Today In Patriots History April 6, 1979: Pats name Bucko Kilroy GM, Ron Erhardt HC

[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

vault.si.com

Bucko Kilroy - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Pape]

If Bucko Kilroy were involved with the NFL now, he would be a rockstar among GM's...

and its hard to believe we are still running the Erhardt offense some 50 years later... damn, that's impressive... and really, the E/P gets overshadowed by offenses like the spread, wco & air coryell ...

Erhardts name should be on par with the Coryell, Walsh, etc when it comes to credit deserved for working up such a solid offensive scheme...

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
The 1960s​

April 6, 1961:
Guard Jack Davis is traded to the Houston Oilers for OT John Simerson

Lou Saban was needing an upgrade at tackle, and he found one - but as it turned out it was not Simerson, but rookie Charley Long (more on him later) instead. Simerson had played center for the Eagles and Steelerss in the late fifties, and started four games for the Oilers the previous year. He played in ten games with one start for Boston in 1961, as a backup to Long and Jerry DeLucca. He was released at the end of training camp in 1962, marking an end to his pro football career.


I first met Jack Davis about two years before he passed away in January of 2013, and even though his health was failing, he was bright, alert, and full of energy - the kind of fun-loving guy you wanted to be around.

When he first played at The University of Maryland he wore a helmet with one of those single face guards (think of the helmet Joe Theisman used to wear). He lined up opposite a defensive lineman on his team for a drill, and the guy asked him why he was wearing that style of face guard. Jack had barely responded 'that's the kind that I like' when the whistle blew; a millisecond later he was on the receiving end of a forearm shiver to his face. He told me that from that day on he wore a helmet with the full face guard, with a wry smile on his face.

Jack Davis was drafted by Washington in 1958, out of the University of Maryland. In that training camp he met Bob Dee, and they became lifelong friends; in fact Jack was a keynote speaker at Dee's funeral service. Dee was the first person Jack mentioned when we spoke and he obviously had a lot of respect for him and felt very highly about by former neighbor. Jack also apparently sang at Dee's ceremony as well. I have been told by some of his friends that he had a very good voice, and on at least one occasion sang the national anthem before taking the field for a Patriots game.

Jack didn't think much of Lou Saban, the Pats first coach at the time; that was very clear. Let's just say that the way he described Saban was very colorful, and if it was a conversation that was being replayed on television or radio there would have been lengthy bleeps editing out his choice of words.

On the other hand he thought very highly of Mike Holovak, and had great praise for the coach. He said Holovak was a very intelligent guy who really understood the game of football, and did a very good job coaching and teaching the players. It's probably no coincidence that the Pats were 5-9 and then 2-3 under Saban, and then suddenly turned it around with a 7-1-1 record for the remainder of the '61 season under Holovak.

Jack brought up Gino Cappelletti and I said that I felt it was a huge oversight that he was not in the NFL Hall of Fame. That comment got Jack really fired up. With a fierce look in his eyes he responded that 'once they had the merger all the old AFL players were forgotten, as if they never existed', angrily shaking his head. He said that he and Gino also remained lifelong friends; they spoke with one another about at least once a month.

He also talked about the games in his playing days; I could sense that he was proud to have played in the very first game in AFL history.

Jack also told me that he met and talked quite a bit with Robert Kraft. He said Kraft brought him up for the big 50th team anniversary event and everything was first class. He said not only did Kraft pay for everything - he said he didn't have to spend a penny of his own money at all the entire time he was there - but Bob also took a lot of time to talk to him (and everyone else) individually and really get to know him. He said he thought Kraft seemed to be genuinely interested in the old players as individuals; it wasn't just a disingenuous shake your hand, nice to meet you and quickly move on type of thing.

1960 Boston Patriots Team Photograph
Jack Davis, #65, next to his friend Bob Dee, #89​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
The 1970s​

April 6, 1976:
Patriots sign TE Al Chandler

The former Bengal was brought on as a blocking tight end in the Pats run-oriented offense, as a backup to Russ Francis or if they wanted to run a two-TE set. Chandler played two-plus seasons before being released, and was then re-signed midway through the 1979 season. He had 13 receptions and three touchdowns in 39 games with the Patriots, and overall caught 35 passes with nine touchdowns in the NFL from 1973 to 1979.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
The 1980s​

April 6, 1986:
Philadelphia businessman Francis "Fran" Murray (along with partner John Charlton) acquired an option to purchase 49 percent of the New England Patriots from the financially troubled Billy Sullivan and his family.


