Today In Patriots History April 21, 2001: Pats pass on David Terrell, draft Seymour and Light

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
The 2001 Draft​

April 21, 2001:
The 66th Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 2001 NFL Draft
The Theatre at Madison Square Garden, in New York City
Day One, Rounds 1-3


Prior to this draft, several names were being floated as potential picks for New England - most commonly Michigan WR David Terrell and a pair of Florida Gators, DT Gerard Warren and OT Kenyatta Walker. Other names being floated were Georgia DT Marcus Stroud, Miami DT Damione Lewis or Cal DE Andre Carter, with the presumption that Warren would be off the board before the Pats could make a choice at number six. Others hypothesized the Patriots would continue their quest for a running back to replace Curtis Martin based on Robert Edwards' injury, such as TCU's LaDainian Tomlinson or Ole Miss's Deuce McAllister.

Warren went number three to Cleveland, DE Justin Smith #4 to Arizona, and San Diego took Tomlinson at number five. That left Terrell available, as well as Walker and the three defensive linemen mentioned above.




Ron Borges infamously hated this selection (and draft overall), pining for Terrell over Richard Seymour.

Ron Borges:​

"If you didn't know better, you'd think the Jets sent Bill​

Belichick north to destroy the Patriots from within. On a day when they​

could have had impact players David Terrell or Koren Robinson or the​

second-best tackle in the draft in Kenyatta Walker, they took Georgia​

defensive tackle Richard Seymour, who had 1 sack last season in the​

pass-happy SEC and is too tall to play tackle at 6-6 and too slow to play​

defensive end. This genius move was followed by trading out of a spot where​

they could have gotten the last decent receiver in Robert Ferguson and​

settled for tackle Matt Light, who will not help any time soon unless last​

year's draftees Adrian Klemm and Greg Robinson-Randle are busts."​

How could we have passed on Robert Ferguson...?!?!? Oh, and here's a response from another sportswriter...​

Bob Jensen: "Can't fault this analysis from Ron Borges a Boston writer ...​

As far the Dolphins and Pats, well just look at what the dour twins​

Wannstedt and Bellichik did to other teams (Browns Bears) where they had​

total control. Looks like the big rivalry this decade wil be between the​

Bills and Jets what with the Colts leaving the division."​

1st round, 6th overall --- DT Richard Seymour, Georgia
Pro Football Hall of Fame; NFL All-Decade Team of the 2000s; Pats Hall of Fame; Pats All-Dynasty Team; Pats 50th Anniversary Team; Pats All-Decade Team of the 2000s; 3x 1st Team All Pro, 7x Pro Bowl; 3 Super Bowl rings


Pats traded down 11 spots, sending 2.39 to Pittsburgh for 2.50 and 4.112

Pats then traded up two spots (leapfrogging the Jets), sending 2.50 and 6.173 to Detroit for 2.48


2nd round, 48th overall -- OT Matt Light, Purdue
Pats Hall of Fame; Pats All-Dynasty Team; Pats 50th Anniversary Team; Pats All-Decade Team of the 2000s; 1x 1st Team All Pro, 3x Pro Bowl; 3 Super Bowl Rings


Pats traded down 17 spots, sending 3.69 to Minnesota for 3.86 and 4.119

3rd round, 86th overall -- DB Brock Williams, Notre Dame
Tore ACL, spent '01 on IR; on practice squad in '02. Active for just one game w/Pats, but never got on the field.


The productivity from the Seymour and Light selections more than offsets the Williams injury.

Getting two of the greatest players in the history of the franchise in a single day is amazing.




On a side note, San Diego originally owned the number one overall pick. Atlanta was at #5, and they traded up, sending the Chargers WR/KR/PR Tim Dwight, their #5 overall pick, their 2001 third round pick and 2002 second round pick. The Falcons then selected Michael Vick with the #1 pick, while the Chargers took LaDainian Tomlinson at #5, and Drew Brees at the top of the second round. That was just one of the nine trades involving first round picks in this draft.


On another side note, it is amazing how many early picks from the 2001 draft would at some point sign with the Patriots.
Half of the top-8 picks, seven first rounders and ten of the top fifty.

First Round
#3 --- DT Gerard Warren (2010 - 2012 offseason)
#6 --- DE Richard Seymour
#7 --- DE Andre Carter (2011 and 2013)
#8 --- WR David Terrell (2005 offseason)
#13 -- DT Marcus Stroud (2011 offseason)
#22 -- CB Will Allen (2012; IR)
#30 -- WR Reggie Wayne (2015 offseason)

Second Round
#35 -- TE Alge Crumpler (2010 - 2011 offseason)
#36 -- WR Chad Johnson (2011 - 2012 offseason)
#48 -- OT Matt Light

​

Wideout At Six Now The Rage Of Patriot Draftniks | PatsFans.com

The Foxborough chapter of the Leonard Davis Fan Club may be thinning down just a bit.

