two years Brown was the head coach at North Carolina A&T.

The columnist below doesn't hold back his opinion about the treatment Vincent Brown received from Bill Parcells and Bob Kraft:

Brown earned better than he got from Pats

Does loyalty exist in professional sports? No. If it did, Vincent Brown still would be employed by the New England Patriots. Vincent Brown, 31, is a rare commodity in professional sports today. H…

www.southcoasttoday.com

Although the Patriots hierarchy will not confirm it, the beginning the end of Brown’s Patriot career came last Aug. 1, when team physician Bert Zarins performed arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. At Parcell’s urging, Brown was asked to stick it out for the benefit of team. Now, they are sticking it to him.​

The Patriots have not publicly stated the reason why he was released, but he had potential problems with his surgically repaired knees and was scheduled to make $2.25 million this upcoming season.​

The irony in all of this is that Brown was always behind the scale when it came to compensation. For years, he was considered by his peers to be underpaid. Because he was always the best defender on one of the worst defensive teams in the NFL, he never got chosen to appear in the Pro Bowl. Consider for a moment how much better he would have been had he played behind the likes of Bruce Smith, Howie Long or Green Bay’s Reggie White (certainly not to be confused with the Patriots Reggie White).​

Vincent Brown steps into the role of coaching and it feels good! - Patriots.com - Aug 9, 2005

Vincent Brown, an eight-year veteran of the New England Patriots, tries his hand on the other side of the ball as an intern coach under Dallas Cowboys’ head coach Bill Parcells.​

Vincent Brown returns to what he loves best, football. At age 30 Brown's NFL career came to an abrupt end. After eight years playing inside linebacker for the Patriots he was suddenly and unexpectedly told he was finished. He had enjoyed a stellar career as one of the best inside linebackers in Patriots history.​

Over the next 10 years Brown would try his hand at many different jobs including insurance sales. But when he stepped back onto the field to coach his son's youth football team he realized that was where he needed to be. That was where he was comfortable. That was, and is what he loved more than anything.​

 

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Today in Patriots History
Rick Sanford​

Happy 68th birthday to Rick Sanford
Born Jan 9, 1957 in Rock Hill, South Carolina
Patriot S, 1979-1984; uniform #25
Pats 1st round (25th overall) selection of the 1979 draft, from South Carolina
Pats résumé: 89 games (60 starts); 25 takeaways (16 Int, 9 FR), 3 TD

Rick Sanford did not miss a single game in his six seasons with the Patriots. The Patriots of the early eighties featured an excellent defensive secondary, with Sanford and Tim Fox at safety, and Mike Haynes and Raymond Clayborn at cornerback. Sanford had 16 interceptions, nine fumble recoveries and two touchdowns as a member of the New England Patriots.

Sanford had a 99-yard pick-six at Chicago on Dec 5, 1982, breaking Bob Suci's team record of 98 yards set in 1963. Incredibly, that milestone did not last forever in the record books: Jimmy Hitchcock was credited with a 100-yard return when he ran an interception from the end zone all the way back for a TD versus Miami in 1997.

In his post-football career Sanford worked as a chiropractor for 27 years, and then co-hosted an evening sports talk radio show in his native South Carolina. Unfortunately Sanford had to retire from broadcasting in 2021 after having been diagnosed with a neurocognitive disorder associated with CTE that made continuing his on-air duties all but impossible.

Rick Sanford - SC Football Hall of Fame | Become a life changer for our youth!

