Today In Patriots History April 24, 1994: Willie McGinest drafted 4th overall by NE

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Day One of the 1994 Draft​

April 24, 1994:
The 59th Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 1994 NFL Draft
Marriot Marquis, New York City
Day One, Rounds 1-3

This draft may be most noteworthy for an exchange between a general manager and talking head.

The Colts were picking second and fifth overall, and ESPN's Mel Kiper was adamant that they draft a quarterback. Instead Indy chose running back Marshall Faulk (who proceeded to become rookie of the year) at number two, and linebacker Trev Alberts (a monumental draft bust) at number five. Kiper proclaimed that the Colts were idiots, and Indy GM Bill Tobin responded with the classic line, "who the hell is Mel Kiper", leaving the motormouth speechless for once in his life.

In the end it really did not matter at all, as the Colts would have been drafting Peyton Manning first overall four years later regardless. At the time the top-rated quarterback was Trent Dilfer, who threw 17 touchdowns versus 43 interceptions in his first three seasons with the Bucs. Tobin's decision to go with veteran free agent QB Jim Harbaugh over a rookie turned out to be the correct decision; in '95 Harbaugh led the NFL in passer rating, yards per attempt, lowest interception rate and most fourth-quarter comebacks.

Mel Kiper And The Crazy Feud That Changed the TV Draft Forever | NFL 1994 Draft Story
8:11 video by NFL Films


Short Version:
​

One thing that I did not realize at the time was that Indy had another reason to not draft Dilfer: on his agent's advice, he had already told them that he would sit out for a year and wait for the next draft, rather than sign with the Colts. Dilfer assumed that he would be drafted by Washington at #3, and was so confident in that happening that his wife was already house-shopping in the DC area. The Redskins instead drafted Heath Shuler, another huge draft bust, to be their quarterback. When that happened Dilfer's wife started crying, and family members attempted to shield her reaction from prying television cameras. So instead the television producer had the cameras switch to Kiper's kneejerk reaction - and because that was televised, that led to Tobin's spot-on response.

Here's an interesting P.S. to the Bill Tobin, Mel Kiper feud

The 27th anniversary landed on Saturday of the memorable moment between former Colts G.M.

www.nbcsports.com

Ohio State defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson was the first overall pick of this draft by the Bengals; while he was never a Pro Bowler, he had a solid 13-year career. After Faulk and Shuler, the Patriots had the next pick.

​

1st round, 4th overall -- OLB/DE Willie McGinest, University of Southern California
12 seasons, 171 games; 78 sacks, 672 tackles; 16 forced fumbles, 15 fumble recoveries; 16 sacks, 75 tackles in 18 playoff games

* Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team, 1994
* Pro Bowl, 1996 and 2003
* Super Bowl 36 champion
* Super Bowl 38 champion
* Super Bowl 39 champion
* Patriots All-1990s Team
* Patriots All-2000s Team
* Patriots All-Dynasty Team
* Patriots Hall of Fame, 2015
* NFL record for most sacks in a postseason game (4½, on Jan 7, 2006 divisional game vs Jaguars)
* NFL record for most career postseason sacks (16)
* 17 career forced fumbles is most in franchise history (since stat began in 1992)
* 15 career opponent fumble recoveries ranks 3rd in franchise history, tied with Jim Hunt
* 78 sacks ranks 3rd in franchise history (since sacks became an official stat in 1982)
* Four career defensive touchdowns ranks 2nd in franchise hitory, tied with Tedy Bruschi
* Two defensive touchdowns in a single season is tied for second most in franchise history
* 171 regular season games played ranks 13th in franchise history, tied with Steve Nelson
* 12 seasons played ranks 13th in franchise history as well, tied with several others



2nd round, 35th overall -- WR Kevin Lee, Alabama
Spent '94 on IR; 8 catches on 26 targets for 107 yards in '95; released in '96


3rd round, 70th overall -- traded
- Pats trade their 3rd round pick (#70) and a 5th (#137) to San Diego for a 3rd (#78) and RB Marion Butts
one season, 16 games (15 starts); 703 yards rushing, eight touchdowns; 2.9 yards per carry)


3rd round, 78th overall -- DT Ervin Collier, Florida A&M
[pick obtained from trade above]
Waived in August, never played in the NFL


- 3.90 - C Joe Burch, Texas Southern (round 3, #90)
[one of two picks (with Todd Rucci) received from Miami in the Irving Fryar trade on April 1, 1993]
Placed on NFI in July, then waived in August; never played in the NFL



Fortunately for the Pats, Willie moved on from some injuries in 1997 and 1998 to become an outstanding clutch performer, after Bill Belichick became the head coach. Out of the ten players selected by the Patriots in the 1994 draft, he and Max Lane (drafted the next day in the sixth round) were the only noteworthy additions.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Day One of the 1988 Draft​

April 24, 1988:
The 53rd Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 1988 NFL Draft
Marriot Marquis, New York City
Day One, Rounds 1-3

​

Montgomery to NFL: The No. 1 overall — Aundray Bruce

In the first of a series of stories about Montgomery athletes picked in the NFL draft, Aundray Bruce was taken first overall by Atlanta in 1988.

www.montgomeryadvertiser.com

Aundray Bruce played 11 seasons but never became the next Lawrence Taylor, a first-ballot Hall of Famer, as projected. Playing for Atlanta and Los Angeles/Oakland, Bruce managed just 32 career sacks, but he had a longer NFL run than fellow No. 1 picks JaMarcus Russell (three seasons), Tim Couch (six), Courtney Brown (seven), Steve Emtman (eight) and Ki-Jana Carter (eight).​

On the opposite end of the spectrum from JaMarcus Russell and Tim Couch, seven players from this draft class have been voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

2007 -- WR Michael Irvin -- 1st round, 11th overall, Dallas Cowboys
2007 -- RB Thurman Thomas -- 2nd round, 40th overall, Buffalo Bills
2009 -- G Randall McDaniel -- 1st round, 19th overall, Minnesota Vikings
2012 -- C Dermonti Dawson -- 2nd round, 44th overall, Pittsburgh Steelers
2015 -- WR Tim Brown -- 1st round, 6th overall, Los Angeles Raiders
2025 -- CB Eric Allen -- 2nd round, 30th overall, Philadelphia Eagles
2025 -- WR Sterling Sharpe -- 1st round, 7th overall, Green Bay Packers

One other notable fact about this draft is that it was the latest ever that the first quarterback was drafted. Ohio State's Tom Tupa was the first quarterback to be selected - but not until the 68th overall pick, in the third round, by the Phoenix Cardinals.