www.patsfans.com

Patriots Select Seymour With Six Pick | PatsFans.com

Richard Seymour, defensive lineman from Georgia, was selected by the New England Patriots as their first-round selection in the 2001 NFL Draft.

www.patsfans.com

Seymour projects out as the heir apparent to the nose tackle position vacated by Chad Eaton, the veteran Patriot nose tackle who signed with Seattle in the offseason. The Patriots are also currently in negotiations with Henry Thomas to bring him back at less salary.​

In taking Seymour, Bill Belichick passed on such other top players as Michigan’s David Terrell and Florida’s Kenyatta Walker. The gaping hole in the Patriot defensive line was a huge priority for the defensive-minded Belichick, and he acted accordingly.​

Patriots Address Both Lines, Pass on Terrell | PatsFans.com

If Michigan wide receiver David Terrell ends up becoming the next Randy Moss, people in New England may wonder what Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was thinking when he passed him up at the sixth overall pick.

www.patsfans.com

Too Much Trading Down, Not Enough Terrell | PatsFans.com

Drew Bledsoe was probably sitting in his living room early this morning and screaming "Go, Blue!" at the top of his lungs.

www.patsfans.com

Losing Eaton Caused Moribund Pats Draft | PatsFans.com

Okay, I promise. If the Patriots win one of the next three or four Super Bowls, I will stand before you and condemn my ability to dare write about this team.

www.patsfans.com

Reach For This Guy

Wilson Pick Triggers Uproar; Fans Question Belichick’s Aim by Dan Snapp Matt Light will retire on Monday. He had a tremendous career, sliding in as the starting left tackle almost immediately…

bostonsportsmedia.com

Today In “You’re A Dumbass” : Ron Borges Talks Patriots Draft - PRO FOOTBALL MOCK

Boston Globe columnist Ron Borges, on the New England Patriots’ 2001 draft class: If you didn’t know better, you’d think the Jets sent Bill Belichick north to destroy the Patriots…

www.profootballmock.com

 

[XLIX]

Bob Jensen: "Can't fault this analysis from Ron Borges a Boston writer ...​

As far the Dolphins and Pats, well just look at what the dour twins​

Wannstedt and Bellichik did to other teams (Browns Bears) where they had​

total control. Looks like the big rivalry this decade wil be between the​

Bills and Jets what with the Colts leaving the division."​

Somewhere in the depths of hell, Bob Jensen is still arguing that, you know, when you really think about it, you know, and really look at the stats, Chad Pennington is a better quarterback than Tom Brady.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Drew Bledsoe traded to Buffalo​

April 21, 2002:
Patriots trade QB Drew Bledsoe to Buffalo Bills
Receive 2003 1st round draft pick in exchange

​

First, some stories leading up to the trade.

Dec 6, 2001:

Bledsoe vs. Brady: Who should the Patriots pick?

Conventional NFL wisdom says that you never, ever trade a franchise quarterback—no matter the size of his contract nor the creakiness of his knees....

slate.com

The Bledsoe-Brady controversy is a perfect example of how the introduction of a salary cap has turned NFL conventional wisdom on its head. Indeed, the irony of the situation is that all the Boston talk-radio cranks convinced that Brady is a better quarterback are almost certainly wrong. Sure, the guy has fine mechanics and uncanny poise in the pocket. But despite his torrid start, four teams with solid pass defenses—Buffalo, Denver, Miami, and St. Louis—contained him handily. Brady’s rolled up his biggest numbers against the Colts, whose pass defense would have trouble keeping some 1-AA college teams out of the end zone.​

Bledsoe, on the other hand, has about as good a stat sheet as you can compile in nine years of professional play. He made the Pro Bowl in his third year and led the Patriots all the way to the Super Bowl in his fourth. In 1995, he became the youngest player ever to throw for 10,000 yards; his current career stats include 136 touchdowns and nearly 30,000 yards. And he’s done all this despite an ever-changing roster of coaches that would make George Steinbrenner blush. Belichick is Bledsoe’s third head coach; the Pats’ current offensive coordinator, Charlie Weis, is his fourth.​

So if this were simply about which quarterback has more talent, you’d be a fool to choose Brady. But think about what Bledsoe could fetch if the Patriots, a team with gaping holes all over the place, traded him. In April, the Atlanta Falcons gave up a first-round draft pick and a solid wide receiver-kick returner for Michael Vick. Bledsoe would probably claim an even higher bounty: Paul Zimmerman, Sports Illustrated football Svengali, recently suggested Bledsoe would probably fetch a starter plus two first-round draft picks.​

March 19, 2002:

Unable to deal him, Pats hint they might hold Bledsoe

The market is diminishing, and the New England Patriots asking price to acquire quarterback Drew Bledsoe is not, so on Tuesday coach Bill Belichick for the first time suggested an alternative for the nine-year veteran and former starter.

www.espn.com

Some personnel directors have said that, in a shrinking market, the Patriots could have a difficult time completing a market value trade. Others contend that, because Bledsoe has indicated he won't return as the backup to Brady again, the Pats will be forced to eventually release him.​

