Today In Patriots History April 30, 1985: NE trades down for a LS; 49ers take Jerry Rice with pick

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Day One of the 1985 Draft​

April 27, 1985:
The 50th Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 1985 NFL Draft
Omni Park Central Hotel, New York City
Day One, Rounds 1-3


On the tenth anniversary of the end of the Viet Nam War, GM Pat Sullivan did not exactly do head coach Raymond Berry any favors. Fortunately that '85 team already had enough talent to win the AFC championship. Unfortunately this draft was the beginning of a lengthy talent drain, with the Pats regressing and missing the playoffs from 1987 to 1993.

• Pats trade down, sending their 1st round (#16) and a 3rd (#75) to the 49ers for a 1st (#28), 2nd (#56) and 3rd (#84).
  To my eyes that looks as though San Francisco gave up very little to move up that far in the first round.
  Now consider who the 49ers selected with that pick: Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice.
  .
• C Trevor Matich, Brigham Young (1st round, #28) [pick from SF trade above]
  .
• DE Garin Veris, Stanford (2nd round, #48)
  .
• CB Jim Bowman, Central Michigan (2nd round, #52) [one of two picks received from Raiders in 11/11/83 Mike Haynes trade]
  .
• DE Ben Thomas, Auburn (2nd round, #56) [obtained from SF in trade above]
  .
• (3rd round pick, #75, had been sent to SF in trade above)
  .
• Pats trade out, sending a 3rd (#81) to Seattle for a 1986 2nd (Mike Ruth)
  .
• CB Audray McMillian, Houston (3rd round, #74) [third and final pick from the SF trade above]

I realize that it is easy to nitpick a draft after the fact once you have the benefit of hindsight, but. . . wow; there are so many things that went wrong here. You seemingly start out in good shape with your own three middle-of-the-round picks (1.16, 2.48, 3.75), plus another pick acquired in a prior trades (2.52 - for Mike Haynes, ugh).

Four of the first 75 picks; this is going to be great, just like the '76 draft, right?

No.

First you pass on one of the greatest players in NFL history - by trading down for an offensive lineman who couldn't crack the starting lineup, and was able to stay in the NFL only by becoming a long snapper. Garin Veris started out great, but multiple injuries - including three visits to the IR list - ruined a promising career after 3½ seasons. Jim Bowman was okay, but he was only a starter for one season; his production was not worthy of being a third round pick. Ben Thomas only lasted for a year and a half. Audray McMillian was good, he had an eight-year NFL career - but none of it was in New England; he was cut too soon, at the end of his rookie training camp.

Yikes.



Day Two didn't get any better. The Pats took Western Michigan guard Tom Toth in the fourth round, #102 overall; he spent '85 on IR and was waived as part of '86 final roster cuts, never playing a single down. The Patriots also BC WR Gerard Phelan, the guy who caught Doug Flutie's Hail Mary. That selection created a lot of buzz - but he dislocated his kneecap very early in training camp, and the injury was so severe it ended his football career. The Pats did not own a fifth round pick (used to trade up for Irving Fryar in '84), a sixth (traded earlier for K Tony Franklin, nice trade), or their own seventh (lost as compensation for signing assistant head coach John Polonchek). Their own eighth had been traded away the previous year for S Rod McSwain (another good trade). A second eighth was used on DE Milford Hodge who was released at the end of camp, re-signed in '86, placed on IR and released again.

At least the Patriots got Franklin, McSwain and Polonchek with those day two picks.



As for other picks, there were five Hall of Famers: Jerry Rice; Bills DE Bruce Smith, Vikings DE Chris Doleman, 4th overall; Bills WR Andre Reed in the 4th round; and LB Kevin Greene in the 5th. Rice (FCS Mississippi Valley State) and Reed (D-2 Kutztown) came from non-traditional, non-D1 schools. Other notable names from the '85 draft include QB Randall Cunningham, OT Lomas Brown, DT Ray Childress, RB Herschel Walker and WR Al Toon.

 

[Clonamery]

Today in Patriots History
Day One of the 1985 Draft​

April 27, 1985:
The 50th Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 1985 NFL Draft
Omni Park Central Hotel, New York City
Day One, Rounds 1-3

• Pats trade down, sending their 1st round (#16) and a 3rd (#75) to the 49ers for a 1st (#28), 2nd (#56) and 3rd (#84).
  To my eyes that looks as though San Francisco gave up very little to move up that far in the first round.
  Now consider who the 49ers selected with that pick: Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice.
  .
• C Trevor Matich, Brigham Young (1st round, #28) [pick from SF trade above]
  .
• DE Garin Veris, Stanford (2nd round, #48)
  .
• CB Jim Bowman, Central Michigan (2nd round, #52) [one of two picks received from Raiders in 11/11/83 Mike Haynes trade]
  .
• DE Ben Thomas, Auburn (2nd round, #56) [obtained from SF in trade above]
  .
• (3rd round pick, #75, had been sent to SF in trade above)
  .
• Pats trade out, sending a 3rd (#81) to Seattle for a 1986 2nd (Mike Ruth)
  .
• CB Audray McMillian, Houston (3rd round, #74) [third and final pick from the SF trade above]

I realize that it is easy to nitpick a draft after the fact once you have the benefit of hindsight, but. . . wow; there are so many things that went wrong here. You seemingly start out in good shape with your own three middle-of-the-round picks (1.16, 2.48, 3.75), plus another pick acquired in a prior trades (2.52 - for Mike Haynes, ugh).

Four of the first 75 picks; this is going to be great, just like the '76 draft, right?

No.

