Today In Patriots History August 10: Tony George and the 1999 Draft

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
The 1999 Draft​

The third and final draft of the Pete Carroll era was a mixed bag. Two first round picks were used on Damien Woody (a center who had to be moved to guard because he was unable to master the shotgun snap) and Andy Katzenmoyer (whose stock had dropped dramatically his senior year, and was constantly sidelined with injuries). The third round pick - Tony George - started one game in two seasons, and four selections in the latter rounds contributed next to nothing for the Patriots. In addition, on September 3rd the Patriots were awarded CB J'Juan Cherry in the Supplemental Draft; he never got on the field for a single snap in the NFL. Exercising that selection cost the Patriots their fourth round pick in the 2000 draft.

Trading up to select Kevin Faulk in the second round is the only decision that kept this draft from being a total disaster.




Happy 49th birthday to Tony George
Born August 10, 1975 in Cincinnati
Patriot FS, 1999-2000; uniform #41
Pats 3rd round (91st overall) selection of the 1999 draft, from Florida

Houston Antonio 'Tony' George Jr. was a Florida Gator for Steve Spurrier's 1996 national championship team, and was First Team All-SEC his senior year. He played in 31 games with one start over two seasons in Foxborough, then in 2001 was allocated to the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe. George was in training camps for the Pats, Panthers and Titans from 2001 to 2003, but he never again played in the NFL. He retired after missing the cut with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL in 2003.


Although he didn't do much as a pro, Tony George will always be revered in Gainesville.

25 Best Moments in The Swamp: No. 14 — Tony George down the sideline - GatorSports.com

The moment was not lost on ESPN.com writer Chris Low, who said, “That’s as loud as I’ve ever heard The Swamp.”

www.gatorsports.com

No. 14 — Sept. 20, 1997​

Tony George down the sideline​

The set-up: It was typical Florida-Tennessee during the time, No. 3 Gators vs. No. 4 Vols, although Florida was ranked No. 1 in the coaches’ poll. It was also going to be Peyton Manning’s last shot at the Gators. It was also supposed to be his Heisman Trophy year with Danny Wuerffel out of the way. Florida led 7-0 but Tennessee was driving and Manning was looking sharp early despite Florida’s pressure.​

The moment: The Vols had the ball at the Florida 24 and Florida defensive coordinator Bobby Stoops called for a corner blitz. Manning dropped back and Eli William, a running back until his senior season, came flying in from the cornerback position. So did defensive tackle Ed Chester, who had beaten his man at the line of scrimmage. They converged on Manning, blasting him just as he let it go, and the quarterback’s floater wobbled over the head of his receiver and into the hands of Florida strong safety Tony George. George headed for the West sideline and eluded a couple of tacklers, then found a lane all the way to the end zone provided by teammates such as Jevon Kearse. The defensive touchdown covered 89 yards and gave Florida a leg up on its efforts to beat Tennessee for a fifth straight time. The moment was not lost on ESPN.com writer Chris Low, who said, “That’s as loud as I’ve ever heard The Swamp.”​

The result: The Gators won the game 33-20, but it was Tennessee who would go on to win the East. Manning fell short in his Heisman bid, perhaps because of that loss to Florida. The Gators finished with a stunning upset of FSU and a bowl game win over Penn State to end up 10-2 with a No. 4 ranking.​

The quote: “We were in cover three, a soft zone, with the blitz coming from Eli. I couldn’t believe Manning threw that ball. I grabbed it and I was just going to run out of bounds. Instead, there it was, just WOW! Thank God, they gave me a perfect path to the end zone. Looking back, it was probably the greatest moment of my life.” — Tony George.​

Peyton Manning could kiss his quest for the Heisman Trophy away after this play.




Oct 31, 1998 in Jacksonville: Tony George with an interception as Florida defeats Georgia 38-7.




Oct 9, 1999 at Arrowhead Stadium: The Chiefs defeated the Patriots 16-14.