Rick Sanford is a South Carolina Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021 Inductee. He is from Rock Hill, SC, and became an All-American at South Carolina, and All-Pro in the NFL.

scfootballhof.org

Rick Sanford was born in Rock Hill, SC and graduated from Northwestern High School. His great play at the high school level led him to play collegiately at the University of South Carolina (1975-1978). At South Carolina, Sanford earned 1st Team All-American status as a defensive back from the Sporting News, as well as 1st Team All-American recognition among Independent Schools. He became the first 1st round draft pick in Gamecock history in the 1979 draft when he was selected 25th overall by the New England Patriots. He set the longest interception return record in Soldier Field on a 99-yard pick six on Bears QB Jim McMahon. In 1983, he was named as an NFL All-Pro for his career high 133 total tackles and 7 interceptions that season. After that season he was given the Patriots Unsung Hero Award by the Patriots Fan Club. Overall, he totaled 16 career interceptions and 3 defensive touchdowns as a safety. Sanford would play 94 games over seven seasons as a defensive back and returner in the NFL, six with the Patriots (1979-1984), and one with the Seattle Seahawks (1985). Sanford is a 1998 inductee of the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame and is on their Board of Directors.​

Rick Sanford

www.visityorkcounty.com

Why Rick Sanford is retiring at Sports Talk Show, broadcasting | The State

“I struggle with keeping my train of thought, finding the right words, and remembering how to do things,” Sanford told listeners during the 6 to 8 p.m. broadcast. “My fuse has gotten shorter and my filter has lessened. … This is a progressive condition and the time has now come for me to step away from the (microphone).​

​

More Trouble for Ex-Gamecock Great Rick Sanford

Former Gridiron Star Sentenced for Fraudulent Billing in His Chiropractic Business

patch.com

A college All-American in 1978, Sanford made USC history in 1979 when he became the first USC player to ever be selected in the first round of the NFL draft. Sanford played for the New England Patriots and was named to the 1983 All-Pro team. The play for which he is best remembered is a 1982 interception at Chicago's Soldier Field that he returned a record 99 yards for a touchdown. In 1998, he was elected to the S.C. Athletic Hall of Fame.​

Once out of football, Sanford parlayed his sports career into a chiropractic practice, which he started in 1990.​

 

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Today in Patriots History
**** Conn​

Happy 74th birthday to **** Conn
Born Jan 9, 1951 in Louisville, Kentucky; grew up in Atlanta
Patriot S/ST, 1975-1979; uniform #22
Signed as a free agent Nov 26, 1975
Pats résumé: 46 games (1 start); special teams captain


**** Conn played in 46 games over five seasons with the Patriots as a backup safety and special teamer. As a rookie in 1974 he earned a ring with Pittsburgh in Super Bowl IX, over the Vikings. He spent his entire post-football career as a rep for Jostens, the company that makes class rings and championship rings.


1979 Patriots Media Guide:

has a knack for always being where the ball is, that's why teammates tabbed him as special teams captain . . . capable fifth defensive back . . . was runnerup in tackle department with 13 on special teams in '77 . . . signed as a free agent on 11-26-75 to join college teammate Andy Johnson . . . began as a free agent in '74 with Pittsburgh, appearing in Super Bowl IX on special teams and as fifth DB . . . waived in 1975 training camp and spent time with Jacksonville of WFL before league folded . . . joined the Bill Lenkaitis-Randy Vataha racquetball staff in '79 offseason.​

Below are excerpts from a 2020 interview:
Catching Up With... **** CONN

UGASports: After a season with the Steelers, you start playing with New England, where you were teammates with the late Andy Johnson, just like you had been at Georgia.​

Conn: Andy and I were great friends, and we truly had a unique friendship. In 1975, the NFL reduced its rosters (from 47 to 43 players), and I got let go by Pittsburgh in the final round of cuts. I wound up going to the World League for a little bit and played with Jacksonville. (For the Jacksonville Express in 1975 of the since-defunct WFL, Conn led the team in interceptions, despite appearing in less than half the Express’ games.) I think Andy, all along while I was in Jacksonville, was talking me up to the special teams coach for the New England Patriots.​

Andy is really the reason I got a second chance at the NFL, as he talked New England into signing me. I wound up being with the Patriots for five years. You know, I’m proud to say that Andy Johnson was on the field with me for my last football game in high school (Johnson quarterbacked Athens High to a win over Lakeside in 1968—Conn’s final game in high school), my last game at Georgia (1973 Peach Bowl), and my last game in the pros (Patriots in 1979).​