First you pass on one of the greatest players in NFL history - by trading down for an offensive lineman who couldn't crack the starting lineup, and was able to stay in the NFL only by becoming a long snapper. Garin Veris started out great, but multiple injuries - including three visits to the IR list - ruined a promising career after 3½ seasons. Jim Bowman was okay, but he was only a starter for one season; his production was not worthy of being a third round pick. Ben Thomas only lasted for a year and a half. Audray McMillian was good, he had an eight-year NFL career - but none of it was in New England; he was cut too soon, at the end of his rookie training camp.

Yikes.



Day Two didn't get any better. The Pats took Western Michigan guard Tom Toth in the fourth round, #102 overall; he spent '85 on IR and was waived as part of '86 final roster cuts, never playing a single down. The Patriots also BC WR Gerard Phelan, the guy who caught Doug Flutie's Hail Mary. That selection created a lot of buzz - but he dislocated his kneecap very early in training camp, and the injury was so severe it ended his football career. The Pats did not own a fifth round pick (used to trade up for Irving Fryar in '84), a sixth (traded earlier for K Tony Franklin, nice trade), or their own seventh (lost as compensation for signing assistant head coach John Polonchek). Their own eighth had been traded away the previous year for S Rod McSwain (another good trade). A second eighth was used on DE Milford Hodge who was released at the end of camp, re-signed in '86, placed on IR and released again.

At least the Patriots got Franklin, McSwain and Polonchek with those day two picks.

Belichick was the worst.

 

[BennyBledsoe]

I've had people who don't believe me when I say the Patriots could have drafted Jerry Rice. I remember when I first read through the 1996 Patriots Media Guide (one of my favorite Patriots things I ever got) and saw that trade...my jaw dropped in disbelief. "WE COULDA HAD JERRY RICE?!"

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Alex Smith​

April 30, 2009:
Tampa Bay trades TE Alex Smith to New England for a 2010 fifth round pick


Three days after the '09 draft the Pats acquired a veteran tight end. (The other) Alex Smith was originally a third round pick in 2005, from Stanford. He played in 58 games (with 43 starts) in four seasons for the Bucs, with 129 receptions and 11 touchdowns. Tampa was overstocked at the position after trading for Kellen Winslow and re-signing Jerramy Stevens earlier in the offseason - and were likely happy to get anything for Smith, after presumably not being able to get something for him during the draft.


Smith was waived during final roster cuts, as Bill Belichick elected to trade for a bigger blocker (Michael Matthews) at tight end to compliment Ben Watson and Chris Baker at the position. Smith signed with Philadelphia a few days later, and remained in the NFL for seven more seasons - while Matthews appeared in just four games for the Pats before being released.

 

[A Defiant Goose]

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Day One of the 2015 Draft​

April 27, 2015:
The 80th Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 2015 NFL Draft
Auditorium Theatre in Chicago
Day One, Round 1

This was the first draft since 1965 that was not held in New York City, after officials at NFL league offices screwed up, and never reserved Radio City Music Hall, apparently believing they were just so big and important that they didn't have to do that, and Radio City would just boot anybody else that had already rented the facility.

As for the draft itself, the media hype was about which QB would go first: Florida State's Jameis Winston, the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner, or Oregon's Marcus Mariota, the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner. Neither of those two has a winning record; Winston is 36-53 and Mariota is 36-46, with one combined Pro Bowl year.


With the 32nd pick of the 2015 draft, the Patriots selected Texas DT Malcom Brown

Malcom was a four year starter in New England, playing in 60 regular season games with 51 starts, accumulating 186 tackles, 16 QB hits, 14 tackles for a loss, three fumble recoveries and 8½ sacks. In addition Brown had 33 more tackles as the Pats were 9-2 in his 11 postseason games, winning two super bowls.

On May 2, 2018, the Patriots declined Brown's fifth year option. I was bit surprised that the Pats seemed to make no effort to re-sign Malcom, and he agreed to terms with New Orleans during the 2019 legal tampering window. Brown started 46 more games over the next three seasons with the Saints and Jaguars, before calling it quits.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Day Two of the 1980 Draft​

April 30, 1980:
The 45th Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 1980 NFL Draft
Grand Ballroom at the New York Sheraton Hotel, mid-town Manhattan
Day Two, Rounds 7-12


The 1980 draft was the first to be televised in its entirety by ESPN, and it included four Hall of Famers: Southern Cal OT Anthony Muñoz (3rd overall, Cincinnati), Alabama C Dwight Stephenson (48th overall, Miami), Syracuse WR Art Monk (18th overall, Washington) and Texas DT Steve McMichael, New England.




April 30, 1980:
Day Two (Rounds 7-12) of the NFL Draft, from the New York Sheraton Hotel

• G Tom Kearns, Kentucky (7th round, #180)
• TE Mike House, Pacific (8th round, #208)
• LB Barry Burdet, Oklahoma (9th round, #235)
• C Rom Daniel, Georgia Tech (10th round, #266)
• P Mike Hubach, Kansas (11th round, #293)
• QB Jimmy Jordan, Florida State (12th round, #320)

The previous day the Pats had some nice picks, selecting S Roland James (11 seasons for the Pats), LB Lawrence McGrew (10 years with the Pats) and future Hall of Fame DT Steve McMichael. Unfortuntely the Pats gave up on 'Mongo' too soon. After missing the last two months of his rookie season due to a back injury, the Patriots waived the third round pick after just one season, on August 24, 1981. McMichael went on to have a stellar 95-sack, 15-year career, almost all with the Bears. In addition Notre Dame RB Vagas Ferguson played well as a rookie, but did nothing at all after that, finishing his very brief career with 1,375 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns.


