Today In Patriots History April 8, 1976: Pats draft Mike Haynes, Pete Brock and Tim Fox

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
The 1976 Draft​

April 8, 1976:
Day One, Rounds 1-7 of the 1976 NFL Draft
Best Overall Draft in Franchise History?


Originally scheduled to be held in February, the '76 draft was postponed for two months. The two expansion teams (Seattle, Tampa Bay) were concerned that the NFLPA would attempt to prevent the NFL expansion draft. The two new clubs filed a lawsuit, which delayed both the expansion draft and the college draft.


Chuck Fairbanks and his scouting team (led by former Pats QB Tom Yewcic) absolutely nailed this draft. This was largely due to a trade made three days earlier. The Pats sent QB Jim Plunkett, the number one overall pick of the 1971 draft, to the 49ers, just up the road from where he had played his college football. In return the Pats received two 1976 first round selections (#12 and #21), backup QB Tom Owen, a 1977 first round pick (used on Pats HoF CB Raymond Clayborn) and a 1977 second round pick (RB Horace Ivory).


Using draft picks to land Tony McGee, Steve Zabel and Bob Howard was a tremendous use of draft capital as well.

Below are the trades and tremendous net result. Ike Forte was the sole player who did not produce relative to his draft status.

✪ 1st round, 5th overall: Hall of Fame CB Mike Haynes
★ 1.12: C Pete Brock (via Plunkett trade); played 12 seasons with Pats
★ 1.21: S Tim Fox (via Plunkett trade); Pro Bowler played six seasons with Pats
✩ 2.35: RB Ike Forte; 6-year NFL career, 4 TD w/Pats
✯ 3.66: traded to Bears for DE Tony McGee; 8 seasons with Pats
✯ 4.97: traded to Eagles for OLB Steve Zabel; 4-year starter with Pats
✯ 5.131: traded to Chargers for CB Bob Howard; 3-year starter with Pats
✩ 6.162: traded to Giants for RB Leon McQuay; also handled kickoff returns
✩ 6.170: DE Greg Boyd (pick received in trade with Lions); 7-year NFL career
✩ 7.187: traded to Bengals for FB Doug Dressler; backup depth

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
April 8 Trivia​

April 8, 1980
Billy Sullivan, President of the New England Patriots, is re-elected as Chairman of the Board of NFL Properties. No word on whether this experience influenced the Sullivan family to branch out into other business ventures, such as bankrolling concert tours.



April 8, 1976
On draft day the Pats traded Ron Bolton to Cleveland in exchange for OL Bob McKay. Bolton had been the starting RCB in New England for the previous three seasons, but was expendable after the Pats drafted Mike Haynes earlier in the day. McKay would start all 14 games at RT for the Pats in '76, then transition to a backup role the following two years; meanwhile Bolton proceeded to play 90 games at corner for the Browns from '76-'82.



April 8, 2003
New England signs Tom Ashworth, a second year free agent from Colorado. The right tackle played in 37 games for the Patriots, earning two super bowl rings. On the same day the Pats released backup OL Grey Ruegamer, who had appeared in 33 games over three seasons.



April 8, 2005
The Patriots sign unrestricted free agent ILB Monty Beisel to a two year contract. Beisel had spent four nondescript seasons with the Chiefs, and was pushed into a starting role after the retirement of Ted Johnson and Tedy Bruschi's stroke. Not surprisingly the performance at linebacker dropped. Beisel is most well known as being a free agent bust, and to a lesser extent for a confrontation with a local reporter.



April 8, 2013
After nine seasons with the Raiders, New England signs free agent DT Tommy Kelly. Kelly was viewed as an upgrade at DT over Kyle Love, Brandon Deaderick, and Ron Brace to play alongside Vince Wilfork. Kelly played in just five games before landing on IR, and was cut during training camp the following year.



April 8, 2021
Philip Adams kills five people and then himself in South Carolina. The reserve defensive back appeared mostly on special teams in six games for the Patriots in 2011, with one interception and one pass deflection. He played with six teams from 2010-2015, with five picks and 128 tackles.

 

[signbabybrady]

Let's replicate this in a few weeks please

 

[scott99]

Truly a franchise changing draft. Add in the draft from the year prior in 1975 when they got Russ Francis & Steve Grogan and the year after in 1977 when they got Stanley Morgan and Raymond Clayborn. Those 3 drafts were huge for this franchise. 3 straight home run drafts.