"I just don't think anyone has made them a firm offer," Donahoe said.​

A few hours earlier, Belichick said the Patriots won't just give Bledsoe away. High-ranking Patriots team officials told ESPN.com earlier this week that releasing Bledsoe would be a last resort, an option the club has yet to even discuss internally. Team officials feel the market for Bledsoe will pick up just before the draft next month, but others doubt that will be the case.​

"All I know is we're not going to be 'taken' on this," said one Patriots official. "We're not going to cave and just give (Bledsoe) away."​

March 21, 2002:
Update: Bledsoe creating plenty of interest -- Patriots.com

After several days of deafening silence on the Drew Bledsoe trade front, reports from the annual NFL owner's meetings indicate there is much more interest in the Patriots quarterback than was previously believed.​

According to a piece in Thursday's Boston Herald, several teams have interest in acquiring Bledsoe's services. In fact, the report quoted coaches from around the league and all were in agreement that the only stumbling block in any potential deal would be salary cap implications.​

The flurry of activity concerning Bledsoe is a stark contradiction to reports around the NFL leading up to the meetings, which were completed yesterday in Orlando, Fla. Based on most national and local reports since the start of free agency on March 1, no teams were interested in Bledsoe. As several teams such as Seattle, Chicago and Washington opted for low-priced, mid-range quarterbacks, the conventional wisdom was that they did so believing Bledsoe wasn't worthy of their consideration.​

Based on the quotes from Gruden, LeBeau, Seattle's Mike Holmgren, St. Louis' Mike Martz and San Francisco's Steve Mariucci, that couldn't be further from the truth. All agreed Bledsoe is one of the league's most talented passers and only compensation packages stood in the way of any potential deal. In other words, in Holmgren's case, when given the choice of giving up nothing for Trent Dilfer or perhaps losing two first-round picks plus having the necessary salary cap space for Bledsoe, the Seahawks opted for the former.​

Now some opinions on the trade itself:

Patriots send Drew to Bills

www.milforddailynews.com

Bledsoe, expendable because of the unexpected emergence of Tom Brady, was swapped for a first-round draft choice in 2003. The trade was completed early yesterday afternoon during the second day of the NFL's annual draft after Buffalo upped its offer to include a first-round pick, which the Patriots had insisted on from the start.​

Belichick said owner Robert Kraft, Vice President Andy Wasynczuk, and Director of Player Personnel Scott Pioli were involved in the trade discussions.​

One unusual aspect of the trade is that the Bills play in the same division (AFC East) as the Patriots, so the teams meet twice every season. This year's games are Nov. 3 at Buffalo and Dec. 8 in New England.​

From a financial standpoint, the Patriots save $1 million this season by trading Bledsoe. But under league rules, the team will still carry $6 million for Bledsoe on this year's approximate $72-million salary cap. Buffalo assumes Bledsoe's contract, a 10-year, $103-million package that was signed March 7, 2001.​

When he arrived in New England in 1993, Bledsoe, who attended Washington State, was considered the centerpiece of a rebuilding effort. The Patriots were coming off a 2-14 season and replaced head coach **** MacPherson with Bill Parcells. Selecting first in the NFL Draft, Parcells chose Bledsoe over another highly regarded prospect, Rick Mirer.​

Bledsoe earned a starting role immediately and became a fixture at what many consider the most important position on the field. One of his defining moments came on Nov. 13, 1994, in a 26-20 overtime win over Minnesota. The Patriots were 3-6 entering the contest and trailed the Vikings 20-0 with 58 seconds remaining in the first half. Firing 70 passes and completing 45, Bledsoe led the Patriots to a come-from-behind victory that sparked a seven-game winning streak.​

Pats trade Bledsoe for 2003 first-round draft pick -- ESPN

New England had been trying to trade Bledsoe since Tom Brady, a former fourth-stringer who inherited the starting job when Bledsoe was injured, led the team to an improbable 20-17 victory over the St. Louis Rams in the Super Bowl on Feb. 3.​

"We all knew what the situation was: A football team can have only one starting quarterback," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "In the end, it can only be one guy. ... When you put it all together, this is probably best."​

The 30-year-old three-time Pro Bowl selection leaves as the franchise's top quarterback in completions, attempts and yards for a game, season and career. But he also showed his worth by keeping quiet last season even though he was obviously irritated that he wasn't given a chance to fight for his job after recovering from a life-threatening injury.​

Buffalo spent the past month pursuing Bledsoe, but surprisingly few other teams expressed interest. For the Bills, Bledsoe suddenly and significantly raises expectations after a 3-13 season -- their worst since 1985 -- and solidifies a position that had been unsettled since Hall of Famer Jim Kelly retired following the 1996 season.​

On Saturday, the Bills hoped to select quarterback Patrick Ramsey of Tulane with the fourth pick in the second round, but those plans fell through when the Redskins traded down twice in the first round to take Ramsey as the 32nd choice.​