Five of the six players selected on day two never played a single down in the NFL, with punter Mike Hubach - who lasted just a year and a half - being the sole player from this day two group to pevent it from being a perfect zero.

​

Media Circus: Memories of the first televised NFL Draft on ESPN, 40 years ago

The first image you see is a Teletype machine. Six words appear — and then the Teletype freezes. “ESPN Presents: The 1980 NFL Draft.” The teletype dissolves into a dozen or so blurry still photographs of unidentified college football players, accompanied by what can only be described as...

www.nytimes.com

A Bold New Network, a Preposterous Idea: How the NFL Draft Came to TV

Forty years ago ESPN approached the NFL with a preposterous idea: Televise the NFL draft. Those who were there in the early days look back at the first draft telecast, and how it helped launch an event that no one was watching and a network that had nothing to lose.

www.si.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Day Two of the 1986 Draft​

April 30, 1986:
The 51st Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 1986 NFL Draft
Marriot Marquis, Theater Dustrict of mid-town Manhattan
Day Two, Rounds 7-12


The perennial bottom-of-the-barrel Tampa Bay Buccaneers owned the first overall pick of the 1986 draft, and selected Bo Jackson. Problem was that Bo was pissed at the Bucs and had already stated that he would not sign with them - and he was true to his word.

Jackson refused to play for the Bucs after a visit to team facilities using a private jet caused him to be ineligible to finish out his final college baseball season. The Buccaneers told the two-sport star that the use of the jet was NCAA-approved, which was not at all the case. Jackson believed that the failure to obtain NCAA approval was deliberate, and was intended by the Bucs to get him to play football instead of baseball. He promised not to sign with Tampa Bay should they draft him, which they stupidly did anyway. Sure enough he opted to play baseball for the defending World Series champion Kansas City Royals, who drafted him in the 1986 Major League Baseball draft - even if it was for less money.

For those that are too young to remember the Hugh Culverhouse-era Tampa Bay Bucs were a world class cluster****, a thousnd times worse than the 21st century Jets or Cardinals.. As an expansion team they nearly had back-to-back winless seasons, losing each of their first 26 games. From 1983 to 1996 they had a streak of 14 consecutive losing seasons, all but one by double digits, including three two-win seasons in a span of four years. Despite annually owning a top-five pick or better, they constantly screwed up with either bad picks, bad trades, or both.





April 30, 1986:
Day Two (rounds 7-12) of the NFL Draft, from the New York Marriott Marquis

• 7.187 -- WR Ray McDonald, Florida [pick was part of a 1983 Matt Cavanaugh trade to SF)
• 7.192 -- DE Brent Williams, Toledo
• 8.220 -- TE Greg Baty, Stanford
• 9.248 -- G George Colton, Maryland
• 10.276 - RB Cletis Jones, Florida State
• 11.304 - WR Gene Thomas, Pacific
• 12.332 - K Don McAuly, Syracuse

Brent Williams was the only player from this Day Two group to have an impact, playing in 121 games for the Patriots over eight seasons. Baty would proceed to play in the NFL until 1994, but he only lasted for a year and a half in New England. Colton played in three games for the Pats - as a replacement player during the 1987 strike. The four others (plus one more from day one) never played in a single NFL game.

Williams was the only player of note for this entire draft for the Patriots, who wasted their first round pick on RB Reggie 'Two-Yards' Dupard. BC NT Mike Ruth, the 1985 Outland Trophy winner, appeared to be a steal in the second round - but he suffered an injury early in his rookie season and was never the same after that, spending much of his two seasons on IR. Another 2nd round pick, FS Vencie Glenn, had a productive 10-year career - mostly with the Chargers. The Patriots traded Glenn away for a fifth round pick after just four games.

In a recurring theme, the NFL took away the Pats third round pick as a penalty for the improper status of stashing Derwin Williams on injured reserve in 1984, when the WR was a bit too honest with an interviwer's question. The fourth round pick, (#109 overall), BC TE Scott Geiselman, never played in the NFL. Fifth round pick, OT Greg Robinson, played in six NFL games - three in his second stint with the Patriots, after being released before the start of his rookie season. The sixth round pick was traded away for a 1987 fifth.


Nepo-GM Patrick Sullivan strikes again with back-to-back bad drafts.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Day Two of the 2006 Draft​

April 30, 2006:
The 71st Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 2006 NFL Draft
Radio City Music Hall, New York City
Day Two, Rounds 4-7


The Houston Texans surprised many by selecting DE Mario Williams first overall, rather than RB Reggie Bush or QB Vince Young. 2004 Heisman Trophy winning QB Matt Leinart went 10th, and Smokin' Jay Cutler 11th.




April 30, 2006:
Day Three (rounds 4-7) of the NFL Draft, from Radio City Music Hall

• (On Day One the Pats drafted RB Laurence Maroney, WR Chad Jackson and TE David Thomas)
• Pats trade up 39 spots, sending 5.145 and 6.206 to Detroit for 4.106
• 4.106 -- FB Garrett Mills, Tulsa
• 4.118 -- K Stephen Gostkowski, Memphis
• 5.136 -- OT Ryan O'Callaghan, Cal (pick came from a 2005 trade down)
• (5.152 was traded to Cleveland in 8/22/05 for WR Andre' Davis)
• 6.191 -- DE Jeremy Mincey, Florida
• (Pats awarded two 6th round compensatory picks for free agent losses of David Patten and Joe Andruzzi)
• 6.205 -- G Dan Stevenson, Notre Dame
• 6.206 -- DT Le Kevin Smith, Nebraska
• 7.229 -- S Willie Andrews

At the time many people felt the Gostkowski selection was a reach and a terrible decision - in part because he was an unknown rookie replacing the beloved hero Adam Vinatieri - but as it turned out he was actually the best selection of this entire Patriots draft. Trading up and then using the pick on Garrett Mills turned out to be the wrong move on multiple levels. Other players available at that spot that went in the fourth round include OT Jahri Evans, RB Leon Washington, WR Brandon Marshall and DE Elvis Dumervil.

