Today In Patriots History April 6, 1979: Bucko Kilroy named GM

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Bucko Kilroy
Ron Erhardt​

April 6, 1979:
Francis "Bucko" Kilroy is named General Manager
Former Patriot offensive coordinator Ron Erhardt is named Head Coach

HALL OF VERY GOOD - 2022 - PFRA | PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL RESEARCHERS ASSOCIATION

The 2022 class of the PFRA's Hall of Very Good.

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Bucko Kilroy​

Position: Tackle, Defensive Tackle, Guard, Middle Guard​

Teams: Philadelphia/Pittsburgh Eagles/Steelers "Steagles" (1943), Philadelphia Eagles (1944-55)​

Offensive Line Coach, Player Personnel Director: Philadelphia Eagles (1956-61)​

Director of Player Personnel: Washington Redskins (1962-64)​

Scout: Dallas Cowboys (1965-70)​

New England Patriots Executive: Personnel Director (1971-78), General Manager (1979-82), Vice-President (1983-93), Scouting Consultant (1994-2007)​

Bio: Francis “Bucko” Kilroy devoted his professional life to pro football. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he attended Temple University, then served in the Merchant Marines during World War II. Kilroy returned to Philadelphia in 1943 to play for the Steagles/Eagles for 13 seasons and was a first team all-pro four times, a second teamer three times and was selected to three Pro Bowls. He was a fundamental part of two Eagles’ championship squads in 1948 and 1949, the only teams to win back-to-back shutout Championship Games. Kilroy played middle guard on defense and when dropping back from there in the 5-2 "Eagle" defense became a part of the evolution of the middle linebacker position. On offense, he helped Steve Van Buren to three consecutive rushing titles (1947-49), the first time that feat was ever achieved.​

Kilroy considered himself a "heavy hitter" but others' opinions varied, with Art Donovan calling him "dirty" and Otto Graham saying he was "the bad boy." When Life magazine published an article implying he was one of the NFL's "ornery critters," Kilroy sued and won an award of $25,000. He acted as player-coach, becoming the Eagles offensive line coach after he retired.​

He was one of the first scouts in the NFL and participated in the creation of the Scouting Combine. In 1971, he began a 36 year-long association with the New England Patriots in various capacities including scout and general manager. As personnel director, Kilroy drafted Hall of Famers John Hannah and Mike Haynes. Later he was instrumental in drafting many of the players that contributed to New England's dynasty years. Bill Belichick said Kilroy was "one of the pillars of our league… a pure football man who did practically everything one person could do in the game, blazing trails every step of the way."​

In the days when teams were drafting based on what they read in Street and Smith’s college football annual, Bucko Kilroy (along with Gil Brandt) was the first to put together a computer database with measureables - resulting in a long run of excellence for the Dallas Cowboys. Bucko Kilroy was a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020, and semi-finalist in 2025; as a player he is also a member of the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1940s. It is inexplicable inexcusable that Bill Parcells will be entering the Pats Hall of Fame as a contributor, but Bucko Kilroy is not.

July 11, 2007:
Legendary NFL player and executive Bucko Kilroy dies at 86 -- Patriots.com

Kilroy was a member of the New England Patriots organization for the past 36 years, serving as personnel director (1971-78), general manager (1979-82), vice president (1983-93) and scouting consultant (1994-2007). He was a contributor to 14 of the club’s 15 playoff seasons, including all five of the franchise’s trips to the Super Bowl.​

As personnel director of the Patriots, Kilroy was responsible for selecting the team’s two Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees, John Hannah (1973) and Mike Haynes (1976). He is credited with building some of the best teams in Patriots’ history, drafting Julius Adams, Hannah, Sam Cunningham, Steve Nelson, Russ Francis and Steve Grogan during his first five years as personnel director (1971-75). Over the next three years (1976-78), the Patriots compiled a 31-13 record (.705), including two playoff appearances.​