On Sunday morning, Bills management decided to upgrade their offer. Conversations didn't take long. Within the first hour of the draft, the Bills and Patriots agreed on the draft-choice compensation and awaited the decision by Bledsoe.​

The Bills' previous two starters -- Doug Flutie and Rob Johnson -- spent three seasons in a bitter feud over who deserved the No. 1 job, eventually proving neither could hold it. Alex Van Pelt signed a five-year deal in January after a solid, half-season performance filling in for Johnson when he was injured.​

"As a player I'm disappointed, for selfish reasons. But as a team player, I'm excited by him. You add a Drew Bledsoe to your team, it's huge," said Van Pelt, who was bumped to backup. "He's already done a ton in this league."​

Even before the deal was announced, the Bills opened their box office to accommodate fans who heard the trade was imminent. Buffalo, which failed to sell out four of its eight home games last season, drew 504,709 fans last year, the lowest since 1987.​

Face Off: 4/24 - Should the Patriots have traded Drew Bledsoe?

YES The New England Patriots continue to show the intelligence and savvy that led them to the Super Bowl. In dealing quarterback Drew Bledsoe, the Patriots made another quality personnel move that will ensure their success extends into the 2002 season. Keeping Bledsoe another year was completely...

www.usforacle.com

Trading seasoned NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe to the Buffalo Bulls was moronic on the part of the New England Patriots. In a time when free agents override draft picks, players who are winners prove to be most valuable to teams if they are going to be consistent contenders.​

The P men should have kept Bledsoe and traded Tom Brady, who has only started for the Patriots for less than a season. Brady may be playing good football right now, but the Pats will need more leadership and experience when the Cinderella effect wears off and they come back down to football earth and perform to the level they are really worth.​

Brady has only showed that he can perform to the level of his teammates, averaging a mediocre 189 yards per game, while Bledsoe has been the consistent leader of the Pats’ struggling offense. In addition, Bledsoe has proven that he can overcome poor blocking from his offensive line, a lack of a ground game and dropped passes, and he was still able to win 41 games in 4 seasons.​

Patriots’ management had a lapse in judgment again when they decided to trade Bledsoe to a division rival. Did they forget that they have to play the Bills twice a year, sometimes when the elements take control of football games? And Bledsoe is obviously no foreigner to the rain, snow and winds after playing in Foxboro for so long.​

In trading him to the Bills, the Patriots have helped the Bills rebuild their team, and that will haunt the Patriots next season.​

LOL, talk about your freezing cold takes!

April 9, 2002:

Bledsoe Back In Camp? It's Just Posturing | PatsFans.com

Before the offseason began there was no doubt that a deal involving a trade with another team for quarterback Drew Bledsoe would be interesting. Needless to say, so far it certainly has been.

www.patsfans.com

April 12, 2002:

Belichick Doubts Any Trade Involving Bledsoe Before The Draft | PatsFans.com

With the draft approaching it appears that any urgency to trade Drew Bledsoe is the farthest thing from Bill Belichick's mind.

www.patsfans.com

April 13, 2002:

Directions On How To Handle Bledsoe | PatsFans.com

Bledsoe perhaps expected to be somewhere else right now, installed as someone else’s franchise quarterback. The Patriots perhaps expected to be in line for about four first round picks and winners of six of the next eight Super Bowls. What we instead have is Bledsoe still in New England, and no...

www.patsfans.com

April 17, 2002:

Bledsoe Adds Drama To Draft Day | PatsFans.com

Chris Berman probably already can’t contain himself.

www.patsfans.com

April 18, 2002:

REPORT: Trade Talks Heat Up For Bledsoe | PatsFans.com

ESPN.com is reporting that talks between New England and Buffalo are heating up and that a deal could be consummated before the weekend to bring Drew Bledsoe to upstate New York.

www.patsfans.com

April 19, 2002:

Belichick: Nothing's Changed With Bledsoe | PatsFans.com

It looks like quarterback Drew Bledsoe isn't going anywhere. At least for now anyway.

www.patsfans.com

Bledsoe News: Bills Talks with Blake Break Off | PatsFans.com

The Associated Press reported on Friday that free agent quarterback Jeff Blake is now negotiating with three NFL teams, including the Baltimore Ravens after talks broke off with the Buffalo Bills.

www.patsfans.com

April 21, 2002:

A Tribute to #11 After Patriots Trade Bledsoe To Bills | PatsFans.com

He's gone, and it's doubtful that the reality of that fact has really set in with every fan in New England just yet.

www.patsfans.com

Shuffling Off To Buffalo: Bledsoe Era Ends | PatsFans.com

Drew Bledsoe now is a Buffalo Bill.

www.patsfans.com

 

[Nikolai]

Ahhhh, the source for the quote in my sig since 2009.