Murray provided significant loans to the Sullivan family, totaling over $20 million for operating expenses in exchange for an exclusive option to buy the team for $63 million. But when the Patriots saw improved performance and financial, potential in 1986 - this was the season after the team had improbably Squished the Fish, creating unprecedented (at that point) fan interest - the Sullivans tried to back out, leading to legal battles.

Murray did not end up taking control alone. Instead, he worked with Paul Fireman (CEO of Reebok) in May 1988 to try and purchase the team. Ultimately, the Patriots were sold to Victor Kiam in July 1988 for roughly $83.7 million, with Murray becoming a 49% minority partner and vice-chairman, rather than the majority owner. Murray later sought to leave the Patriots partnership in 1991 to pursue an expansion team in St. Louis.



May 2, 1986:

A three-year option to purchase the debt-plagued New England... - UPI Archives

A three-year option to purchase the debt-plagued New England Patriots has been signed by an investment group including former Secretary of Transportation...

www.upi.com

A three-year option to purchase the debt-plagued New England Patriots has been signed by an investment group including former Secretary of Transportation Drew Lewis, he confirmed Friday.​

Francis Murray, one of the six investors, said the group's assumption of 'a preferred position on the club will help relieve it of its debt burden.' The sale of an immediate minority interest to the group is expected.​

The investors are also purchasing from the beleaguered Sullivan family the football stadium and the long-term lease for the adjacent raceway. Murray said the two purchase agreements and the option-to-buy have been signed by both parties, he expects both deals to be completed by the end of June.​

Lewis, the chief executive of Union Pacific Railroad, who had been denying through spokesmen that he was a partner, said at a brief news conference: 'I am a financial participant and would be a participant if we exercised our option to buy the Patriots'. 'But I have a full-time job at Union Pacific. I won't be running a football team,' he said. Lewis emphasized the real-estate value of the deal saying, 'You can just see the development in the (Route One) area.'​

The Sullivans' financial woes stem partly from the losses Chuck Sullivan incurred from his involvement in Michael Jackson's 1984 'Victory' tour. Sullivan is the son of team owner Billy Sullivan and brother of general manager Patrick Sullivan.​

John Charlton, a senior vice president of Warner Cable Communications, is expected to be the top shareholder if the group exercises its option, even if other minority investors become involved.​

'He currently holds controlling interest. He's the guy with the big money,' said Lewis. 'There's one in every group.'​

It is required by the NFL that one individual own at least a 30-percent interest in a franchise.​

Lewis was a member of President Reagan's cabinet in 1981-83. He said he had been part of a group attempting to purchase the Philadelphia Eagles 'two or three times,' but acknowledged no overwhelming desire to be involved in big-league sports.​

'This is a financial decision,' he said. 'I'm in a number of financial deals, there's just more (media) coverage if you buy a football team than an apartment building in Philadelphia.'​

Murray's brother Jim, who was an administrative assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles, is also a member of the investment group. He said it is possible the option-to-buy could be sold to another group or even back to the Sullivans.​

March 12, 1988:

The owners of the New England Patriots have reportedly... - UPI Archives

The owners of the New England Patriots have reportedly negotiated a deal to sell the financially ailing franchise to British millionaire Peter deSavary, the...

www.upi.com

The owners of the New England Patriots have reportedly negotiated a deal to sell the financially ailing franchise to British millionaire Peter deSavary, the Boston Globe reported Saturday.​

However, team general manager Pat Sullivan said the story 'had no basis in fact' and its publication was an attempt by sports writer Will McDonough, the article's author, to ruin the Sullivan family, which owns the Patriots.​

The Sullivan's are fighting a takeover orchestrated by Philadelphia businessman Fran Murray and his partner, John Charlton. Murray received an option in 1986 to purchase the team for $63 million. He also has loaned the Sullivans millions to help run the franchise.​

Murray took the Sullivan's to Norfolk Superior Court in an attempt to exercise his option when the Sullivan family defaulted on a $5.5 million loan payment owed Murray in January.​

The Sullivan's announced last week that they had found a lender to cover the outstanding loan. However, the payment never came through because the Sullivans reportedly offered stock belonging to Murray, which is non transferrable. The Sullivans have refused to identify the lender, saying the deal must be completed first.​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
The 1990s​

April 6, 1994:
New England re-signs restricted free agent offensive tackle Pat Harlow

Harlow was a first round pick in 1991, who started every game in his first four seasons with the Pats. He played in ten more games in 1995 but was then traded to Oakland after finding himself in permanent residence in new head coach Bill Parcells' doghouse that year.