» Speak My Language

grantland.com

New England’s offense is a member of the NFL’s third offensive family, the Erhardt-Perkins system. The offense was named after the two men, Ron Erhardt and Ray Perkins, who developed it while working for the Patriots under head coach Chuck Fairbanks in the 1970s. According to Perkins, it was assembled in the same way most such systems are developed. “I don’t look at it as us inventing it,” he explained. “I look at it as a bunch of coaches sitting in rooms late at night organizing and getting things together to help players be successful.”​

The backbone of the Erhardt-Perkins system is that plays — pass plays in particular — are not organized by a route tree or by calling a single receiver’s route, but by what coaches refer to as “concepts.” Each play has a name, and that name conjures up an image for both the quarterback and the other players on offense. And, most importantly, the concept can be called from almost any formation or set. Who does what changes, but the theory and tactics driving the play do not. “In essence, you’re running the same play,” said Perkins. “You’re just giving them some window-dressing to make it look different.”​

The biggest advantage of the concept-based system is that it operates from the perspective of the most critical player on offense: the quarterback. In other systems, even if the underlying principles are the exact same, the play and its name might be very different. Rather than juggling all this information in real time, an Erhardt-Perkins quarterback only has to read a given arrangement of receivers. “You can cut down on the plays and get different looks from your formations and who’s in them. It’s easier for the players to learn. It’s easier for the quarterback to learn,” former Patriots offensive coordinator. “You get different looks without changing his reads. You don’t need an open-ended number of plays.”​

If you can hold your nose and get past the name of the author, below is an excellent article on Bucko Kilroy - from his aggressive, physical playing days, to time building Tom Landry's Cowboys, to all he meant for the New England Patriots.

State Your Case: Bucko Kilroy -- Talk of Fame

Kilroy was instrumental in drafting Roger Staubach, despite his naval commitment, and put together the foundation of Tom Landry’s great Dallas teams of the 1970s. In 1971 he headed off to New England, where he did it again for the Patriots during what would become a 36-year career as scouting director, general manager, vice-president and, in his later years, scouting consultant.​

He drafted Hall-of-Famers John Hannah and Mike Haynes, as well as Russ Francis, despite the fact Francis had not played his senior season at Oregon. Later, he would take Stanley Morgan, Darryl Stingley, Sam Cunningham, Steve Nelson, Steve Grogan, Pete Brock and Raymond Clayborn, thus turning the long somnambulant Patriots into a playoff fixture in the mid-to-late 1970s and again in the mid-1980s, when they reached the Super Bowl for the first time.​

Kilroy would help New England do it again in the late 1990s and into their present Super Bowl run, with the first three of their Super Bowl dynasty teams having been blessed by the Kilroy touch. In fact, then Patriots’ personnel director Scott Pioli, a Bill Belichick disciple, made it a requirement that each of their scouts regularly visit with Kilroy.​

Considering his inability to remember anyone’s name, Kilroy’s decision to turn scouting into a numbers game grading system some 60 years ago was probably all for the best. Once intrigued by Naval Academy running back Napoleon McCallum, he said “I really like that Bonaparte kid at Navy.’’​

He may have butchered the name, but he knew a player when he saw one ... and for 64 years he saw them all. If 64 years’ worth of accomplishment doesn’t make you a Hall-of-Fame contributor, it’s difficult to fathom what would.​

Frank Kilroy (1977) - Hall of Fame - Temple

Temple

owlsports.com

120. Bucko Kilroy

A beast at Temple University, Francis Joseph "Bucko" Kilroy may not have been drafted but his hometown Philadelphia Eagles knew there was something special there and he made the team; albeit in a combined effort as in 1943 the Eagles merged with the Pittsburgh Steelers due to the depletion o...

www.notinhalloffame.com

IN DALLAS, SPYTALK AND A ROUT

In the week before their game with Dallas, the Rams prepared themselves so meticulously that Tex Schramm, the president of the Cowboys (and a former general

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Bucko Kilroy - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

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[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
The Lifesaving Linebacker​

In memory of Frank Robotti, who would have turned 86 today
Born April 6, 1939 in Stamford CT
Died August 14, 1971 at the age of 32
Patriot middle linebacker, 1961; uniform #51
Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent on July 29, 1961
Pats résumé: one season, 12 games (7 starts); two interceptions, one sack


Frank Robotti was a linebacker and fullback from Stamford CT and Fairfield Prep. After a priest told him that if he went to the University of Tennessee he would not be wearing shoes in that part of the country, he chose to attend Boston College instead. Robotti moved northeast to play for Mike Holovak at BC, where he was also a standout baseball player.