 

[Joey007]

I feel like ownership dysfunction would’ve chased Jerry out of town before the Parcells era even began. Maybe in that 86-87 window he could’ve made big impact on those Patriots teams that were still relatively good? He wasn’t getting us past the 85 Bears his rookie season.

Otherwise he would’ve just been an elite player on a poor team.

 

[Joey007]

Actually, tell me what you think, old heads:

Could that team have won it all in 86 with Jerry? Or at least made another Super Bowl run? That was far and away Stanley’s best season as a pro. One of Tony Eason’s only good seasons as well.

A receiving group of Morgan/Rice/Fryar could have been lethal. We only lost to Denver by 5 in that divisional game. You could argue having Rice could’ve pushed us ahead in that game. We’re probably not getting passed Parcells Giants in that Super Bowl, though.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Day Three of the 2011 Draft​

April 30, 2011:
The 76th Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 2011 NFL Draft
Radio City Music Hall, New York City
Day Three, Rounds 4-7


April 28-29, 2011:
Days One and Two (rounds 1-3) of the NFL Draft

• (The Pats selected OT Nate Solder on Day One, then CB Ras-I Dowling, RB Shane Vereen, RB Stevan Ridley and QB Ryan Mallett on Day Two)
• (Pats had traded Laurence Maroney and 6.189 to Denver for 4.99 on 9/14/10)
• (Pats had traded 4.99 to Seattle for WR Deion Branch on 10/11/10)
• (Pats had traded 4.125 to Oakland the previous day)
• (Pats had traded 2.60 to Houston the previous day for 3.73 (Ridley) and 5.138)
  .
  .
• April 30, Day Three of the NFL Draft
• 5.138 -- OT Marcus Cannon, Texas Christian
• 5.159 -- TE Lee Smith, Marshall
• (6.189 was previously acquired in David Thomas trade, then sent to Denver in Maroney trade)
• Patriots trade 6.193 to Philadelphia for 6.194(?)
• Some speculate the clock ran out on the Pats, and Philly jumped ahead with their pick
• 6.194 -- DE Markell Carter, Central Arkansas
• (Pats received 7.219 in trade with Oakland the previous day)
• 7.219 -- CB Malcolm Williams, Texas Christian
• (Pats traded 7.230 to Atlanta for OL Quinn Ojinnaka on 8/22/10)

Marcus Cannon was a steal in the fifth round, even though it took a while for him to become a full time starter. It's too bad the Pats couldn't have made room for Lee Smith; he was waived at the end of training camp, claimed by Buffalo and had an 11-year NFL career. Markell Carter was an offseason/preseason folk hero, but he never did get to play a real game in the NFL.




Back to Day One: here are the first sixteen picks, prior to the Nate Solder selection.
Twelve Pro Bowlers of better, a few future Hall of Famers, and five disappointments (Aldon Smith fits in both categories).

1 -- Auburn QB Cam Newton, Panthers
2 -- Texas A&M LB/DE Von Miller, Broncos
3 -- Alabama DT Marcell Dareus, Bills
4 -- Georgia WR A.J. Green, Bengals
5 -- LSU CB Patrick Peterson, Arizona
6 -- Alabama WR Julio Jones, Falcons
7 -- Missouri OLB Aldon Smith, 49ers
8 -- Washington QB Jake Locker, Titans
9 -- USC OT Tyron Smith, Cowboys
10 - Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert, Jaguars
11 - Wisconsin DE J.J. Watt, Texans
12 - Florida State QB Christian Ponder, Vikings
13 - Auburn DT Nick Fairley, Lions
14 - North Carolina DE Robert Quinn, Rams
15 - Florida C Mike Pouncey, Dolphins
16 - Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan, Washington

 

[Water Boy]

Rice was too slow to ever amount to anything as a receiver.

 

[jmt57]

I feel like ownership dysfunction would’ve chased Jerry out of town before the Parcells era even began. Maybe in that 86-87 window he could’ve made big impact on those Patriots teams that were still relatively good? He wasn’t getting us past the 85 Bears his rookie season.

Otherwise he would’ve just been an elite player on a poor team.

Yeah, with everything going on, Rice would have demanded a trade or just played out his contract, either way.

Actually, tell me what you think, old heads:

Could that team have won it all in 86 with Jerry? Or at least made another Super Bowl run? That was far and away Stanley’s best season as a pro. One of Tony Eason’s only good seasons as well.

A receiving group of Morgan/Rice/Fryar could have been lethal. We only lost to Denver by 5 in that divisional game. You could argue having Rice could’ve pushed us ahead in that game. We’re probably not getting passed Parcells Giants in that Super Bowl, though.

Hmm, that's a great question. The Pats weren't much of a running team that year, but they did have Tony Collins and Craig James - perhaps enough to keep opposing defense's pass rush honest.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Day Three of the 2016 Draft​

April 30, 2016:
The 81st Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 2016 NFL Draft
Auditorium Theatre in Chicago
Day Three, Rounds 4-7


For the second straight year the draft was held in Chicago, after fifty straight yearsin New York City. In addition, for the first time in fifteen years the number one overall pick was traded before the draft. The Rams sent their own 1st (#15), two 2nds (#43, #45) a 3rd (#76), a 2007 1st (turned out to be #5 overall), and a 2007 3rd (#100) to Tennessee for the #1 overall pick, a 2006 4th and a 2006 6th.

