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Today in Patriots History
3 Seasons, 3 Super Bowls, 2 Rings
3 Seasons, 3 Super Bowls, 2 Rings
Happy 27th birthday to Elandon Roberts
Born April 22, 1994 in Port Arthur, Texas
Patriot LB, 2016-2020; uniform #52
Pats 6th round (214th overall) selection of the 2016 draft, from Houston
The list of players that have played in three Super Bowls and earning two rings - all before the age of 25 - has to be extremely short.
Not bad for a guy that wasn't invited to the NFL Draft Combine.
2/3/19: UH's Elandon Roberts gets 2nd Super Bowl ring with Patriots
Bill Belichick first noticed Roberts in a game against Navy in 2015 when he had seven tackles, 4 1/2 for loss, and two sacks. "He was impossible to miss," Belichick said shortly after.
But even after leading the nation with 88 solo tackles as a senior, in the most extensive playing time of his college career, Roberts went largely unnoticed and was not invited to the combine. His 5-11 and 235-pound frame - not exactly prototypical for an NFL linebacker - had something to do with the lack of interest from teams.
He improved his draft stock by a running a 4.6-second 40-yard dash.
Elandon Roberts played in 60 regular season games with 33 starts over four seasons for the Patriots. During that time he made 206 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 14 QB hits, 6 pass deflections, 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery. The Patriots had a 47-13 record in games he has played.
Roberts also appeared in ten postseason games, with 31; the Pats are 8-2 in those games, giving Roberts an overall record of 55-15 in games he played for the Pats.
As time progressed Roberts' role on defense diminished, relegated to a first down player. His defensive snap counts dwindled from 53% in 2017 to 41% and then just 20% in 2019, while being relegated to more special teams duty (12% in 2017, to 32% in 2019). By the end of 2019 Roberts was more likely to get on the field as a fullback than as a linebacker; it was clear his future as a Patriot was in doubt. He re-joined Brian Flores in Miami as a free agent on March 18, 2020.
Here is an article from Roberts' rookie year, when his future with the Patriots was still quite bright.
10/31/16: New England Patriots rookie LB Elandon Roberts might be another Bill Belichick late-round gem
(Brother) Jermire's football career was over by 2004, just as Elandon's was beginning. Elandon leaned on his older cousin for everything -- learning the game, analyzing the game, approaching the game correctly. Elandon's older brother, Eli, had an influence, too, but Eli didn't play football. His influence came on the academic side.
In high school, Jermire did not feel it was necessary to watch film. After all, he was an athlete. Looking back, Jermire realized what he could have done better, and he did not want Elandon to take the little things lightly.
Not that he had to worry too much about that.
Ask Elandon about his day and he'll tell you about football practice. Ask what's new in his life, he'll probably also tell you about practice. Everything with Elandon is "molded around football," according to Jermire.
"He has things that I didn't have," Jermire said. "And I think, this another reason, Jermire, why you didn't make it. It was 24/7 thinking football (with Elandon). For me, it was accepting in part to myself 'I'm going to the league, I'm going to the NFL.' It made me sit back because everybody told me that. Everybody told him he's too small to go the NFL...I had the size. I had what was considered the speed at that time. I didn't have that extra push that he had."
Happy 75th birthday to Bob Geddes
Born April 22, 1946 in Seattle
Patriot LB, 1973-1975; uniform #59
Signed as a free agent on November 21, 1973
After getting a late start due to military service, Geddes was an honorable mention All-American DE at UCLA and 14th round draft pick by the Rams in 1970. He was converted to linebacker and spent that first year on the practice squad. Denver claimed him off waivers but he spent '71 on IR. Geddes appeared in all 14 games for the Broncos in '72, with three starts. Chuck Fairbanks picked him up during the '73 seasons and he eventually would play in 24 games for the Patriots, with six starts.
In 1974 Geddes started five games and had two interceptions. Most memorable was an October 13th 24-0 shutout at Shea Stadium over the Jets , to advance to 5-0. It was the latest time in a season the Pats were in first place since I don't know when. The Patriots dominated and Geddes put the exclamation point on the game with a 29-yard pick-six.
Among other things in his post-football career Geddes was the CEO of TBA Global, a corporation that ''produces live events that communicate messages and create brand marketing experiences for global corporations. These events include corporate business meetings, product launches, consumer marketing programs, sponsored music tours, entertainment programming for fairs, festivals and special events and management services for some of today's leading musical artists and performers.''
Happy 29th birthday to Eric Tomlinson
Born April 22, 1992 in Oklahoma City
Patriot TE, 2019; uniform #82
Signed as a free agent on October 15, 2019
Eric Tomlinson was originally signed as an undrafted rookie out of UTEP by the Eagles in 2015. The 6'6, 235 tight end lasted two weeks with the Pats, starting in both games. He was in on 69 snaps on offense, with one reception. Tomlinson has appeared in 51 games over five NFL seasons with several teams; he is now with the Ravens.
Tomlinson was released on October 29, 2019 to make room on the roster for Mohammed Sanu.
