Today In Patriots History April 15, 2000: Adrian Klemm is the first draft pick of the Belichick era

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Day One of the 2000 NFL Draft​

April 15, 2000:
65th Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the NFL Draft
12 Noon, EDT at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York City, New York
Day One, Rounds 1-3


Three months prior to the draft, on January 27, 2000, the Patriots were forced to send their first round pick (#16 overall), fourth round pick (#101) and seventh round pick to the New York Jets for their fifth (#149) and seventh (#234) round picks. This was deemed the appropriate compensation by NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue for the Patriots signing Bill Belichick, after he resigned from the Jets 24 hours after being named their head coach.

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The first selection under the new regime occurred in the second round. With the 46th overall pick of the draft, the Patriots selected Adrian Klemm, a four-year starting offensive tackle at the University of Hawaii for coach June Jones. Klemm spent five injury riddled seasons with the Pats, appearing in just 26 games - 16 of which came in 2002.


June 28, 2001:
Non-contact injuries a pain for Pats -- Patriots.com

In the last two years, New England has been particularly snake-bitten by injuries to draft picks during non-contact workouts. Last year tackle Adrian Klemm was lost for most of the season after suffering a knee injury on the final day of mini-camp. Running back J.R. Redmond missed the final day of mini-camp and the start of training camp with a groin injury.​

With the 14th pick of the third round (76th overall), the Patriots selected RB J.R. Redmond from Arizona State.

Redmond was a backup to Kevin Faulk in 2000, and to Antowain Smith in 2001. He played an key role late in the 'Snow Bowl' game against Oakland in the 2001 playoffs, catching three passes in the game-winning overtime drive. Two weeks later in Super Bowl 36, Redmond again caught three passes on the game- winning drive. On that third reception Redmond dodged a tackler to get past the first down marker, than dragged a would-be tackler to the sideline to stop the clock with 33 seconds remaining. Two plays later Tom Brady connected with Troy Brown on a catch-and-run to set up Adam Vinatieri's game-winning field goal. Charlie Weiss is quoted as saying that if Redmond had not made that play for a first down, then the Patriots would have played for overtime rather than going for the win.


With Smith as the primary running back, Faulk as the third down back, plus the usage of Marc Edwards and Patrick Pass at fullback, Redmond's playing time dwindled. He was waived at the end of training camp in 2003, and later played for the Raiders and Cardinals. In his three seasons with the Pats, Redmond had 790 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns in 33 regular season games. During the 2001 playoffs Redmond caught nine of the eleven passes thrown his way, for 69 yards and four first downs.


Redmond has recovered from a difficult post-NFL life that included depression and homelessness; he now owns an apparel design and production company that has grown tremendously over the years. He also mentors youths preparing for the SAT and career planning.

I donated to The Silverback Foundation

Join me in supporting The Silverback Foundation with a donation.

www.givesignup.org

J.R. Redmond -- LinkedIn

 

[farn]

47 years old……. Jordon wasn’t yet born.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Billy Yates​

Happy 45th birthday to Billy Yates
Born April 15, 1980 in Fort Worth; raised in Corsica, Texas
Patriot guard, 2004-2009; uniform #74
Assistant Offensive Line Coach, 2021-2023
Signed to the practice squad on September 11, 2004
Pats résumé: 22 games, 11 starts as a player; three seasons on the coaching staff


After being undrafted out of Texas A&M, Billy LaQuayne Yates was originally signed by Miami; he played in three games for the Dolphins as a rookie in 2003. The Pats signed him to their practice squad in '04, then activated him for Super Bowl 38. He spent most of the next season on the practice squad before being promoted on November 12, 2005 when Dan Koppen went on IR with a shoulder injury.

Yates appeared in 22 games with 11 starts with the Patriots from 2005-2008, including seven starts in 2008 when Stephen Neal was injured.

In 2013 Yates returned to his alma mater, Texas A&M, as assistant strength and conditioning coach. In 2016 he took a promotion to head strength and conditioning coach at Bowling Green, then worked for three years with the Detroit Lions. In 2021 he rejoined the Patriots as an Offensive Assistant and Assistant Offensive Line Coach, remaining in that capacity through 2023 (when Adrian Klemm went absent). About a month ago Billy Yates accepted a job with Ohio State as a defensive quality control coach.