 

[Clonamery]

Today in Patriots History
The 2001 Draft​

April 21, 2001:
The 66th Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 2001 NFL Draft
The Theatre at Madison Square Garden, in New York City
Day One, Rounds 1-3


Prior to this draft, several names were being floated as potential picks for New England - most commonly Michigan WR David Terrell and a pair of Florida Gators, DT Gerard Warren and OT Kenyatta Walker. Other names being floated were Georgia DT Marcus Stroud, Miami DT Damione Lewis or Cal DE Andre Carter, with the presumption that Warren would be off the board before the Pats could make a choice at number six. Others hypothesized the Patriots would continue their quest for a running back to replace Curtis Martin based on Robert Edwards' injury, such as TCU's LaDainian Tomlinson or Ole Miss's Deuce McAllister.

Warren went number three to Cleveland, DE Justin Smith #4 to Arizona, and San Diego took Tomlinson at number five. That left Terrell available, as well as Walker and the three defensive linemen mentioned above.




Ron Borges infamously hated this selection (and draft overall), pining for Terrell over Richard Seymour.

Ron Borges:​

"If you didn't know better, you'd think the Jets sent Bill​

Belichick north to destroy the Patriots from within. On a day when they​

could have had impact players David Terrell or Koren Robinson or the​

second-best tackle in the draft in Kenyatta Walker, they took Georgia​

defensive tackle Richard Seymour, who had 1 sack last season in the​

pass-happy SEC and is too tall to play tackle at 6-6 and too slow to play​

defensive end. This genius move was followed by trading out of a spot where​

they could have gotten the last decent receiver in Robert Ferguson and​

settled for tackle Matt Light, who will not help any time soon unless last​

year's draftees Adrian Klemm and Greg Robinson-Randle are busts."​

How could we have passed on Robert Ferguson...?!?!? Oh, and here's a response from another sportswriter...​

Bob Jensen: "Can't fault this analysis from Ron Borges a Boston writer ...​

As far the Dolphins and Pats, well just look at what the dour twins​

Wannstedt and Bellichik did to other teams (Browns Bears) where they had​

total control. Looks like the big rivalry this decade wil be between the​

Bills and Jets what with the Colts leaving the division."​

1st round, 6th overall --- DT Richard Seymour, Georgia
Pro Football Hall of Fame; NFL All-Decade Team of the 2000s; Pats Hall of Fame; Pats All-Dynasty Team; Pats 50th Anniversary Team; Pats All-Decade Team of the 2000s; 3x 1st Team All Pro, 7x Pro Bowl; 3 Super Bowl rings


Pats traded down 11 spots, sending 2.39 to Pittsburgh for 2.50 and 4.112

Pats then traded up two spots (leapfrogging the Jets), sending 2.50 and 6.173 to Detroit for 2.48


2nd round, 48th overall -- OT Matt Light, Purdue
Pats Hall of Fame; Pats All-Dynasty Team; Pats 50th Anniversary Team; Pats All-Decade Team of the 2000s; 1x 1st Team All Pro, 3x Pro Bowl; 3 Super Bowl Rings


Pats traded down 17 spots, sending 3.69 to Minnesota for 3.86 and 4.119

3rd round, 86th overall -- DB Brock Williams, Notre Dame
Tore ACL, spent '01 on IR; on practice squad in '02. Active for just one game w/Pats, but never got on the field.


The productivity from the Seymour and Light selections more than offsets the Williams injury.

Getting two of the greatest players in the history of the franchise in a single day is amazing.




On a side note, San Diego originally owned the number one overall pick. Atlanta was at #5, and they traded up, sending the Chargers WR/KR/PR Tim Dwight, their #5 overall pick, their 2001 third round pick and 2002 second round pick. The Falcons then selected Michael Vick with the #1 pick, while the Chargers took LaDainian Tomlinson at #5, and Drew Brees at the top of the second round. That was just one of the nine trades involving first round picks in this draft.


On another side note, it is amazing how many early picks from the 2001 draft would at some point sign with the Patriots.
Half of the top-8 picks, seven first rounders and ten of the top fifty.

First Round
#3 --- DT Gerard Warren (2010 - 2012 offseason)
#6 --- DE Richard Seymour
#7 --- DE Andre Carter (2011 and 2013)
#8 --- WR David Terrell (2005 offseason)
#13 -- DT Marcus Stroud (2011 offseason)
#22 -- CB Will Allen (2012; IR)
#30 -- WR Reggie Wayne (2015 offseason)

Second Round
#35 -- TE Alge Crumpler (2010 - 2011 offseason)
#36 -- WR Chad Johnson (2011 - 2012 offseason)
#48 -- OT Matt Light

​

Wideout At Six Now The Rage Of Patriot Draftniks | PatsFans.com

The Foxborough chapter of the Leonard Davis Fan Club may be thinning down just a bit.

www.patsfans.com

Patriots Select Seymour With Six Pick | PatsFans.com

Richard Seymour, defensive lineman from Georgia, was selected by the New England Patriots as their first-round selection in the 2001 NFL Draft.