Sept 3, 2000 at Foxboro Stadium: The Buccaneers defeated the Patriots 21-16.​

Patriots Alumni - Tony George

- He started his own company, H.E.A.T. Pro Fitness.​

- He is a certified trainer, certified strength and conditioning specialist, and AFAA. George has started his own foundation, Patriotic Mentoring, to assist with mentoring and developing youth and young adults.​

- George lives in Fort Mill, South Carolina. He is the father of three, two daughters and one son.​

TONY GEORGE - A Championship Remembered

Tony George Defensive back Tony George was always fascinated by the process of turning himself into a physical strong safety. And when his playing days were over, he began to train other athletes. But at one point, he had to take care of his mind. Two seasons with the New England Patriots took...

stories.usatodaynetwork.com

Tony George was always fascinated by the process of turning himself into a physical strong safety. And when his playing days were over, he began to train other athletes.​

But at one point, he had to take care of his mind.​

Two seasons with the New England Patriots took more of a toll than he realized. After starting H.E.A.T. Pro Fitness in 2005, he had to step away from his work in 2012 for 18 months.​

“It was catastrophic,” he said. “There were voices in my head and suicidal thoughts. I had to step away so I could see the bright side of things again.”​

He took that time off before returning to work in 2014. H.E.A.T., in Charlotte, N.C., has helped 116 athletes earn college scholarships.​

“I train everyone from everyday people to MMA guys,” George said. “Ray Lewis, Will Smith, guys like that have been through here.​

 

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I want to get back to the 1999 draft, but first there is this late season 1999 game that I stumbled across while searching for news stories on Tony George. The Patriots had won the AFC East just two years earlier under Pete Carroll, and were only three years removed from playing in the Super Bowl against Green Bay. The division was very competitive, producing all three wild card teams (there were still only three divisions per conference then) The Pats had a winning record (9-7), yet only finished fourth in the East. In '99 the division once gain had zero teams with a losing record. New England stood 6-2 at the bye, a half game behind Miami, and things looked promising.

Then the second half of the season happened.

December 19, 1999:

PATRIOTS (7-6)AT EAGLES (3-11)

www.courant.com

* When the Patriots have the ball: The running game will be hampered by Faulk's absence, but the Eagles defense, -- without injured Hugh Douglas, --doesn't present any particular problems. Cornerbacks Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent are good, but there's no reason Drew Bledsoe shouldn't have success with the short passing game, as he did against the Colts. The Patriots continue to be hampered by their failings inside the 20, but if Bledsoe is patient, the Patriots should manage their best output since the bye week.​

* When the Eagles have the ball: Under Andy Reid, a former Mike Holmgren assistant with the Packers, the Eagles run a Green Bay version of the West Coast offense. But they do it with less talent. They can run it with Duce Staley (1,136 yards, 4.1 average). And that's especially impressive because opponents play the run tough, knowing they have little to fear from the passing game, which is ranked last in the NFL. Once their top receiver, Charles Johnson (knee), was lost for the season, they were forced to start journeyman Torrance Small and rookie Nate Brown. Quarterback Koy Detmer hasn't taken a snap this season and is just keeping the seat warm while No. 1 draft choice Donovan McNabb recovers from a knee injury. Jeff Dellenbach, who was a bust as a Patriot when Bill Parcells signed him as a free agent, alternates at right guard, which doesn't say much for the Eagles line. Their quarterbacks have been sacked 47 times, and the Eagles average only 15 points a game and rank 29th in total offense. But if Patriots cornerback Tebucky Jones and safety Tony George, pressed into heavy duty because of injuries, can't do the job, it might be close.​

So what happens? In a must-win game against an inferior opponent the Patriots look terrible and lose 24-9, to drop to 7-7. The Pats had lost three straight after the bye, and this would be the second of another three-game losing streak. New England had 11 possessions with four or fewer plays while gifting Philly their fourth win of the year. The game began with Tony Simmons fumbling the opening kickoff away, and it went downhill from there. For the most part the defense did its job, limiting Staley to 3.2 yards per carry and Detmer to 10-29 for 181 yards and two picks (but three TDs) while allowing just 11 first downs overall.

The offense on the other hand was awful. Drew Bledsoe threw four interceptions, lost the ball another time on one of his six sacks, and the team averaged a measly 2.3 yards per carry. All told the Patriots committed six turnovers, turned the ball over two more times on downs, missed a field goal, and four of their six punts were three-and-outs. While losing at home to Buffalo may have been the icing on the cake, this game may have been biggest reason why Pete Carroll was fired.