 

[Pape]

Today in Patriots History
The 1976 Draft​

Best Overall Draft in Franchise History?

the only one that really rivals it (omitting 2000, for reasons) was 94 (? might be off a year or two) when the Pats took Law, Johnson & Martin 1, 2, 3

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Fred Smerlas​

Happy 68th birthday to Fred Smerlas
Born April 8, 1957 in Waltham
Patriot nose tackle, 1991-1992; uniform #76
Signed as a veteran free agent on July 17, 1991
Pats résumé: two season, 32 games (one start)

Long before he became a fixture on Boston sports talk radio, Frederic Charles Smerlas was an excellent local gridiron and wrestling talent at Waltham High School and Boston College. He was the 32nd overall draft pick by the Bills in '79, and was named to five Pro Bowls. The Pats picked him up when he was past his prime at the age of 34, but he did not miss a single game while with the Patriots.

Smerlas played in 200 regular season and six postseason NFL games. He is a member of the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame, Boston College Varsity Club Hall of Fame, and holds the NFL record for most consecutive starts at nose tackle/nose guard with 129 (155 if you exclude the strike/replacement player games in1987)

November 14, 1988
Fun article about Smerlas by Sports Illustrated's noted writer, Paul Zimmerman:

A WILD and CRAZY GUY

In the hills of Greece at the turn of the century there lived a giant. The giant's name was George Smerlas, but everyone called him the Tree. The Tree was

vault.si.com

Fred Smerlas (1994) - Varsity Club Hall of Fame - Boston College Athletics

Boston College Athletics

bceagles.com

Fred Smerlas Cozies Up To Roger Goodell….Odd Move From A Guy Who Sells Tailgating Packages To Pats Fans

I have no idea if Fred Smerlas is still on WEEI or still does Comcast or NESN anymore. I know he is a huge Pats guy as well as a Bills guy. I also know he makes a **** ton of money selling All Pro ...

www.barstoolsports.com

Fred Smerlas Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

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

www.pro-football-reference.com

Here are a few threads that include discussion about Fred Smerlas:

Dec 19, 2005:

J

Thread 'A gem from Fred Smerlas'

Dec 19, 2005

As an ex-nose tackle, Fred commented on Vince's recent improvement today on WEEI. He's playing furhter back off the ball, 1 1/2 yds, which allows him to see the double team coming and either block or beat it, also, get his hands into position before contact. BB commented, "yea, he's playing a lot better, but we got to get him moved up a little bit."

• jczxohn1
• Replies: 5
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Sept 3, 2007:

C

Thread 'Smerlas comments on Sports Final'

Sep 3, 2007

Did anybody see his comments on Meriweather last night? To paraphrase some of them:

1. Meriweather is not the answer at safety.
2. He is not particularly fast and does not get to the ball quickly.
3. He will probably stick around for a couple of years, then fade away.
4. If he weren't a 1st round pick, he would have been cut this week.

What does Smerlas have against this guy? He was constantly attacking him during the few short minutes of the segment.

• cloud34
• Replies: 106
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Jan 26, 2008:

T

Thread 'And I thought the guy with the Pats tatoo on his head was nuts'

Jan 26, 2008

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/nf...ue-by-insane-Giants-fan-grants-?urn=nfl,63601

• TheGodInAGreyHoodie
• Replies: 28
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

April 29, 2008:

Thread 'Why is Fred Smerlas off WEEI?'

Apr 29, 2008

Anyone know why Fred Smerlas has been replaced by Scott Zolak on WEEI? Apparently it's permanent, but I haven't heard why. I'll miss Fred, he always made me laugh and offered good insights on the Patriots.

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

July 27, 2011:

D

Thread 'All Pro Productions - Tailgate Party'

Jul 27, 2011

Hello fellow Pat's fans... I am wondering if someone out there can offer an opinion on All Pro Productions who run a Tailgate party for Pat's home games. I travel down once a year from NS for a game... it is hard to properly tailgate when you are traveling from home given lack of supplies and resources. Can anyone tell me if this company is legit? and if so a decent option? Thanks!

• dartmouth pats fan
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Patriot Nation

Feb 12, 2012:

Thread 'What should be the new name of Fred Smerlas' steakhouse?'

Feb 12, 2012

Poor Fred Smerlas. He had a great gig going until Steve DeOssie chose to belittle New England Patriots fans and media at the Super Bowl. (If he had just stuck with rooting for the Giants because his kid plays there, all would be fine.)

Now Fred Smerlas is stuck with a big decision. Sadly, the Steve's in Fred and Steve's has to go. It's time for a clean break and a new business partner.

What would you like Fred Smerlas to do?

• goheels22002
• Replies: 85
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Nov 22, 2012:

Thread 'Fred Smerlas walks off of New England Tailgate'

Nov 22, 2012

Did anyone else see that? It was weird. At the end of the show they were talking about what they were thankful for and Fred said his family and then something to the effect that he wouldn’t have to put up with Ordway and DeOssie or something, got up and stormed off. It looked real. Ordway then said something about next week there would be a change in format. It was weird. It was the only part of the show I saw since I was just tuning in for Quick Slants which was next.