As a rookie with the Patriots he played in 12 games with seven starts and two interceptions for the Pats, before chipping a bone in his right ankle on December 5, 1961. The Patriots drafted Nick Buoniconti the following off season and signed him to a no-cut contract - and with a roster limit of 33 players at that time, Robotti's playing days with the Pats were quickly over.


Below is a great article on Frank Robotti's life, well worth taking the time to read in my opinion:

Frank Robotti: The man behind the trophy -- Stamford Advocate

Robotti moved to Florida, got married, did some coaching and worked for Coca-Cola.​

The gang from Stamford stayed in touch until August 14, 1971 when Robotti was age 32.​

"Frank was still close to all of us. But there was a car accident," said Gene Bonina. "Frank died. We were all shocked."​

"There were two little girls in the car with Frank. There were no seat belts then," said Dom Lacerenza. "It was a two lane highway. A young kid, drunk driver swerved across the yellow line. He hit Frank's car head on but walked away without a scratch. Frank threw his body over the two girls and took the entire crash force. He saved their lives."​

Hall of Fame - Fairfield Prep

Hall of Fame - Fairfield Prep

www.fairfieldprep.org

The late Frank Robotti was an All-District and All-State fullback and co-captain of Fairfield Prep’s undefeated team of 1956 (8-0). He and fellow co-captain Joe Sikorski hold the distinction of being the first Prep players to be named all-state. The Stamford native attended Boston College after graduation, where he played football and baseball. On the gridiron, he was a two-way player at fullback and linebacker. On offense, he gained 688 yards on 181 career carries and added 151 yards on 15 catches.​

The six-foot, 220-pound Robotti was signed to a professional contract by the AFL’s Boston Patriots in 1961 and started seven of 12 games at linebacker in his only pro season, recording a pair of interceptions. He did go to training camp with the New York Titans (forerunner to the Jets) as a running back and linebacker in 1963, lasting six weeks before being cut.​

Robotti was tragically killed in an auto accident in 1971 at the age of 32. Following his death, a trophy that bears his name was created and awarded to the Most Valuable Player of the annual Thanksgiving Day game between Fairfield Prep and Stamford High until that series ended after the 1977 season.​

The trophy is still awarded today to the MVP of the Turkey Day game between inter-city rivals Stamford and Westhill.​

Pro Football Archives -- Frank Robotti

Frank Robotti Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

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

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[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Charley Long​

In memory of Charles Long, who would have turned 87 today
Born April 6, 1938; from Fyffe, Alabama (population 230)
Died December 16, 1989 at the age of 51 in Framingham
Patriot left guard/left tackle, 1961-1969; uniform #76
Pats 8th round (59th overall) selection of the 1961 draft, from Tennessee-Chattanooga
Pats résumé: nine seasons, 124 games (99 starts); two-time AFL All-Star; Patriots All-Decade Team of the 1960s


Charley Long became a starter at left tackle his rookie season and was an immediate upgrade at the position, replacing George McGee. He was named to the AFL All-Star team at left tackle in '62. The following year the Pats had a hole at left guard, and he moved inside to man that position. The transition went smoothly as the Pats made it to the AFL championship game, and Long was again named to the All-Star team.

Charlie Long was a steady and reliable performer for the Patriots, missing just two games over his nine seasons with the Patriots. Along with his two All-Star selections he was also awarded inclusion to the Patriots All-Decade Team of the 1960s. Long is also a member of the DeKalb (Alabama) County Sports Hall of Fame (1977) as well as the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga All-Century Team and Sports Hall of Fame (1987).