UGASports: What happened after your tenure with the Patriots?​

Conn: I was a free agent and was hoping to work my way back home by signing with the Atlanta Falcons. Well, I had injured my neck and couldn’t pass the physical. My brother started talking to me about Jostens, a company that produces championship rings, class rings, graduation supplies, and such. My family and I packed up and moved to Spartanburg, S.C., in 1981 so I could work for Jostens—and I’m still with them.​

Man Of The Hour - Atlanta Journal and Constitution - Oct 15, 1972
**** Conn: Summer of '72 Brought Historic Dividends

The summer of '72 was a long, tough one for Georgia's **** Conn. He remained in Athens and worked at football while his buddies swam away the hot vacation months, or had dates and stuffed themselves.​

Then, fall. And heartbreak for Conn. When the Bulldogs opened the season against Baylor, Conn was not a starter.​

"Starter?" he asked, increduously. "I was barely on the traveling team."​

Conn stayed with it. He began to see playing time, looking better with each game. Then, Saturday, in a 14-13 win over Ole Miss, **** Conn had his day in the sun. Name something a defensive back is supposed to do, the Atlantan from Lakeside did it.​

HE INTERCEPTED a pass at a clutch time. He ran back punts. He made tackles, all over the field. And, perhaps of the most importance, the way things turned out, he partially blocked an extra-point attempt by the Rebels' Steve Lavinghouse, and all that did was make the diffrence in the ball game.​

GO Pats!!!

I know this has nothing to do with relocating to Charleston, South Carolina. However, I have to give some support to my New England Patriots…soon to be Super Bowl XLVI champs. My love of th…

mollyconn.wordpress.com

My love of the Pats comes from birth…born just outside Boston and delivered by the same doctor who delivered all the Patriots’ wives’ babies. Why you ask? Because my mother was a Patriot wife which leads me to my favorite Patriot of all time (or ex-Patriot as my friend Corie likes to say) ~ my dad, **** Conn.​

My dad played in the 70’s for the Pittsburgh Steelers (Super Bowl IX) and then for New England. There he is – guy on the left…no, not the black guy in red – I’m not that tan..guy in blue who looks like me!​

 

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Today in Patriots History
No-Cho Cinco​

Happy 47th birthday to Chad Johnson
Born Jan 9, 1978 in Miami
Patriot WR, 2011; uniform #85
Acquired in trade with Cincinnati on July 29, 2011, for a 2012 fifth and 2013 sixth round draft pick
Pats résumé: 15 games (3 starts); 15 receptions on 32 tardets, 276 yards, 1 TD

From 2003 to 2007 Ochocinco was one of the best receivers in the NFL, averaging 92 receptions, 1,374 yards receiving and nine touchdowns, and was twice a first team All-Pro. Unfortunately he was past his prime (33 years old) and just didn't have the type of mind that was required to understand and read defenses, then run routes accordingly in that Belichick-Brady Patriot offense. He caught less than half the balls thrown his way in his one season with the Patriots, totaling just 15 receptions for 276 yards and one touchdown.

 

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Today in Patriots History
More Jan 9 Birthdays and Trivia​

Happy 44th birthday to Cedric Cobbs
Born Jan 9, 1981 in Little Rock, Arkansas
Patriot RB, 2004; uniform #34
Pats 4th round (128th overall) selection of the 2004 draft, from Arkansas
Pats résumé: 3 games (0 starts); one Super Bowl ring

Cedric Cobbs played in just three games for the Patriots, gaining 50 yards on 22 carries (2.3 ypc), with three first downs and no touchdowns. The 6', 227 pound back was released at the end of training camp in 2005. He was then signed by Denver, spending '05 on the Bronco practice squad, missing '06 with an ankle injury, and then being waived at the end of '07 training camp. Cobbs did earn a ring from Super Bowl 39 during his time with the Patriots.

In his post-NFL life Cobbs was arrested for conspiracy to obtain 180 Oxycodone pills by fraud. He faced up to four years in prison but avoided prison time after telling a federal judge that he had been receiving inpatient treatment for CTE.