• Dr Pain
• Replies: 13
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Aug 21, 2024:

Thread 'OT: WEEI is rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic again'

Aug 21, 2024

Looks like it is that time of the year that WEEI reshuffles their on air roster to get crushed by 98.5. Adam Jones and Rich Keefe will be doing the midday show. Andy Hart gets a fulltime spot and Christian Arcand is promoted to head the afternoon show. Meggo is demoted to fill in host. Gresh and Fauria look to be out.

Funny, I think Meggo is better than Jones or Arcand who are unlistenable. Either way, it is just moving around crap to make different crap. I will never get why they continue to counter program Felger and Mazz with watered down versions of Felger and Mazz.

I guess the...

• Rob0729
• Replies: 92
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

 

[Steve102]

the only one that really rivals it (omitting 2000, for reasons) was 94 (? might be off a year or two) when the Pats took Law, Johnson & Martin 1, 2, 3

From 1993 thru 1996 they really drafted well. In addition to the guys you mentioned, Wohlabaugh and Hitchcock played over 100 games each. The year after was the grocery year, Glenn, Milloy and Bruschi.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Obscure April 8 Birthdays​

Happy 61st birthday to Frank Sacco
Born April 8, 1964 in Yonkers, New York
Patriot linebacker, 1987; uniform #95
Signed as a free agent, early October, 1987
Pats résumé: two games as a replacement player

The Pats went undefeated when Sacco played; the Fordham Flash appeared in two games as replacement player during the '87 strike. The Patriots sacked Sacco on Wednesday, October 21, 1987 after the players returned.




Happy 58th birthday to Pat Coleman
Born April 8, 1967 in Cleveland, Mississippi
Patriot wide receiver/kick returner, 1990; uniform #47
Signed as a free agent on November 21, 1990
Pats résumé: one game; two kickoff returns: 12 yards and six yards

Patrick Darryl Coleman appeared in only one game for the Pats, with two kickoff returns on the stat sheet. He was originally drafted in the ninth round by the Oilers in 1990 out of Ole Miss, and returned to Houston for the next four seasons. Coleman appeared in 52 NFL games over five seasons, with two touchdowns and 575 yards receiving. He finished his pro football career in 1995, with the Toronoto Argonauts of the CFL.

The Patriots released Coleman six days after signing him.


Pro Football Archives -- Pat Coleman Transactions

FRIDAY FLASHBACK: Ole Miss - Tulane 1989 - Ole Miss Athletics - Hotty Toddy

Sept. 21, 2012 FRIDAY FLASHBACK rewinds to some of the memorable Ole Miss games from this week's all-time series. This week features the Rebels' 32-28 comeba...

olemisssports.com

October 22, 1989​

NEW ORLEANS - Call it The Incredible Escape.​

The Ole Miss Rebels stole out of Louisiana Superdome late Saturday night with a 32-28 victory, leaving disbelieving Tulane players and fans to wonder: Whodunit? And, how'd it happen so fast?​

As for whodunit, credit little Pat Coleman for the fourth-quarter wake-up call that snapped the Rebels out of what had seemed a game-long funk. Coleman's late-game heroics included a 38-yard kickoff return, a 43-yard touchdown reception, a 47-yard punt return and two huge catches on the Rebels' magnificent winning TD drive.​

Not bad for a guy who looks most sports writers squarely in the chest.​

 

[NormZauchin]

Truly a franchise changing draft. Add in the draft from the year prior in 1975 when they got Russ Francis & Steve Grogan and the year after in 1977 when they got Stanley Morgan and Raymond Clayborn. Those 3 drafts were huge for this franchise. 3 straight home run drafts.

The 1973 and 1974 drafts weren't too bad, either. Hannah, Cunningham, and Stingley in 1973. Steve Nelson, Andy Johnson, and Sam Hunt in 1974. Chuck Fairbanks really knew how to pick talent. And no problem drafting a great wide receiver.

 

[p8ryts]

Today in Patriots History
The 1976 Draft​

April 8, 1976:
Day One, Rounds 1-7 of the 1976 NFL Draft
Best Overall Draft in Franchise History?


Originally scheduled to be held in February, the '76 draft was postponed for two months. The two expansion teams (Seattle, Tampa Bay) were concerned that the NFLPA would attempt to prevent the NFL expansion draft. The two new clubs filed a lawsuit, which delayed both the expansion draft and the college draft.


Chuck Fairbanks and his scouting team (led by former Pats QB Tom Yewcic) absolutely nailed this draft. This was largely due to a trade made three days earlier. The Pats sent QB Jim Plunkett, the number one overall pick of the 1971 draft, to the 49ers, just up the road from where he had played his college football. In return the Pats received two 1976 first round selections (#12 and #21), backup QB Tom Owen, a 1977 first round pick (used on Pats HoF CB Raymond Clayborn) and a 1977 second round pick (RB Horace Ivory).


