Today In Patriots History April 3: Russ Francis

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
All World Tight End Russ Francis​

In memory of Russ Francis, who would have turned 72 today
Born April 3, 1953 in Seattle; grew up on Oahu, Hawaii
Died October 1, 2023 at the age of 70 in Lake Placid, New York
Patriot tight end 1975-1980, 1987-1988; uniform #81, #49 ('87)
Selected in the first round (16th overall) by the Pats in the 1975 draft, from Oregon
Pats résumé: 8 seasons, 92 games; 207 receptions for 3,153 yards (15.3 ypc), 28 TD; 3x Pro Bowler; Pats 35th Anniversary Team; Pats All-1970s Team


A Patriots head coach once said "if you've got tight ends that can do the same things as your wide receivers, you're just more flexible". Bill Belichick talking about Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez? Nope, that was Ron Erhardt 45 years ago; Fargo was talking about Russ Francis, who was born 72 years ago today.

For those that never saw Russ Francis play the first thing I would point out is that today's game is entirely different than it was when he played. Therefore, don't look at his stats and compare it to today's players, because that's an apples and oranges thing. I will point out that Francis made three consecutive Pro Bowls despite being on what was primarily a running team: the Pats ran on 63% of their plays, for 3,165 yards in the last of those three seasons. Francis absolutely did his part; he was a terrific blocker, though that doesn't turn up on the stat sheets and all-time rankings.


Younger fans that enjoyed Gronk's larger than life personality would have loved Russ Francis. His family urged the Hawaiian native to spend time on a ranch in Oregon before his senior year in high school. Next thing you know he set the national high school record for the javelin in 1970 with a distance of over 259 feet - a record that would stand for 18 years - and nearly made the US Olympic team in that event. That in turn got him a scholarship to the University of Oregon - for the track team; he still wasn't a football player yet. While there he did join the Ducks football team and performed well enough to be selected as the 16th overall pick of the 1975 draft - despite not playing his senior year when he was upset at his coach being fired.

Want more? He was an excellent baseball pitcher, drafted by the Kansas City Royals. He enjoyed hang gliding, parachuting, and was a licensed pilot at age 21. By that time Francis had already worked at a rodeo, dove off cliffs in Hawaai, wrestled sharks and wrestled professionally; as a young kid Andre the Giant would babysit him.


Russ quit the game of football after just six years, thanks to the Sullivans miserly ways and their mistreatmant of his roommate, Daryl Stingley, after he was paralyzed. Francis was being groomed by ABC to work Monday Night Football, back in the days when MNF was a huge deal. (Howard Cosell had a man crush on Russ, which helped legitimize the franchise in the eyes of the rest of the football nation at that time.) Francis was working the Pro Bowl, and interviewed Bill Walsh; Walsh convinced him to go back to playing football while he still could. Russ signed with Walsh's 49ers and three years later was a Super Bowl champion.

Eventually Russ Francis returned to the Patriots, but at age 35 he was nowhere near the player he was when he first played in Foxboro. However, for a few years he and the Patriots brought a lot of excitement to New England, and a level of success Pats fans had never before seen.

9/27/1976 MNF halftime highlights Patriots at Steelers Howard Cosell Russ Francis All-World mention
1:09 halftime highlights, with Pats in their all-white uniforms; Grogan with long TD passes to Russ Francis & Darryl Stingley





1976-10-18 New England Patriots vs New York Jets; 11:37 Highlight Video
The Patriots won this 1976 MNF game 41-7 over the Jets. #81 has a nice sideline catch at about 9:35 to set up a TD,
but the then 23-year old TE spent most of the game as a sixth offensive lineman; the Pats rushed for 330 yards that evening.





1976 Patriots at Steelers week 3; 19:43 Highlight Video
Here is another game from '76, with the Patriots erasing an 11-point second half deficit to win at Pittsburgh 30-27.
Russ had six receptions for 139 yards, including a 3rd quarter 38-yard TD (10:30 mark) that began the Pats comeback.