Jim Harris: Cedric Cobbs to Make Pro Boxing Debut | Sporting Life Arkansas

Cedric Cobbs, who appears to have worked himself back into the physical stature he commanded as a UA running back, will step into the boxing ring Saturday.

www.sportinglifearkansas.com

Former NFL Running Back Cedric Cobbs Blamed His Drug-Related Arrest on Brain Trauma

Former Broncos and Patriots running back Cedric Cobbs found himself in serious legal trouble in 2015. His defense? A history of concussions.

www.sportscasting.com

Happy 26th birthday to Ochaun Mathis
Born Jan 9, 1999 in Manor, Texas
Patriot OLB, 2024; uniform #32
Signed to practice squad on August 30, 2024
Pats résumé: 5 games (0 starts); 11 defensive snaps and 80 special team snaps

Mathis was originally a 6th round draft pick from TCU/Nebraska by the Rams in 2023, with a pick they acquired from trading WR Robert Woods to Tennessee. Mathis was elevated to the active roster on October 29, and waived on November 19. He was signed by Philadelphia three days later, and has been with the Eagles since then.

Huskers alum signs two-year deal with Patriots

Former Nebraska football player Ochaun Mathis was signed to a two-year contract by the New England Patriots on Friday. ESPN's Mike Reiss reported that the linebacker was added to the 53-man roster from the practice squad earlier this w

cornhuskerswire.usatoday.com

Happy 39th birthday to Jonathan Compas
Born Jan 9, 1986 in Yorba Linda, California
Patriot center, 2011 offseason; uniform #74
Signed as a free agent on August 3, 2011
Pats résumé: 2011 training camp

The 6'3, 315 pound center from Cal-Davis was signed as an undrafted rookie by the Raiders in 2009, then was with the Tampa Bay organization for most of 2009-2010. He was released by the Pats as part of final roster cuts on Sept 2, 2011. Compas has since worked in the wholesale fuel distribution business, and for the last few years is an account executive for a commercial wire manufacturer[/URL].

Kris-Tech Wire -- Jon Compas




Happy 54th birthday to Bill Schroeder
Born Jan 9, 1971 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Patriot WR, 1995; uniform #18
Acquired in a trade with Green Bay on Aug 11, 1995, along with TE Jeff Wilner in exchange for C Mike Arthur
Pats résumé: spent 1995 season on IR; waived Aug 14, 1996

A 6'3 receiver with speed (4.26 40) and athleticism (44" vertical leap), the "Sheboygan Flash" spent 1994 on Green Bay's practice squad before being traded to New England. He suffered a broken foot before the season began though, and spent all of '95 on IR. The Pats released him the following training camp, and he returned to his native Wisconsin for a second stint with the Packers. Schroeder had a nice NFL career for an undrafted guy, playing in 111 games (78) starts with 304 receptions and 28 touchdowns. His best season came in 1999 when he had 74 receptions for 1,051 yards from Brett favre, and he followed that up with 999 yards and 918 yards the following two years.




In memory of Goldie Sellers, who would have turned 83 today
Born Jan 9, 1942 in Winnsboro, Louisiana
Died March 28, 2020 at the age of 78 in Golden, Colorado
Patriot DB/KR/PR, 1971 preseason
Waiver claim from Houston Oilers on Aug 26, 1971
Pats résumé: did not make it to the week one roster; waived Sept 13, 1991, ending his pro football career

No relation to Ron Sellers as far as I know, Goldie Sellers burst on the scene with two kickoff returns for touchdowns as a rookie in with Denver. He was part of the Kansas City team that defeated Minnesota in Super Bowl IV, but leg/knee injuries curtailed the speedy Grambling State alum's career too soon.