Back to the Patriots. Apparently the the Louisiana/Mississippi regional scout had quite an influence on Pat Sullivan and Raymond Berry; four Day One picks were from that region.


1st round, 17th overall -- RB John Stephens, NW Louisiana State
Rookie of the Year in 1988 with 1,266 yards from scrimmage
After a strong start to his career, Stephens seemed to lose his burst after a scary incident. In 1989 Stephens hurt his back in a violent collison that left 49ers safety Jeff Fuller with a career-ending neck injury. By 1991 Leonard Russell had replaced Stephens in the starting lineup. In his five seasons with the Pats, Stephens tallied 4,030 yards from scrimmage and 18 TD. Awful legal troubles (and shockingly lenient punishment for horrific crimes) led to court cases, prior to his death in a car accident in 2009.

2nd round, 43rd overall -- ILB Vincent Brown, Mississippi Valley State
"The Undertaker" was a second team All Pro in 1991, and member of the Pats All-1990s Team
After playing with the Patriots for eight seasons, Brown spent 24 years as a college coach.

3rd round, 69th overall -- OT Tom Rehder, Notre Dame
32 games, zero starts in two seasons for New England

July 27, 1987: Patriots trade OT Darryl Haley to Tampa Bay for their 1988 fourth round pick
4th round, 87th overall -- NT Tim Goad, North Carolina
NFL All-Rookie Team in 1988; Pats All-1990s Team; 7-year starter with New England, missing just three games

May 6, 1987: Pats trade Rich Gannon to Minnesota for a 1988 4th and a 1988 11th. The Patriots had drafted Gannon in the fourth round, 97th overall, just a week earlier. New England wanted to convert Gannon from a QB to a CB, but Gannon said no way - forcing the trade. Gannon would proceed to throw for 28,743 yards while racking up four Pro Bowls, and was named the 2002 NFL MVP.

4th round, 97th overall -- WR Sammy Martin, Louisiana State
Mostly used as a KR/PR; 21 receptions for 345 yards and one TD in three-plus seasons for the Patriots
Not quite as stellar of an NFL career as Rich Gannon.

4th round, 100th overall -- K Teddy Garcia, NE Louisiana State
Lasted just one season, making an abysmal six of his 13 field goal attempts
GM Pat Sullivan didn't do HC Raymond Berry any favors with this pick.



Sept 2, 1987: Patriots trade Pro Bowl LT Brian Holloway to the Raiders for a 1988 fifth round pick
5th round, 115th overall -- G Troy Wolkow, Minnesota
Wolkow was placed on IR and released with an injury settlement in August. He never played in the NFL.

5th round, 127th overall -- traded to Washington for a 1999 4th round pick
The Patriots would use that pick a year later to select CB Maurice Hurst
Seven seasons, 105 games (102 starts), 27 interceptions; Pats All-1990s Team
Another player from Louisiana (Southern University, Baton Rouge)



6th round, 154th overall -- TE Steve Johnson, Virginia Tech
Appeared in 14 games as a blocking tight end and special teamer.



7th round, 181st overall -- WR Darryl Usher, Illinois
Spent the season on IR and never played for the Pats; later played briefly for the Cardinals and Chargers.



Despite Stephens' production quickly tailing off and Garcia being awful, this was a decent draft - moreso when you factor in one of the draft picks turning into Hurst a year later. Williams was a very good player, and Goad was a solid starter. There wer too many early whiffs within the top 100 picks to grade the 1998 Pats draft any higher though.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Day Two of the 1989 Draft​

April 24, 1989:
The 54th Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 1989 NFL Draft
Marriott Marquis, New York City
Day Two, Rounds 6-12

The Patriots had far too many early misses the previous day. Dykes and Coleman at one-two were awful. The production from Cook, Hurst and Timpson was good, buy you can't completely whiff on both your first and second round picks.

Day One:
1.16 -- WR Hart Lee Dykes
2.43 -- CB Eric Coleman
3.63 -- TE Marv Cook
3.73 -- DE Chris Gannon
4.96 -- CB Maurice Hurst
4.100 - WR Michael Timpson

Unfortunately the Pats did not make up for those Day One misses on Day Two.




6th round, 165th overall -- RB Eric Mitchell, Oklahoma
[pick came from trade down the previous day with Oakland]

7th round, 178th overall -- LB Eric Lindstrom, Boston College
[pick was part of 1979 Brian Holloway trade with Oakland]

7th round, 183rd overall -- previously traded
[this pick was traded the previous year to San Diego for LB Thomas Benson]
Benson played in 12 games with zero starts in one season with Patriots
Chargers use 7.183 to select RB Marion Butts - who went to two Pro Bowls and rushed for 31 TD in five seasons in San Diego.

8th round, 220th overall -- CB Rodney Rice, BYU

8th round, 223rd overall -- S Tony Zackery, Washington
[pick came from trade down previous day with Oakland]

9th round, 240th overall -- RB Darron Norris, Texas

9th round, 247th overall - C Curtis Wilson, Missouri
[pick came from 1988 trade down with Minnesota]

10th round, 267th overall -- DT Emanuel McNeil, Tennessee-Martin

11th round, 294th overall -- RB Tony Hinz, Harvard

12th round, 324th overall -- LB Aaron Chubb, Georgia


Rice played in ten games for the Pats in 2003, Zackery in 18 from 1990-91, and McNeil in 3 games from 1989-90; the six others never played a single down in the NFL.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Day One of the 2004 Draft​

April 24, 2004:
The 69th Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 2004 NFL Draft
The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City
Day One, Rounds 1-3

The 2004 Draft is most well known for being the one where San Diego chose Eli Manning first overall, even though Eli had stated that he would not play for them. The Giants selected Philip Rivers fourth, and soon after the two teams traded those rookie quarterbacks.

A lot of what ifs right there.

Draft bust Robert Gallery went #2 to the Raiders, then the next six picks were all Pro Bowlers: Hall of Fame WR Larry Fitzgerald, Rivers, S Sean Taylor, weirdo TE Kellen Winslow II, WR Roy Williams and CB DeAngelo Hall. Ben Roethlisberger went #11 to Pittsburgh.


One year earlier Bill Belichick fleeced desperate Raven coach Brian Billick, trading the Pats 2003 first round pick (#19 overall) to Baltimore for their second rounder (#41) and their 2004 first (#21 in this draft). Billick used that 2003 pick on QB Kyle Boller, who finished his brief NFL career with a record of 20-27 as a starter, with 48 touchdowns against 54 interceptions. Billick was enamored with Boller, and somehow managed to last as head coach until 2007 before he was fired.



