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

jmt57 · Apr 21, 2026

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 · Apr 21, 2026

jmt57 said:
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 · Apr 21, 2026

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 · Apr 21, 2026

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

Clonamery · Apr 21, 2026

jmt57 said:
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 · Apr 21, 2026

Clonamery said:
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 · Apr 21, 2026

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

Patriots Player Departure Thread 'Gronk trade completed'

Apr 21, 2020

Welp. Let’s get some goods for him.

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 · Apr 21, 2026

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 · Apr 21, 2026

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 · Apr 21, 2026

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 · Apr 21, 2026

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

jmt57 · Apr 21, 2026

Today in Patriots History
Old April 21 News

April 21, 1981:
New England re-signs Matt Cavanaugh
Before he became an offensive coordinator for the Bears, Ravens and Washington, the quarterback had a sizable fan club in New England, with many calling for him to take over any time Steve Grogan threw a pick. In reality, he was quite average: 19 TD, 23 Int and a 5-10 record as a starter in his four seasons with the Patriots.

April 21, 1988:
Pats re-sign veteran Art Plunkett
The offensive tackle played in 22 games with one start over three seasons in New England, the last two disrupted by injuries.

April 21, 1988:
Burnie Miller passes away at the age of 60. He head been the Pats special teams coordinator in 1972 under John Mazur, and was not retained the following year by Chuck Fairbanks.

After two years at the University of Tennessee he switched to Wofford, and graduated in 1952, earning three football letters. Miller then coached as an assistant while at Fort Benning, and was the head coach while with the 82nd Airbourne at Fort Bragg. During his service period he had 29 jumps as a paratrooper. After leaving the service Miller was an assistant coach at Wyoming, Indiana, Iowa State and Purdue before joining the 49ers in 1970 and Oilers in 1971 as a defensive backs coach. After departing New England he returned to Houston as their DC, and finished his coaching career as an assistant at San Diego State from 1981-85.

Burnie Miller, standing, far left

April 21, 1989:
Patriots re-sign LB Ed Williams
In five seasons as a backup and special teamer, Williams played in 62 games with ten starts for the Pats.

April 21, 1993:
Free agent WR Mike Farr signs with the Pats

Mike Farr had spent three years with Detroit, his best season coming in 1990 when he had 42 catches for 431 yards. He was released at the end of training camp, and that was it for his pro football career - not quite on par with that of his father's or uncle's. His uncle Miller Farr was a three-time AFL All Star CB who led the league with ten interceptions in 1967, and had 35 picks from 1965 to 1973. And his dad Mel Farr was a running back with the Lions for seven seasons, winning Rookie of the Year in 1967, and named to his second Pro Bowl in 1970 when he scored 11 touchdowns in 12 games.

April 21, 1994:
New England releases four veterans just prior to the draft: former All Pro TE Marv Cook; 31 year old CB Reyna Thompson; 35 year old OL Rich Baldinger; and QB Scott Secules, who went 0-4 as a starter in 1993.

Marv Cook had been considered to be one of the best tight ends in the NFL in the early nineties, but quickly became an afterthought when Ben Coates overtook Cook on the field in 1993.

April 21, 1995:
The Patriots re-sign ERFA Brandon Moore
The backup tackle played in 26 games over three seasons in New England.

The Pats also re-signed free agent strong safety Terry Ray.
1995 was the third of Ray's four years with the Pats; in those four seasons he played in 63 games with 24 starts, with four interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one sack.

April 21, 1999:
New England signs veteran free agent RB Lamont Warren to a one-year contract.
Warren had been a decent third down/backup RB for five seasons with the Colts. In his one season with the Pats he played in all 16 games, with 382 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown.

jmt57 · Apr 21, 2026

Today in Patriots History
Newer April 21 News

April 21, 2004:
New England signs CB Jeff Burris.
A first round pick by Buffalo in the 1994 draft, Burris was a solid veteran added for insurance due to uncertainty with Ty Law's contract. Burris was released at the start of training camp, ending his ten year NFL career.

https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/1998/11/02/burris-burned-as-patriots-edge-colts/49138003/

Patriots sign CB Burris to one-year deal

Pats release DB Jeff Burris

The New England Patriots released defensive back Jeff Burris today.

www.patriots.com

April 21, 2005:
The commemorative DVD 3 Games to Glory 3 is released at a premiere event in Randolph.
The two-disc set produced by NFL Films features the Patriots' 2004 playoff run: the 20-3 AFC Divisional playoff vs. Indianapolis; the 41-27 AFC Championship at Pittsburgh; and the 24-21 Super Bowl XXXIX against the Philadelphia Eagles at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville.

April 21, 2009:
OLB Pierre Woods is re-signed, for his fourth season with New England.
Woods played in 54 regular season games plus seven postseason games for the Pats from 2006-10.

Behind the Scenes with LB Pierre Woods

The Patriots originally signed Pierre Woods as an undrafted free agent on May 8, 2006. The 6-foot-5-inch, 250-pound linebacker collected 24 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles as senior for the University of Michigan last seas

www.patriots.com

LB Woods Signs Tender

www.patsfans.com

April 21, 2010:
The Patriots sign DT Amon Gordon.
Apparently they saw enough of the journeyman veteran in OTAs to release him seven weeks later, well before the start of training camp.

Player Signing Thread 'Patriots sign DL Amon Gordon'

Apr 21, 2010

BostonHerald.com - Blogs: Rap Sheet Blog Archive Patriots sign DL Amon Gordon

He looks like a JAG who played a few games for Denver last year.

April 21, 2014:
John Kompara passes away at the age of 78
Born in Canton Ohio and a 1959 draft pick by the Giants out of South Carolina, the defensive tackle was with the Boston Patriots in 1961.

John Joseph Kompara Obituary April 21, 2014 - Becker Funeral Home

View John Joseph Kompara's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

www.beckerfamilyfuneral.com

John was a star athlete at McKinley High School in Canton. He received a full scholarship to the University of South Carolina. After graduation, he was drafted by the New York Giants, 155th overall to the NFL. He also played with the San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Colts & Boston Patriots and the Canadian Football League. Upon the end of his football career he held a number of positions in Industrial Management such as Goodyear Aero Space, Maurey Instruments & Hammond Organ Company. When Hammond closed, he opened three restaurants in East Tennessee. In 1980 he and his family moved to Illinois where he was employed in sales, predominately in insurance. In 2004 he and his wife Diane retired to Clermont, Florida. He was active in the NFL Retired Football Players Association, especially the Chicago & Orlando chapters.

April 21, 2017:
Patriots re-sign 32-year old Danny Amendola

2017 would be the fifth and final season with the Patriots for 'Dola. During his time in New England he caught 230passes for 2,383 yards with 12 touchdowns, completed his only pass for 36 yards, averaged 9.1 yards on 85 punt returns and 23.5 yards on 81 kickoff returns. In addition, in the postseason Amendola had 57 receptions for 709 yard with six TD, threw a 20-yard completion, and scored 38 points. During the 2017 playoffs Amendola caught more than 75% of the passes thrown his way, with 26 receptions (18 for first downs) for 348 yards and two touchdowns.