1965 Patriots Media Guide -- page 78
Charlie Long OT 27 6:3 250 Chattanooga
Charlie teams up with Billy Neighbors on the other side of the line to give the Patriots the best one-two guard combination in pro football . . . Choo-Choo as he was nicknamed by Bob Gallagher played 80 straight games in high school, college and pro ranks before an ankle injury forced him to miss an exhibition game in the summer of '63 . . . Charles B., however, was quickly back in the starting lineup and earned all-star status for the second straight year . . . U.P.I Little All-American in his college days, Chas is one of the morale boosters on the Patriots squad . . . He is the major reason why the spirit of the Patriots of 1965 is second only to the spirit of the Patriots of 1776 . . . Tackle in his first two years, Charlie switched to guard in '62 at the request of Pats' Coach, Mike Holovak and continued his All-Star recognition despite the change . . . Charlie was honored by his teammates who elected him offensive captain last season . . . In addition to his significant ability on the gridiron, Charlie has always been one of the most civic spirited members of the ball club . . . He always wants to know what he can do to help the Patriots organization . . . Charlie, his wife Mary, and their two sons, Chucky and John, just moved into a new house in Framingham.




September 12, 1966: Sports Illustrated's season preview:
Their praises for Karl Singer, **** Arlington and Jim Boudreaux did not come close to being true. Despite their doubts the Pats did finish 8-4-2, just missing out on an opportunity to play in the AFL championship due to an upset loss in the final week of the regular season.

BOSTON PATRIOTS

There is a strong suspicion that the most valuable member of the Patriots last season was Bill Bates. Bates does not run, pass, kick, block or tackle. He

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There is a strong suspicion that the most valuable member of the Patriots last season was Bill Bates. Bates does not run, pass, kick, block or tackle. He tapes. As the team trainer, Bates taped the Patriots to a 4-8-2 record, worst in Boston history. But, in retrospect, it is difficult to understand how he and the team did that well.​

Due to injuries, Boston played much of the year without its only experienced running back (Larry Garron), its best pass receiver (Art Graham), an All-League linebacker (Tom Addison), a starting offensive guard (Charlie Long) and a starting corner back (Tom Hennessey). Graham had tendonitis, which is unusual enough. But Addison and Long were affected all year by early-season cases of mumps. Not even Bates had the answer to that.​

In a way this was a fate deserved by the Boston hierarchy, which in all the seasons since the founding of the AFL had been last in money paid to graduating college seniors. It is mortal sin in pro football to take a cheese-paring approach to the signing of talent, and the Pats have been among the sinners.​

Boston finished strong after the injury hex had departed last season, but it has always been a strange team to figure. All of a small nucleus of quality players—Parilli, Cappelletti, Nance, Graham and the defensive standouts—have to have good years for the Patriots to finish respectably in the East. They may make a race of it, but it is a long road back. Probably too long.​

1969 Patriots Media Guide -- page 59-60
Charlie Long T/G 30 6'4" 260 Chattanooga
In line for big comeback attempt this year . . . was replaced as a starter in '68 after seven years as a first string tackle and guard . . . ended up proving his willing attitude and versatility by playing tight end and - on one occasion - running back . . . a senior offensive lineman on the team but only now reaching 30 . . . big and talented, he gives nothing away to giant defensive linemen . . . one of the most underrated and respected blockers in the league . . . Jim Nance says, "Charlie was one of the first Boston players I met I signed but I didn't realize then he'd have so much to do with getting me all my yardage" . . . Choo Choo Charlie is the big train of the AFL . . . set durability record for playing most games without a miss . . . this ironman performance included 4 years of college ball and over 4 years more of pro ball . . . won 1776 Club's Unsung Hero Award in '64 . . . many veteran observers say he could start for any pro team . . . joins select group with Packers' Forrest Gregg, Colts' Jim Parker and Chargers' Ron Mix as rare breed of lineman who made all-league as both guard and tackle . . . was first team Little All-American and MVP at Chattanooga . . . originally from Fyffe, Alaabama . . . now lives in Framingham . . . moving representative for Neptune-Nazarian Worldwide Movers in Watertown.