See the March 16 entry for more on Harlow:

Today In Patriots History - March 16, 2001: NE signs Steelers free agent Mike Vrabel

Today in Patriots History Mike Vrabel March 16, 2001: The Patriots sign free agent Mike Vrabel. The deal was reportedly a 5-year, $12.5 million contract, including a $2.5 million signing bonus. Considering that the 2001 salary cap was $67 million, that was quite a commitment by Bill Belichick...

www.patsfans.com

 

[maust]

Bucko Kilroy was the goods. If the Pats had ownership with something in their pockets besides holes Kilroy's Pats would have been our first dynasty. May the Sullivans rot in hell for all eternity next to Ben Dreith

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
The 21st Century​

April 6, 2001:
Pats re-sign two ERFAs, LB Antico Dalton and DE Reggie Grimes

I have no recollection of either of these guys, even though both did play for the Patriots in 2000. Dalton was a 1999 sixth-round pick by Minnesota out of Hampton, who played in five NFL games, including three with the Patriots in 2000. He later played in NFL Europe as well as three seasons with the CFL's Edmonton Eskimos. New England signed Grimes as an undrafted rookie out of Alabama in 2000, and he played in eight games for the Pats that year.

Antico Dalton Pro Football Record

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

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Reggie Grimes Pro Football Record

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

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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 wideout in 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

April 6, 2024:
Rich 'Rody' Rodenberger passes away at the age of 70.
The wide receiver was with the Patriots during the 1979 offseason and training camp.

Richard Rodenberger Obituary April 6, 2024 - Mann-Slonaker Funeral Home

View Richard Rodenberger's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

www.mannslonakerfuneralhome.com

Richard Lee “Rody” Rodenberger, 70, of East Greenville, passed away on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Born in Bucks County, he was the son of the late Richard W. and Nancy (Schantz) Rodenberger.​

Rody was a 1971 graduate of Upper Perkiomen High School and then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from East Stroudsburg University in 1977. He also excelled in football at East Stroudsburg, setting a record for most interceptions from a safety. His athleticism, earned him a short stint with the New England Patriots in the 1970’s.​

He worked construction at many different locations operating an excavator. An avid outdoorsman, he loved to hunt, fish and cut firewood.​

Catching Up With . . . (2021 column from the Town & Country News, Upper Perkiomen Valley (PA)

Rich Rodenberger nearly parlayed an impressive college football career at East Stroudsburg University into a professional football career.​

In 1978, Rodenberger tried out for the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League. He lasted until the final cuts but did not make the team.​

The next year, Rodenberger went to a tryout for the New England Patriots. He earned a two-year contract with an invitation to summer camp at Bryant College, in Smithfield, RI as a wide receiver. "I had a fantastic tryout," Rodenberger said. "I was the first guy in line to do all the drills."​

However, he lasted only a week in camp. According to Rodenberger, a bruised foot slowed him. He also said he wasn't fast enough off the line of scrimmage.​

Rodenberger came home and attempted to get a teaching job. Instead, he took a full-time job in construction, which he did during the summer. The East Greenville native still works in the field, operating heaving equipment. "I like being outdoors," Rodenberger said.​

At Upper Perkiomen, he was a two-way starter on the football field. Rodenberger played flanker and safety. He said he wasn't the fastest guy on the field.​

"I had good hands," said Rodenberger, who claims that basketball coach Steve Ruby told him he had the longest arms in the school. "If I could reach the football, I could catch it."​

On offense, he described his favorite pattern to run as a sideline and up. According to Rodenberger, playing for the Indians under head coach Bill Keeny allowed him to develop the necessary base to compete at the next level. "I discovered that if I could get through his two-a-day summer practices, I could do anything," he said.​

Rodenberger played basketball for multiple seasons for the Tribe. He said he wasn't a good shooter, but loved playing defense.​

In the spring of his senior season, Rodenberger went out for baseball. He played center field and posted a .300 batting average.​

Rodenberger spent his freshman football season in college at Thaddeus Stevens Trade School. With only 27 players on the roster, he was forced to play both ways, lining up at wide receiver and safety.​

After transferring to East Stroudsburg prior to his sophomore year, the 6-foot, 180 pound player focused on defense. Rodenberger earned three letters, finishing his career with 18 interceptions and one touchdown return of a blocked field goal.​