April 21, 2024:
Matthew Slater is hired to be Jerod Mayo's "right-hand man", a role that was later described as being "to support Mayo with football team building and player development", before eventually given the label of "special assistant to the head coach".

Thread 'Matthew Slater hired by the Pats to be Mayo's "right hand man"'

Apr 21, 2024

Slater is a natural leader. Happy to have him with the organization.

jmt57 · Apr 21, 2026

Today in Patriots History
April 21 Columns and Threads

2001:

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

2002:

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

2003:

2006:

Thread 'Patriots : best season - worst one'

Apr 21, 2006

The best season for me was without a doubt 2001.
Finally, finally, finally we reached the top after an emotional game ! Super Bowl Champs !
I was so excited when AV made the winning FG, players running on the field, confetti and then Robert Kraft bringing the Vince Lombardi ! Amazing ! Beautiful ! The best moment for me in sports ever.
We arrived at the top after more then 40 years history.
I do not think we will ever reach that kind of emotions - first time is always 1st time !

The 2nd best is for me 1959 when we borned (Boston Patriots) ! Thks to the Sullivans for it and thks to...

Thread 'Rich Tylski is a scumbag'

Apr 21, 2006

For those of you who don't remember, OG Rich Tylski signed with the Pats in the '02 offseason and retired a few months later in training camp.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2416641

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Former NFL offensive guard Rich Tylski and his wife were accused of hitting their adopted daughter with a belt, slamming her head on a table and other abuse that left the girl with broken bones in her hands and leg.

The 35-year-old Tylski and wife Jane, 36, were free on $20,000 bond each on the child abuse and neglect charges. They were released Wednesday...

2007:

Thread 'Seven days 'til Draft Day . . . how do you feel?'

Apr 21, 2007

I know there's been a fair amount of discussion about the draft, but I'm just curious how people feel about the draft.

Personally, I often can't watch (I work some weekends), but I see it as Christmas in April.

Thread 'All Access (Belichick and Dimitroff interviews, Mankins scouting process)'

Apr 21, 2007

On in 10 mins for those of you who get it

M

Thread 'Pats should dump Samuel'

Apr 21, 2007

drop that whiner.

Has he been talking to other teams as a prelude to a trade? I haven't heard anything.

I'd hate to go though the draft without a trade and then have him turn into a whining distraction as the season started. It's better to lance the boil now.

And no, I don't think they should "pay" him his ransom amount.

2008:

Thread 'Who was your favorite team if any BEFORE you became a Patriots fan?'

Apr 21, 2008

I am sure the guys in here who grew up near and around Boston and Foxboro were almost for sure Patriots fans at birth but many if not the majority of guys and gals in here were born outside of that area and even far away from the New England States.

I was born and raised in Northeast Pennsylvania,but for some reason always HATED the Eagles but the Steelers were even more hated by me and are still today.

My very first game of watching football was actually the 1978 Clemson/Ohio State game where Woody Hayes punched away at LB Charlie Bauman and then I fell in love with the game at 14...

Thread 'TheSmokingGun: Despite Super Bowl loss, 18-1 football team wants "19-0" trademarks'

Apr 21, 2008

According to The Smoking Gun, the pats are still going for a 19-0 Trademark.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0421081pats1.html

While the team may have been expected to withdraw its applications after finishing at 18-1, a Patriots lawyer recently amended the original filings to correct a typographical error, a clear indication that the organization remains committed to securing the marks (perhaps Bill Belichick & Co. are anticipating perfection in the 2008 season).

As seen below, on April 11 the Patriots tweaked their original United States Patent and Trademark...

L

Thread 'I'm still not over it...'

Apr 21, 2008

I admit it, after watching the Red Sox come back on Sunday and the Celtics win Sunday night, I actually said to myself "Why cant the Patriots come through like the Red Sox"

I KNOW I KNOW, its B.S. but its there, visions of blown leads at the end of 2 seasons..coupled with the Sox becoming like Yankees used to be, late game rallies with a lights out closer....its weird. if the Sox win it this year they will have both won 3.

this isnt right, its should be the other way around!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009:

List of Patriots Draft Picks For This Weekend

www.patsfans.com

Good Progress with Wilfork Talks

www.patsfans.com

LB Woods Signs Tender

www.patsfans.com

I

Thread 'Prediction: Brian Cushing'

Apr 21, 2009

Assuming availability, I see the Pats taking Cushing and moving him inside next to Mayo.

Player Signing Thread 'Pierre Woods signs RFA tender'

Apr 21, 2009

This from Mike Reiss:

Pierre Woods signs tender - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com

No big surprise. Last Friday was the deadline for teams to make offers to RFAs. Not a single one got an offer. From that point on it was either sign the tender or long term deal for Woods.

P

Thread 'The three nominees for the Pats HOF'

Apr 21, 2009

Jim Nance....Houston Antwine...Jon Morris......
THIS is good news...as it really insures one of the old timers will make it!!! I am pleased that they decided to do this with players of the same era...so an older player will make it. Hats off to those at the Hall for doing this. It's really been by gripe the last few years..and it seems they have agreed that this was a good idea. Having seen these three play..it is GREAT news!!

Thread 'No surprise: Belichick leads league trading down in the draft 73% of the time'

Apr 21, 2009

Although I've had a difficult time taking Peter King seriously since his bizarre coverage of the Pats in 2007/2008, there's an interesting, if not surprising stat in his latest MMQB

Mark Sanchez, Daniel Snyder, Scott Pioli pivotal in NFL draft - Peter King - SI.com

The stats show that over the last 5 years the Pats are one of the most active trading teams on draft weekend... and of those active teams, out of 11 trades Belichick has only traded up 3 times - a low amount of trades for teams in double digit trading figures, and the lowest percentage of all those teams as well...

Thread 'Here's you chance to ask Roger Goodell questions'

Apr 21, 2009

Here's your chance to ask Roger Goodell a question that was on your mind.

Ask the Commissioner
With the 2009 NFL Draft just days away, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will join us for a live chat on Wednesday, April 22, at 2 p.m. ET. Submit a question now.

Obviously he's not going to post an answer to a question that is too slanted, but maybe if the question is worded in the right way you can get him to bite.

2010:

Thread 'Rick Gosselin's Final Mock [merged X2]'

Apr 21, 2010

Wondering if anyone knows when Rick Gosselins final mock draft comes out and if anyone knows when can they kindly post it so we can see who the Patriots are getting in the draft, LOL!

Thread 'One day before the Draft: Are you excited, nervous, or fearful?'

Apr 21, 2010

As you all know, tomorrow is the big first day of the 2010 NFL Draft. We have all dissected a ton of prospects ad nauesum, from potential first round picks, to the mid rounders, to late round hopefuls, and even priority UDFAs. With that in mind what is your mindframe for this year's draft?