1st round, 21st overall -- DT Vince Wilfork, Miami
11 seasons, 158 games; 5 Pro Bowls; 2 Super Bowl rings; 14-7 in 21 playoff games
* Pats All-2000s Team
* Pats All-2010s Team
* Pats 50th Anniversary Team
* Pats All-Dynasty Team
* Pats Hall of Fame, 2010
* Just the 6th player to be inducted into Pats HoF in first year of eligibility




1st round, 32nd overall -- TE Ben Watson, Georgia
7 seasons, 81 games; 184 receptions for 2,275 yards and 20 touchdowns; 22 catches and three touchdowns in ten playoff games




April 25, 2003:
Traded a 3rd round pick (#78) to Miami for a 2004 2nd round pick (#56)

April 19, 2004:
Traded that 2nd round pick (#56) to Cincinnati for RB Corey Dillon




2nd round, 31st overall -- DE Marquise Hill, Louisiana State University
3 seasons, 13 games, one super bowl ring




3rd round, 32nd overall -- S Guss Scott, Florida
2 seasons, six games, two starts




Anybody complaining about this being a bad draft because of the lack of production from Hill and Scott needs to be sentened to a decade of being a Jets fan.

The Patriots walked away from Day One with Vince Wilfork, Ben Watson and Corey Dillon.

Incredibly great use of their draft capital.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Day One of the 2025 Draft​

April 24, 2025:
The 90th Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 2025 NFL Draft
Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Day One, Round One

LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell is the pick.

​

DRAFT Thread 'Welcome to New England, LSU OT Will Campbell'

Apr 24, 2025

Here’s to it. Let’s support him and hope for the best.

• Brick27
• Replies: 339
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DRAFT DAY DISCUSSION Thread 'Official 2025 Draft Thread: Day One'

Apr 24, 2025

I hope the Mods don't mind me starting this thread but we have news already.

Apparently I fell asleep and we made it to day three already.

• manxman2601
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MORSE: A Quick Look at Patriots Newly Selected LT Will Campbell | PatsFans.com

A three-year starter at LSU, Campbell was a mainstay at left tackle in offensive coordinator Joe Sloan’s pass-happy, inside-outside zone scheme.

www.patsfans.com

With Campbell, Patriots Accomplished One Key Goal Thursday Night | PatsFans.com

Heading into round one of Thursday night's draft, the New England Patriots had to make sure that with whoever they selected in round one, they'll head into the 2025 regular season better than they started. Fortunately, with the selec

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MORSE: Patriots Take a Gamble on Campbell | PatsFans.com

I love the emotion that Will Campbell showed when speaking with NFL Network’s Jamie Erdahl. He wanted to play for the New England Patriots.

www.patsfans.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Day Two of the 2005 Draft​

April 24, 2005:
The 70th Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 2005 NFL Draft
Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York City
Day Two, Rounds 4-7

Regardless of what happened on Day Two, the Patriots already had a great 2005 draft. Despite a third round pick not being available due to a crappy trade for the less-than-stellar Duane Starks, the Pats had already drafted Logan Mankins, Ellis Hobbs and Nick Kaczur.


4th round, 133rd overall -- S James Sanders, Fresno State
Steady performer, appearing in 84 games with 50 starts from 2005-2010
AFC Defensive Player of the Week in 2010 after picking off a Ben Roethlisberger pass for a Pick-Six. A week later Sanders made a game-saving interception off Peyton Manning at the six-yard line when the Colts elected to go for a win in the final minute, rather than kicking a field goal to tie the game.


5th round, 145th ovreall -- traded
Pats trade out, sending 5.145 and 6.206 to Detroit for a 2006 4th


5th round, 170th overall -- LB Ryan Claridge, UNLV
(compensatory pick for the free agency loss of Ted Washington)
Spent 2005 on the practice squad; cut during training camp in 2006; never played in the NFL
At least the Pats got a good year out of Ted Washington.


6th round, 195th overall -- traded
Pats trade up, sending 6.195 and 7.246 to Green Bay for 6.175


6th round, 175th overall -- traded
Pats trade down, sending 6.175 to Oakland for 7.230 and 2006 5th
I'm curious who Bill Belichick was targeting by trading up, but presumably was drafted before he had a chance to nab him.
Why else would he trade up, to immediately trade down?


7th round, 230rd overall -- QB Matt Cassell, University of Southern California
What were the Patriots doing, drafting a quarterback who hadn't started since high school?


7th round, 255th overall -- TE Andy Stokes, William Penn
(compensatory pick for the free agency loss of Bobby Hamilton)
Waived very early in training camp; never played in the NFL



Great draft, period.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Day Two of the 2020 Draft:
Kyle Dugger​

April 24, 2020:
The 85th Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 2020 NFL Draft
Caesars Forum Convention Center, Las Vegas Remote Video Conference Call
Day Two, Rounds Two and Three

This was supposed to be held in Las Vegas, to coincide with the Raiders move there from Oakland. The pandemic ruined those plans (along with so many other things). First overall pick was LSU Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Joe Burrow, by Cincinnati.

The Patriots owned the 23rd overall pick, but traded that on day one to San Diego. The Pats moved down 14 spots, receiving a second round pick (47th overall) and a third (71st overall) in exchange. That third round pick was then traded up eleven notches, to select Josh Uche.


2nd round, 37th overall -- S Kyle Dugger, Lenoir-Rhyne

2nd round, 55th overall -- traded
Previously traded in 2019 to Atlanta, for WR Mohamed Sanu



2nd round, 71st overall -- traded
Pats trade up, sending 2.71 and 3.98 to Baltimore for 2.60 and 4.129



2nd round, 60th overall -- OLB Josh Uche, Michigan

3rd round, 87th overall -- OLB Anfernee Jennings, Alabama

3rd round, 100th overall -- traded
Pats trade up, sending 3.100, 4.139 and 5.172 to Houston for 3.91 and 5.159



3rd round, 91st overall -- TE Devin Asiasi, UCLA

4th round, 125th overall -- traded
4th round, 129th overall -- traded
Pats trade up, sending 4.125, 4.129 and a 2021 6th to the Jets for 3.101



3rd round, 101st overall -- TE Dalton Keene, Virginia Tech

This draft is mostly remembered for two major negatives.