He helped lead the Warriors to consecutive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference titles in 1975 and 1976. They went 19-0-1 during the two-year stretch.​

In his final season, Rodenberger served as one of three captains on the team whose only blemish was a 14-14 tie against Shippensburg. ESU's defense allowed only 8.1 points per game, which was third best in the nation. His senior class was inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame in 2014.​

"We played a lot of three deep zone defense," said Rodenberger, who earned a bachelor's degree in physical education.​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Charley Long​

In memory of Charles Long, who would have turned 88 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


Looking up information on Mr. Long can be a bit laborious; depending on the site one visits he is either Charles Long, Charlie Long, Charley Long or Chuck Long - with most of those sites not recognizing any of the other first names. On top of that there are singers, actors, guitar instructors and more on the web with the same name. Regardless, our 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 becoming reality. Despite SI's 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

vault.si.com

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

gomocs.com

Fenway Park Diaries -- Charley Long

Charlie Long Pro Football Record

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

www.profootballarchives.com

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.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Nov 2, 1967: Boston candidate for mayor Kevin White, third from left, meets with, from left, former Red Sox player Walt Dropo, Sam Jones of the Boston Celtics,
state boxing commissioner (and short-time Patriot) Tom McNeely, Brandeis basketball coach K.C. Jones and Charlie Long of the New England Patriots in Boston​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
The Lifesaving Linebacker​

In memory of Frank Robotti, who would have turned 87 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 football for Mike Holovak at BC, where Frank 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 offseason 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. He moved to Florida and played minor league football on the side from 1963 to 1966, for the Daytona Beach Thunderbirds and Orlando Thunderbirds in the Southern Football League, the Orlando Panthers of the Continental Football League, and the Lakeland Brahmans in the North American Football League.

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."​

AHOF Post - Fairfield Prep

AHOF Post - 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.​

Frank Robotti Pro Football Record

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

www.profootballarchives.com

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.

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Chad Eaton​

Happy 54th 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 Pro Football Record

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

www.profootballarchives.com

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.

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Jalen Mills
The Green Goblin​

Happy 32nd 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 NFL 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 in 2024. Last year Mills played in seven games for Detroit and Houston; he is currently a free agent.

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 Pro Football Record

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

www.profootballarchives.com

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
Milton Williams​

Happy 27th birthday to Milton Williams
Born April 6, 1999 in Crowley, Texas
Patriots defensive tackle, 2025-present; uniform #97
Signed as an unrestricted veteran free agent on March 10, 2025
Pats résumé: one season, 12 games (12 starts), 428 snaps (60%), plus four postseason games

Vrabel Reveals Why Patriots Trust Milton Williams After Big Contract | PatsFans.com

Patriots DT Milton Williams has thrived after his big contract. Mike Vrabel credits his family & tireless work ethic for keeping him grounded & hungry.

www.patsfans.com

Sometimes, a player who had been a key part of a football team elsewhere might not necessarily see that same success follow him to his new team. Especially when that change comes on the heels of a new lucrative deal, as well as if it’s the first big contract for that player.​

Fortunately for the Patriots, that hasn’t been the case with defensive tackle Milton Williams.​

Williams came to New England earlier this offseason fresh off a Super Bowl victory with the Eagles, and was among the more notable names signed by the team during free agency. The hope was that he could be a force along Christian Barmore, giving the team both a tenacious pass rush while also solidifying their run defense.​

Still, there were some who noted that Williams didn’t see the amount of playing time with the Eagles that he was likely to see here, which led to questions about the signing.​

Instead, Williams has gone on to prove those doubters wrong. He’s been better than expected and has been an impact player on that side of the football, with the team now having a dangerous tandem up front on its defensive line.​

Patriots Rumor Thread 'Pats are big time in on DT Milton Williams'

Mar 4, 2025

• KDPPatsfan85
• Replies: 184
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Patriots Already Off to a Busy Start, Add Multiple Free Agents | PatsFans.com

The Patriots might have gotten off to a slow start last March, but they've already made several additions early on this time around as the legal tampering window opened up around the league.

www.patsfans.com

Patriots Make a Splash, Add Explosive Eagles DT to Vrabel's Defense | PatsFans.com

After Christian Barmore was sidelined with blood clots last season, it was obvious that the Patriots were in dire need of some help inside at the tackle position. On Monday, they solved that problem in a significant way by signing Milton Williams.

www.patsfans.com

After Christian Barmore was sidelined with blood clots last season, it was obvious that the Patriots were in dire need of some help along the defensive line this offseason.​