Billy Yates - Football Coach - Bowling Green State University Athletics

Billy Yates was named head strength and conditioning coach for the BGSU football program in January, 2016. Yates had previously served as the assistant stren...

bgsufalcons.com

Billy Yates was named head strength and conditioning coach for the BGSU football program in January, 2016. Yates had previously served as the assistant strength coach at Texas Tech for three years.​

​

After a playing career at Texas A&M, Yates enjoyed an eight-year career in the National Football League. During his eight seasons, Yates played for three different franchises including a five-year stint with the New England Patriots where he helped them to a Super Bowl win in Super Bowl XXXIX. He spent his final two seasons with the Cleveland Browns before retiring in 2010. Yates made 14 starts and played in 41 total games during his eight seasons in the league.​

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After retiring from the NFL, Yates began his career as a strength and conditioning coach at Texas A&M. After one season with the Aggies, Yates spent three seasons in Lubbock.​

Feb 19, 2021:
Report: Patriots add former offensive lineman to staff -- Patriots.com

According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, the Patriots could be welcoming home a former player to their 2021 coaching staff, as they continue to build behind the scenes this offseason. Billy Yates was with the Patriots as a guard from 2004-2008, spending 2004 on the practice squad, then appearing in 22 games and starting 11, including one start in 2007 and seven in 2008.​

Coaching nugget: Former Patriots OL Billy Yates (2004-2008) has been working with Bill Belichick's staff in recent weeks. Yates also did so at 2015 Patriots camp as part of the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship. Look for him to stick around in 2021 after 3 years with Lions.

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) February 19, 2021​

After spending two final years playing with the Browns, Yates moved into coaching, starting as a strength coach at Texas A&M before spending 2015 with the Patriots as part of the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship. For the last three seasons, Yates has been with Matt Patricia in Detroit, named assistant offensive line coach in January of 2020.

With Cole Popovich and Carmen Bricillo already working together on the Patriots offensive line it would be interesting to see how Yates is integrated into the staff. With a strength and conditioning background, he already has some versatility and could be of assistance to Moses Cabrera as well.

After reportedly bringing back Matt Patricia, along with two members of his former Lions staff in Yates and Evan Rothstein, as well as adding an offensive coach in Bo Hardegree, the Patriots have reinforced their staff in a number of areas with some good young additions this offseason.​

What is Billy Yates’ job now? Who’s coaching O-line amid Adrian Klemm’s absence?

So, Billy Yates, what would you say you do here? It's a question that's gotten more complicated as the season goes on.

www.masslive.com

Pro Football Archives -- Billy Yates

Billy Yates Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Checkout the latest stats for Billy Yates. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, college, draft, and more on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[TheRainMaker]

The 2000 draft is a big reason why they went 5-11 that season. Had the Patriots kept their first round pick, I believe Shaun Alexander would’ve been the pick. He was heavily mocked to the Pats.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Isaiah Zuber​

Happy 28th birthday to Isaiah Zuber
Born April 15, 1997; from Stone Mountain, Georgia
Patriot wide receiver, 2020; uniform #19
Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent on April 27, 2020
Pats résumé: one season, four games; two receptions for 29 yards, two carries for 21 yards; 26 snaps, all on offense


Willie Isaiah Zuber was waived at the end of his rookie training camp, then bounced back and forth between the active roster and practice squad. He appeared in four games with two receptions before being waived again after camp in 2021. Zuber was later part of the practice squads for the 49ers, Browns and Jets, but never saw any more playing time in the NFL.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Steve Gordon​

Happy 56th birthday to Steve Gordon
Born April 15, 1969; from Grass Valley, California
Patriot center, 1992-1993; uniform #64
Pats 10th round (277th overall) selection of the 1992 draft, from Cal
Pats résumé: two seasons on the practice squad; elevated to 53-man roster for three games


Steve Duane Gordon was a victim of final roster cuts as a rookie, and immediately signed to the practice squad. He remained there until being promoted to the active roster on December 9, and remained there for the final three games of the season for **** MacPherson. A year later under Bill Parcells was a repeat - except Tuna released Gordon on October 26. Gordon kept getting signed by teams, bouncing around with the Saints, Seahawks, 49ers, Broncos, 49ers again and Browns until 1999. The only time he got on the field was in 1998, playing in 13 games for San Francisco - meaning he waited six years from the time he was drafted to get some playing time.
Willie Isaiah Zuber was waived at the end of his rookie training camp, then bounced back and forth between the active roster and practice squad. He appeared in four games with two receptions before being waived again after camp in 2021. Zuber was later part of the practice squads for the 49ers, Browns and Jets, but never saw any more playing time in the NFL.

According to LinkedIn, since his NFL days ended Gordon has been a Major Account Manager with Sharp, a Regional Manager for Konica Minolta, Branch Manager with Ray Morgan and Regional Sales Manager for CenterVue for northern California, Nevada and Utah.