First, the consequences of the 2019 trade made out of deperation to shore up the wide receiver position with Sanu, resulting in the loss of a second round pick.

Secondly the double-fault with the two tight ends - exacerbated by the fact that the Patriots traded up for both Asiasi and Keene.

Not a good usage of draft capital at all.

Thread 'Aaron Rodgers to Pats rumor: Yes please or nah?'

Apr 24, 2020

Well someone had to start a poll. Lol

• sb1
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David Andrews Announces A Return To Football In 2020, Shares Health Update | PatsFans.com

David Andrews announces over Instagram he has been medically cleared to return to football for 2020 following battle with blood clots.

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DRAFT DAY DISCUSSION Thread 'Official Draft Day LIVE Discussion Thread - Night 2'

Apr 24, 2020

Placeholder

• Ian
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DRAFT Thread 'Pick 37, Patriots Select Safety Kyle Dugger (Division2)'

Apr 24, 2020

In depth discussion. Could play 4 positions. Man among boys in Division2, apparently rocked the Senior Bowl. Never saw his name on any threads this week. Classic pick by Belichick and his dog.

• DropKickFlutie
• Replies: 301
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Who Did the Patriots Take in the Second Round? They Added Safety Kyle Dugger | PatsFans.com

With their first selection of night two of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Patriots selected safety Kyle Dugger out of Lenoir-Rhyne in the second round with the 37th overall pick

www.patsfans.com

DRAFT Thread 'Josh Uche'

Apr 24, 2020

Great blend of burst, bend & ability to utilize length at times. Looks comfortable and natural rushing the edge. Coiled up, 2pt/3pt stance. Decent array of moves around the corner. Showed some potential rushing B/C gap at times. Will use rip/dip, long arm but really jumps on you with his burst and ability to get long.

Potential as a situational rusher, blitz, delayed blitz. Off the ball/Los Swiss army type.

Decent recognition on what's coming in front of him in terms of blocks.

Shows good functional strength

Decent ID on reading QBs from the flat. He's an athlete that should be able...

• BaconGrundleCandy
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• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Patriots Trade Up To Grab LB Uche in Round 2 Friday Night | PatsFans.com

The Patriots made a surprise move on Friday night, making a deal with Baltimore to move up to the 60th overall spot to grab a linebacker.

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DRAFT Thread 'Anfernee Jennings'

Apr 24, 2020

Plus run Defender. Smart, savvy, really good ID blocks. Good job it's slipping, same patient. Plus functional strength Plus at the point of attack. Does a really good job at extended, finding the ball and finishing. Definitely a reliable, fire hydrant type end.

I really like the punch and placement of his hands. They're heavy, accurate and definitely pack a punch and move his opponent.
Not somebody who's really going to threaten the corner with his flexibility or bend. But has a decent array of moves. You'll see him use a chop, rip, swim, long arm, bull, change up his strides-decent lil...

• BaconGrundleCandy
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Patriots Grab An Alabama Linebacker at #87 on Friday Night | PatsFans.com

Given Bill Belichick’s connection with Nick Saban, it was only a matter of time before the Patriots dipped into that talented group out of Alabama and the Patriots added one of Saban’s linebackers in the third round Friday night.

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DRAFT Thread 'Pick 91, Patriots Select TE Devin Asiasi (trade up)'

Apr 24, 2020

6'5 265 pounds. Big kid. 4.7 40-time.
ESPN says a "vertical seam stretcher". Some reports say he could be the best TE blocker too. Patriots traded up into the 3rd with Oakland.

• DropKickFlutie
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DRAFT Thread 'Devin Asiasi'

Apr 24, 2020

You can use them in line, slot, backfield I believe, out wide. Definitely has some position flexibility they can make a significant contribution from each considering his blocking skills.
With your pretty good shows good functional strength, decent Leverage, leg Drive and keeps his feet moving. Generates some decent power. Has to be more accurate with his hands and keep his blocks a lil longer but he has potential here.

Threat at all 3 levels. Esp up the seam out the slot. Delayed/leak out the backfield/inline. Good job at making himself big and available. He can pick up chunks for sure...

• BaconGrundleCandy
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DRAFT Thread 'Dalton Keene'

Apr 24, 2020

Big-time versatility. Line up in the backfield, slot, inline - detached, a wide. Luv is versatility.

Big Time blocker. Love his effort, toughness, wants to get dirty initiate contact. Could be a big-time blocker and space in both the Run and pass game. Think screens

Luv is acceleration and speed doesn't seem to lose any speed what is making a catch. Love his quicks and speed.

He's going to be a problem in space forgot to keep up with.

I like his hands even though there's not a ton of tape with him making tough catches. Seems like a natural catcher though.

Has to gain some weight to...

• BaconGrundleCandy
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Patriots Close Out Friday Night with Two Trades, Add a Pair of TEs to Their Offense | PatsFans.com

Bill Belichick finished Friday night by getting aggressive, potentially adding two explosive weapons to their offense.

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Thread 'Grade day 2 of the draft'

Apr 25, 2020

Self-explanatory, really.

37. Kyle Duggar, S, Lenoir-Rhyne
60. Josh Uche, LB, Michigan
87. Anfernee Jennings, LB, Alabama
91. Devin Asiasi, TE, UCLA
101. Dalton Keene, TE, Virginia Tech

• ctpatsfan77
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Thread 'Draft thoughts ...'

Apr 25, 2020

Won't comment on everyone. Just point out who I think has done well so far and monitor the rest of the weekend ...

Baltimore - A
Queen, Dobbins, Madubuike, Duvernay, Harrison & Phillips (G)

I mean it's hard not to like this haul. Queen is instinctive, smart, raw but already makes big plays. Reminds me of a cross between Thomas Davis & Roquan Smith. So fresh to the position he looks like a natural.

Harrison I thought could be a KVN replacement. Or Roberts for that matter. He can do a little of everything. Very smooth shuffling and moving laterally. Violent aggressive when hitting...

• BaconGrundleCandy
• Replies: 300
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Day Three of the 2010 Draft
Killed It!​

April 23, 2010:
The 75th Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 2010 NFL Draft
Radio City Music Hall, New York City
Day Three, Rounds Four through Seven

On Day One the Patriots traded down twice, passing on wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Dez Bryant, before finally selecting Rutgers cornerback Devin McCourty.

Then on Day Two the Pats initially reversed course, trading up for a player with health issues - Gronk. After that the Patriots drafted DE Jermaine Cunningham, LB Brandon Spikes and WR Taylor Price. Gronk saved the day there.