On Monday, they solved that problem in a significant way.​

According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Patriots have agreed to terms with Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams, with New England adding to a defense that has already seen them make a couple of additions so far after the legal tampering window opened.​

Williams addition is certainly notable, with the Patriots adding a player who was a huge part of Philadelphia’s defense last season. He finished third on the team with sacks with 5 during the regular season in 2024, and also added two more during the postseason, both of which came in their Super Bowl blowout win over the Chiefs.​

He also forced a fumble by Patrick Mahomes in the fourth quarter of that game, which led to a field goal that extended Philadelphia’s lead to 40-6.​

His addition is a terrific one, to say the least. The former 2021 3rd round pick is just 25 years old and becomes a foundational piece alongside Barmore, giving the Patriots an unbelievable young duo up front.​

While Barmore’s health remains a question mark, Williams certainly alleviates any concerns at the defensive tackle spot and adds to a defense that has already made a couple of additional solid signings to start things off to begin free agency.​

Player Signing Thread 'Patriots sign Eagles DT Milton Williams'

Mar 10, 2025

• Rob0729
• Replies: 162
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

MORSE: Pats Strike Gold in 1st Day of Legal Tampering | PatsFans.com

I said in my Free Agency preview, get ready to be disappointed, but despite the cream of the crop being removed before the start, the Patriots did pretty well on Day One.

www.patsfans.com

Thread 'Milton Williams'

Jun 25, 2025

Looks like he’s getting himself into shape…

https://www.reddit.com/r/Patriots/s/7fUwMbHp15

• n1997y
• Replies: 183
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Cool Link Thread 'Milton Williams MIC'D Up'

Oct 30, 2025

Its great hearing the chatter from the field but just watching this shows how much of a problem it is for teams to deal with him and Barmore.

• Patsfan1645
• Replies: 2
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Thread 'Patriots Pursued Higgins, but then Paid Milton Williams'

Nov 25, 2025

• signbabybrady
• Replies: 77
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

​

Milton Williams Pro Football Record

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

www.profootballarchives.com

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillMi08.htm

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Adrian White​

Happy 62nd birthday to Adrian White
Born April 6, 1964 in Orange Park, Florida
Patriot safety, 1993; uniform #38
Traded from Green Bay to New England 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.

White played in each of the first five games of the '93 season for the Patriots, with four starts. He was then placed on injured reserve on October 27, and released with an injury settlement on November 9. White 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 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.

Adrian White Coaching Record and Bio - Pro Football Archives

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for Adrian White pro football coaching record.

profootballarchives.com

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 37th 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 the 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 to compete for roster spots at wide receiver.

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.

Jeremy Ebert Pro Football Record

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

www.profootballarchives.com

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
Cups of Coffee​

Happy 62nd birthday to Jon Sawyer
Born April 6, 1964 in Miami; hometown Hialeah, Florida
Patriots, safety, 1987 uniform #31
Signed as an undrafted rookie 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

Happy 37th birthday to Cyhl Quarles
Born April 6, 1989 in Tucker, Georgia; hometown Norcross GA
Patriots 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, in order to make room for DL Marcus Forston. The Pats then 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.​

Cyhl Quarles - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Happy 81st birthday to John Beasley
Born April 6, 1945 in Pasadena, California; hometown Buena Park CA
Patriots tight end, 1975 offseason
Claimed off waivers from New Orleans on June 3, 1975
Pats résumé: one short offseason

Beasley was a 6'3 228 lb blocking tight end who caught 13 touchdown passes in an NFL career that began in 1967. He does not appear to have played in any of the 1975 preseason games, making me think he was cut early, perhaps due to a failed physical. Anyways, he failed to make the Pats roster, and later became a commentator for college football games. Most notably he was on the microphone as a color commentator for "The Play" in 1982, when Cal lateraled five times and score the game winning touchdown as time expired, weaving through the Stanford band and fans to win the game.

​

Happy 40th birthday to Tyronne Greene
Born April 6, 1986 in Pensacola, Florida
Patriots guard, 2013; uniform #68
Signed as a free agent on May 13, 2013
Pats résumé: one offseason, plus the same season on IR

Tyronne Greene had played in 41 games with 28 starts for the San Diego Chargers from 2009 to 2012. Greene was quickly released 18 days after his initial signing by the Pats, re-signed at the start of camp on July 25, then landed on injured reserve on August 15. The Patriots released Greene with an injury settlement on October 25; he never did play in any preseason or regular season games with the Pats.