Are you excited and stoked? Are you nervously expectant? Or are you fearful that BB will once again 'let down' the expectations of the fans and draft in his usual inscrutable and unpredictable way?

I think I'm a little of all the above, except that I have NO expectations for this year's...

NFL News Thread 'OT: Ben Roesthlisbungler is on the block...'

Apr 21, 2010

just listening to Dale and Holley, just before the Francoma interview, and they said Shefter twitted that Ben the Perv is available for a top ten pick.. someone before predicted Buffalo, if true hope he freezes his cajones off.. that would cure a few things..

Thread 'Manny Lawson anybody?'

Apr 21, 2010

Cousins, not that long ago we were all on board for the Pats to Draft this kid.At 6' 5" and 240 he had his best NFL year last year with 6.5 sacks to go with 4 forced fumbles and 66 Tackles.

At 25 he is just reaching his prime. He is NFL tested and as good as any OLB I can see at #22. The 49ers just signed Laboy for depth and have Ahmad Brooks coming on strong. Brooks just signed a two year deal. On the other side Haralson had 8 sacks in 2008 and is young and should be strong again.

Lawson was the 49ers top sack man in 2009. The fact that Lawson seeks a new contract might make the...

R

Thread 'OT: Congrats Cromartie on your 8th child'

Apr 21, 2010

According to currans Twitter. Sure the proud papa is spending the exciting day no where near the baby, and will be out on the town looking for creating #9.

Patriots Rumor Thread 'Reiss on Albert Haynesworth'

Apr 21, 2010

From ESPN.com:

Mike: Every year, Bill Belichick seems to have a surprise up his sleeve. We should keep in mind that the Patriots made seven draft-day trades last year, one unexpectedly including cornerback Ellis Hobbs. Of course, we all remember the trade for receiver Randy Moss in 2007. With this in mind, maybe he wheels one of those top picks for an impact veteran. My personal feeling is that if you can get someone like Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth for a second-rounder, it's a no-brainer. Then you lock in on the 4-3 defense.

2011:

UMass football moves up to FBS; will play at Gillette

UMass football will move up to the FB$ and the MAC and play at Gillette. Good move, bad move? ...

atp.patsfans.com

Thursday Links: Kraft promises to do everything he can; Matt Chatham; QB Transition and more

Today's links: Kraft promises to do everything he can; former Pat Matt Chatham; Pats transition plan at QB; Mark Ingram, Tyron Smith and other draft prospects

atp.patsfans.com

Pats director of college scouting Jon Robinson discusses upcoming draft

Just a few days after Nick Caserio's very informative conference on the draft process, Patriot's director of college scouting Jon Robinson expands on that seminar in an interview

atp.patsfans.com

Thread 'UMass football moves up to FBS; will play at Gillette'

Apr 20, 2011

UMass to play home games at Gillette in 2012?

Rumor Mill | ProFootballTalk"

"Robert Kraft said at press conference regarding the fact that UMass will begin playing its home games at Gillette Stadium in 2012."

Thread 'Five Worst Owners in the NFL'

Apr 21, 2011

Five Worst Owners in the NFL
By: Mike Procopio

A look at the five worst owners in the league.

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY

Thread 'Bledsoe: "didn't think it was fair" being replaced by Brady'

Apr 21, 2011

Bledsoe: "didn't think it was fair" being replaced by Brady
By: John Morgan

Drew Bledsoe says on a radio interview that he didn't think it was fair at the time that he was replaced by Tom Brady during the 2001 season which ended in the franchise's first Super Bowl championship....

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY

2012:

On The Radar: Who Have The Patriots Had their Eye on?

Our friends at NEPatriotsDraft have complied a list of the Patriots pre-draft contacts that can be found here. Here are a few thoughts on the team's potential targets thus far.

www.patsfans.com

Thread 'The most mindblowing stat'

Apr 21, 2012

10 years as a starter and 5 of them Brady has led his team to a SB. Compare that to any QB not named Otto Graham(who played in an era of who gives a ****) and you have nobody that comes even close. And Brady looks like he is well on his way for more with a complete roster turnaround.

Brady 5 of 10

Giant forehead - 2 of 13

Montana 4 of 13 (unless i'm missing some other injury seasons) + a ****load of talent on O + like top 3 ranked Ds every season he did win, which never seems to get mentioned.

Elway - 5 of 16

Favre - 2 of 25(??)

Rapistberger - 3 of 8 - carried by the...

2014:

Monday's New England Patriots Links 4/21 - Ranking the Patriots' Biggest Needs in the Draft

Here are this morning's New England Patriots links for Monday April 21st, 2014.

www.patsfans.com

Deadline For Option Looming For Patriots' Solder

Patriots left tackle Nate Solder has been a staple at the position protecting quarterback Tom Brady's blind side since being drafted in 2011, and it appears the veteran could be in line for a pay increase in the near future.

www.patsfans.com

Thread 'Armond Armstead, Josh Kline, Michael Bucannon, Josh Boyce, Braxton Cave, Mark Harrison'

Apr 21, 2014

Armond Armstead, Josh Kline, Michael Bucannon, Josh Boyce, Braxton Cave, Mark Harrison and Steve Beauharnais

What do we expect from each of these guys next season?

Where we go in the draft depends entirely in the belief (or lack of) that BB and his staff have in each of these guys IMO.

Thread 'Voluntary workouts begin Monday 4/21 at Gillette'

Apr 21, 2014

Voluntary workouts begin today at Gillette

Other than Brady attending I have not heard who else in the building.

Patriots open offseason workout program at Gillette stadium | The Blitz | Boston Herald

Thread 'More Mallett Chit Chat'

Apr 21, 2014

FWIW :

Jason McIntyre ?@jasonrmcintyre12 mins
More intriguing QB: Ryan Mallett of Pats or anyone in 2014 draft? Lots of NFL rumblings that Mallett gets dealt on draft weekend.

2015:

Tuesday Patriots Notebook 4/21: Solder Reveals Cancer Scare, Brady Declined to Help RGIII, More Notes

Some Patriots news and notes on this Tuesday.

www.patsfans.com

NFL, Patriots Announce 2015 Regular Season Schedule

The Patriots have announced their 2015 schedule, opening with Pittsburgh, the Pats will have back-to-back prime time games vs Buffalo and Denver midseason

patspub.patsfans.com

Thread '2015 schedule to be released Tuesday April 21'

Apr 20, 2015

It will be at 8pm but iirc some game dates got leaked throughout the day last year.

Thread 'Just a quick reminder'

Apr 21, 2015

The Patriots have been to more Super Bowls than any other team since Spygate.
The only team with more Super Bowl victories than the Pats since Spygate is the Giants.

After 8 years of 'no rings since Spygate' BS we should all enjoy this.

Patriots Injury News Thread 'Nate Solder was diagnosed with Cancer last year.'

Apr 21, 2015

Solder was diagnosed with testicular cancer in April 2014, which shocked him because he felt healthy and there was no history of it in his family.