Using draft picks to land Tony McGee, Steve Zabel and Bob Howard was a tremendous use of draft capital as well.

Below are the trades and tremendous net result. Ike Forte was the sole player who did not produce relative to his draft status.

✪ 1st round, 5th overall: Hall of Fame CB Mike Haynes
★ 1.12: C Pete Brock (via Plunkett trade); played 12 seasons with Pats
★ 1.21: S Tim Fox (via Plunkett trade); Pro Bowler played six seasons with Pats
✩ 2.35: RB Ike Forte; 6-year NFL career, 4 TD w/Pats
✯ 3.66: traded to Bears for DE Tony McGee; 8 seasons with Pats
✯ 4.97: traded to Eagles for OLB Steve Zabel; 4-year starter with Pats
✯ 5.131: traded to Chargers for CB Bob Howard; 3-year starter with Pats
✩ 6.162: traded to Giants for RB Leon McQuay; also handled kickoff returns
✩ 6.170: DE Greg Boyd (pick received in trade with Lions); 7-year NFL career
✩ 7.187: traded to Bengals for FB Doug Dressler; backup depth

Best Pats draft all time.

 

[scott99]

the only one that really rivals it (omitting 2000, for reasons) was 94 (? might be off a year or two) when the Pats took Law, Johnson & Martin 1, 2, 3

Yeah that’s good stuff. Law, Johnson & Martin, 2 of them in the Hall of Fame.

 

[tuckeverlasting]

prob my favorite pats draft til brady. i wanted brady because i thought he was underrated at mi. and got hosed by lloyd carr. of course i never thought brady would be that good. just off the top of my head i say brock was colorado fox was ohio st and haynes was az state. now going back to check myself.

 

[Pape]

Today in Patriots History
The 1976 Draft​

April 8, 1976:
Day One, Rounds 1-7 of the 1976 NFL Draft
Best Overall Draft in Franchise History?


Originally scheduled to be held in February, the '76 draft was postponed for two months. The two expansion teams (Seattle, Tampa Bay) were concerned that the NFLPA would attempt to prevent the NFL expansion draft. The two new clubs filed a lawsuit, which delayed both the expansion draft and the college draft.


Chuck Fairbanks and his scouting team (led by former Pats QB Tom Yewcic) absolutely nailed this draft. This was largely due to a trade made three days earlier. The Pats sent QB Jim Plunkett, the number one overall pick of the 1971 draft, to the 49ers, just up the road from where he had played his college football. In return the Pats received two 1976 first round selections (#12 and #21), backup QB Tom Owen, a 1977 first round pick (used on Pats HoF CB Raymond Clayborn) and a 1977 second round pick (RB Horace Ivory).


Using draft picks to land Tony McGee, Steve Zabel and Bob Howard was a tremendous use of draft capital as well.

Below are the trades and tremendous net result. Ike Forte was the sole player who did not produce relative to his draft status.

✪ 1st round, 5th overall: Hall of Fame CB Mike Haynes
★ 1.12: C Pete Brock (via Plunkett trade); played 12 seasons with Pats
★ 1.21: S Tim Fox (via Plunkett trade); Pro Bowler played six seasons with Pats
✩ 2.35: RB Ike Forte; 6-year NFL career, 4 TD w/Pats
✯ 3.66: traded to Bears for DE Tony McGee; 8 seasons with Pats
✯ 4.97: traded to Eagles for OLB Steve Zabel; 4-year starter with Pats
✯ 5.131: traded to Chargers for CB Bob Howard; 3-year starter with Pats
✩ 6.162: traded to Giants for RB Leon McQuay; also handled kickoff returns
✩ 6.170: DE Greg Boyd (pick received in trade with Lions); 7-year NFL career
✩ 7.187: traded to Bengals for FB Doug Dressler; backup depth

came across this on the Pats HoF inst page... thought I had a larger version but I cant track it down... thought it was a great pic

 

[p8ryts]

came across this on the Pats HoF inst page... thought I had a larger version but I cant track it down... thought it was a great pic

We need a Tim Fox type safety

 

[scott99]

came across this on the Pats HoF inst page... thought I had a larger version but I cant track it down... thought it was a great pic

Love those jersey’s !

I was a big Tim Fox fan, in Pop Warner ball, I used to wear #18 (didn’t chose it, was just the number I was given). Well used that helmet for many years, and used tape to turn 18 to 48.

Also was a huge Mike Haynes fan, I live in NY, and got to see the Pats play the Jets in 1977 (I think), and Mike Haynes returned a long punt return right in front of me, what a thrill.