1978-09-24 New England Patriots vs Oakland Raiders(Grogan vs Stabler); 18:17 Highlight Video
In 1978 Francis was named to his third straight Pro Bowl. He had five catches for 126 yards and a TD in this 21-14 victory at Oakland.
The TD (6:44) was critical, with the Pats down 14-0 and being dominated up to that point.
​

Russ Francis' stats are misleading because the game has changed so dramatically over the years. Francis was a devastating blocker that played a large part in the Pats success in the mid to late seventies. The 1976 Patriots rushed for what was the fourth most yards in NFL history (2,948), and two years later they ran for 3,165 yards - an NFL record that lasted for 31 seasons.

Even though the stats across decades are difficult to compare, it should be noted that at the time AWTE departed after the 1980 season thanks to the Sullivan's miserly ways, he ranked fourth all-time in franchise history in both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns behind wide receivers Jim Colclough, Gino Cappelletti and teammate Stanley Morgan.

Russ Francis Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

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

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[turkeyneck]

Always thought Tom Selleck's Magnum, PI was an ersatz Russ Francis.

 

[jmt57]

Some great commentary from @Actual Pats Fan back in 2017 on Russ Francis here:

Today In Patriots History - Happy Birthday, The One And Only, Russ Francis

Russell Ross Francis (born April 3, 1953), drafted by the New England Patriots in the 1st round (16th pick) of the 1975 NFL Draft, despite sitting out his senior season at Oregon. He grew up in Hawaii. At 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m), 242 lb (110 kg), Russ was the first Patriot tight end with three...

www.patsfans.com

Russell Ross Francis (born April 3, 1953), drafted by the New England Patriots in the 1st round (16th pick) of the 1975 NFL Draft, despite sitting out his senior season at Oregon. He grew up in Hawaii. At 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m), 242 lb (110 kg), Russ was the first Patriot tight end with three career receptions on fourth down plays. Francis is the only Patriot player with three receptions from a pass thrown by a wide receiver, and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection from 1977 to 1979. Yes, he's not in the Pats' HOF because its system relies on local media and online (fairweather) fan voting.

He set the national high school record for the javelin as a senior at Pleasant Hill High School, southeast of Eugene, in 1971 at 259 feet, 9 inches; the record stood until 1988. Francis qualified for The Superstars final and the World Superstars in 1980 and 1981, finishing second in the 1980 final and fourth in 1981. He won the football preliminary in 1981 and set a record of 23.91 seconds in the 50 yard swimming event. The record stood until 1986 when it was broken by Greg Louganis.

Francis appeared in a 20-man battle royal at WrestleMania 2 along with other NFL stars...Eat your heart out, Gronk. The son of wrestling promoter Ed Francis, he briefly competed full-time in the American Wrestling Association after retiring from football. He also competed in the National Wrestling Alliance's NWA Hawaii where he held the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship one time with his older brother, Billy Roy Francis.

Following the 1980 season, Francis retired from professional football. Two things that Francis has said contributed greatly to this decision were, one, when the Patriots refused to give him his promised bonus for making the Pro Bowl (because his injury from a motorcycle accident kept him out of the game); and, secondly, when his roommate, Darryl Stingley, was paralyzed by a Jack Tatum hit, the Patriots tried to cancel Stingley's medical insurance. Francis was the first Patriot player at Stingley's side immediately after the hit. Francis has said it was tough to play after that.
He was traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a draft pick that the Patriots used to select future Hall of Fame linebacker Andre Tippett.

No, I don't think his circling around the stadium in a helicopter one day at practice will ever be topped.

Last time I spoke with Steve Grogan, he said Russ now lives in Wyoming. No word on how many "Whuffo"s are there ("Whuffo you jump out of parachutes?")

("Um, we don't jump out of parachutes. That would be really dumb.")

 

[turkeyneck]

The son of wrestling promoter Ed Francis

I did not know that. Wild.