This was the first time that the NFL draft lasted three days, and the latter round picks turned out great - well, at least they did at first.



4th round, 113th overall -- TE Aaron Hernandez, Florida
Would have been a great pick if he could have kept his head on straight.

5th round, 150th overall -- P Zoltán Meskó, Michigan
Good punter for three seasons.

6th round, 205th overall -- C/G Ted Larsen, NC State
(compensatory pick for the free agency loss of Heath Evans)
The Pats gave up on Larsen too soon. Yes, he had a couple preseason plays that didn't look great - but considering Stephen Neal's age and health, it made more sense to keep Larsen and let Nick Kaczur go. Larsen went on to have a 10-year NFL career, seven as a starter.



7th round, 229th overall -- traded
7th round, 231st overall -- traded
Pats trade up, sending 7.229 and 7.231 to Washington for 7.208



7th round, 208th overall -- OT Thomas Welch, Vanderbilt
Played in three games for the Pats; why exactly did they feel the need to trade up for him?

7th round, 247th overall -- DT Brandon Deaderick, Alabama
(compensatory pick for free agency loss of Jabar Gaffney)
Five sacks in 34 games for the Pats. Excellent production for a seventh round pick.

7th round, 248th overall -- DT Kade Weston, Georgia
(compensatory pick for free agency loss of Larry Izzo)
Started out on PUP and never played a down in the NFL.

7th round, 250th overall -- QB Zac Robinson, Oklahoma State
(compensatory pick for free agency losses of LaMont Jordan/Lonie Paxton)
Waived at the end of camp, never played in the NFL.

End result was that this draft netted McCourty, Gronk, Hernandez, Mesko, Spikes, Cunningham and Deaderick.

Helluva good draft.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
20th Century April 24 Trivia​

April 24, 1962:
Boston Patriots re-sign QB Babe Parilli

The Pats had just acquired the quarterback the previous year in a trade with Oakland, and the 31-year old Parilli led the AFL with a 52.5 percent completion percentage in 1961. Smart move. Over the next three seasons he went 19-10-1 as the starting quarterback, led the team to their first division title and playoff win, was an AFL All Star, led the league in passing yards (3,465) and touchdowns (31) en route to a 10-3-1 record, a winning percentage that would remain the best in franchise history until 1976, and second best in club history for forty years, until 2003.

April 24, 1981:
Julius Adams is re-signed to a multi-year contract

April 24, 1995:
Pats sign 17 undrafted rookies in the aftermath of the 1995 NFL draft - the vast majority being names I do not recognize.

WR Daniel Adams, TE Eric Alford, WR David Andrews, WR Kendricke Bullard (12 games for Jacksonville), S Eddie Cade (ten games with the Pats), LB Alcides Catanho (12 games with the Patriots), WR Hason Graham (20 games over two seasons in New England), FB Rupert Grant, RB David Green (seven games for NE), DE Sean Holcomb, G Greg Landry, LB Jeff Parker (3 games with Tampa Bay), TE Andre President (one game with NE, two with Chicago), CB Dwayne Provo, T Mike Suarez, S Brian White, and LB Byron White.






April 24, 1996:
Christian Peter becomes the first and only NFL player to be drafted, and then released within a week of the draft, all before signing a contract.

Three days earlier the Patriots had drafted the Nebraska defensive tackle in the fifth round. Immediatley after the draft 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. That information quickly led to to negative pressure women's organizations - and Myra Kraft. The team quickly backtracked, feigning ignorance on what even back then in pre-internet days, information that was easy to uncover while attempting to learn about a new draftee.




April 24, 1998:
Patriots sign free agents Jim Murphy Jr., Kato Serwanga, Scott Dragos and Terry Billups.

Serwanga was a safety who had three interceptions, three sacks and 82 tackles for the Pats in 31 games for the Pats, and played in the NFL through 2003. Dragos is from Rochester Mass and went to BC; he didn't stick with the Pats but did play for a couple years with Chicago. Billups spent a brief amount of time on the Pats practice squad, and appeared in a couple games for the Patriots in '99. Murphy was a Reading MA native and QB at Northeastern; he later coached at Bentley and Merrimack.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Newer April 24 News​

April 24, 2012:
The Patriots officially placed 33 year old LT Matt Light on the reserve/retired list. After being selected in the second round of the 2001 draft Light played his entire pro football career with the Patriots, serving as quarterback Tom Brady's blind side protector. Light was a first-team All-Pro in 2007 and a member of the AFC Pro Bowl team in 2006 and '07. He played his college football at Purdue, where he was left tackle for another future Hall of Fame quarterback: Drew Brees.

The media press conference for Matt's retirement took place two weeks later, on May 7 - but April 24, 2012 was the actual official date that the paperwork for Light's retirement was submitted.

Among Matt Light's accomplishments:
- 3x Super Bowl champion (SB 36, 38, 39)
- 3x Pro Bowler (2006, 2007, 2010)
- All-Pro in 2007
- Patriots Hall of Fame, 2018
- Patriots 50th Anniversary Team
- Patriots All-2000s Team
- Patriots All-Dynasty Team
- All Big-Ten first team, 2000
- 155 games played - 19th most in franchise history - with 153 starts (13th most)
- 20 playoff games, all starts - 6th most starts in franchise history, 8th overall
- Patriots won the first ten playoff games that included Matt Light as the starting LT
- 15-5 overall playoff record

​

April 24, 2014:
Patriots sign free agent linebacker Josh Hull to a one-year contract

The Pats released Hull at the start of training camp on July 28; he played in 39 games for St Louis and Washington from 2010-2013.




April 24, 2017:
Buffalo does not match the Pats offer sheet, making restricted free agent RB Mike Gilliselle a New England Patriot.

April 24, 2018:

New England Patriots sign OL Ulrick John - UPI.com

The New England Patriots signed offensive lineman Ulrick John, the team announced Tuesday.

www.upi.com

The 6-foot-5, 307-pound John was a seventh-round draft choice of the Indianapolis Colts out of Georgia State in 2014. He spent parts of two seasons with the Colts, Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals.​

John made three starts for the Cardinals in 2016 and started the 2017 season on the team's practice squad before winding up with Green Bay.​

April 24, 2021:

Thread 'SEMIT-OT: Gronk catches football dropped from 640ft in the air to set World Record.'

Apr 24, 2021

Prior to the Arizona Spring Game, Honorary coach GRONK came out in Pads. They announced that he'd attempt to catch a football dropped from a helicopter 600ft in the air.