NEVADA UNION ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2017: Steve Gordon

When Steve Gordon looks back at his time as a player on the Nevada Union football team, he couldn’t tell you how many wins the teams he played on had

www.theunion.com

Gordon’s prowess on the offensive line earned him a scholarship to play at the University of California, Berkeley, where he shifted to center and was a starter for four years. While at Cal, Gordon helped the Bears to a Copper Bowl championship in 1990 and a Citrus Bowl title in 1991. He was named an All-American in 1991 and was also earned the “Tiny Bates Award” which is awarded by the University Alumni Association and given to Cal football’s to the Most Outstanding Player of the Year.​

In 1992, Gordon was drafted in the 10th round by the New England Patriots. He would bounce around the NFL for eight years, eventually landing with the 49ers where he garnered substantial playing time and a handful of starts. He wrapped up his playing career in 2000 with the Cleveland Browns.​

After his playing days concluded, Gordon couldn’t stay away from the field and dabbled in coaching. He coached for the Folsom Junior Bulldogs program for eight years, winning seven championships along the way. He also spent a year coaching offensive line at Rocklin High School, and logged five years coaching his daughter in AAU youth girls basketball.​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Other April 15 Trivia​

Happy 54th birthday to Rich McKenzie
Born April 15, 1971 in Fort Lauderdale
Patriot linebacker, 1996 offseason; uniform #94
Signed as a free agent on April 17, 1996
Pats résumé: one offseason

Richard Anthony McKenzie was a sixth round draft pick by the Browns in 1993, from Penn State. He appeared in eight games for Cleveland under Bill Belichick in 1995, and moved with the franchise to Baltimore the following spring. The Patriots waived McKenzie on August 20, 1996; he spent most of the 1997 offseason with Tampa Bay before his NFL career came to an end early in the Bucs '97 training camp.

Now for some relatives:

Brock Huard turns 48 (4/15/76)
This QB went 0-4 in 8 games from 2000-03; he is a 3rd round pick of the '99 draft and brother of Damon Huard, Patriot QB from 2001-2003.

Tom Graham was born 4/15/50.
The linebacker spent seven seasons in the NFL and is the father of former Patriot TE Daniel Graham.

Andre Caldwell turns 39 (4/15/85)
The Bengal and Bronco WR is the brother of bug-eyed former Patriot WR Reche Caldwell, RIP.



A couple other players with New England connections were born on April 15:

Amari Spievey, 37 (4/15/1988)
Middleton CT native started 26 games at strong safety for Detroit from 2010-12.

Jeff Williams (4/15/1955)
Williams is a graduate from Gloucester High School and the University of Rhode Island. The offensive lineman was a 5th round draft pick by the Rams in 1977 and played in 56 NFL games from 1977-82.




April 15, 1961:
In a minor move the Patriots traded away their starting RDT Art Hauser and backup OL/LB Bill Striegel to Denver. The Pats received two backups in return: DHB Al Romine and DL Don King, who combined to appear in just one game for the Pats. None of the four played pro football beyond the '61 season.

Alton 'Monk' Romine from his days in the fifties at the University of North Alabama​

 

[Pape]

Today in Patriots History
Steve Gordon​

Happy 56th birthday to Steve Gordon

I *think* this is Steve Gordon (far left - the blurry one, natch) next to Terry Boyd... Haven't tracked down the guy on the far right # 62

Today in Patriots History
Other April 15 Trivia​

Happy 54th birthday to Rich McKenzie
Born April 15, 1971 in Fort Lauderdale
Patriot linebacker, 1996 offseason
Signed as a free agent on April 17, 1996
Pats résumé: one offseason

Richard Anthony McKenzie was a sixth round draft pick by the Browns in 1993, from Penn State. He appeared in eight games for Cleveland under Bill Belichick in 1995, and moved with the franchise to Baltimore the following spring. The Patriots waived McKenzie on August 20, 1996; he spent most of the 1997 offseason with Tampa Bay before his NFL career came to an end early in the Bucs '97 training camp.

fwiw, according to the media guide, he wore 94 ... gotta say, thats a *questionable* profile photo imo

April 15, 1961:
In a minor move the Patriots traded away their starting RDT Art Hauser and backup OL/LB Bill Striegel to Denver. The Pats received two backups in return: DHB Al Romine and DL Don King, who combined to appear in just one game for the Pats. None of the four played pro football beyond the '61 season.

​

Not much for Hauser/Striegel beyond the 1960 team photo...


#46 Al Romine


#70 Don King