Pats cut Deaderick, sign two O-linemen

The Patriots have released defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick, a 2010 seventh-round pick who started five games in 2012. In addition, the team officially signed offensive linemen Tyronne Green and R.

www.espn.com

Thread 'Guard Tyrone Green signs with New England'

May 13, 2013

Don't know much about this guy:

Tyronne Green heading to New England | ProFootballTalk

Here's his BIO from the Chargers website:

BIO
Tyronne Green filled in at both right and left guard, while also playing a role on special teams in 2010, after practicing at center, guard and tackle during offseason workouts and training camp. Green started a total of seven games during which the Chargers went 5-2, and he was in the starting lineup for the team’s two best rushing performances of the year, a 207-yard effort against Kansas City in December and a 180-yard effort against Arizona in...

• Pats0204
• Replies: 25
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Patriots part ways with Tyronne Green, T.J. Moe

The Patriots released offensive lineman Tyronne Green and waived wide receiver T.J.

www.nbcsports.com

Pats re-sign Green, waive Stankiewitch

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Patriots have re-signed veteran offensive lineman Tyronne Green and waived undrafted rookie offensive lineman Matt Stankiewitch, the team announced on Thursday.

www.espn.com

Patriots place OL Tyronne Green on IR; Release OL Kevin Haslam and WR Michael Jenkins

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GreeTy20.htm

Tyronne Green Pro Football Record

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

www.profootballarchives.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Music History
April 6​

1956:
The iconic, 13-story Capitol Records Tower opened in Hollywood at 1750 Vine St. Designed by Louis Naidorf to resemble a stack of records on a turntable, it was the world's first circular office building. The building houses three new recording studios where Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Linda Ronstadt, and many other stars would lay down tracks. It becomes an LA landmark, with the red light at the top flashing "HOLLYWOOD" in Morse Code.

1956:
Paramount Pictures signs Elvis Presley to a three-picture deal just five days after his first screen test in Hollywood. Elvis was to be paid $100,000 for his first movie, $150,000 for the second and $200,000 for the third.



1959:
Columbia Records releases "The Battle Of New Orleans" by Johnny Horton. The song was written in 1936 by Jimmy Driftwood (born James Corbitt Morris), an Arkansas high school principal and history teacher who loved singing and writing tunes to help students learn about historical events like this battle. It was awarded the 1960 Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording and was elected to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001.



1963:
The Kingsmen recorded their version of the song "Louie Louie."

The FBI Laboratory weighs in on the “dirty” lyrics of “Louie Louie” | HISTORY

Based on outcry from parents who bought into what may have started as an idle rumor, the FBI launched a formal invest...

www.history.com

1965:
The Beach Boys went into the United Western Recorders recording studio complex in Hollywood to start work on a new Brian Wilson and Mike Love song 'California Girls', which reached #3 in by August. They recorded 44 takes of the backing track until Brian Wilson was satisfied with the results. In 2004, the song was ranked #71 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

1965:
RCA Victor releases Elvis Presley's version of "Crying In The Chapel", which would climb to #3 the following June. Elvis cut it in about five minutes for his 1960 Gospel album "Your Hand In Mine", along with The Jordanaires and pianist Floyd Cramer. Its release was withheld because greedy Colonel Tom Parker wanted the publishing rights. Presley had gone more than two years since he had a Top 10 hit with "(You're The) Devil In Disguise" before charting with this song. He would go four more years before he had another with "In The Ghetto", which would also reach #3.



1966:
The Beatles began recording the basic tracks for "Tomorrow Never Knows" at Abbey Road studios in London. The song, which also featured producer George Martin on piano, would be included in the band's upcoming album, "Revolver".

​

1967:
The first master tape of The Beatles new album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was made. The song order on side one is different from the final product at this point, the last five songs on that side being initially ordered as follows: ‘Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite’, ‘Fixing a Hole’, ‘Lucy In the Sky with Diamonds’, ‘Getting Better’, and ‘She's Leaving Home’. The Beatles had specified that there were to be no gaps between songs - a unique idea at the time.

1968:
Pink Floyd fires co-founder Syd Barrett, saying that he is suffering from psychiatric disorders compounded by drug use.

Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" about Syd...or not? *

In a recent issue of "New York" magazine, in their "Intelligencer/Party Lines" Column, which shows photos of famous and semi-famous people at social...