 

[jmt57]

​

 

[jmt57]

 

[Pape]

One of the good guys...

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
AWTE​

There was an old blog that has long since been relegated to the dustbins of the internet, but the fact that I actually received a response from Russ Francis back in 2012 was - and still is - a very cool thing to me.

Russ Francis - All World Tight End

Your comments from last year, on my birthday, were sent to me by a friend. I wanted to thank you both, John and Emerson, for your kind and funny thoughts and comments. ​

It was a very special time in my life. While I had the time of my life both in New England and San Francisco, I started and ended in New England with the Patriots and those memories are etched in the bedrock of my soul as some of the most joyous and spectacular days and Monday nights of my life. ​

Thank you both. And John, thank you for being the Paul Revere of Pats fans by keeping the past and present stories alive online so we can all enjoy and benefit from your good work. Aloha nui loa to you both, #81​

When I first saw that the Russ had responded, I assumed somebody was just screwing with me. We ended up DMing back and forth, talking about the Chuck Fairbanks era Patriots. Great stuff, great guy.

​

For those of you that are too young to see him, my condolences.

Rest In Peace.

Today In Patriots History Thread 'Russ Francis - All World Tight End'

Apr 3, 2012

Russ Francis - All World Tight End
By: John Morgan

The Patriots head coach said "If you've got tight ends that can do the same things as your wide receivers, you're just more flexible". Bill Belichick talking about Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez? Nope, that was Ron Erhardt 32 years ago, in reference t...

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY​

• PatsFans.com Article
• Replies: 20
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

1976: Super Season Ruined By Horrid Call | PatsFans.com

Did you ever get so mad that you threw a football at your parent’s television set?

www.patsfans.com

The Patriots drove to the Oakland 30-yard line, and had a third down and less than a yard. Pete Brock, Lenkaitis’ backup center, was flagged for a false start, making it third and six. Grogan tried to hit Francis with a first down catch, but was held by Raider linebacker Phil Villapiano. No penalty was called. John Smith would miss a 50-yard field goal, and the Raiders took over at their own 34 with a little over four minutes remaining.​

Francis was furious over this non-call. During the offseason, legend has it that Francis took Villapiano and his wife up for a ride in a helicopter out in Hawaii. While up in midair, Francis then turned the copter on its side, with Villapiano only a seat belt away from falling out the open side door. Francis yelled at Villapiano for getting away with a holding penalty that helped cost his team a playoff win. Villapiano needed incontinent pants at the time.​

From The Hall: Patriots Divisional Round History -- Patriots.com

The Patriots entered the 1976 playoffs with Super Bowl aspirations. The Oakland Raiders entered with an impressive 13-1 record, but that loss was a 48-17 pounding at the Patriots hands. Controversial calls throughout the game marred the outcome and left a bitter taste in New England that lasted years and many would argue, took 25 years to avenge (The Tuck Rule game). The Patriots led 21-10 entering the fourth quarter, but Oakland cut into that advantage on a 1-yard Mark Van Eeghan touchdown with 11 minutes left.​

The Patriots took over with 6:24 left in the game and faced third-and-five from the Oakland 32 when Steve Grogan dropped back to pass and threw to tight end Russ Francis. Francis was being held so badly by Phil Villapiano on the play that he couldn't raise his arms to catch the ball. The pass fell incomplete without a flag being thrown and John Smith missed the ensuing 50-yard field goal try.​

That set the stage for an even more controversial officiating decision. Facing a third-and-18 play from the Patriots 27, Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler dropped back to pass and came under pressure from Ray Hamilton. Stabler heaved the ball out of bounds as Hamilton tried to deflect the pass. But Hamilton's hand then grazed Stabler's helmet as the quarterback ducked, which drew a controversial roughing-the-passer flag from referee Ben Dreith. The "Phantom Roughing the Passer" call, as it is known in New England, bailed Oakland out of a dire situation and gave it new life and a first down at the New England 13. Four plays later, Stabler scrambled for a 1-yard TD run with 10 seconds left in the game.​