Former Broncos cornerback/kick returner Goldie Sellers dies at 78

Former Broncos cornerback/kick returner Goldie Sellers died Saturday night of complications from cancer, his family announced. He was 78.

www.espn.com

Draft Pick Trades with players born on January 9:

In memory of Robert Newhouse (1950 - 2014)
Born Jan 9, 1950 in Longview TX
Draft Pick Trade

Robert Newhouse is a footnote to one of the many comical adventures of the Sullivan-era Patriots.

On July 31, 1971 Dallas traded Thomas, Halvor Hagen and Honor Jackson to the Patriots in exchange for Carl Garrett and the Pats first round 1972 draft pick.

At first Thomas could not be found to be notified of the trade. Then on the second day of practice he refused to get in to a 3-point stance, later explaining "I was in a two-point stance because it gives a better view of a handoff. I was behind Jim Nance, and I couldn't see. His ass was the size of a volleyball court."

John Mazur ordered him off the field, then claimed Thomas didn't pass his physical. A few days later Pete Rozelle stepped in and voided the trade, sending Thomas and Garrett back to their former teams. As part of that exchange Dallas also received a 1972 2nd round pick (Newhouse) and a 1972 3rd, while the Patriots got a 1972 1st (traded away to Minnesota).

Despite holding out for three games, Thomas proceeded to lead the NFL with 13 total touchdowns and 11 rushing touchdowns in 1971.
He scored a TD in each of Dallas' three playoff games and rushed for 95 yards on 19 carries in the 24-3 super bowl victory over Miami.

As for Newhouse, all he did was to go on to have a twelve year career in Dallas, playing in 168 regular season games plus 23 playoff games.

Robert Newhouse dies at 64

Robert Newhouse, responsible for one of the most iconic plays in Dallas Cowboys history, died Tuesday after a long illness.

www.espn.com

Happy 54th birthday to Jimmie Jones
Born Jan 9, 1966 in Lakeland FL
Draft Pick Trade

On April 22, 1990 the Patriots made a pair of draft pick trades.
First they sent a 1st (#3 overall, Cortez Kennedy) and 2nd (#29, Terry Wooden) to Seattle for a 1st (#8, Chris Singleton), another 1st (#10, Ray Agnew), a 3rd (#64, Jimmie Jones) and 1991 4th (David Rocker).
Next the Pats traded down sending that 3rd (Jones), a 6th (Frank Cornish) and 8th (Arthur Jimerson) to Dallas for a 3rd (#80, Greg McMurty), 5th (James Gray) and 7th (Brent Griffith).

Jones was a DT who played for eight years, winning two rings with Dallas. In SB 27 he recovered two fumbles (one for a TD) in the Cowboys 52-17 victory over Buffalo. A year later he was involved in a rather infamous play. Jones was the player that made a great play - blocking Miami's field goal attempt on Thanksgiving day that should have won the game for Dallas - but Leon Lett inexplicably attempted to recover the ball. That resulted in Miami getting another opportunity, and defeating Dallas 16-14.



Antonio Callaway, 28 (Jan 9, 1997)
Draft Pick Trade
On April 28, 2018 the Pats traded their 4th round pick (105th overall) to Cleveland, who used that on WR Callaway.
In return the Patriots received a 4th (traded again) and 6th round pick (178th overall), which was used for Christian Sam.
Callaway played in 25 games over three seasons with the Browns and Dolphins, with 53 receptions and 5 TD.
Sam was placed on IR after playing in three preseason games, and subsequently proceeded to play in various minor leagues such as the USFL, XFL and UFL.




Other pro football players born on this date with a New England connection:

Ken McAfee, 69 (Jan 9, 1956)
Brockton High School
After leading the Boxers to the state high school football championship, McAfee became a two-time All-American at Notre Dame, and was named the 1977 Walter Camp Player of the Year. He was the 7th overall pick of the 1978 draft by San Francisco.

**** Lucas (1934-2020)
Born and raised in Southie; South Boston High School; Boston College
Tight end played with Pittsburgh and Philadelphia from 1958-1963, winning a championship in 1960 when Norm Van Brocklin and the Eagles stunned Vince Lombardi and Bart Starr's Packers 17-13.