Take a look for yourself as to whether or not he makes the catch..

• DaBruinz
• Replies: 7
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

April 24, 2023:

Thread 'Who do you WANT/EXPECT the Pats to draft in the first round? [read post before voting]'

Apr 24, 2023

With the draft a few days away, I want to know who (position or player) you think the Pats will draft, and who you want them to draft.

To avoid confusion, I have the poll asking what position you think they will draft. But here in the comments feel free to expound to your heart's content on specific players or what you want them to do.

• ctpatsfan77
• Replies: 125
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Thread 'Patriots Among Tops In Drafting 1st team All-Pro Selections'

Apr 24, 2023

Interesting Tweet, it appears they're a little better than people give them credit for relative to other teams:

• Ian
• Replies: 108
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Thread 'It’s official Rogers traded to the Jets !'

Apr 24, 2023

Adam Schefter reports on ESPN

Jets get…. Aaron Rogers, Pick#15 & 170
In 2023

Packers get…. Pick#13 & 42, & 207 in 2023 plus a conditional 2024 2nd round pick that becomes a 1st if Rogers plays 65% of the plays this year.

• cupofjoe1962
• Replies: 552
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

April 24, 2024:

O

Thread '2024 Annual PatsFans Draft Contest'

Apr 24, 2024

We've played this before in the past and thought it might be fun with the new front office. You get 8 selections to try and predict who the Pats will actually draft this year. Winner is the person who gets the most hits. If I remember correctly the winners usually get 2-3 right.

Selections don't have to be assigned to a pick, its just about guessing the correct players. Full names with positions and colleges please.

• OldEngland
• Replies: 35
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

M

Thread 'Maye or trade with CHI, NYG, AZ, LAC, MIN or DEN'

Apr 24, 2024

WAS is drafting Daniels. That is the only given.
==============================
We could trade with CHI who wants their choice of WR
We could trade with the NYG who want a QB.
We could trade with AZ who we could threaten (no trade and we trade with someone else who will pick a WR)
We could trade with LAC if they want their choice of receiver.
We could trade with MIN for the bag of 3 firsts and meet all three needs early.
We could trade with DEN who wants really wants one of the top 4 QB's.
================================
Or, we could draft the most highly rated QB, who MAY BE an average...

• mgteich
• Replies: 43
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

April 24, 2025:
On the day that we were celebrating Day One of the 2025 NFL Draft, Steve Kiner passed away in a hospice at the age of 77 due to football-related Alzheimer's.


Steve Kiner had two stints with the Patriots. He started all 14 games after arriving in a 1971 trade with Dallas, registering 6½ sacks and intercepting four passes. But after an offseason arrest for driving without a license and under the influence of narcotics, John Mazur sent him packing. Kiner was traded to Miami early in the 1972 training camp for an offensive tackle named Bill Griffin (who never progressed on the NFL level beyond the taxi squad). Four weeks later he was released by the Dolphins and claimed by Washington. Kiner spent the season on the Skins practice squad before releasing him just prior to the kickoff of the 1973 season.

The Patriots immediately claimed Kiner off waivers, and he again started all 14 games for the Pats. Early in the 1974 offseason the Patriots traded Kiner to Houston for nothing more than an eighth round draft pick. Bum Phillips moved Kiner from outside to inside linebacker and he thrived. Steve never missed a single game for the next five seasons. His next to last NFL game was the New Years Eve playoff game at Schaefer Stadium in 1978, when Houston defeated the Pats in Chuck Fairbanks' final game as head coach for New England. A week later the Oilers lost to Pittsburgh in the AFCCG in what was Kiner's final NFL game.


Overall Steve Kiner played in 114 games with 99 starts, with 19 sacks, ten interceptions and eight fumble recoveries; he also played in six playoff games. While with the Pats he started 28 games, with four picks and one fumble recovery.


In his post-football life Steve Kiner earned two master's degrees and became involved in health care, managing emergency psychiatric services for Emory Healthcare at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia.

The nonconformist 70s icon was a steady influence at outside linebacker for a short while with the Patriots - and also a larger than life folk hero of the times. To start with he had a short commute: Kiner lived in his van in the Schaefer Stadium parking lot.

Check out the following articles, they tell pieces of the story about a good ol' country boy from the outskirts of Tampa far better than I can:

Sherrington: The curious case of former Cowboy Steve Kiner and his missing Cotton Bowl watch

Sherrington: The curious case of former Cowboy Steve Kiner and his missing Cotton Bowl watch

sportsday.dallasnews.com

Concussions and the NFL: Steve Kiner

Driving home from work one night about 15 years ago, Steve Kiner found himself in his car...

www.chron.com

Driving home from work one night about 15 years ago, Steve Kiner found himself in his car in the middle of the interstate's grassy median, pointed in the wrong direction. He had no idea how he got there. The good news was he hadn't hit anyone, and nobody had hit him.​

"I thought I was just tired from work and had dozed off," Kiner said.​

The former Tennessee Vol and College Football Hall of Famer, who spent nine seasons in the NFL and started every game for the Oilers in 1977-78, also remembers playing golf with a trio of high school friends when, all of a sudden, he looked at one of them with startled amazement.​

"I thought, 'Who is that guy?'?" Kiner said. "?'What are we doing here?'?"​

Although a brutal tackler, Kiner never suffered an officially diagnosed concussion. But he estimates he got his bell rung "a dozen times a season," saying: "As long as my skull wasn't cracked, I figured it was OK to keep playing. They'd stick some ammonia under your nose and ask, 'How many fingers I'm holding up?' If you guessed right, they'd send you back out for the next play."​

Steve Kiner Obituary (1947 - 2025) - Legacy Remembers

View Steve Kiner's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

www.legacy.com

College Football Hall of Famer Steve Kiner Passes Away - University of Tennessee Athletics

College Football Hall of Famer Steve Kiner, a two-time consensus All-American linebacker and a cornerstone of Tennessee's defenses in the late 1960s, has pas...

utsports.com

Inductee | Steven Albert Kiner 1999

Steven Albert Kiner was a Linebacker for University of Tennesseeand inducted into College Football Hall of Fame in 1999

www.cfbhall.com

Kiner, Steve « Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame

Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame

tshf.net

Steve Kiner Pro Football Record

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

www.profootballarchives.com

Steve Kiner Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Steve Kiner Career game log for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Steve Kiner - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

April 24, 2025:

DRAFT DAY DISCUSSION Thread 'Official 2025 Draft Thread: Day One'

Apr 24, 2025

I hope the Mods don't mind me starting this thread but we have news already.