Charles Long - DeKalb County Sports Hall of Fame

Born in 1939 and passed away in 1989, Long was a four-year starter on the Fyffe football team, never missing a game. Long went on to become a four-year starter at the University of Chattanooga, never missing a game. He earned Little All-American honors at guard in 1960. An eighth-round draft...

dcshof.com

Charles Long (1987) - Hall of Fame - University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Athletics

Charles Long, Class: 1960 Induction: 1987 Sport(s): Football - Charles Long was a two-time All-American for the Mocs from 1956-60. He earned four letters and started

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Fenway Park Diaries -- Charley Long

Pro Football Archives -- Charlie Long

Charley Long Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

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

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Mayoral candidate Kevin White, third from left, meets with, from left, former Boston Red Sox player Walt Dropo, Sam Jones of the Boston Celtics,
state boxing commissioner Tom McNeely, Brandeis basketball coach K.C. Jones and Charlie Long of the New England Patriots in Boston on Nov. 2, 1967.​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Chad Eaton​

Happy 53rd birthday to Chad Eaton
Born April 6, 1972 in Exeter, NH; raised in Puyallup, Washington
Patriot defensive tackle, 1996-2000; uniform #90
Signed to the Practice Squad on August 27, 1996
Pats résumé: 5 seasons, 64 games (44 starts); 13½ sacks, 289 tackles, 5 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries; 6 playoff games


Chad Eaton worked his way up from being a practice squad player cut by three other teams, to a starter on the Patriot defensive line. He was good enough that it paid off with a $10 million free agent contract in 2001 with Seattle - though that also meant that Eaton missed out on the glory of Super Bowl 36.

Eaton is one of the few players to be named both AFC Defensive Player of the Week (12/6/98) and Special Teams Player of the Week (12/17/00). For more on him, I highly recommend this article, when he became defensive line coach for Central State (Ohio) University:

Ex-NFL player Eaton bringing attitude to CSU

WILBERFORCE — Even the wildest imaginations of some folks in Xenia can’t quite match the reality.

www.daytondailynews.com

The following season he was picked up by New England, which is where he teamed with Ben Coates, the Pats’ standout tight end who is now the CSU offensive coordinator.​

He became popular with Patriots fans because of his blue-collar play and colorful ways.​

“I had gotten all the tattoos and did the wild stuff on the field because I thought it made people think I was a tough guy and crazy, so don’t mess with me,” Eaton said. “Then I realized I was tough enough and didn’t need all that.”​

He had some highlight games with the Pats — he sacked Kordell Stewart three times in one game, blocked two Buffalo field goals in another, returned a fumble 23 yards for a score against Baltimore — then became an unrestricted free agent in 2001 and went back home to Seattle, where he signed a four-year deal worth $10.7 million.​

At the time the Eaton article above was published in 2011, it created a buzz and 'tsk tsk Patriots' finger-pointing by Mike Florio at Pro Football Talk for this snippet:

“That first season I was cut by three teams (the Jets and Ravens, too) and finally ended up on Cleveland’s practice squad.”​

His grit and energy caught the interest of head coach Bill Belichick and they forged a pact.​

“If practice was going slow, he’d look at me and just say, ‘It’s time,’ ” Eaton said. “He wanted me to get on somebody’s (case) and start a little fight. I was known for that and it paid off on Fridays. There’d always be some extra money in my locker. Practice players don’t make much, so I really appreciated it.”​

Former NFL Lineman Chad Eaton: Bill Belichick Paid Me to Start Fight in Practice

That Bill Belichick is one bad, bad man. Not only is he known for videotaping opponents signals and being short with the media, he has now been accused

larrybrownsports.com

That Bill Belichick is one bad, bad man. Not only is he known for videotaping opponents signals and being short with the media, he has now been accused of giving illegal benefits to amateur players. Wait, Belichick coaches in the NFL and always has? Sorry, scratch that then.​