Doctors determined the cancer was restricted to one testicle and hadn't spread, removed the testicle, and Solder went on to experience one of the most rewarding football seasons in his life.

ESPN

Wow, glad he is alright.

Cool Link Thread 'Must See: Great Flutie Recounting (NSFW Language) of Dropkick'

Apr 21, 2015

Man, it's fun to watch him tell the story.

Content Post Thread 'All we have to do to win Superbowl L is......'

Apr 21, 2015

....Do the following. It should be clear. There should be no doubt or question. There can be no other path to take or follow. Anything else will end up being nothing but an absolute disaster. We have to unite here, because to change course dooms us all. ALRIGHT ALREADY, I will get to the point, because its simple.

All we have to do is draft a Defensive Tackle in the first round and our success is assured. That's it. That wasn't hard. By selecting a defensive tackle in the first round, just like we did in
2001..........., Seymour
2003,........... Warren
2004...

Thread 'We're on to Pittsburgh'

Apr 21, 2015

Mike Reiss ?@MikeReiss 41m41 minutes ago
Via @AdamSchefter, Patriots to host Steelers to open NFL season. http://es.pn/1J7IWQB

2016:

Thursday Daily Patriots Rundown 4/21: Morning News and Notes | PatsFans.com

It's always fun to see a local product get a shot at playing in New England, and it looks like the Patriots hosted one on Wednesday.

www.patsfans.com

Thread 'Kinda OT: Headed to the Pats-Bills game IN Buff this year..anyone been?'

Apr 21, 2016

I got tickets to the game Oct 3oth. Myself and a good friend from college have always wanted to go out there and watch the Pats demoralize them in person (She's a HUGE fan and knows more than most guys i know). We will be driving out Sat..getting a hotel room then we will drive home after the game.

Tips? Places to go Sat night ect. Tailgating good?

We are both pumped. I like going to away games and seeing other stadiums. Only other I have been to was Jets-Pats in NY the first year they opened their new stadium and in Aug I will actually be at a Titans-Raiders preseason game in Oakland (...

Thread 'OT: Prince found dead'

Apr 21, 2016

Prince dead at Paisley Park estate in Minnesota

CHANHASSEN, Minn. (KMSP) - Prince is dead at 57, Fox 9 has confirmed through multiple sources. Carver County Chief Deputy Jason Kamerud confirmed a response to a medical call at 9:43 a.m at Prince's Paisley Park estate in Chanhassen, Minnesota.

Paisley Park is the compound where Prince lives, records music and hosts parties and concerts, including one party just a few days ago.

R.I.P.

Thread 'This is what happens when Serena Williams Meets TB12'

Apr 21, 2016

Serena Williams reacts to being near Tom Brady like every Patriots fan would

The GOAT in one sport meeting the arguable GOAT in another.

Obviously TB is the GOAT but I find this to be pretty cool. Nothing fake here. What a stud.

Edit: Serena, he's mine!

M

Thread 'Center'

Apr 21, 2016

I've seen different 3rd centers being projected to us. Is Stork healthy? Is Andrews not capable of a backup roster spot?

I understand picking a center late as coma competition and fodder. The 3rd round seems early.

2017:

Daily Notebook: Friday Patriots News and Notes 4/21 | PatsFans.com

Here's a look at this morning's stories for Friday April 21, 2017.

www.patsfans.com

Mock Draft 3.0 – Patriots Get Depth, Fill Needs | PatsFans.com

Of course, if the Bills decline to match the Patriots offer, New England will have to turn over their 5th round draft pick to Buffalo

www.patsfans.com

Thread 'Lol pathetic shot at Patriots by NFL'

Apr 21, 2017

Lol c'mon man.

Thread 'Great Read From Howe - 'After tragedy, Tarentino family sends thanks to Tom Brady''

Apr 21, 2017

Good stuff:

After tragedy, police officer's family sends thanks to Tom Brady

Thread 'Patriots 2017 Hall of Fame Finalists Announced'

Apr 21, 2017

Patriots 2017 Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

Raymond Clayborn

Mike Vrabel

Richard Seymour

Glad to see Parcells did not make it.

Thread 'Still smiling even 11 weeks later'

Apr 21, 2017

Love hearing the mic'ed up banter.

I never noticed before at the OT coin toss Matt Ryan telling our guys great job. Classy.

J

Thread 'OT: Schefter covering C's game'

Apr 21, 2017

Did oncourt interview with Avery Bradley( who had a huge game) after game.
Actually asked good questions, but YIKES!! is ESPN losing so much $ that their NFL guys now gotta cover the NBA?
Very weird.

2018:

Thread 'How Focused is Gronk?'

Apr 21, 2018

I mean, it is the offseason, but the only reason he is in the building is for dirt biking. Is he really going to play or not?

Thread 'OT: Bruins vs Leafs Game 5'

Apr 21, 2018

Multiple sources reporting Bergeron a game time decision but looks good to go.
Kadri back for Toronto.
Tampa finished off the Devils so the B's need to to get it done tonight to gain equal rest.

2019:

New England Patriots News 4-21, AFC East Notes | PatsFans.com

Bolden remarked Miami was like “going away to college” but is happy to be back. I’m happy to be back, excited to get back to work. I missed this place.”

www.patsfans.com

2020:

Patriots Draft Musings - 4/21 | PatsFans.com

What if Bill Belichick doesn’t have a player he covets, fall into his lap at pick #23 and he can’t find a trade partner to drop down? Who will he select?

www.patsfans.com

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

Thread 'OT: Brady caught in closed Tampa park'

Apr 21, 2020

https://www.khou.com/amp/article/sports/mayor-castor-tom-brady-caught-working-out-in-closed-tampa-park/

Tom Brady gets politely ejected from closed Tampa park - ProFootballTalk

Deserves an 8 game suspension. Cheating.

G

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

Apr 21, 2020

Patriots Player Departure Thread 'Gronk trade completed'

Apr 21, 2020

Welp. Let’s get some goods for him.

R

Thread 'Who's going to have a better year?'

Apr 21, 2020

Stidham lead pats or Bradys bucks?

Thread 'OT: New Bucs Logo Announced'

Apr 21, 2020

Just kidding !!!

2021:

Thread 'Patriots Uniforms'

Apr 21, 2021

Like the Color Rush we are currently wearing? Think the Navy Blues are the best? Pining for the old Red Jersey? Secretly admire the 1990's royal blues?

The Patriots have had an overabundance of uniforms over the years... a Brief History if you will

1960: Home Reds, 3/4 length sleeves, Some jersies had nameplates, others didn't

1961-1968: Some slight variations in shoulder piping on Home Reds

1969-1972: Home Reds/Road All Whites, Shoulder striping removed; sleeve piping, enlarged, moved to bicep area

1973-1978: Home Reds, All White Road

1979-1980: Home Reds, Road White Top/Red...

Thread 'Draft: Justin Fields confirms that he has epilepsy'

Apr 21, 2021

That might lower his draft stock...

Thread 'Tell me a story about Marcus Mariota...'