The Rams used that pick on QB Jared Goff, who they tired of and traded away after five seasons. Most of the Tenneessee draft picks did not fare well, with the exception of #45 overall, Derrick Henry.


In addition the second overall pick was traded before the draft as well. Philadelphia traded up six spots with the Browns, sending their 1st (#8), 3rd, 4th, a 2017 1st and 2018 2nd for Cleveland's 1st (#2) and 4th. The Eagles used that #2 pick on Carson Wentz. The Browns being the Browns, traded away th3 #8 pick, using it on draft bust WR Corey Coleman.



April 28-29, 2016:
Day One & Two of the 2016 NFL Draft

• (Pats first round pick was stolen by Goondell; then they drafted CB/PR Cyrus Jones, G Joe Thuney, QB Jacoby Brissett and DT Vincent Valentine on Day Two)
• (Pats had traded down, sending 2.61 to New Orleans for 3.78 (Thuney) and 4.112 the previous day)
  .
  .
  .
  .
• Day Three (rounds 4-7) of the 2016 NFL Draft
• 4.112 -- WR Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia
• (Pats traded 4.127 to Chicago for TE Martellus Bennett and 6.204 on 3/16/16)
• Pats trade up, sending 6.196, 6.204 and 7.250 to Miami for 5.147
• Pats trade down, sending 5.147 and 7.243 to Seattle for 7.225 and a 2017 fourth
• (The Pats presumably had their eye on somebody in the fifth, but missed out based on those trades)
• (Pats traded 5.166 to Houston for WR Keshawn Martin and 6.196 on 9/17/15)
• (Pats traded 6.204 to Chicago for LB Jon Bostic on 9/29/15)
• 6.208 -- LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, Eastern Illinois (compensatory pick for loss of Vince Wilfork)
• 6.214 -- LB Elandon Roberts, Houston (compensatory pick for loss of Brandon Browner)
• 6.221 -- G Ted Karras, Illinois (compensatory pick for loss of Shane Vereen)
• 7.225 -- WR Devin Lucien, Arizona State
• Top UDFA: CB Jonathan Jones, Auburn

That's a pretty good draft considering the science deniers at 345 Park Avenue stole the Pats first round draft pick. Cyrus Jones was obviously an awful pick, but the Patriots got good value with Thuney, Mitchell, Roberts and Karras, as well as the use of Marty Bennett for a 4th. Vincent Valentine started out well, but was never the same after his 2017 knee injury. It's too bad they didn't find a place on the roster for Kamu Grugier-Hill, who had an 11-year NFL career.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Day Two of the 2021 Draft​

April 30, 2021:
The 86th Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 2021 NFL Draft
First Energy Stadium, Cleveland
Day Two, Rounds 2-3


April 29, 2021 - Day One:

• (Pats began draft with picks 1.15, 2.46, 3.96, 4.120, 4.122, 4.139, 5.177, 6.197 and 7.242)
• Patriots draft Alabama QB Mac Jones when he is unexpectedly still available at #15 overall

.
.
April 30, 2021:
Day Two (rounds 2-3) of the NFL Draft, from First Energy Stadium in Cleveland

• Pats trade up eight spots, sending 2.46, 4.122 and 4.139 to Cincinnati for 2.38
• 2.38 --- DT Christian Barmore, Alabama
• (3.77 previously forfeited due to the 2019 Kraft Entertainment filming Bengals sideline incident)
• (Pats awarded 3.96 as compensatory pick for free agent loss of QB Tom Brady)
• 3.96 --- DE Ronnie Perkins, Oklahoma

The immediate overreaction by the sports media was that the Patriots had done very well, adding Mac Jones, Christian Barmore and Ronnie Perkins on the first two days of the draft.

At least Barmore has proven to be a great second-round value.

Ronnie Perkins as appropriate compensation for the loss of Tom Brady?

I have no words. . .

New Patriots QB Mac Jones Brings His Winning Work Ethic to New England | PatsFans.com

Thursday night's first round of the NFL Draft certainly had its moments, but at the end of the day, the Patriots managed to come away with a quarterback in Mac Jones to hopefully take them into the future moving forward.

www.patsfans.com

Jones Now The One To Lead Patriots Into a New Era | PatsFans.com

What actually happened was somewhat comparable to Vince Wilfork falling to 21 in 2004. Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, who grabbed a ton of national spotlight as he led the Crimson Tide to still another national championship three months ago, somehow was available at 15. The Patriots wasted...

www.patsfans.com

DRAFT DAY DISCUSSION Thread 'OFFICIAL 2021 NFL DRAFT - ROUND 1 - Discussion Thread'

Apr 29, 2021

Won't be long until things kick-off in just over an hour, so might as well get this up and running.

Definitely looking forward to getting answers on this one given the months of speculation. Should be a good time

• Ian
• Replies: 1,661
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

DRAFT Thread 'Welcome Mac Jones'

Apr 29, 2021

Finallly a QB. Great fit for the Pats.

• SHOWTIME15
• Replies: 524
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Thread 'NEW ARTICLE: New Patriots QB Mac Jones Brings His Winning Work Ethic to New England'

Apr 30, 2021

New Patriots QB Mac Jones Brings His Winning Work Ethic to New England
Ian Logue
Thursday night's first round of the NFL Draft certainly had its moments, but at the end of the day, the Patriots managed to come away with a quarterback in Mac Jones to hopefully take them into the future moving forward.