 

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The four draft picks received as compensation for Bill Parcells​

In 1976 Chuck Fairbanks traded Jim Plunkett to San Francisco for four draft picks and a backup QB. The Patriots made excellent use of those draft picks, resulting in some great teams in the late seventies. In 1997 the Pats received four draft picks as compensation for the Jets signing Bill Parcells, but the results were reversed. In the latter case New England squandered those picks on RB Sedrick Shaw (14 games, 236 yards, 0 TD) and G Damon Denson (14 games, 4 starts) in '97, WR Tony Simmons (38 games, 9 starts, 981 yards, 6 TD) in '98, and Andy Katzenmoyer in '99 (24 games, 14 starts, 3.5 tackles). Katzenmoyer did show promise as a rookie before neck injuries ended his NFL career, so it is probably unfair to lump him in with the other three. However, the bottom line is that the Patriots got next to nothing in terms of production from the four draft picks the team received for Tuna.

Pats trade up for Damien Woody​

The Patriots began the day with their own draft pick (#20), and #28 which they had previously received from the Jets (and used on Katzenmoyer). New England thought enough of Woody that they traded up three spots to get him, trading away a third and a sixth in order to do so. Woody was a starter from day one, playing for the Pats for five years and getting one Pro Bowl recognition. But wow, he was scary to watch on his shotgun snaps. They were so bad that he and LG Mike Compton had to switch spots whenever the Pats went into the shotgun, giving the opposing defense some extra time to recognize the upcoming play. Woody was a very solid player, but at the same time I can't help but feel as though a team should get more from a mid-first round draft pick. Having to give up a third round pick for him in the process doesn't help matters.

Trading up for Kevin Faulk​

On the other hand this trade up worked perfectly, even if it didn't look that way early in Kevin Faulk's career. The Pats moved up six spots from #52 to #46 select the running back from LSU in the second round, sending Tennessee a fourth round pick in order to do so. The Titans used those picks on John Thornton (a defensive tackle who had a much better career with the Bengals than Titans) and CB Donald Mitchell (12 starts in three seasons). The edge in this trade goes to the Patriots, by far.

Mid and Late Round Picks​

New England owned two third round picks at the start of the draft, but had traded away their original (#82 overall) to Seattle as part of the Damien Woody trade. The Pats also had the #91 pick of the draft as a result of a 1998 draft day trade that sent CB Jimmy Hitchock to Minnesota. The Patriots used that pick on safety Tony George. The fourth round pick had also been traded away, as part of the Kevin Faulk deal. Trading away draft picks for players you really want is not a bad thing, but it leaves less room for error as you end up with fewer total players.

The Patriots did not have another draft pick until more than half way through the fifth round, #154 overall. The Pats used that on an offensive lineman from Baylor named Derrick Fletcher. He never saw the field in '99, started the first two games of 2000, and was released about a week later.

The Pats had the 11th pick of the sixth round as a result of a trade with the Ravens. Backup tight end Lovett Purnell, a 7th round pick in 1996, was sent to Baltimore for a '99 sixth, #180 overall. The trade itself seemed to be a good one, a great value for Purnell. The problem was that it was used on a player who was waived at the end of his rookie training camp and never played in the NFL. The Pats original sixth had been used in the Woody trade.

In the seventh round the Patriots drafted QB Michael Bishop, whose claim to fame was coming in just before the end of the half to throw Hail Mary's, one which actually succeeded. Bishop had a small but vocal fan club with New England, but in reality his NFL career consisted of one season and three completions in eight games played. The Pats also selected Sean Morey with a compensatory pick at #241 overall. The Marshfield native turned out to be a great late round pick as a special teamer; unfortunately that was with Pittsburgh and Arizona, after being waived by the Patriots.

Supplemental Draft​

The Patriots also used a supplemental draft pick on CB J'Juan Cherry. The supplemental draft is for players that did not enter the previous draft, but for whatever reason are no longer eligible to play college football (academic ineligibility, suspended, etcetera). It is more or less like a silent auction, where teams bid with a pick from the next draft for any player they want (or don't bid at all).

The biggest problem with the supplemental draft is that it occurs so late, the player has missed out on being with his new team for his entire rookie offseason. He was drafted on September 3, signed September 9, and activated on September 20 (one day after their week two game). Cherry was a healthy scratch for the next three games, then dressed (but did not play) in the next two. Three days later he was placed on injured reserve with a hip injury. Bill Belichick released Cherry the following offseason, well before the start of training camp.