www.patsfans.com

Seymour projects out as the heir apparent to the nose tackle position vacated by Chad Eaton, the veteran Patriot nose tackle who signed with Seattle in the offseason. The Patriots are also currently in negotiations with Henry Thomas to bring him back at less salary.​

In taking Seymour, Bill Belichick passed on such other top players as Michigan’s David Terrell and Florida’s Kenyatta Walker. The gaping hole in the Patriot defensive line was a huge priority for the defensive-minded Belichick, and he acted accordingly.​

Patriots Address Both Lines, Pass on Terrell | PatsFans.com

If Michigan wide receiver David Terrell ends up becoming the next Randy Moss, people in New England may wonder what Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was thinking when he passed him up at the sixth overall pick.

www.patsfans.com

Too Much Trading Down, Not Enough Terrell | PatsFans.com

Drew Bledsoe was probably sitting in his living room early this morning and screaming "Go, Blue!" at the top of his lungs.

www.patsfans.com

Losing Eaton Caused Moribund Pats Draft | PatsFans.com

Okay, I promise. If the Patriots win one of the next three or four Super Bowls, I will stand before you and condemn my ability to dare write about this team.

www.patsfans.com

Reach For This Guy

Wilson Pick Triggers Uproar; Fans Question Belichick’s Aim by Dan Snapp Matt Light will retire on Monday. He had a tremendous career, sliding in as the starting left tackle almost immediately…

bostonsportsmedia.com

Today In “You’re A Dumbass” : Ron Borges Talks Patriots Draft - PRO FOOTBALL MOCK

Boston Globe columnist Ron Borges, on the New England Patriots’ 2001 draft class: If you didn’t know better, you’d think the Jets sent Bill Belichick north to destroy the Patriots…

www.profootballmock.com

It rankles over the decades that the HOF POS Ron Borges has a Football HOF vote when he inserts his tiny head into his enormous ******* regarding Richard Seymour.

 

[jmt57]

It rankles over the decades that the HOF POS Ron Borges has a Football HOF vote when he inserts his tiny head into his enormous ******* regarding Richard Seymour.

On a side note, I'm going to miss not seeing Nicole Tepper going forward.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Gronk traded to Tampa​

April 21, 2020:
Rob Gronkowski, wanting to come out of retirement after being recruited by Tom Brady, is activated from the reserve/retired list, and traded to Tampa Bay for a fourth round pick. Brady had just signed with the Bucs a month earlier, on March 20.

The Buccaneers go on to win the Super Bowl.


The Patriots used that draft pick to trade up into the third round - and select Devin Asiasi as Gronk's alleged replacement.

The tight end from UCLA ended up with a whole two receptions on seven targets over two seasons with the Patriots, for 39 yards and one touchdown.


By comparison, Gronk had 621 receptions (64.7% completion rate) in 11 seasons with the Pats, for 7,861 yards while scoring 80 touchodowns in the regular season, plus 81 receptions for 1,163 yards and 12 TDs in postseason games for New England.

G

Thread 'Gronk: "I'm not totally done."'

Apr 21, 2020

• Gator Mike
• Replies: 102
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Thread 'Gronk trade completed'

Apr 21, 2020

Welp. Let’s get some goods for him.

• Joey007
• Replies: 1,234
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

A Gronk Reunion? Reports Say It's in the Works | PatsFans.com

When Tom Brady departed New England for Tampa Bay this offseason, there's no question that many believed there might be a Patriots offensive weapon who might eventually join him.

www.patsfans.com

So, How Much Cap Space Do the Patriots Gain From the Gronk Trade? | PatsFans.com

For anyone hoping for the Patriots to receive a little bit of salary cap relief after dealing retired tight end Rob Gronkowski to the Buccaneers, it doesn't appear that's going to be the case.

www.patsfans.com

Rob Gronkowski strong-armed his way to Tampa, and Patriots had little leverage

Could the Patriots have called his bluff and let this thing drag out? Sure, but that would have led to an overly expensive headache.

www.nytimes.com

Patriots trade Rob Gronkowski to Buccaneers for fourth-round pick

The Patriots have agreed to trade Rob Gronkowski to the Buccaneers in a deal that reunites the retired tight end with Tom Brady.

www.espn.com

Bucs Championship Transaction Countdown #7: The Gronk Trade

Nowhere was the arrival of Tom Brady more evident in how the rest of the Bucs' roster shaped up in 2020 than in his reunion with TE Rob Gronkowski, who came out of retirement and down to Tampa via trade

www.buccaneers.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
The 2002 Draft​

April 21, 2002:
The 67th Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 2002 NFL Draft
The Theatre at Madison Square Garden, in New York City
Day Two, Rounds 4-7


On the previous day the Patriots had used their third round pick to trade up in the first, and select TE Daniel Graham. In the second round the Pats drafted WR Deion Branch.

Bill Belichick uncharacteristically trades up again, moving up 14 spots by sending a fourth (4.131) and fifth (5.144) to Denver move up 14 spots, to 4.117.