One of the big news stories from the NFL that is circulating today comes from a Dayton Daily News report, in which former NFL defensive lineman Chad Eaton claims Belichick used to pay him to start fights during Cleveland Browns practices in the 1990s. Belichick was the coach in Cleveland at the time, and Eaton was then with Bill for one season in New England in 2000 when Belichick was the head coach.​

“If practice was going slow, he’d look at me and just say, ‘It’s time,’” Eaton said. “He wanted me to get on somebody’s [case] and start a little fight. I was known for that and it paid off on Fridays. There’d always be some extra money in my locker. Practice players don’t make much, so I really appreciated it.”​

Let’s hold off on calling Belichick a regular Cecil Newton for now, shall we? Yes, that would be against the rules if it were true. There are salary cap implications that prevent coaches from being able to just hand extra cash to players. But these are the types of things that happen with every team, in every training camp. Belichick asked a guy — a professional athlete mind you — to stir the pot a little to get his team motivated. In reality, that’s the job of a practice player anyway.​

Chad Eaton Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

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

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[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Jalen Mills​

Happy 31st birthday to Jalen Mills
Born April 6, 1994 in DeSoto, Texas
Patriot cornerback/safety, 2021-2023; uniform #2
Acquired as a veteran free agent on March 19, 2021
Pats résumé: 3 seasons, 43 games (34 starts); 2 picks, 13 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery;


The 'Green Goblin' was a 7th round draft pick out of LSU in 2016 by Philadelphia. He played in 63 games over five seasons for the Eagles, registering 283 tackles and five interceptions. In his second season he was on the Eagle team that defeated the Patriots in super bowl 52. In 2020 Mills showcased the versatility Bill Belichick covets while on the field for 92% of Philly's defensive snaps, lining up as a strong safety, free safety, perimeter corner and slot corner; he was also on the field for 82 special team snaps. The Pats signed him two days after the start of free agency.

Mills started 16 games in his first season in New England, on the field for 90% of the team's defensive snaps. He missed seven games in 2022, with the number of snaps falling from 913 to 469. Mills played in all 17 games in 2023, but started only eight games as he was on the field for only 40% of the defensive snaps. Mills just wasn't good enough at corner, and Jabrill Peppers emerged ahead of him at safety. On the first day of free agency he signed with the Giants, and played in nine games for them last year.



March 15, 2021:

Patriots Agree to Terms with DB Jalen Mills | PatsFans.com

New England added another player to their defense on Monday, agreeing to terms with Eagles free-agent defensive back Jalen Mills.

www.patsfans.com

March 22, 2023:

Patriots Bring Back Defensive Back Jalen Mills | PatsFans.com

After recently parting ways with defensive back Jalen Mills, the New England Patriots brought the veteran back on Wednesday.

www.patsfans.com

January 28, 2024:

Patriots News 1-28, Which Free Agents Should Return? | PatsFans.com

"We can talk about scheme... but if you don't have players that have a shared vision that are on the same page, then it's going to be hard"

www.patsfans.com

Jalen Mills - Highlights - New England Patriots - NFL 2023 Season
4:55 Highlight Video
​

Jalen Mills Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Checkout the latest stats for Jalen Mills. 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
Cyhl Quarles​

Happy 36th birthday to Cyhl Quarles
Born April 6, 1989; from Norcross, Georgia
Patriot safety, 2012 practice squad; uniform #49
Signed to the practice squad Sept 12, 2012
Pats résumé: one season on and off the practice squad


The former Raven was released two weeks after being signed by the Pats to make room for DL Marcus Forston. The Pats re-signed Cyhl (pronounced 'Kyle') Quarles to their practice squad in December. After the 2012 season ended and practice squad players become free agents, and he signed with Chicago. Quarles was cut before the end of the 2013 training camp, ending his NFL career. According to his LinkedIn profile he worked as an account executive for Ricoh in Baltimore, and is now employed at Proofpoint, an enterprise cybersecurity company in Odenton, Maryland.