In order to sign J'Juan Cherry the Patriots forfeited a 2000 fourth round draft pick (#107 overall).

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Ramon Humber​

Happy 37th birthday to Ramon Humber
Born August 10, 1987 in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
Patriot LB, 2016 (offseason only, uniform #53) and 2018, uniform #50
Signed as a free agent on March 9, 2016

The North Dakota State product played in six regular season games for the Patriots in 2018. He had 105 special team snaps plus two snaps on defense. Humber was also on the postseason roster, appearing in two of the three playoff games and earning a ring in the Super Bowl victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

Prior to signing with the Patriots he had been with the Colts (2009-10) and Saints (2010-2015). The Pats released Humber near the end of training camp in 2016, and he then spent two and a half seasons with Buffalo. New England re-signed Humber in mid-November when Chandler Jones went out with a hip injury. Humber played in 136 games over the course of his ten-year NFL career.

Ramon Humber reacts during the fourth quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxborough.​

Nov 14, 2018:

Patriots Sign LB Ramon Humber

www.patriots.com

Humber, 31, spent the 2016 offseason with New England after signing with the team on March 9, before being released on Aug 30. The 5-foot-11, 232-pounder most recently played for Buffalo from 2016 through the first nine games of this season before being released on Nov. 10.​

Humber is in his 10th NFL season and has played for Indianapolis (2009-10), New Orleans (2010-15) and Buffalo (2016-18). He originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with Indianapolis in 2009 out of North Dakota State. He made the 53-man roster out of training camp as a rookie and played in all 16 games, starting the final two at linebacker, and finished with 22 total tackles and a team-high of 17 special teams tackles. He added three special teams tackles in three postseason games, including Super Bowl XLIV against New Orleans. Humber played in the first two games of the season for Indianapolis in 2010 before being placed on injured reserve. He was signed by New Orleans on Dec. 1, 2010 after being released by Indianapolis on Nov. 9, 2010.​

Overall, Humber has played in 130 NFL games with 28 starts and has accumulated 234 total tackles, 4½ sacks, five passes defensed, two forced fumbles and 77 special teams tackles.​

Other pro football players born August 10 with New England connections:

- Lamar King, 49 (8/10/75)
Born in Boston
22nd overall pick of the 1999 draft by Seattle, out of Saginaw State. The defensive end was the first pick by Mike Holmgren as GM of the Seahawks. King suffered a dislocated shoulder and torn labrum as a rookie, and that was a sign of things to come. Between calf strains and knee problems that led to microfracture surgery, King played in 57 NFL games with 125 tackles and 12 sacks.

On this date: Seahawks make Lamar King first-round pick

- Lloyd Lee, 48 (8/10/76)
Dartmouth College
The undrafted defensive back played in eight games with the Chargers in 1998.

Lloyd Lee - Outside Linebackers Coach - Football Coaches - Holy Cross Athletics

Recruiting Areas: Indiana, Kentucky (Louisville Metro), Maine, Massachusetts (Essex, Middlesex & Suffolk Counties), Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York (Hudson

goholycross.com

- Maury Dubofsky (1909-1970)
Born and raised in Hartford; Weaver High School
Offensive lineman for the New York Giants in the thirties.

https://www.jewsinsports.org/profile_sport_football_ID_115.html

- Dunc Annan (1895-1981)
Brown University
The tailback was part of the NFL's first season, playing for the Chicago Tigers, Toledo Maroons, Hammond Pros and Akron Pros from 1920 to 1926.

Dunc Annan during World War I​

Some of the other pro football players born on this date include:

- Eddie Meador (1937-2023)
The six-time Pro Bowl defensive back played from 1959-1970 for the Rams, collecting 46 interceptions and 22 fumble recoveries.

- Samari Rolle, 48 (1976)
Rolle had 31 picks from 1998-2008 with the Titans and Ravens. As a kid, football was surely always played at family get togethers: five cousins (Chad Johnson, Keyshawn Johnson, Antrel Rolle, Brian Rolle and Myron Rolle) also played in the NFL.

- Chuck Walker, 83 (1941)
DT played in 143 games from 1964-1975 for the Cardinals and Falcons.

- Walt Harris, 50 (1974)
Played in 193 games from 1996-2008 at CB, mostly for the Bears and Niners, with 35 career interceptions.