Patriots offensive lineman Bill Lenkaitis had not been flagged for holding during the entire 1976 season, but was called for it three times in this game. The Raiders George Atkinson hit Francis so hard in the facemask that Francis suffered a broken nose. No flag. Dreith did not work another Patriots game until 1987.​

Thread 'STEVE GROGAN: Russ Francis' hands 'might have been a little bit better' than Gronkows'

Nov 2, 2012

STEVE GROGAN: Russ Francis' hands 'might have been a little bit better' than Gronkowski's
By: Ian Logue

Today's Patriots fans probably don't remember former tight end Russ Francis, but Steve Grogan had an interesting comment comparing Francis to Rob Gronkowski in this week's 'Grogan's Grade'....

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY​

• PatsFans.com Article
• Replies: 26
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

STEVE GROGAN: Russ Francis' hands 'might have been a little bit better' than Gronkowski's

Today's Patriots fans probably don't remember former tight end Russ Francis, but Steve Grogan had an interesting comment comparing Francis to Rob Gronkowski in this week's 'Grogan's Grade'.

www.patsfans.com

‘We thought we were going to a lot of Super Bowls’: The forgotten 1970s Patriots -- Jeff Howe, The Athletic

‘We thought we were going to a lot of Super Bowls’: The forgotten 1970s Patriots

Lost amid decades of bannerless football, in the 1970s the Patriots fielded two tremendous squads — before it all fell apart.

www.nytimes.com

Thread 'Russ Francis killed in plane crash'

Oct 2, 2023

If Sunday couldn’t get any worse for Patriots fans. Rest in Peace.

Russ Francis, former NFL great from Hawaii, dies in plane crash | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Russ Francis, a former Kailua High School athlete who went on to star in the NFL and win a Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers, was killed in an airplane crash Sunday, according to the Lake Placid News. He was 70 years old.

www.staradvertiser.com

• BadMoFo
• Replies: 82
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

A TIGHT END WHO HANGS REAL LOOSE

In April the weather on the north shore of Oahu can be pretty foul, and now it was windy and overcast for the third straight day. "You really want to jump in

vault.si.com

‘We thought we were going to a lot of Super Bowls’: The forgotten 1970s Patriots

Lost amid decades of bannerless football, in the 1970s the Patriots fielded two tremendous squads — before it all fell apart.

www.nytimes.com

 

[maust]

To see Francis come off the line sealing off the linebackers on the end with Leon Gray firing forward and folding back the D-line while Hannah pulled from behind them clearing the path down field was to witness... a thing of pure football beauty. Words don't do it justice. Defenses knew what was coming and couldn't do a damn thing about it. It gives this old Pats fan the warm fuzzies just remembering it

 

[Pape]

I think I need to add "All World Tight End" to my little poster there...

edit: done just that

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Randy Beverly​

Happy 81st birthday to Randy Beverly
Born April 3, 1944 in Wildwood, New Jersey
Patriot cornerback, 1970-1971; uniform #27
Signed as a 26-year old veteran free agent on September 22, 1970
Pats résumé: two seasons, 21 games (4 starts); two interceptions, two fumble recoveries


Randy Beverly played in 21 games with four starts for the Pats, with two interceptions. He was primarily a special teams player, and later spent a season in the WFL.

He is best known for two plays in Super Bowl III.


From Wikipedia:

The Jets had managed a solid defense throughout the season, but going into Super Bowl III, the Jets passing defense was not considered particularly strong. With the Jets installed as an 18-point underdog, Beverly's small stature made him a main target of Colts' quarterback Earl Morrall. However, Beverly put together a remarkable performance, becoming the first player ever to record two interceptions in a Super Bowl.​

In the first quarter, the Colts drove down the field, seemingly fulfilling the predictions about their offensive prowess. Reaching the Jets' 10-yard-line, Morrall threw a pass into the end zone, but the pass bounced off a Jets lineman, then hit the shoulder pads of Colts tight end Tom Mitchell. Beverly tracked the ball and caught it in the end zone, ending the Colts first drive.​