The post New Patriots QB Mac Jones Brings His Winning Work Ethic to New England appeared first on PatsFans.com.

Continue reading...

(If you enjoyed this entry - hit the Thumbs Up/If not, hit the Thumbs down in this thread)

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

R

Thread 'Belichick "Cam Newton is our quarterback"'

Apr 30, 2021

Makes sense. I doubt Bill wants to throw Mac Jones to the wolves his rookie year. He generally isn't that type of coach.

Now, alot depends on how Cam Newton looks in training camp and OTAs. If he's more 2018 cam newton than he's no doubt the QB. But if he's the guy we saw last year I think Mac Jones is starting

• RIpats88
• Replies: 175
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

DRAFT Thread 'Mac Jones'

Apr 30, 2021

Does he have the potential to be a franchise player, a star capable of winning a championship Or championships or will he turnout to be a bust ?. I wanted Justin Fields but that’s over now. Mac Jones is our Quarterback.

• Afam..
• Replies: 114
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Thread 'Number of 2021 Mac Jones Starts'

Apr 30, 2021

Hi Guys,

We all have our opinion on Mac Jones pros and cons, but here is a fun little game we can try. Everyone try to predict how many starts he will get this year and his record in them. I believe it will be between 7 and 10 starts and he will face the AFC East teams at least once some maybe twice. Given this I think he beats the Jets, the Bills and Miami are toss ups to me, but he has a shot at beating Miami.

If he faces the Bucs I don't see him winning. So I guess my final guess is he starts 8 games and has a .500 record splitting them.

I am sorry I tried to make a poll, but don't...

• sturmrider
• Replies: 137
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Thread 'Fantastic NFL.com Profile on Mac Jones (history, anecdotes)'

Apr 30, 2021

Joker's wild: Why Alabama QB Mac Jones is getting the last laugh

Things weren't always this easy for Mac Jones, who sat three years at Alabama waiting his turn. But the draft's fastest-rising prospect who models his game and style after Tom Brady is about to get the last laugh. A fitting finish for the quarterback nick

www.nfl.com

Long read.

1. He laughs a lot and is goofy, teammates call him Joker.
2. He's ultra competitive
3. He hates throwing INTs so much he refused to force passes as scout team QB which pissed off Saban.
3. He butts helmets pregame with teammates like Brady used to, he gets psyched up for games. He gets so excited after touchdowns he still holds the extra point kicks to calm himself down.
4. He models his training after watching Tom vs Time.
5. After a freshman year DUI, all he does now...

• DropKickFlutie
• Replies: 63
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

DRAFT DAY DISCUSSION Thread 'OFFICIAL 2021 NFL Draft - Day 2 Discussion Thread'

Apr 30, 2021

It kicks off in a couple of hours, so we might as well get this up and running

• Ian
• Replies: 607
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Thread '49ers Mac Jones Bombshell: Joel Klatt says Mac Jones was the original choice for SF.'

Apr 30, 2021

"What I've been told they did fall in love w/ Mac Jones then they made the trade and then they sat back and realized why did we do that we could have got him at 12... So then they started doing more homework..."

• yopats
• Replies: 135
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

DRAFT Thread 'Patriots trade up and select DT Christian Barmore'

Apr 30, 2021

• JMC00
• Replies: 146
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

DRAFT Thread 'Welcome To The Patriots Ronnie Perkins'

Apr 30, 2021

• manxman2601
• Replies: 63
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Other 20th Century Tidbits​

April 30, 1988:
Pats sign undrafted rookie free agent punter Jeff Feagles, from Miami

Feagles only averaged 38.3 and 38.0 yards per punt in his two seasons with the Pats; that led to his release and the Patriots signing Brian Hansen in the 1990 off season. Feagles went on to spend 20 more years in the NFL, something nobody - not even his parents - would have predicted at that point in time.




April 30, 1991:
Charley Armey is named Assistant Director of Player Relations
Personnel Scout Charles Garcia is named the club's Coordinator of College Scouting

April 30, 1993:
In the aftermath of drafting Drew Bledsoe, the Patriots sign several players, all but one undrafted rookie free agents:
- LB Arnold Ale, (7 NFL games, none with NE)
- OL Keith Ballard,
- LB Tunji Bolden,
- DL Matt Bomba,
- RB Corey Croom, (3 seasons, 44 games with NE)
- RB Eric Gallon,
- WR Reginald 'Bo' Gilliard
- OL Frank Godfrey,
- WR/KR Ronnie Harris (7 NFL seasons, but only one game with NE)
- FB Burnie Leggette, (2 seasons, 10 games with NE)
- CB Vernon Lewis, (4 seasons, 45 games with NE)
- P Clinton 'Pumpy' Tudors (11th round 1992 draft pick by Philadelphia)
- OL Tom Vincent

Croom and Lewis made this a somewhat decent initial UDFA group signing.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Ron Hall​

Happy 89th birthday to Ron Hall
Born April 30, 1937 in Goreville, Illinois; hometown Granite City IL
Pats safety & cornerback, 1961-67; uniform #23
Signed as a veteran free agent on October 12, 1961
Pats résumé: 7 seasons, 88 games, plus two postseason games
Pats All-Decade Team of the 1960s, Pats 35th Anniversary Team

Ron Hall was a 28th round draft pick by Pittsburgh in 1959, who bucked the long odds and made the team, playing in nine games as rookie (back when it was a 12-game season). Before he could continue he was drafted into the Army, and when he returned the Steelers refused to match an offer he had already received from Patriots. For many years Ron held the franchise record for career interceptions (29), and even now he still ranks third all time in that category behind only Raymond Clayborn and Ty Law. His 11 picks in 1964 is still a single season team record, and to this day it still ranks as the 14th most in pro football history. Ronnie is not only part of an exclusive group of defenders to have three picks in one game, he pulled off that trifecta in 1964 against the defending AFL champions. The following season Hall had a league-high 87-yard interception return.