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1968:
The soundtrack album to The Graduate by Simon & Garfunkel reached #1 on Billboard's Top LPs & Tape chart. Featuring the songs "Mrs. Robinson", "The Sound of Silence" and "Scarborough Fair", the album would spend nine weeks at the top and became one of the best-selling soundtrack albums of the era.

1971:
Carly Simon plays her first show as a solo artist when she opens for Cat Stevens at the Troubadour nightclub in Los Angeles. Anxiety makes it very hard for her to play live, but she can't resist a chance to play some shows with Stevens, her favorite singer. After her performance the 25-year-old Simon is introduced to 23-year-old James Taylor. The pair would marry the following year, but split in September 1981.

1971:
The Rolling Stones launched their own record label, 'Rolling Stones Records', with Atlantic Records, (after their recording contract with Decca expired). It also features the group's new logo, the infamous tongue-and-lips "pop art" drawing created by London graphic artist John Pasche.



1971:
Russian composer Igor Stravinsky dies of heart failure at age 88 in New York.



1974:
At the California Jam 1 festival, 250,000 music fans packed the Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California for a one-day marathon of music.

Remembering California Jam (1974) - When Rock Bands Were Gods - Nolan Dalla

50 YEARS AGO: REMEMBERING “CALIFORNIA JAM” (1974) I was way too young to remember Woodstock in the year 1969. Fact is, a number of “Woodstockesque” mega-concerts were held that summer of great music scattered throughout the country. But the hastily-planned rock festival in upstate New York stole...

www.nolandalla.com

California Jam: Memories from the huge $10 rock concert 50 years ago

Festivalgoers share memories good, bad and weird about the one-day festival in 1974.

www.mercurynews.com

1974:
"Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones" opened at New York City's Ziegfeld Theatre. It was the first concert film to feature a soundtrack in quadraphonic sound.



1974:
At the Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton, England, ABBA triumphed with their song "Waterloo". The win propelled the Swedish quartet onto the international stage and signaled the start of their worldwide Pop success.

1974:
A seven-piece group called Blue Swede became the first Swedish act to top the US charts when their cover of B.J. Thomas' hit "Hooked On A Feeling" went to number one.



1974:
Al Green performs his hit "Here I Am (Come and Take Me)" on Soul Train. Green, who had broken an arm and is wearing a sling, performs the song live, which is rare on the show because live performances are expensive and complicated to produce.



1974:
Billy Joel's "The Piano Man" cracks the Top 40 for the first time; it peaked at #25, two weeks later, a surprising low considering the song's endurance to this day.



1978:
Peter Frampton guest-stars on NBC-TV's World War II drama, Black Sheep Squadron.



1980:
Andrew Wood forms the group Malfunkshun in Seattle, Washington, marking what some consider the beginning of grunge. The music of Malfunkshun makes an impact on Wood's roommate Chris Cornell, who forms Soundgarden. Wood moves on to Mother Love Bone, and after he dies of a heart attack in 1990, that group adds Eddie Vedder and becomes Pearl Jam.



1983:
Ronald Reagan's secretary of the Interior, James Watt, cancels an appearance by The Beach Boys at Washington DC's Independence Day festivities, infamously stating that the band would attract "an undesirable element."



1984:
Steve "Little Steven" Van Zandt announces he's leaving the E-Street Band, and goes on to helm the Sun City project. Springsteen hired guitarist Nils Lofgren as his replacement.



1985:
Gilbert O'Sullivan won $2 million in a lawsuit against his manager, Gordon Mills, for unpaid royalties. O'Sullivan had hit the US charts in the early 1970s with the Top 10 singles, "Alone Again (Naturally)" (#1), "Get Down" (#7) and "Clair" (#2), which he had written for Mill's daughter.



1987:
Roger Waters' lawyers issued a statement that Roger believed himself to be the creative driving force behind Pink Floyd and therefore he would contest the use of the name by anyone else and any former members of Pink Floyd.

​

1990:
Tommy Lee of Motley Crue suffered a mild concussion in New Haven when he fell after swinging from scaffolding above his elevated drum kit.



1991:
Ringo Starr guests on Fox TV's The Simpsons. The show's creator, Matt Groening would later say, "We were given a list of rules about what we couldn't do to Ringo, such as 'Don't touch him', 'Don't approach him', and 'Don't ask for his autograph'."

1992:
George Harrison appeared in his first British, post-Beatles solo concert, twenty-two years after the break-up of the group. The London show was a benefit for the Natural Law party, a fringe group with several candidates in the British election three days later.