Apr 21, 2021

Assuming no QB falls to 15 and even if there is one available I think Mariota offers a lower floor and still has upside.

His contract is a steal, 3.5 M.

Pretty much a steal for pick 46 IMO

2023:

MORSE: Jones/Zappe Competition, Patriots Hall of Fame, Morse's Morsels | PatsFans.com

The radio talk shows are salivating over a potential full and open QB competition. They want the controversy to drive their ratings and give them easy fodder to fill the 4-hour timeslot. This would be absolutely stupid.

www.patsfans.com

Thread '[Original title was major clickbait] Adam Jones from WEEI thinks Patriots should trade Mac Jones for Trey Lance'

Apr 21, 2023

So here is the tweet concerning the Mac Jones for Lance rumor:

Would you do it? Do you believe in Trey Lance's upside or do you go with maybe a 'safer' play and stay with Mac Jones?

Thread 'OT: Jameson Williams suspended for violating gambling policy'

Apr 21, 2023

Jameson Williams among 4 Lions plus Washington DE suspended for betting

Four Lions players, including Jameson Williams, have been suspended for violating the NFL's gambling policy. Williams is among two players being suspended six games, while Quintez Cephus, C.J. Moore and a Commanders DE are suspended indefinitely.

www.espn.com

He was one of the guys on the radar as a Patriots target last year at the draft.

LOL @ the league though. I wonder if they announced this in between FanDuel and BetMGM commercials...

2024:

Patriots News 4-21, Kraft-Belichick, A.J. Brown Trade? | PatsFans.com

Brown had 88 catches for 1496 yards with 11 TDs in 2022. He followed that up with 106 catches for 1456 yards and 7 TDs in 2023.

www.patsfans.com

Thread 'Matthew Slater hired by the Pats to be Mayo's "right hand man"'

Apr 21, 2024

Slater is a natural leader. Happy to have him with the organization.

Thread 'What exactly is a „Right Hand Man“?'

Apr 21, 2024

Ok so this story:

Special teams legend Matthew Slater's new full-time role with Patriots revealed

I LOVE Slater. Excited he is still on /around team; but I have absolutely no clue what this position is?

Is „Right Hand Man“ code for:

A. Easterby‘s old position ( was titled „chaplain & character coach“)?
B. A gopher?
C. Something else?

Is there any team besides Patriots that has had or does have a chaplain-character coach ?

Thread 'Blockbuster NE news NFL trade'

Apr 21, 2024

So, my cousin is a huge Pats fan and he decided to attend this draft. He is on the ground in Detroit now.

Last night he was hanging around the hotel bar and who walks in and sets down next to him? Schefter, thats who. They get talking, but its respectful like and not like my cousin is drooling all over Schefter telling him how great he is. So, the conversation steers towards the Pats. My cousin is decked out NE regalia Bruins hat and of course Pats # 9 Judon jersey.

Schefter tells my cousin that the Pats have been open for business talking to virtually all teams about moving the 3rd...

Thread 'Rodney Harrison not a Drake Maye guy'

Apr 21, 2024

2025:

Thread 'Shannon Sharpe accused of sexual assault (was: Someone call the National Guard!!)'

Apr 21, 2025

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

Shannon Sharpe is sued for sexual assault and battery

Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe made headlines last week in connection with his pursuit of a nine-figure podcast deal.

www.nbcsports.com

Is it possible this woman is mistaken and she was actually assaulted by a Clydesdale? Was the Budweiser wagon in town the day of the alleged assault?

Thread 'Schefter: Kayshon Boutte "deemed expendable" during draft weekend'

Apr 21, 2025

According to Adan Schefter, Kayshon Boutte is "deemed expendable" to the Patriots in a possible trade this weekend.

You gotta think they intend to draft or trade for a starting quality WR this weekend if Boutte is expendable.

2026:

MORSE: What Will the Patriots Do in the Draft? | PatsFans.com

The Patriots' draft strategy is debated: BPA vs. need. Eliot Wolf shares insights on positional strengths, weaknesses, and team priorities.

www.patsfans.com

TRANSCRIPT: Mike Vrabel's Media Statement on Tuesday 4/21 | PatsFans.com

Here's the transcript of what New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel had to say during his statement in front of the media on Tuesday, April 21, 2026

www.patsfans.com

Russini & Vrabel Nothing to see here?

https://pagesix.com/2026/04/07/celebrity-news/new-england-patriots-mike-vrabel-and-top-ny-times-nfl-reporter-dianna-russini-hold-hands-and-hug-at-luxury-hotel/ Probably nothing but Mike might have some explaning to do with the Mrs at home. Their initial explanation is that it was a chance...

www.patsfans.com

Fire Vrabel?

Assertions are being made on this board that Vrabel has destroyed his credibility with the players, and can no longer coach them on important issues like not creating distractions. If those allegations are true he has undermined his ability to do his job as coach, so the team needs to take...

www.patsfans.com

jmt57 · Apr 21, 2026

Today in Patriots History
Local QB is 1st Patriot to wear #12

In memory of Don Allard, who would have turned 90 today
Born April 21, 1936 in Cambridge
Died May 4, 2002 at the age of 66 in Winchester
Patriot quarterback 1962; uniform #12
Signed as a free agent approximately July 1, 1961
Pats résumé: one season, four games; no stats

Donald J. Allard grew up in Somerville and spent three years as quarterback at Boston College. At Chestnut Hill his favorite target was future Patriot WR Jim Colclough. Washington selected Allard as the fourth overall pick in the 1959 NFL draft; that was the earliest a BC Eagle was ever drafted for a span of 49 years, until the Falcons drafted Matt Ryan. The Saskatchewan Roughriders also drafted Allard and offered him almost double the money that Washington did, so he headed north to play in the CFL.

Allard played out his option so that he could join the Patriots in the first year of the American Football League, but Montreal thwarted that idea when they picked him up on waivers. A year later he was released, but by that time the Pats were no longer interested. The New York Titans signed him in '61, and then Allard finally joined the Patriots in 1962. He appeared in only four games for his hometown team, with no stats.

In the sixties Allard played locally in semi-pro leagues. He quarterbacked the Sweepers to back-to-back titles in the old Atlantic Coast Football League, and finished his career in 1969 with the Quincy Giants of the ACFL. For a more detailed bio, check out The Secret Career of Don Allard.

And if you ever want to stump your friends with a bit of Patriot franchise history there is this: Allard was the first player in Pats team history to wear uniform number 12.

If you are the least bit interested in the history of football in the New England area - which you probably are, or else you wouldn't be reading this thread - I very highly recommend that you take a few minutes to read the article below. Great tidbits on how NFL owners operated in the days before free agency, as well as information on the Atlantic Coast Football League (minor league football operation in the northeast) and the semi-pro New England Football Conference. PatFanKen surely has more tales to share about the ACFL.

The Secret Career of Don Allard

Don Allard (1987) - Varsity Club Hall of Fame - Boston College Athletics

* A skilled and versatile athlete, he ran and passed with equal ease from his quarterback position. He also made major contributions as a punter, defensive safety, and punt and kickoff return specialist.