Cyhl Quarles - Football - Wake Forest University Athletics

Cyhl Quarles (5) SS - 2011 (Senior): Defensive leader finished the season first on the team in tackles (101)... led the Deacs and tied a career-high with 10 ...

godeacs.com

My Football Journey: Cyhl Quarles - Wake Forest University Athletics

Nov. 25, 2011 This article was originally published in the Nov. 19 edition of Kickoff, the official gameday magazine of Wake Forest football. Q: When did you...

godeacs.com

September 12, 2012:

Patriots sign safety Cyhl Quarles to practice squad; release Alex Silvestro

The Patriots have signed 23-year old safety Cyhl Quarles to the team's eight-man practice squad, releasing converted tight end Alex Silvestro in the process.

www.boston.com

The Patriots have signed 23-year old safety Cyhl Quarles to the team’s eight-man practice squad, releasing converted tight end Alex Silvestro in the process.​

Quarles is a rookie free agent out of Wake Forest. He originally signed with the Baltimore Ravens but was released Aug. 31. At 6-3, 212 pounds, he appeared in 50 games for the Demon Deacons and totaled 239 tackles.​

September 28, 2012:

Patriots sign Forston to P-squad; release Quarles

FOXBORO — What could be gleaned from Patriots practice attendance was confirmed by the team: Rookie defensive tackle Marcus Forston was signed to, and safety Cyhl Quarles was released from, the practice squad Friday. Forston was released just Wednesday. The 22-year old originally came in as a...

www.nbcsportsboston.com

What could be gleaned from Patriots practice attendance was confirmed by the team: Rookie defensive tackle Marcus Forston was signed to, and safety Cyhl Quarles was released from, the practice squad Friday.​

Forston was released just Wednesday. The 22-year old originally came in as a rookie free agent in May of 2012. He was inactive for the first two games of the regular season and made his debut on defense and special teams Sunday against Baltimore.​

Quarles, released by the Ravens in August, didn't get any game snaps for New England.​

December 26, 2012:
Patriots Sign Three To The Practice Squad -- Patriots.com

The New England Patriots signed WR Kamar Aiken, RB James Develin and DB Cyhl Quarles to the practice squad. Aiken and Develin were released from the 53-man roster on Dec. 24. Quarles spent a few weeks on the New England practice squad earlier in the year.​

Quarles, 23, was signed by New England to the practice squad on Sept. 12 and released on Sept. 28. He was originally signed by the Baltimore Ravens as a rookie free agent out of Wake Forest on May 11, 2012. The 6-foot-3, 212-pounder was released by Baltimore on Aug. 31, 2012. In 50 career games at Wake Forest, he totaled 239 tackles, two interceptions, six passes defensed, two forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.​

 

[p8ryts]

Bucko Kilroy was a good talent evaluator.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Adrian White​

Happy 61st birthday to Adrian White
Born April 6, 1964 in Orange Park, Florida
Patriot safety, 1993; uniform #38
Traded from Green Bay to Pats on April 26, 1993
Pats résumé: one season, five games (four starts)


Adrian White was a career backup and special teams player. He re-joined with Bill Parcells in '93 after five NFL seasons, the first four having been with the Giants. On day two of the 1993 draft the Pats traded a 1994 conditional seventh round pick (conditional on White's playing time) to Green bay for Adrian White.

He played in each of the first five games of the '93 season for the Patriots, with four starts. White was placed on injured reserve on October 27, and released with an injury settlement on November 9. He finished his pro football career the following year with the CFL's Ottawa Roughriders in 1994.


From 1999 to 2000 White coached football at various levels, primarily as a defensive backs position coach. He coached in the WLAF/NFL Europe for 11 years, Southern Illinois University for two seasons and Indiana State for one. White was also on the Buffalo Bills' staff from 2008-2012, and coached for one year in Arena football.