- Speedy Duncan (1942-2021)
Averaged 10.9 yards per punt return in his career ('64-'74), leading the league in that category three times.

- Spergon Wynn, 46 (1978)
The sixth of The Brady Six, Wynn had 1 TD and 7 INT in the NFL before spending a few years in the CFL. Fortunately he recognized his football limits, and prepared well for a second career.

Ex-Cleveland Browns QB Spergon Wynn more than a guy drafted before Tom Brady -- Terry Pluto (photos)

The Cleveland Browns drafted Spergon Wynn in front of Tom Brady. Wynn struggled in football but succeeded in life.

www.cleveland.com

- Gino Torretta, 54 (1970)
Won the Heisman Trophy in 1992 strictly because he was the quarterback of the undefeated Miami Hurricanes. Alabama exposed Torretta's limitation in the 1993 Sugar Bowl, with the Tide defense forcing three interceptions en route to a 34-13 victory and the national championship.

Gino Torretta - Heisman

Torretta became the second Miami quarterback to win the Heisman while leading his team to an undefeated regular season. The 6-3, 205-pounder was one of the most celebrated athletes in Hurricane history. Torretta was born in Pinole, Calif., and starred for the Pinole High football team as a...

www.heisman.com

- Dalvin Cook, 29 (1995)
A good example of why I am not a fan of giving running backs a big second contract. Cook was named to four consecutive Pro Bowls with the Vikings, but 1,242 touches during that span resulted in his being washed up at the age of 27.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
When Preseason Games were called Exhibition Games

August 10, 1961:

Patriots Set Back Titans in Boston Exhibition as Parilli and Lott Lead Way; NEW YORKERS BOW IN 90 HEAT, 14-3 Guesman Kicks Titan Field Goal -- Parilli's Passes, Lott's Runs Decisive (Published 1961)

www.nytimes.com

Vito (Babe) Parilli twice mustered the Boston Patriots for long scoring marches and a 14-3 victory over the New York Titans tonight in an exhibition game between American Football League teams.​

August 10, 1963:
In a week two exhibition game the San Diego Chargers defeated the Boston Patriots 50-17. That Saturday night at Balboa Stadium would foreshadow the AFL title game held at the same site five months later, when Keith Lincoln ran for 206 yards and added another 123 yards receiving, as the Chargers trounced the Pats 51-10 for that franchise's one and only championship.



August 10, 1968:
The Patriots lose to New Orleans in a Saturday night game at Tulane Stadium, 19-0.

August 10, 1968 (vol. 78, iss. 64) - Image 5

Image 5 of 6 from the August 10, 1968 (vol. 78, iss. 64) publication of Michigan Daily.

digital.bentley.umich.edu

The two interleague games send the AFL Boston Patriots against the NFL New Orleans Saints at Tulane Stadium and the Kansas City Chiefs against the NFL Minnesota Vikings at Bloomington's Met Stadium. Both are night games, with 8 p.m. local starting times.​

The Patriots will send their quarterback, Don Trull, against the Saints' Billy Kilmer, who threw the touchdowns for New Orleans in the game against Los Angeles. The Patriots have another new quarterback in Mike Taliaferro, formerly of the Jets.​

August 10, 1969:
Boston Patriots 21, Cincinnati Bengals 13 in a Sunday afternoon preseason game at Doyt L. Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Patriots Beat Bengals, 21-13 (Published 1969)

www.nytimes.com

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio, Aug. 10 (AP) -- Mike Taliaferro threw two touchdown passes in the first half today to lead the Boston Patriots to a 21-13 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in an American Football League exhibition game.​

August 10, 1975:

Giants Take Opener, 28‐14; Jets Revel in 20‐15 Victory (Published 1975)

www.nytimes.com

FOXBORO, Mass., Aug. 10 —Trying to quickly blot out the bitter memories of last year, the New York Giants scored three second?half touchdowns and opened their exhibition season with a convincing 28?14 victory over the New England Patriots tonight before a crowd of 40,726 at Schaefer Stadium.​

It was the offense, ineffective at the outset last season, that showed significant early muscle in wiping out a 7?0 Patriot lead fashioned on a 44?yard touchdown pass from Jim Plunkett, who played only the opening period, to his former Stanford teammate, Randy Vataha.​

August 10, 1981:
New England Patriots 34, Los Angeles Rams 21 at Anaheim Stadium.
The Pats went 4-0 in the preseason, then 2-14 in the regular season.