• Fourth round, #117 -- QB Rohan Davey, LSU
• 8-19 in seven games of mop-up duty over three seasons
• First of all, why draft a quarterback this early, on a roster that still needed many upgrades?
• Secondly, why trade up for a QB after Super Bowl 36 and the 2001 season?
• Was Bill Belichick getting cold feet, thinking Tom Brady might be a one-hit wonder?
• This decision was more significant due to the lack of a third round draft pick.
  
  
  
  
• A month earlier, on March 8, 2002, the Patriots traded Terry Glenn to the Green Bay Packers for a fourth round draft pick.
• That was used on this next selection.

Fourth round, #126 -- DE Jarvis Green, LSU
121 games played over 8 seasons with Pats; 28 sacks, two Super Bowl championships.

• Fourth round, #131 -- previously used in trade up for Rohan Davey
  
  
  
• Fifth round, #144 -- previously used in trade up for Rohan Davey
  
  
  
• Sixth round, #168 -- traded down to Dallas, for 7.237 and a 2003 5th
  
  
  
• Sixth round, #205 -- traded to St Louis for WR Dane Looker
• Zero games played with Pats
• The Pats waived Looker very early, on July 31, 2002; he would re-sign with the Rams, and play there until 2008

• Seventh round #234 -- used the previous day in a trade up for Daniel Graham
  
  
  
• Seventh round, #237 -- RB Antwoine Womack, Virginia
• Zero games played with Pats
• Placed on NFI on August 27, 2002, and released on August 24, 2003; zero NFL games

• Seventh round, #244 -- WR David Givens, Notre Dame
• Four seasons, 158 receptions for 2,214 yards (14.0 ypc); two-time super bowl champion
• 7 playoff touchdowns to go along with 12 in the regular season over four years with the Pats

With the benefit of hindsight, the two trade-ups and the Rohan Davey selection were questionable choices - but overall this was a great draft.

I'll take the production from Deion Branch, David Givens, Jarvis Green and Daniel Graham out of any one single draft - any and every time.

Pats Finally Replace Coates | PatsFans.com

FOXBORO, MA -- Looks like the Patriots finally plan on putting Ben Coates behind them. New England drafted Colorado tight end Daniel Graham on Saturday,

www.patsfans.com

Offense The Focus Of Draft | PatsFans.com

Belichick appears to be satisfied with his defense, but apparently he seems to feel his offense needed some work.

www.patsfans.com

Rehashing Some Old And Drafty Thoughts | PatsFans.com

Forget all these new weapons for Tom Brady. They just traded him to Buffalo.

www.patsfans.com

 

[Raccoonsuit]

David Terrell! Oh damn I haven't heard that name in a minute. Everyone was salivating over him. And then he showed up on the pats after his contract ran out. He was gone real fast though.

And Andre Carter was in this draft. Loved him on the pats. I remember being so excited we signed Albert haynesworth that offseason. Talk about giving up on your career. Carter was the real steal defensively that offseason.

Roosevelt Colvin was also really dope but that's neither here nor there

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
The 1991 Draft​

April 21, 1991:
The 56th Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 1991 NFL Draft
The Marriott Marquis, New York City
Day One, Rounds 1-4


The 1990 Patriots finished 1-15 in Rod Rust's final season as a head coach. VP of Player Operations Joe Mendes and new HC **** MacPherson opted to upgrade many positions rather than swing for a home run, and traded down. Three days prior to the draft the Pats traded down ten spots to #11 with Dallas, while also getting a Cowboys second (#41) and three veterans (Ron Francis, David Howard and Eugene Lockhart). It was a terrible trade on face value; the Pats should have either received more draft capital (such as a 1992 1st) or better players (none of those three were ever named to a Pro Bowl).

Mendes would be fired a year later.




1st round, 11th overall -- OT Pat Harlow, USC
Five years w/Pats; started 64 consecutive games at RT


Traded up with Houston, giving the Oilers 2.28 and 4.101 to move up 11 spots to 1.17


Traded up with Dallas, giving the Cowboys a 4th (#110) to move up three spots from 1.17 above to 1.14


1st round, 14th overall -- RB Leonard Russell, Arizona State
Offensive Rookie of the Year in '91, but then tailed off; 2,437 yards rushing with 13 TD in 3 seasons w/Pats


2nd round, 41st overall -- CB Jerome Henderson, Clemson
40 games (10 starts) with 7 interceptions over four seasons with the Pats


3rd round, 56th overall -- G Calvin Stephens, South Carolina
'91: on IR; '92: 13 games, one start; waived in '93 training camp


4th round, 84th overall -- QB Scott Zolak, Maryland
Zo had seven starts over seven season with Patriots, with 8 TD and 7 picks


While Day One was somewhat underwhelming more so considering they started with the first pick of each round), they would make up for that somewhat the next day in round five with Ben Coates, out of Division II Livingstone.