Apparently I fell asleep and we made it to day three already.

• manxman2601
• Replies: 1,334
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

DRAFT Thread 'Welcome to New England, LSU OT Will Campbell'

Apr 24, 2025

Here’s to it. Let’s support him and hope for the best.

• Brick27
• Replies: 339
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

April 24, 2026:
Day 2 of the Draft, which will hopefully temporarily pause the hand-wringing over Mike Vrabel's private life (nunya business!), affair and marriage, and its National Enquirer-ish coverage.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
April 24 Birthdays​

Happy 78th birthday to Jim Massey
Born April 24, 1948 in McMinnville, Oregon
Patriot CB, 1974-1975; uniform #47


James Lee Massey had an unusual path to the NFL. He went to tiny Neah-Kah-Nie High School (enrollment of 230 students) on the north Oregon coast. He enrolled at the University of Oregon, but felt out of place at such a comparatively large school. Massey transferred to Linfield College, which was an NAIA school (now Division III). He rushed for 1,709 yards and scored 21 touchdowns, earning the nickname "The Mule" for his toughness.

The Rams drafted Massey in the tenth round (251st overall) but he was cut after the sixth preseason game. He spent one season with the CFL's BC Lions and then signed with the Patriots in April of 1974. He played in one game but then went on IR with an ankle injury. Massey was a standout on special teams, playing in all 14 games in 1975 with one start. He missed all of '76 with another injury and retired in 1977. After returning to school to get his masters, Massey worked as a data processing manager.

Jim Massey (2007) - Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame - Linfield University Athletics

Jim Massey, Class: 1972 Induction: 2007 Sport(s): Football - Athlete 1969 - 1971 Jim Massey, from the class of 1972, was a workhorse halfback who carried much

golinfieldwildcats.com

Jim Massey's NFL experience

JIM MASSEY Linfield Class of 1972 Came to Linfield from Neah-Kah-Nie High School, Rockaway, O...

wildcatville.blogspot.com

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MassJi20.htm

Jim Massey Pro Football Record

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

www.profootballarchives.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
April 24 Birthdays​

Happy 65th birthday to Maurice Carthon
Born April 24, 1961 in Chicago
Patriots coach, 1994-1996
Hired February 8, 1994
Pats résumé: offensive assistant, 1994;
offensive assistant, running backs and special teams, 1995;
running backs coach, 1996

Maurice Carthon - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Carthon has been known as a "Parcells Guy", following his former coach from coaching place to place. He has coached under Parcells for the New England Patriots, the New York Jets and the Dallas Cowboys.​

Carthon's son Ran played running back for the Indianapolis Colts, and was general manager for the Tennessee Titans.​

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/CartMa0.htm

Maurice Carthon Coaching Record

The trusted source for the pro football coaching record of Maurice Carthon.

www.profootballarchives.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
April 24 Birthdays​

Happy 72nd birthday to LeBaron Caruthers
Born April 24, 1954 in Nashville
Patriots coach under Ron Meyer, 1982-1984
Hired February 5, 1982
Pats résumé: Strength and Conditioning Coach, 1982-1984

LeBaron Caruthers, left, early sixties​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
April 24 Birthdays​

Happy 37th birthday to TC McCartney
Born April 24, 1989 in Boulder, Colorado
Patriots coach under Jerod Mayo, 2024
Hired February 7, 2024
Pats résumé: Quarterbacks Coach, 2024

Patriots reportedly hiring ex-Browns assistant who worked for Kyle Shanahan as new QBs coach

The Patriots are hiring an ex-Browns assistant to be their next quarterbacks coach.

www.bostonherald.com

Perry: Why Pats' expected QB coach hire is a good sign for offense

T.C. McCartney has a background that could mesh well with new Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and whoever is brought in at quarterback.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

Patriots reportedly eyeing T.C. McCartney for quarterbacks coach position

The 2024 Patriots season will be guided in a significant way by the performance of the quarterback, whoever that ends up being. The team now might know the person who will be coaching that critical position.

www.cbsnews.com

T.C. McCartney Coaching Record

The trusted source for the pro football coaching record of T.C. McCartney.

profootballarchives.com

T. C. McCartney - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[jmt57]

Today in New England Football History
April 24 Birthdays​

Happy 73rd birthday to Mike Esposito
Born April 24, 1953
Born in Everett; raised in Wilmington; Wilmington High School; Boston College

Michael John Esposito was born in Everett and grew up in Wilmington. After graduating from Wilmington High School in 1971 he went to Boston College, and set school records for single season rushing yards, career rushing yards and touchdowns. Atlanta drafted Esposito in the 7th round (159th overall) in 1975. He played for the Falcons until 1978, primarily on special teams and as a fullback, appearing in 42 games with two touchdowns. Multiple injuries lead to a failed physical after signing with the Houston Oilers in 1980, ending his NFL career.

Since 2013 Esposito has been the owner of Rockman Landscaping in Hampton NH, making custom stone driveways, walkways and walls.


A photo taken at a hospital prior to the 1974 East-West Shrine Game with Esposito in it is still used today as the game's official logo.

Michael Esposito (1980) - Varsity Club Hall of Fame - Boston College Athletics

Boston College Athletics

bceagles.com

Ex-Wilmington High football star’s invention is on the level

LOWELL — He points to a knee, to a shoulder, to an ankle, to his neck. Having just been asked which injuries from his football glory days still pain him, 61-year-old Mike Esposito keeps pointing to body parts. “It’s a…

www.lowellsun.com

Story Behind the Logo -- Shrine Game

After all of these years, Mike Esposito is still a very big deal in Wilmington

Mike Esposito thinks he’s no big deal. The Wilmington High School and Boston College Hall of Fame running back, former special teams captain for the Atlanta Falcons, retired schoolboy football,

homenewshere.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Pro Football History
April 24 Birthdays​

Mike Michalske (April 24, 1903 - October 26, 1983)
Five-Time All Pro
Three-Time NFL Champion
NFL All-Decade Team of the 1920s
Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1964

Mike Michalske | Pro Football Hall of Fame

*August Mike Michalske* ... All-American at Penn State ... Rookie year with 1926 American Football League Yankees ... Anchored Packers championship lines, 1929, 1930, 1931 ... 60-minute workhorse who specialized in blitzing on defense ... Pioneered idea of using fullbacks at guard to capitalize...