From the 1967 Patriots Media Guide:

This hard hitting seven year veteran is known for his leadership on defense . . . one of the league's most aggressive free safeties . . . ranked sixth in AFL last year with six interceptions . . . one against Denver set a record of 87 yards — the longest in '66 AFL action . . . has especially fine duels with Chiefs' Otis Taylor . . . rents his Missouri home in off-season to another Chief, end Chris Buford . . . led AFL last year with 26.5 yard average per interception . . . was chief executioner of Boston's safety blitz . . . joined Pats in '61 but was cut by former Coach Lou Saban . . . was first to be called back when Coach Holovak took over . . . grabbed 11 interceptions in '64 and made Eastern All-Stars . . . can run well once he gets the ball . . . a solid veteran performer.​

The Patriots left Hall open for the 1968 expansion draft, and he was selected by Paul Brown to join the Cincinnati Bengals. Ron met with the legendary coach, but decided to retire. After that he went back to his alma mater, Missouri Valley College, and started coaching. He then coached high school football at Liberty High School in Missouri for 30 years, while also teaching phys ed.


Ron Hall was an AFL All-Star in 1963, first team All-AFL (i.e., All Pro) in 1964, is a member of the Patriots All-Decade team for the 1960s, and was named to the Patriots 35th Anniversary Team.

​

Here is an excellent read on Ron Hall's life journey from a small steel mill town, to the Army, to a call from Mike Holovak and much more:
Ron Hall - Missouri Sports Hall of Fame


Even though this is Steelers-centric, the interview below is also really interesting, well worth reading:

Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Back Ron Hall, 1959 – Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

For more on Hall and the AFL, check out this Q&A: Email from the AFL: Boston Patriots Ron Hall.

Missouri Valley College Hall of Fame - Ron Hall

Ron Hall – Missouri Sports Hall of Fame

mosportshalloffame.com

Ronnie Hall Pro Football Record

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

www.profootballarchives.com

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HallRo01.htm

Ron Hall (defensive back) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Other April 30 Birthdays​

In memory of Paul Lindquist, who would have been 87 today
Born April 30, 1939 in Brockton
Patriots defensive tackle, 1961; uniform #67
Pats résumé: one season, the second year of the Boston Patriots

Paul Lindquist was a local South Shore guy: he was born in Brockton, and grew up in Abington. Lindquist went to the University of New Hampshire where he lettered on the track and football teams, and was later inducted into the UNH Sports Hall of Fame. He was an eighth round (99th overall) draft pick by the Vikings in 1961, but chose to stay home and sign with the Pats instead. Paul played for the Patriots in their second season of existence, then served in the Army from 1962-1964. After that he also played for Providence in the good old Atlantic Coast Football league for one season before hanging up his cleats.

Mr. Lindquist later became co-owner of Estes Auto Supply in Rockland, and was the Sales Manager of the Walmart in his hometown of Abington up to the time of his death (November 6, 2003).

Paul Lindquist Obituary - Hanover, MA

Celebrate the life of Paul Lindquist, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Sullivan Funeral Homes.

www.dignitymemorial.com

Paul A Lindquist (1939-2003) - Find a Grave...

Paul A. Lindquist, 64, of Hanover died Thursday, November 6, 2003 in his home after a short illness. The son of the late Wallace L. and Nellie M. Kaselis Lindquist Sr, He was born in Brockton on April 30, 1939. He was raised and educated in Abington and was a Graduate of Abington High School and...

www.findagrave.com

Paul Lindquist Pro Football Record

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

www.profootballarchives.com

Unhappy 60th birthday to Dave Meggett
Born April 30, 1966 in Charleston, SC
Patriot RB/PR/KR, 1995-1997; uniform #22
Signed as an unrestricted free agent on March 3, 1995
Pats résumé: three seasons, all 48 games and five postseason games


Dave Meggett was one of the best return specialists in the history of pro football. He had his best season in '96, recording 1,966 all-purpose yards while earning his second trip to the Pro Bowl, and was a major factor in the Patriots advancing to Super Bowl 31. Meggett had 13,996 career all-purpose yards, and his 3,708 punt return yards were at that time most in NFL history. He also completed four of eight passes for 114 yards and four touchdowns, and scored 19 touchdowns as a third down back.

After retiring Meggett the Magot was involved in multiple assault cases, and is currently serving a 30-year prison sentence for burglary and criminal sexual conduct. The former Walter Payton Award winner (1988) will remain behind bars until at least 2034. Fortunately the POS is more well known as being a New York Giant and not a New England Patriot.

The Sordid End of David Meggett

He was an All-Pro running back. He became a serial rapist.

www.sbnation.com

Unhappy 66th birthday to Edmund Nelson
Born April 30, 1960 in Live Oak, Florida
Patriot defensive end, 1988; uniform #65
Signed as a free agent on September 7, 1988
Pats résumé: one season, twelve games (one start)


Edmund Clau-Von Nelson was a country boy from rural Florida, who went to college at Auburn. A 7th round (177th overall) pick by the Steelers in 1982, Nelson started 42 games for Pittsburgh over six seasons with the Steelers. He was released in the second week of the '88 season and was then picked up by the Pats to play for Raymond Berry's team.