* He established Boston College records for the longest scoring play (a 92-yard touchdown pass) and longest interception return (100 yards).

* He was a first-round draft selection of the Washington Redskins but elected to play professional football in Canada, and later with the AFL's New York Titans and Boston Patriots.

* Inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987.

Donald John “Don” Allard (1936-2002) - Find a...

Donald John Allard, at 66, retired pro football player:- Thursday, May 9, 2002 Donald John Allard of Winchester, a retired professional football player and probation officer, died Saturday at home after a lengthy illness. He was 66. Born in Cambridge he was a graduate of Somerville High...

www.findagrave.com

After he retired from his football career, Mr. Allard was the chief probation officer at the Middlesex Superior Court and was recognized as the youngest chief in the department's history. He retired in 1993.

Mr. Allard served as a high school and collegiate official of both basketball and football. In 1978, he was recognized as the president of the New England Football Officials.

He was active in the local NFL alumni charity "Caring for Kids."

Don Allard Pro Football Record

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

www.profootballarchives.com

jmt57 · Apr 21, 2026

Today in Patriots History
Sounds like a Hollywood stage name

In memory of Rip Hawkins, who would have turned 87 today
Born April 21, 1939 in Winchester, Tennessee
Died July 28, 2015 at the age of 76 in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Patriot quarterback 1962; uniform #12
Pats 2nd round (12th overall) selection of the 1961 AFL draft
Pats résumé: none, other than being a draft pick

The Boston Patriots selected the linebacker from UNC in the second round, 12th overall in the 1961 draft. Unfortunately for the Pats he never played for them; he signed with Minnesota, who had also drafted him in the second round in their inaugural season.

Ross 'Rip' Hawkins was a starting middle linebacker for all five of his NFL seasons with the Vikings. Despite his youth Hawkins was named Minnesota's captain on defense as a rookie. The Pro Bowler had twelve career interceptions, including five in his first season.

After his playing career, Hawkins was an assistant district attorney in Atlanta, owned a metallurgic business in Minneapolis, and moved to Denver where he worked for an oil company. Later he moved to Wyoming and ran a 700 acre ranch. Hawkins remained active until just before his death, often going on 30-mile bike rides. At the end of his life Hawkins was diagnosed with Lewy-body dementia, which is the second most common type of progressive dementia after Alzheimer’s disease.

Seven others with a New England connection were born on this date - six of whom were old timers:

Ken Strong
4/21/1906 - 10/5/1979
Elmer Kenneth Strong Jr. was born and raised in West Haven CT. He is the all-time scoring leader for the Staten Island Stapletons (seriously, I'm not making that up; that was a real team). The three-time All-Pro halfback/kicker spent 12 years in the NFL (mostly with the New York Giants) and three more in the original American Football League. Ken Strong was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967 and his #50 jersey is retired by the Giants.

Ken Strong | Pro Football Hall of Fame

*Elmer Kenneth Strong, Jr* ... N.Y.U. All-American, 1928 ... Excelled in every phase of game - blocking, running, passing, punting, placekicking, defense ... Scored 17 points to pace Giants to 1934 title in famous "Sneakers" game ... All-NFL, 1930, 1931, 1933, 1934 ... Scored 64 points to top...

www.profootballhof.com

Ken Strong Pro Football Record

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

www.profootballarchives.com

Jeff Smith, 29 (April 21, 1997)
Boston College
Caught 67 passes in four seasons (2019-2022) with the Jets.

Bill Howell, April 21, 1904-August 23, 1981
Born in New Brunswick and grew up in Augusta Maine. Was an end for the 1929 Boston Bulldogs.

Steve Sucic, April 21, 1921-June 29, 2001
HB/FB played in the NFL for three seasons, including time with the 1947 Boston Yanks.

Forrest Douds, April 21, 1923-August 16, 1979
Left tackle played in the NFL for five years, starting as an All-Pro rookie in 1930 for the Providence Steam Roller.

Gene Lee, April 21, 1922-December 19, 2010
Starting center/linebacker for the 1946 Boston Yanks, playing home games at Fenway Park.

Steve Enich, April 21, 1923-November 10, 2004
Fourth round (30th overall) pick of the 1945 draft by the Boston Yanks.

jmt57 · Apr 21, 2026

Today in Pro Football History
April 21 Birthdays

Steve Owen (April 21, 1898 - May 17, 1964)

Steve Owen | Pro Football Hall of Fame

*Stephen Joseph Owen*. . .Great defensive star of the 1920s. . .Captained Giants' 1927 title team which held foe to record low 20 points. . .Coached Giants 24 seasons from 1930 to 1953. . .Coaching record: 155-108-17, eight divisional, two NFL title teams. . .A-formation offense, umbrella...

www.profootballhof.com

To call Steve Owen a pioneer is not an overstatement. The sturdy tackle and head coach was born in Oklahoma before it was a state – it was still a territory in 1898. From little Phillips, a small Oklahoma college, Steve began his pro football career in 1924 with the Kansas City Blues (later Cowboys), a traveling team that played all their games on the road.

After a brief stay with the Cleveland Bulldogs, he was sold to the New York Giants in 1926 for $500. Owen played seven seasons with the Giants, 1926-1931 and 1933. In 1930, he was both a player and the team’s co-coach. Although he continued to play, he was named the sole head coach in 1931.

Then, in 1933, he stopped playing and devoted all his efforts to coaching. Owen and the Mara family, who owned the Giants never had a contract. He coached 24 seasons, 1930-1953, on just a handshake. Stout Steve Owen believed in basic fundamental football, and he was successful with his basic style. His real strength was in coaching defense.

Under his tutelage, the Giants played in eight of the first 14 championship games of the National Football League. The team’s victory in the 1934 “Sneakers Game” is well documented. He coached the Giants to another title in 1938. He originated the “umbrella defense” – the secondary was likened to an umbrella with four deep defensive backs representing the umbrella’s spokes.

The spokes include future Hall of Famers Emlen Tunnell and Tom Landry. He successfully used this defense to contain the powerful pass-oriented Cleveland Browns when they joined the NFL in 1950. Owen left the Giants following the 1953 season, but before he did he developed some of the greatest players and toughest teams in history. His 155 career victories attest to his success.

Owen, Steve | The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture

www.okhistory.org

Throughout his career Owen was known for his smashing block and tackle. "If a boy isn't willing to get off the ground and hit back a little harder than he was hit, no coach can help him," he once said. His defenses were tough, and his offense was based on the A formation, a version of the old single wing, until the late 1940s.

Despite that approach, Owen could see the increasing development of finely executed passing. He adopted the T Formation in 1949 with Charley Connerly as quarterback. In the second game of the 1950 season, he unveiled his umbrella defense against the Cleveland Browns. The Giants lined up in a traditional 6–4–1 defense with a six-man line, but when Cleveland's Otto Graham faded back to pass, Giant defensive ends dropped back to help the four defensive backs form an "umbrella shield."