1997:
The Michael Jackson short film/theme ride Captain EO is shown for the last time at Disneyland.

Captain Ego: How a Failed Disney Ride Starring Michael Jackson Became A Cautionary Tale of Art, Money and Hubris - Suspect Press

By Josiah Hesse Despite repeated warnings from Flavor Flav, at some point in our lives we all believe the hype. No art is absorbed in a vacuum, and so the ...

suspectpress.com

1998:
Wendy O. Williams, singer for the punk rock band The Plasmatics, committed suicide at the age of 48 in the woods near her Storrs CT home. Williams was renowned for her shocking onstage antics, which ranged from using explosives to destroy equipment to chainsawing guitars to smashing tv sets, while performing partially nude (but avoiding violations of local ordinances by placing two strips of black electrical tape over her nipples in an x). In 1985 she had been nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal for the album "WOW".

1998:
Country music legend Tammy Wynette died in her sleep at the age of 55. She crossed over to the Pop chart in 1968 with "Stand By Your Man" (#19), a strangely-titled hit for a woman who was married five times.



1998:
On the TV show Murphy Brown, Candice Bergen's lead character turns 50, and her coworkers celebrate by recreating an episode of American Bandstand. **** Clark, Chubby Checker, Fabian and Lesley Gore all make appearances.



1999:
An all-star tribute to singer, songwriter Johnny Cash took place in New York City with Sheryl Crow, Chris Isaak and U2 all performing for the TV special.

​

1999:
Bob Weir and Mickey Hart of Grateful Dead appear at an Al Gore presidential fundraiser, with Gore's wife, notorious anti-rock crusader Tipper, playing congas on Sugar Magnolia.

Tipper Gore Joins The Dead Onstage

The Deads reunion tour continued last night with a performance at Washington, DCs Verizon Center. To the surprise of many, at the end of the groups set

jambands.com

2000:
An all-star tribute to Joni Mitchell was held at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City featuring performances by Elton John, Bryan Adams, Shawn Colvin, James Taylor, Cyndi Lauper, Richard Thompson, k.d. Lang, and Mary Chapin Carpenter.

2016:
Hello Billboard, my old friend. Simon & Garfunkel's 1966 chart-topper "The Sound of Silence" peaks at #6 thanks to its appearance in a meme involving Ben Affleck and his botched blockbuster Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice.



2016:
Singer, songwriter, guitarist, and fiddler Merle Haggard died of complications from pneumonia on his 79th birthday (b 1937). For the first years of his life, he lives in an abandoned boxcar that his father converted into a home. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band the Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the twang of Fender Telecaster and the unique mix with the traditional country steel guitar sound. Haggard scored 10 Country #1 albums and placed 71 songs in the Top 10 of the country charts during his career.

​

2018:
Cardi B released her debut studio album, Invasion of Privacy, which debuted atop the US Billboard 200. The album set multiple streaming records upon release, including the largest female rap album streaming week of all time, with 202.6 million on-demand streams in its first week. She also became the first female artist to chart 13 songs simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100. With over seven million units sold in the US to date, Invasion of Privacy is best-selling female rap album of the 21st century.

2023:
A 60-year-old recording of The Beatles is discovered, said to be the earliest live full taping of the Fab Four. The gig took place on April 4th, 1963 when the band performed at Stowe boarding school in Buckinghamshire. John Bloomfield, a student at the school, was testing out his new reel-to-reel tape recorder at the show, which opened with "I Saw Her Standing There", then segues into Chuck Berry's "Too Much Monkey Business".



2025:
Clem Burke, drummer for Blondie, died of cancer at the age of 70. He was inducted with his bandmates into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.

1941:
American session guitarist and producer Louis Shelton, who was a member of The Wrecking Crew was born. He played on The Monkees "Last Train to Clarksville", The Jackson 5's "I Want You Back", as well as recordings by Marvin Gaye, Simon And Garfunkel, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Neil Diamond, John Lennon, Barbra Streisand, The Carpenters and many others. He played the guitar solo on Lionel Richie's hit "Hello" and Boz Scaggs "Lowdown".

​

1942:
Anita Pallenberg is born in Rome. A model, she has a short relationship with Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones and a long one with Keith Richards, with whom she has three children.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

If Bucko Kilroy were involved with the NFL now, he would be a rockstar among GM's...

No, not if he was still with the Patriots.

(Yet another) Travesty that Bucko's not in the Patriots so-called Hall of Fame.

And he belongs in Canton too.