Harlow and Russell were productive, but the next three selections contributed very little; certainly much less than what you would expect, from draft picks within the Top 100.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Christian Peter​

April 21, 1996:
The 61st Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 1996 NFL Draft
Paramount Theatre at Madison Square Garden, New York City
Day Two, Rounds 4-7

The Christian Peter Fiasco


The Patriots traded down the previous day, adding two draft picks by sending 2.57 back to the Raiders, in exchange for 3.76, 4.124, and 5.149. The most notable part of this exchange is that the Pats infamously selected Christian Peter with the last of those three picks. A week later he would be cut due to pressure from Myra Kraft and women's organizations after it was revealed in the Boston media that while at Nebraska he had pled guilty to groping one woman in a bar, another accused him of sexually assaulting her, and just a month before the draft he was convicted of disturbing the peace after choking a woman in a bar.

Christian Peter thus became the first player in NFL history to be drafted, and then waived prior to his rookie training camp.




Day Two of the 1996 NFL Draft (rounds 4-7):

4th round, 101st overall -- G Heath Irwin, Colorado
3 seasons w/Pats (44 games, 17 starts); 6 NFL seasons (87 games, 29 starts)

4th round, 119th overall -- DT Chris Sullivan, Boston College
[2nd of 3 picks received by trading down in 3rd round with Detroit]
4 seasons w/Pats (63 games, 20 starts); 5 NFL seasons (78 games, 22 starts)

4th round, 124th overall -- RB Kantroy Barber, West Virginia
[2nd of 3 picks received by trading down in 2nd round with Oakland]
1 season w/Pats on IR; 2 NFL games played

5th round, 139th overall -- G John Elmore, Texas
waived in training camp; zero NFL games played

5th round, 149th overall -- DT Christian Peter, Nebraska
[3rd of 3 picks received by trading down in 2nd round with Oakland]
waived (see above); 81 games with 34 starts over 5 NFL seasons

6th round, 173rd overall -- TE Chris Griffin, New Mexico
waived in training camp; zero NFL games played

6th round, 195th overall -- RB Marrio Grier, Tennessee-Chattanooga
[3rd of 3 picks received by trading down in 3rd round with Detroit]
2 seasons w/ Pats (32 games, 0 starts)

6th round, 206th overall -- DE Devin Wyman, Kentucky State
[compensatory pick]
2 seasons w/Pats (15 games, 4 starts)

7th round, 216th overall -- TE Lovett Purnell, West Virginia
3 seasons w/Pats (34 games, 7 starts)

7th round, 247th overall -- OT J.R. Conrad, Oklahoma
[compensatory pick]
waived in '96 and '97 training camps; one season (12 games, 1 start) with Jets


Despite all the media attention at the time regarding the draft focusing almost exclusively on Christian Peter, this turned out to be a truly great draft for the Patriots. The previous day they had selected Terry Glenn, Lawyer Milloy and Tedy Bruschi, and the Pats would later sign Adam Vinatieri as an undrafted rookie free agent. That more than outweighs a wasted fifth round draft pick.



In addition to Vinatieri, six players from this draft are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame: OT Jonathan Ogden (#4), WR Marvin Harrison (#19), RLKAG (#26), FS Brain Dawkins (2nd round, #61), WR Terrell Owens (3rd round, #89) and LB Zach Thomas (5th round, #154).

'Good Morning Football' breaks down why 1996 is the No. 5 greatest draft class of all time

The "Good Morning Football" crew looks back at the 1996 NFL Draft and discusses why it is ranked No. 5 on their list of top 12 draft classes of all time.

www.nfl.com

1996 NFL Re-Draft

It is time for another NFL Re-Draft. What would have happened if teams picked who they should have. Eventually we will get to all of the pro...

ransports.blogspot.com

March 19, 1996:
Former Husker Christian Peter Is Convicted -- New York Times

April 25, 1996:

Patriots Shocked to Discover Draftee's Record

Claiming they failed to do their homework, the New England Patriots on Wednesday released the draft rights to Christian Peter, a Nebraska lineman with a criminal record.

www.latimes.com

Patriots Back Track On Shady Draft Pick

Claiming they failed to do their homework, the New England Patriots on Wednesday released the draft rights to Christian Peter, a Nebraska lineman with a criminal record. "Unfortunately, we did not have information regarding Christian Peter's record at the time we made our draft...

www.spokesman.com

August 23, 1996:
Peter Serving Jail Sentence -- AP/New Bedford Standard-Times

January 23, 2001:

PETER VICTIM NEVER FORGETS

TAMPA – The last time Kathy Redmond watched Christian Peter play in a championship football game six years ago, the network hype and the laundered images on her television were more than she could bear. “I couldn’t…

www.nydailynews.com

December 16, 2014:

Christian Peter knows domestic abuse

Accused of assaulting four women while playing at Nebraska, he says he struggled to clean up his life in the NFL. Now the league has looked to him for help.

www.usatoday.com