Coach Steve Owen: The Great Innovator - The Coffin Corner, Pro Football Researchers.com

Professional football has advanced from a simple to complex game. To a great extent, this is due to the imaginative genius of the coaches.

In the early years the innovators were George Halas, Curly Lambeau, Greasy Neale and Jimmy Conzelman. Later Paul Brown and Vince Lombardi came along. In the 1970s we had Tom Landry, Don Shula, Hank Stram and George Allen to mention a few.

Seldom mentioned; yet one of the great innovators of all time is Steve Owen, for 23 years the guiding genius of the New York Giants. Stout Steve came up with innovations like the A-formation and the Umbrella Defense. These were not only catchy names, but effective weapons. The Giants under Owen won eight division and two league championships.

What is even more remarkable about Owen is that he stressed defense when few of his contemporaries did. His kind of football began with blocking and tackling. "Football is a game played down in the dirt and it always will be. There's no use getting fancy about it."

Often criticized by Giants fans as ultra-conservative, he may have been the first NFL coach to elect to kick off to start a game. He often chose to go for a sure field goal rather than gamble for a touchdown, and that further upset New York rooters. Eventually, however, the rest of the league came around to his way of thinking. When Stout Steve stepped down as Giants coach in 1953, George Halas said, "Steve was the first to stress the importance of defense and the advantage of settling for field goals instead of touchdowns. Every team strives today to do what Owen was doing twenty years ago."

Tony Romo, 46 (April 21, 1980)

One of the most successful undrafted players in the post-merger era, Romo was named to four Pro Bowls. In his final season as a starter before a back injury led to his retirement, Romo went 12-3 and led the NFL in completion percentage, touchdown percentage, yards per attempt, passer rating and QBR. He led the Cowboys to 24 fourth quarter combacks while throwing for 34,183 yards and 248 TDs vs 117 picks - despite only being a starting QB for eight seasons. Romo holds NFL records for most consecutive road games with at least one touchdown pass (41) and most games in a single season with a passer rating of at least 135.0 (6).

Khalif Barnes, 43 (April 21, 1982)
Offensive tackle for Jacksonville and Oakland played in 157 games from 2005-2017.

Claudie Minor, 75 (April 21, 1951)
Denver Broncos' OT started in 123 games, including 98 consecutive games beginning with his rookie season in 1974.

Claudie Minor - Hall of Fame

goaztecs.com

Tony McGee, 55 (April 21, 1971)
Long time (1993-2001) Bengals TE scored 21 touchdowns with 4,089 yards receiving, and 12.7 yards per catch.

Carnell 'Cadillac' Williams, 44 (April 21, 1982)
Fifth overall selection of the 2005 draft out of Auburn was named Rookie of the Year as Tampa Bay's running back when he rushed for 1,178 yards. He had another good year in 2006, then was injured for most of the next two seasons before finishing second to Tom Brady in Comeback Player of the Year voting in 2009, with 7 TD and 1,008 yards from scrimmage. Despite only having three meaningful seasons, Cadillac finished his career with 4,038 yards rushing, 5,040 yards from scrimmage, and 25 touchdowns.

jmt57 · Apr 21, 2026

Today in Sports History
April 21 Events

1980:
Bill Rodgers wins his third straight Boston Marathon in 2:12:11, 1:09 faster then the next closest runner. Rosie Ruiz is disqualified eight days later as women’s champion when it’s discovered she did not run the entire distance.

1902:
Sam Mellor wins the 6th Boston Marathon in 2:43:12

1904:
Ty Cobb makes his pro debut for Augusta Tourists of the South Atlantic League

1924:
28th Boston Marathon won by Clarence DeMar for the third consecutive year in 2:29:40. On this same day in 1930 DeMar would win with a time of 2:34:48 for his seventh and final Boston marathon victory.

1934:
Senators catcher Moe Berg, plays in AL record 117th consecutive errorless game

1948:
Basketball Association of America Finals: Baltimore Bullets beat Philadelphia Warriors, 88-73 to take series, 4 games to 2. One year later the league would merge with the National Basketball League to form the NBA.

1951:
Bob Davies’ two foul shots and Jack Coleman’s layup give the Rochester Royals a 79-75 triumph over the New York Knicks in the seventh game of the NBA championship series. It was the first finals appearnce for both teams.

The Toronto Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup for the fourth time in five years as they beat the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in the fifth game

1952:
Future world champion Rocky Marciano knocks out Italian heavyweight boxer Gino Buonvino in the 2nd round at Rhode Island Auditorium in Providence, for his 40th straight win

1955:
Brooklyn Dodgers win what was then a record 10th straight game to begin a season

1967:
Dodgers first rain out in Los Angeles, after 737 consecutive games

1969:
73rd Boston Marathon: Yoshiaki Unetani of Japan wins in 2:13:49; American Sara Mae Berman 1st woman in 3:22:46 (unsanctioned because neanderthal organizer Jock Semple was still not permitting women to run)

1977:
Billy Martin pulls the Yankees lineup out of a hat - and beats the Blue Jays 8-6

1986:
Bob Herring sets a Formula One powerboat speed record of 165.338 mph in Arizona

1987:
Milwaukee Brewers lose for the first time of the season, ending a 13-game winning streak start

1989:
George W. Bush and Edward W. Rose become joint CEOs of the Texas Rangers

1990:
National League umpire Bob Engel was arrested in April 1990 for stealing over 4,000 baseball cards, valued at less than $200, from a Target store in Bakersfield

1991:
PGA Seniors’ Championship Men’s Golf, PGA National Golf Course: Jack Nicklaus wins his 4th of 8 Champions Tour majors by 6 strokes over Bruce Crampton

1995:
Defending champion Utah continues its domination of the NCAA women’s gymnastics championships, capturing its ninth national title since the event began in 1982.

Boston Celtics final regular season game at Boston Garden; NY Knicks win 98-92.

1996:
The Chicago Bulls wrap up what was at the time the most successful regular season in NBA history with their 72nd victory, getting 26 points from Michael Jordan in a 103-93 decision over Washington. Jordan sets an NBA record by winning his eighth NBA scoring title, breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s record of seven. The Bulls' 72 wins was considered to be an unbreakable record, but Golden State topped that mark by one with a 73-9 record in 2015-16.

PGA Seniors’ Championship Men’s Golf, PGA National Golf Course: Hale Irwin beats Japan’s Isao Aoki by 2 strokes for his first of 4 Senior PGA Championships

2001:
20-to-1 underdog Hasim Rahman flattens Lennox Lewis with a stunning right hand near the end of the fifth round to capture the WBC and IBF heavyweight titles in one of the biggest upsets in boxing history in Brakpan, South Africa

2003:
107th Boston Marathon: Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot of Kenya men's champion in 2:10:11; Svetlana Zakharova of Russia women's winner in 2:25:19

2008:
Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya wins the Boston Marathon in 2:07:46 to become the fourth man to win the race four times. Ethiopia’s Dire Tune outkicks Alevtina Biktimirova after a back-and-forth last mile to win by 2 seconds in the closest finish in the history of the women’s race.