Nelson says he does not have fond memories of his time in New England, stating that "I hated the Boston area and they didn’t treat me very well". Wah Wah Wah. Part of that may have been the insult added to injury when the Patriots released him, and he was picked up by the Browns for the last week of the season; part of that may be due to his current employment. Regardless, that was the end of his nondescript NFL career. Nelson appeared in twelve games for the Patriots, with one start; the Pats went 6-6 in those games.

After that Nelson worked as a State Farm insurance agent for over two decades, for the NFL with game day compliance (i.e., Uniform Inspector), and for 20 years doing Steeler preseason broadcasts, pre and post-game shows.

Edmund Nelson Pro Football Record

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

www.profootballarchives.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in NFL History
April 30 Birthdays​

Safety/Punter Jerry Stovall, 85; born April 30, 1941 in West Monroe, Louisiana

College Football Hall of Fame - Jerry Stovall, 2010

A unanimous All-America selection in 1962, Jerry Stovall was a literal "Mr. Everything" for LSU, playing halfback, leading his team in rushing and receiving and handling punting duties during his three years in Baton Rouge. A two-time All-SEC first-team selection, Stovall was named the conference's Most Valuable Player in 1962 en route to finishing as the Heisman Trophy runner-up behind Oregon State's Terry Baker. A member of the 1961 SEC Championship team, he finished at LSU with 1,071 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground, adding 462 yards and one touchdown receiving. He also held the LSU record for highest punting average (42.1) in a season, amassing 165 attempts for 6,477 yards by career's end. Stovall gained nearly 700 return yards on special teams and recorded seven interceptions as a defensive standout.​

Selected in the first round of the1963 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, Stovall played nine years in the NFL and was named to the All-Pro team. He was also selected to three Pro Bowls. Stovall later entered coaching and returned to LSU as head coach from 1980-83. In 1982, he was named the Walter Camp Football Foundation Coach of the Year after leading the Tigers to an 8-3-1 record and an Orange Bowl appearance. In his post football career, Stovall served as the President & CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Sports Foundation and has served on the board of directors for the Louisiana Senior Games.​

​

Jerry Stovall - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Jerry Lane Stovall (born April 30, 1941), nicknamed "Mr. Everything", is an American former football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He played college football for the LSU Tigers, where he was a unanimous selection to the 1962 College Football All-America Team as a halfback. Stovall played professionally as a safety and punter in the National Football League (NFL) with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1963 to 1971. Stovall served as the head football coach at his alma mater, LSU, from 1980 to 1983, compiling a record of 22–21–2 in four seasons and leading the 1982 team to an appearance in the 1983 Orange Bowl. He was the athletic director at Louisiana Tech University from 1990 to 1993. He is the only player in LSU history to be named a unanimous All-American (1962), be selected to the college football hall of fame (2010), be selected as a first round pick (1963), and to be selected to the pro bowl (1966, 1967, and 1969).​

A more thorough biography of Jerry Stovall - who had the misfortune of being drafted 2nd overall by the Bill Bidwell and the St Louis Cardinals - can be found here:

Jerry Stovall – Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame

Induction Year: 1981 Jerry Stovall experienced the good, the bad and the ugly in his football career. The good: He started on tow of the best teams in Louisiana State University history, helping the Tigers win major bowl games two years in a row for the first time (it has happened once since...

lasportshall.com

Running back Tony Pollard, 29; born April 30, 1997 in Memphis

The Titans RB has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the last four seasons, and over his career has 38 touchdowns and 7,545 yards from scrimmage. Pollard made the Pro Bowl with Dallas in 2022 when he averaged 5.2 yards per carry, scoring 12 TD and totaling 1,378 yards from scrimmage.

​

Safety Calen Bullock, 23; born April 30, 2003 in Pasadena CA

A third round pick in 2024 by the Texans, in two seasons Bullock was named to his first Pro Bowl last years, and already has nine picks and 21 pass deflections to his credit.

​

Guard/Tackle Elbert Drungo; April 30, 1943 - October 11, 2014

Played in 121 games from 1969-1978, all but the last season for the Houston Oilers.

DE/OLB Aundray Bruce, 59; born April 30, 1966 in Montgomery, Alabama

The first overall pick of the 1988 didn't quite play up to his draft status, but he did have an 11-year, 152-game career with the Falcons and Raiders from 1988-1998. Unfortunately for Atlanta DE Neil Smith (102 career sacks) went next in the '98 draft to KC, while Bruce finished with 32 career sacks.

​

In regards to draft busts, we do have a few those born on April 30:

Troy Williamson, 43 (April 30, 1983)
WR was the 7th overall pick by the Vikings in 2005.
Williamson finished his 49-game career with 1,131 yards receiving and four touchdowns.

Troy Williamson says he ‘wasn’t mentally ready’ to replace Randy Moss

Former Minnesota Vikings first-round pick Troy Williamson recently looked back on his career in the NFL and his time in purple.

thevikingage.com

Danny Peebles, 60 (April 30, 1966)
The WR from North Carolina State was the 33rd overall pick by the Bucs in 1989.
He only lasted two seasons in Tampa, with 17 receptions for 230 yards and one TD during that time.

Danny Peebles (2014) - NC State Athletic Hall of Fame - NC State University Athletics

NC State University Athletics

gopack.com

DE Cedric Jones, 52 (April 30, 1974)
A 5th overall pick by the Giants in 1996, he never played beyond the 2000 season, when he was 26.

Cedric Jones - Football Coach - Southern Nazarene University Athletics

Cedric Jones begins his 10th season as an assistant coach for centers/guards.Jones is a 1992 graduate of Lamar High in Houston, Texas where he was an All-American

snuathletics.com