The Jets defense continued to stymie the Colts for the rest of the first half, shutting them out and prompting the insertion of Colt legend Johnny Unitas at quarterback. Driving the Colts down the field and poised to score the team's first touchdown of the game, Unitas threw a crossing pattern to one of his wide receiver's in the end zone, but Beverly stepped in front and caught the ball in the end zone, downing it for a touchback. While the Colts managed to score a late touchdown, the Jets' 16-7 triumph is considered to be one of the greatest upsets in the history of professional sports in the United States.​

From the 1971 Patriots Media Guide:

Came to Pats as free agent early last season ... star of first AFL victory in the Super Bowl as starting cornerback for the New York Jets ... picked off two big interceptions on Baltimore pass plays ... starter for Jets in '68 and '69 ... traded to San Diego Chargers in 1970 for receiver Richard Trapp ... eventually waived by Chargers and claimed by Pats ... played well on special teams last year ... going into fifth pro season ... signed with Jets as free agent in 1966 ... has 10 pro career pass interceptions ... lettered in basketball and track and won Junior College All-America honors at Trinidad (Colo.) J.C. ... state broad jump champion at Wildwood (N.J.) H.S. ... returned kickoff 99 yards at Colorado State ... adds good depth to Pats' speedy cornerback corps.​

Randy Beverly Still Super After All These Years

SBIII is of course about Joe Namath and his guarantee and always will be. But the defense was underrated the entire 1968 season and on into the Super Bowl crucible, and Beverly speaks to that now, again, reminding of the dangers of taking an opponent for granted.​

"Joe said what we couldn't say," Beverly recalled. "We saw the films of the Colts and we just realized we were better than they were, but we couldn't say that. But Joe could. We all felt it, and when he said it, we cheered."​

"You can't talk your way there. You have to play your way there," Beverly said. "All the players have to be on the same page. It can't be just one player."​

Randy Beverly Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

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

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Ralph Anderson​

Happy 76th birthday to Ralph Anderson
Born April 3, 1949 in Dallas
Patriot safety, 1970-1971; uniform #27
Acquired in a trade with Pittsburgh on September 3, 1973, in exchange for a 1974 fourth round draft pick
Pats résumé: one season, 13 games (11 starts); two interceptions, two fumble recoveries


Ralph Anderson played in 13 games for the Pats with 11 starts. He had two interceptions and two fumble recoveries in Chuck Fairbanks' first season as head coach for the Patriots.

The Pats acquired Anderson in a trade with Pittsburgh, two weeks prior to the start of the 1973 season. The Steelers used that 4th round draft pick on WR John Stallworth - who they were initially going to select in the first round - but chose Lynn Swann instead.

Stallworth went on to play 14 seasons in Pittsburgh, and is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.


In 1974 Fairbanks added Jack Mildren and Prentice McCray to play safety. A 1971 5th round draft pick from West Texas A&M, Anderson was released in mid-August. He never played in the NFL again after that 1973 season; Anderson ended up playing for the Fire (Chicago), Winds (Chicago) and Thunder (Portland) of the World Football League in 1974-75.

Pro Football Archives -- Ralph Anderson

Ralph Anderson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

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

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Patriots Football Weekly​

April 3, 1995
The Patriots publish the premiere issue of Patriots Football Weekly, the team's official newspaper.

It is with mixed emotions that we must inform you that PFW will stop publishing at the completion of the 2018 season.​

After 24 seasons of PFW, it was a difficult decision to stop printing the newspaper, but as you know, how most fans consume their content has changed. Let's face it, keeping up with the fast-paced news cycle isn't easy with a weekly newspaper! To that end, the staff of PFW will be providing you with even more content on the various Patriots platforms including Patriots.com, the Patriots app and all of the Patriots social media accounts.​

Thank you for being a PFW subscriber and fan!​

Sincerely,​

The entire staff of Patriots Football Weekly​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
CMGi Field​

April 3, 2001:
In celebration of a long-standing construction tradition, the final beam was hoisted into place at CMGI Field to signify the "topping off" of the structure's steel.