Pro Football Archives -- Adrian White

Adrian White Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

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

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Jeremy Ebert​

Happy 36th birthday to Jeremy Ebert
Born April 6, 1989 in Hilliard, Ohio
Patriot wide receiver, 2012; uniform #80
Pats 7th round (235th overall) selection of the 2012 draft, from Northwestern
Pats résumé: one training camp, one season on and off practice squad


Jeremy Ebert caught 137 passes for 2,013 yards and 19 touchdowns in his final two seasons at Northwestern. The Pats cut him at the end of the 2012 training camp, and the Eagles signed him to their practice squad. He rejoined the Pats in November, signed to the practice squad after James Develin was promoted to the 53-man roster. The Patriots released Ebert following the 2013 draft, after selecting Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce, and then signing undrafted rookie free agents TJ Moe and Kenbrell Thompkins for the wide receiver position.

In 2013 Ebert bounced back and forth between Jacksonville's 53-man roster and their practice squad, Ross Ventrone-like on an almost weekly basis. Ebert finished his NFL career with three receptions in five games for 18 yards.


Fun factoid: Darby High School in Hilliard Ohio has produced two NFL players:
Former Patriot wide receivers Jeremy Ebert and Taylor Price.




Pro Football Archives -- Jeremy Ebert transactions

Jeremy Ebert Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Checkout the latest stats for Jeremy Ebert. 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
Jon Sawyer​

Happy 61st birthday to Jon Sawyer
Born April 6, 1964; from Hialeah, Florida
Patriot cornerback, 1987; uniform #31
Signed as a free agent on September 23, 1987
Pats résumé: two games as a replacement player


Jonathan LaJuan Sawyer was undrafted after playing his college football at the University of Cincinnati. He was added to the roster as a replacement player during the 1987 strike season, appearing in two games. The Patriots re-signed Sawyer the following offseason, but he did not survive roster cuts in 1988.


October 28, 2017 - by Christopher Price:
BSJ Oral History: 30 years ago this month, replacement football came to Foxborough

BSJ Oral History: 30 years ago this month, replacement football came to Foxborough

FOXBOROUGH — Thirty years ago this month, the NFL was in chaos.In the fall of 1987, the players, seeking unqualified free agency, had decided to go on strike after the second week of games, thinking

www.bostonsportsjournal.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Other April 6 Trivia​

April 6, 2006:
Pats sign free agents Martin Gramática and Tebucky Jones

Gramática was a very successful kicker for the Bucs, most known for his over the top celebrations after every successful field goal. The Patriots signed him as insurance, in case then-rookie Stephen Gostkowski struggled; Grámatica was released well before the end of training camp when it was obvious that was not going to be the case.

2006 was Tebucky Jones' second stint with the Patriots, after two seasons with the Saints and one in Miami. He was placed on season ending injured reserve with a pulled hamstring just prior to week one, and released at the end of the season.




April 6, 2018:
Patriots sign veteran unrestricted free agent WR Jordan Mathews

Jordan Matthews was a second round draft pick in 2014 by the Eagles, out of Vanderbilt. As a rookie he had 67 receptions for 872 yards and 8 TD, followed up by 85-997-8 in 2015 and 73-804-3 in 2016. He was traded to Buffalo during the 2017 preseason, and a fractured thumb and a knee injury limited him to 25 catches for 282 yards in ten games.


Matthews was penciled in to be the starting wideoutin 2018, opposite Chris Hogan, with Malcolm Mitchell, Philip Dorsett and Cordarelle Patterson adding depth. Hamstring injuries placed him on the shelf in training camp, and rather than wait for that to heal the Pats released him on August 7th. That decision would be second guessed as Mitchell and Kenny Britt were also released, Dorsett failed to progress, Patterson was limited to return duties and jet sweeps, and the Pats eventually had to trade for Josh Gordon.

Patriots release Jordan Matthews

Veteran wide receiver Jordan Matthews was placed on IR by the New England Patriots and then released with an injury settlement Wednesday.

www.espn.com