2012:
Phil Humber throws the first perfect game in the majors in almost two years, leading the Chicago White Sox to a 4-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners. Humber was the 21st player in baseball history to pitch a perfect game.

2013:
Joe Scarborough, a 50-year-old self-employed electrical contractor, rolls the first 900 series in Professional Bowlers Association history — three straight perfect games. He opened the first round of qualifying in the PBA50 Sun Bowl with three games of 300, throwing 36 consecutive strikes.

2014:
American Meb Keflezighi wins the Boston Marathon, a year after a bombing at the finish line left three dead and more than 260 people injured. No U.S. runner had won the race since Lisa Larsen-Weidenbach took the women’s title in 1985; the last American man to win was Greg Meyer in 1983. Rita Jeptoo of Kenya successfully defends the Boston Marathon title, becoming the seventh three-time Boston Marathon champion.

2017:

2018:
Oakland A’s left hander Sean Manaea no-hits the Boston Red Sox.

jmt57 · Apr 21, 2026

Today in Music History
April 21

2016:
Prince dies at age 57 after overdosing on fentanyl

Prince played his last concert on April 14 in Atlanta, closing the show with Purple Rain. The next morning, his plane made an emergency landing in Moline IL, when he lost consciousness. He was taken to a local hospital and given Narcan - his representatives dismissed it by saying he was feeling the effects of the flu, and dehydrated.

Dr. Howard Kornfeld, an opioid addiction specialist from California, was summoned to treat Prince on April 20. He couldn't go right away, so he sent his son, Andrew Kornfeld, to start the treatment. When Andrew Kornfeld arrives at the Paisley Park compound where Prince lives in Minnesota, he and two members of Prince's staff find him dead in an elevator. Kornfeld calls 911; paramedics arrive a short time later, but Prince had passed away hours earlier.

News of his death spreads fast. At first it seems like a hoax, but it gradually becomes clear that Prince was dead, soon after the passing of David Bowie. Tributes pour in, his music saturates the airwaves, and his albums re-enter the charts: on the Billboard 200 dated May 7, he holds eight spots, including the top two (The Very Best Of Prince, followed by Purple Rain).

The medical examiner's report is issued on June 2, listing his weight at time of death of a mere 112 pounds. On April 19, 2018, the investigation into his death is closed with no charges filed. That investigation reveals that Prince took a counterfeit Vicodin pill spiked with fentanyl, but could not determine how he obtained it.

1947:
Iggy Pop, way ahead of his time as the godfather of punk rock, was born in Muskegon, Michigan

I saw Iggy once at The Spit on Landsdowne Street, behind Fenway Park. He was barely known outside of punk rock circles, for making that style of music before it became a thing. The cover charge was cheap (maybe five bucks, less than minimum wage). Not a big crowd - the place had a capacity of about 500 - but it was a hellavu good show. At the end, probably encore, he sang Heroes, made famous by his friend David Bowie.

OMG, to this day I still get chills thinking of his rendition of that song that night. Absolutely crushed it beyond words. What a great small venue performance, one I am so happy to have seen in my youth.

Spitting on Lansdowne Street | The Music Museum of New England

It was May of 1981 and I’d just turned 20, [...]

www.mmone.org

Spit was a Boston nightclub with an attitude - Fifty Plus Advocate

By Colin McCandless Contributing Writer BOSTON – Spit was a 1980s Boston nightclub with an attitude as in-your-face as its name. It opened in 1979 and Spit was a popular Boston punk/New Wave nightclub during the 1980s.

www.fiftyplusadvocate.com

jmt57 · Apr 21, 2026

Today in US & World History
April 21 Events

1986:
In a much-hyped special aired this day in 1986, television personality Geraldo Rivera blasted open walled-off space in a Chicago hotel that gangster Al Capone had used as his headquarters in the 1920s.

The marketing machine and show was what should have been an embarrising farce; there was nothing there. They found only dusty bottles. Rivera and his viewers were disappointed. Advertisers did not care, however: the show drew 30 million people, far more than any tv show at that time.

753 BC:
According to tradition, on April 21, 753 B.C., Romulus and his twin brother, Remus, found Rome on the site where they were suckled by a she-wolf as orphaned infants. Actually, the Romulus and Remus myth originated sometime in the fourth century B.C., and the exact date of Rome’s founding was set by the Roman scholar Marcus Terentius Varro in the first century B.C.

1816:
Charlotte Brontë, the only one of three novelist Brontë sisters to live past age 31, is born.
Brontë, one of six siblings who grew up in a gloomy parsonage in the remote English village of Haworth, surrounded by the marshy moors of Yorkshire. Her mother died when she was five, and Charlotte, her two older sisters, and her younger sister Emily, were sent to Clergy Daughter’s School at Cowan Bridge in Lancashire. The cheap school featured unpalatable food, cold halls and harsh discipline. Charlotte’s two older sisters died of illness while at school, and the grim institution found its way into her masterpiece Jane Eyre (1847).

1836:
During the Texan War for Independence, the Texas militia under Sam Houston launches a surprise attack against the forces of Mexican General Santa Anna along the San Jacinto River. The Mexicans were thoroughly defeated, and hundreds were taken prisoner, including General Santa Anna himself.

1865:
On April 21, 1865, a train carrying the coffin of assassinated President Abraham Lincoln leaves Washington, D.C. on its way to Springfield, Illinois, where he would be buried on May 4.

1895:
Woodville Latham and his sons, Otway and Gray, demonstrate their Panopticon, the first movie projector developed in the United States.

Although motion pictures had been shown in the US for several years using Thomas Edison’s Kinetoscope, the films could only be viewed one at a time in a peep-show box, not projected to a large audience. Brothers Grey and Otway Latham, the founders of a company that produced and exhibited films of prize fights using the Kinetoscope, called on their father, Woodville, and W.K.L. ****son, an assistant in the Edison Laboratory, to help them develop a device that would project life-sized images onto a screen in order to attract larger audiences.

1918:
In the well-trafficked skies above the Somme River in France, Baron Manfred von Richthofen, the notorious German flying ace known as the Red Baron is killed by Allied fire

1930:
A fire at an Ohio prison kills 320 inmates, some of whom burn to death when they are not unlocked from their cells. It is one of the worst prison disasters in American history.

1954:
A Senate subcommittee convenes a two-day hearing on whether comic books cause juvenile delinquency. To avoid regulation, the industry launches the Comics Code Authority, whose seal of approval would adorn comic covers until 2011.

1967:
General Motors celebrates the manufacture of its 100 millionth American-made car. At the time, GM was the world’s largest automaker.

1973:
Tony Orlando and Dawn's Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree tops the U.S. pop charts. While it was a lame pop song, the yellow ribbon has long been a symbol of support for absent or missing loved ones, and song turned the tradition into a cultural phenomenon.

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