CMGI Field topped off -- The Sun Chronicle

Another milestone was reached in the building of the new CMGI Field when the final steel beam was hoisted onto the facility's upper northwest corner Tuesday.​

Adding a bit of drama to the “topping off” ceremony, a 12-foot long two-by-four that was holding in place a banner attached to the steel beam broke off once the almost 6,000-pound beam was near its final destination. The large piece of wood sailed down from the sky and landed in an area reserved for the media. Bryan Morry, editor of the Patriots Football Weekly, was slightly injured when the wood hit the top of his left leg, but he did not require hospitalization, according to Patriots' spokesman Stacey James.​

Revs happy to call CMGi 'home'

DAN PIRES, Inside The Revs and CMGi Even though today's opening is considered to be a "soft" one, the opening of CMGi Field not only represents a major milestone for professional sports in New Engl…

www.southcoasttoday.com

 

[Pape]

Today in Patriots History
Ralph Anderson​

Happy 76th birthday to Ralph Anderson
Born April 3, 1949 in Dallas
Patriot safety, 1970-1971; uniform #27
Acquired in a trade with Pittsburgh on September 3, 1973, in exchange for a 1974 fourth round draft pick
Pats résumé: one season, 13 games (11 starts); two interceptions, two fumble recoveries


Ralph Anderson played in 13 games for the Pats with 11 starts. He had two interceptions and two fumble recoveries in Chuck Fairbanks' first season as head coach for the Patriots.

The Pats acquired Anderson in a trade with Pittsburgh, two weeks prior to the start of the 1973 season. The Steelers used that 4th round draft pick on WR John Stallworth - who they were initially going to select in the first round - but chose Lynn Swann instead.

Stallworth went on to play 14 seasons in Pittsburgh, and is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.


In 1974 Fairbanks added Jack Mildren and Prentice McCray to play safety. A 1971 5th round draft pick from West Texas A&M, Anderson was released in mid-August. He never played in the NFL again after that 1973 season; Anderson ended up playing for the Fire (Chicago), Winds (Chicago) and Thunder (Portland) of the World Football League in 1974-75.

Pro Football Archives -- Ralph Anderson

Ralph Anderson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

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

www.pro-football-reference.com

Ralph Anderson was here for the 1973 season, and wore #49... based on the Randy Beverly post right before the Anderson one, I think you forgot to edit the copy/paste... the info you posted for anderson matches up with Randy Beverleys career here

 

[midpack]

I have the red #81 jersey he's wearing with Russ's autograph on it

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
More April 3 Trivia​

April 3, 1973:
Patriots sign free agent John Sanders

The South Dakota State alum played for the Pats through the '76 season, starting at CB in '74 and FS in '75.




April 3, 1995:
The Patriots sign free agent WR Will Moore and NT Reggie White

Moore started 13 games in '95, with 43 receptions for 502 yards.
The other Reggie White played in all 16 games, with 1½ sacks. one forced fumble and 22 tackles.




April 3, 2000:
Pats re-sign exclusive rights free agent Kato Serwanga

The cornerback played in 31 games with three starts over two seasons in New England, then played three more seasons in the NFL with Washington and the Giants.




April 3, 2006:
New England signs free agent CB Eric Warfield

Warfield had spent all eight of his NFL seasons in Kansas City, with 20 interceptions, 78 pass break ups and 393 tackles over 115 games. Perhaps he signed because he wanted to experience a postseason run; the Chiefs had played just one playoff game during his time in KC. That was not to be; the Pats released Warfield on September 1, 2006.