www.profootballhof.com

For 11 years, Mike Michalske was pro football's premier guard; a position many insist was the toughest job of all in the 1920s and 1930s. A guard in those days was expected to block the biggest opposing linemen head-on.​

He also had to pull from the line and lead interference for the ball carrier. When the other team had the ball, the guard was the key man in stopping the enemy running attack. But he also had to be capable of storming into the backfield to disrupt a passing play.​

Michalske was particularly adept at going after the passer. He also championed the idea of using former fullbacks at guard because they were fast and explosive. He sold the idea to Green Bay Packers coach Curly Lambeau and thus it was no accident that many fine Green Bay guards had cut their football teeth as fullbacks.​

Christened August at birth, Michalske became known as "Iron Mike” because, while he played 60 minutes every game, he simply never was injured. "I just didn't get hurt," he explained. "The players used to say I must have been getting paid by the minute."​

In high school and at Penn State, where he was an All-America pick in 1925, he played fullback, guard, end, and tackle. “Iron Mike” first turned pro with the new American Football League in 1926 but that league folded after one year.​

When his New York Yankees NFL team disbanded two seasons later, Michalske, who was all-league each season in New York, waived the $400 salary due him for his free agency. Mike promptly signed with the Packers, where he remained for eight highly successful seasons, both for him and his team. The Packers won NFL titles in 1929, 1930, and 1931, and Michalske was named All-NFL in 1929, 1930, 1931, 1934, and 1935.​

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MichMi20.htm

Mike Michalske Pro Football Record

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

www.profootballarchives.com

Mike Michalske - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[jmt57]

Today in Sports History
April 24​

April 24, 1963:
Bob Cousy ends his 13-year career by scoring 18 points as the Boston Celtics win their fifth consecutive NBA championship, beating the Los Angeles Lakers 112-109 in Game 6. Bill Russell dominated the 1963 NBA playoffs, leading all players with a total of 326 rebounds in 13 games (an average of 25.1 per game) while leading the Boston Celtics to their sixth overall championship. During the '63 finals alone, he averaged 26.0 rebounds per game, including a 38-rebound performance in Game 2. Russell's 326 rebounds were nearly double that of the next closest player (Elgin Baylor with 177) during the 1963 postseason.

Top Moments: Bob Cousy leads Boston Celtics to 1963 title

At 34 years old, Bob Cousy dribbled out what would be the final seconds of his career, leading Boston to a fifth straight title.

www.nba.com

Although they had won four straight NBA Championships, in March, 1963, on the eve of the playoffs, an article in Sports Illustrated proclaimed, “The Boston Celtics are an old team. Tired blood courses through their varicose veins.”​

Bob Cousy, the Celtics’ great playmaker, was 34 years old, and though spry enough to rank third in the NBA in assists, K.C. Jones already was being groomed to take his place. Cousy approached the championship series against Jerry West, Elgin Baylor and the Los Angeles Lakers as a personal challenge.​

“People don’t know what they’re talking about when they say the older you are the less you notice the tension,” he said. “Each day you have to prove yourself all over again.”​

The Celtics won the first two games of the series at Boston Garden, split the next two in Los Angeles, then blew a chance to wrap up the series at home when Cousy fouled out and the Lakers pulled out a 126-119 victory in Game 5. Could it be the Celtics were feeling their age?​

The series moved back to Los Angeles, where Boston jumped in front and led Game 6 by nine points early in the fourth quarter. But Cousy tripped and sprained his left ankle, forcing him to the bench and opening the door for a Laker comeback that cut the lead to one. But Cousy re-entered the game for the final five minutes and got Boston’s offense back on track, and a steal and basket by Tom Heinsohn stretched the Celtics’ lead to four points with two minutes to go.​

After that, Cousy lived up to his nickname. The Houdini of the Hardwood handled the ball like a magician and worked the clock like a master, leaving frustrated Lakers in futile pursuit until they were forced to foul. Finally he dribbled out what would be the final seconds of his career, throwing the ball high into the air as the buzzer sounded on a 112-109 Celtics victory and a fifth straight championship.​

​

April 24, 1962:
LA Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax's 2nd career 18-strikeout game, in a 10-2 win over the Cubs in Chicago.

​

April 24, 1994:
David Robinson scores 71 points to win the NBA scoring title as the San Antonio Spurs end the regular season with a 112-97 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Robinson, the fourth NBA player to score more than 70 points in a game, edges Orlando’s Shaquille O’Neal for the scoring title.




April 24, 2003:
The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim defeated the Dallas Stars 4-3 in FIVE overtime periods in game one of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Petr Sykora scored 48 seconds into the fifth overtime ending the game as the fourth-longest game in NHL history. The final time was 140 minutes and 48 seconds.




April 24, 1945:
Albert B. “Happy” Chandler, junior Senator from Kentucky, is elected baseball commissioner by a unanimous vote of the major league club owners. Chandler is elected to a seven-year term and succeeds Kenesaw Mountain Landis, who died in November 1944.




April 24, 1956:
American Laegue umpire Frank Umont is the first ump to wear glasses in a regular season game.




April 24, 1957:
Chicago Cub pitchers walk an NL-record nine Cincinnati Reds batters in the fifth inning.




April 24, 1967:
The Philadelphia 76ers win the NBA championship in six games with 125-122 comeback victory over the San Francisco Warriors. Billy Cunningham scores 13 points in the final 12 minutes as the 76ers overcome a five-point deficit entering the fourth quarter.




April 24, 1974:
Tampa, Florida is awarded the NFL’s 27th franchise.

April 24, 1978:
California Angels pitcher Nolan Ryan strikes out 15 Seattle Mariners, making it a record 20th time he has 15 K's in a game.




April 24, 1981:
San Antonio blocks 20 Golden State shots, to set NBA regular season game record.




April 24, 1996:
Petr Nedved scores a power-play goal with 44.6 seconds left in the fourth overtime, ending the longest NHL game in 60 years and giving the Pittsburgh Penguins a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals.




April 24, 1996:
Highest scoring major league baseball game in 17 years: Minnesota Twins 24, Detroit Tigers 11.

​

April 24, 2016:
Klay Thompson scores 23 points and the Golden State Warriors set an NBA playoff record with 21 three-pointers to overcome another injury to Stephen Curry, and beat the Houston Rockets 121-94 for a 3-1 series lead. The Warriors made eight 3s in the third quarter alone to set a franchise playoff record for 3-pointers in a period. Thompson led the way from long range, going 7 of 11, and Draymond Green made four.