James Sheldon (1901-1980)
Williston Seminary (Easthampton MA); Brown University
Sheldon was an end for the 1926 Brooklyn Lions.




January 9, 1985:
The Patriots announce several hires to new head coach Raymond Berry's staff:
Bobby Grier (running backs)
Dante Scarnecchia (special teams and tight ends)
Ed Khayat (defensive line)
Don Shinnick (linebackers)
Jimmy Carr (defensive backs)
Dean Brittenham (strength and conditioning)

Belichick pulls plug on Grier

FOXBORO — Bobby Grier's survival skills had become the stuff of legend.

www.thesunchronicle.com

Patriots Offensive Line Coach Dante Scarnecchia to Retire

Edward Khayat - Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame

Edward Khayat

msfame.com

Don Shinnick; was linebacker for Colts, coach for Patriots - The Boston Globe

Jimmy Carr, ex-Philadelphia Eagle, dies at 79

Jimmy Carr, who won an NFL championship in 1960 with the Philadelphia Eagles, has died in Indiana. He was 79.

www.espn.com

Dean Brittenham, Former CU Track Coach, Dies At 84

Dean Brittenham, Former CU Track Coach, Dies At 84

cubuffs.com

Thursday Jan 9, 2025:

Boston Herald - Inside the Patriots’ 2024 season, Jerod Mayo’s firing and a franchise’s continued fall

https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/01/09/patriots-inside-story-jerod-mayo-robert-kraft/

www.patsfans.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in NFL History
January 9 Trivia​

Bart Starr (1934-2019)
Hall of Fame quarterback won five championship with the Packers, after not being drafted until the 17th round.

Darren Bennett, 60 (1965)
Sydney, Australia born punter for the Chargers played in 160 games and is a member of the Hall of Fame All-1990s team, averaging 43.8 yards per punt with San Diego.

Marcus Peters, 32 (1993)
Despite wearing out his welcome with both the Chiefs and Rams, the cornerback was a first team All-Pro twice while compiling seven pick-sixes in eight seasons.

Robert Newhouse (1950-2014)
Fullback played 14 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, winning one championship and scoring 36 touchdowns.

John Henderson, 46 (1979)
The ninth overall pick of the 2002 draft was a two-time Pro Bowl DT for Jacksonville.

Rod Smart, 48 (1977)
Trivia answer to the question 'what is the real name of the guy who wore "He Hate Me" on the nameplate of his XFL jersey'. Not surprisingly he is a cousin to former Eagle WR Freddie 'FredEx' Mitchell, and grew up in Lakeland, Florida alongside Ray Lewis.




January 9, 1977:
Oakland wins their first NFL Championship and the Minnesota Vikings drop their fourth Super Bowl as the Raiders post a 32-14 triumph.

January 9, 1988:
Anthony Carter catches 10 passes for an NFL postseason-record 227 yards to lead the Minnesota Vikings to a 36-24 victory over the San Francisco 49ers and advanced to the NFC title game.

January 9, 2010:
Peyton Manning becomes the first player to win The Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player honors four times.

January 9, 2012:
Jeremy Shelley kicks five field goals and Trent Richardson breaks a 34-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter as No. 2 Alabama beats No. 1 LSU 21-0 — the first shutout in BCS title game history.

January 9, 2016:
QB Carson Wentz, out since mid-October with a broke wrist, returns to lead North Dakota State to an unprecedented fifth straight FCS championship with a 37-10 victory over top seed Jacksonville State.

Chris Boswell kicks a 35-yard field goal with 14 seconds remaining as the Steelers somehow pull out an 18-16 victory over Cincinnati in the AFC wild-card game. Pittsburgh moved into field goal position after a pair of 15-yard penalties on the Bengals, one on LB Vontaze Burfict and another on CB Adam Jones after Burfict hits defenseless Steelers WR Antonio Brown.

January 9, 2017:
College Football National Championship, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa: #2 Clemson beats #1 Alabama, 35-31.