April 3, 2014:
Patriots sign free agent safety Patrick Chung

The Patriots had originally drafted the Oregon Duck in 2009, with a second round pick acquired in the Matt Cassel trade to the Chiefs. New England let him walk as a free agent in 2013, then re-signed him one year later when the Eagles cut quickly ties. Chung played in 141 regular season games plus 22 playoff games in ten seasons over those two stints in Foxborough, winning three super bowl rings.




April 3, 2024:
Joe Judge joins the Ole Miss football staff as a senior analyst

Judge had been part New England's coaching staff for ten seasons. He was a special teams assistant from 2012-14 and special teams coordinator from 2015-18. After serving as the Giants head coach for two years he returned as an offensive assistant and quarterbacks in 2022, and then was the Pats assistant head coach in 2023.




April 3, 2025:
Patriots trade QB Joe Milton to Dallas for a fifth round draft pick

In eight hours that transaction is already up to 23 pages of debate:

Patriots Player Departure Thread 'BREAKING: Joe Milton traded to Dallas'

Apr 3, 2025

GIMME THE TRADE COMP!!!

• Joey007
• Replies: 915
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Patriots Trade Milton to Cowboys, Team Gets Puzzling Return on the Deal | PatsFans.com

There had been talks recently about teams inquiring about quarterback Joe Milton, and the Patriots ended up pulling the trigger on a deal for the former sixth-round pick on Thursday.

www.patsfans.com

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Patriots have agreed to terms on a trade with the Dallas Cowboys for Milton. Schefter reports that the deal includes Milton and a 7th-round selection, in exchange for the Cowboys’ 5th-round compensatory pick.​

That feels like a curious return for a player with a lot of upside. Given the apparent demand, the Patriots seemingly shouldn’t have had to give up a draft pick at all and one would have thought that the deal should have been for more. Milton was still under contract for three more seasons, and the Patriots certainly could have – and should have – been fine with having two solid players in their QB room. However, some additional details have shed a bit more light on the deal.​

​

Needless to say, it sounds like Milton might have been reaching a point where his frustration could have been spilling over, and the team instead tried to make an addition by subtraction. The only downside is that given that they invested a sixth round pick, the combination of losing a 7th and gaining a 5th doesn’t exactly put them ahead of things. Especially given the investment they made from both a time and financial standpoint.​

MORSE: Patriots Make an Awful Trade of Joe Milton to Dallas | PatsFans.com

Eliot Wolf and Mike Vrabel traded 2nd Year QB Joe Milton and a 2025 7th Round pick #217 to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2025 Compensatory pick #171. This may be a worse trade than the giveaway of Ladd McConkey last year for Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker.

www.patsfans.com

Eliot Wolf and Mike Vrabel traded 2nd Year QB Joe Milton and a 2025 7th Round pick #217 to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2025 Compensatory pick #171. This may be a worse trade than the giveaway of Ladd McConkey last year for Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker.​

Milton apparently wasn’t happy being a backup for New England, as he likely felt he was better than Drake Maye. He has one game of experience in the NFL, a win against the Bills that were playing their backups and not trying to win. However, he improved dramatically from the raw 6th round selection in 2024. Credit has to be given to Alex Van Pelt, QB Coach TC McCartney, and Ben McAdoo for his improvement.​

Where would Joe Milton be drafted in this year’s draft now that teams have been able to see him against real NFL players that had made the Bills roster and not some pre-season camp fodder? And a player that has drastically improved his technical flaws and still retains that high mobility, size and arm strength? Would that be a 5th-round pick and having to throw in your top 7th-round pick? No Way!​

Milton has three years of control left on his rookie contract at $1.050M a year. That is a steal for Dallas, and the Patriots should have received more just on the value of his contract alone.​

Instead, they trade him to a team that he wants to play for, even though they had at least one offer that was better. Did Milton say something or was that much of a pain in the butt that they had to get rid of him? Why are they doing Milton a solid by trading him to a team he wants rather than a team the team would benefit?​

Bottom line here is they struck gold with Milton, drafting and developing him, and got less than a 1 round bump for him!​

Awful.​

I’m angry at this trade, and Patriots fans should be as well.​