August 10, 1985:
New Orleans Saints 32, New England Patriots 20 at Sullivan Stadium.

Patriots to Play Saints in Exhibition Opener

The New England Patriots will open their exhibition schedule at home against New Orleans Aug. 10 but will play their other three exhibition games on the road.

www.latimes.com

August 10, 1991:
Washington Redskins 27, New England Patriots 6 at Foxboro Stadium. Saturday, August 10, 1991 - 7:30PM
The Patriots went 6-10 in 1991, a five-game improvement from the previous season.
Washington would go 14-2 in '91 and defeat Buffalo 37-24 in Super Bowl 26.

Redskins 27, Patriots 6 - UPI Archives

Terry Hoage scored on a 45-yard interception return 1:31 into the game and the Washington Redskins went on to an easy 27-6 exhibition victory Saturday night...

www.upi.com

Terry Hoage scored on a 45-yard interception return 1:31 into the game and the Washington Redskins went on to an easy 27-6 exhibition victory Saturday night over the New England Patriots.​

Washington, 1-1 in the pre-season, jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the second quarter and was never threatened.​

New England, 0-2, is 1-24 in its last 25 contests, pre-season or regular season, and has not won at home since Dec. 3, 1989. Saturday night's crowd of 16,757 was the team's lowest attendance at any type of home contest in the last 24 years.​

The Redskins took a 7-0 lead when their defense scored on New England's first possession. On the third play from scrimmage, Hoage picked off a Hugh Millen pass intended for Irving Fryar and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown. On Washington's first offensive possession, Earnest Byner carried on six of seven plays and capped the 51-yard drive with a 2-yard scoring run at 8:06.​

Washington boosted its advantage to 21-0 at 8:36 of the second quarter. Mark Rypien marched the visitors 69 yards in nine plays and finished the effort with an 11-yard scoring pass to Stephen Hobbs.​

New England got on the scoreboard at 13:56 of the second quarter when Jason Staurovsky kicked a 21-yard field goal. The Patriots had to settle for a field goal despite having first down at the Redskins' 3. Staurovsky added a 50-yard field goal at 11:49 of the third quarter.​

New England, which struggled offensively last season, has scored just 13 points in its two exhibition games.​

August 10, 2001:

Patriots open with 14-0 victory

It may be early in the preseason, but New England couldn't have asked for a much better beginning following a 14-0 shutout of the Super Bowl runner-up New York Giants at Foxboro Stadium Friday night.​

The Patriots defense held the Giants to 92 net yards of offense, and rookie kicker provided four field goals, including a 53-yarder on his first try. While there were certainly areas to work on, New England's defense never allowed their opponents any flow.​

Always the coach, Bill Belichick said there was room for improvement on defense. The average person would be hard-pressed to find fault with anything. When the first-unit defense was on the field against New York's top offense, the Patriots forced Kerry Collins to go three-and-out on three of the first four series. The fourth series lasted just four plays and went for 11 yards before linebacker Bryan Cox intercepted a pass over the middle.​

Third-down defense, a major problem for New England last season, was very strong. The Patriots held their guests to just 3-of-13 conversions (23 percent). New York, hurt by the absence of running back Tiki Barber and center Dusty Ziegler, were held to a minute 55 yards on 19 carries. The Giants quarterbacks were just 9-of-28 for 51 yards, but sacks by linebacker Maugaula Tuitele and safety Antwan Harris lowered the net passing yardage to a lowly 37 yards.​

Linebacker Matt Chatham actually scored for the defense in the fourth quarter. He wrapped up running back Omar Bacon in the end zone for a safety, which made the score 11-0 at the time.​

While the defense keyed the victory, the Patriots had plenty to feel good about on both offense and special teams. Quarterbacks Drew Bledsoe, Damon Huard and Tom Brady were all able to move the ball, combining to complete 20-of-30 passes for 214 yards. Michael Bishop struggled with the last offense, completing just 2-of-7 for 21 yards.​

Bledsoe played the first two series, and nearly had a touchdown on the first drive. Starting from the New England 49-yard line, J.R. Redmond opened with a 5-yard run and Bledsoe hit Troy Brown for an 11-yard out pattern. His next attempt was a bomb down the right sideline for David Patten, who was two steps behind the closest defender. It would have been a walk-in, 35-yard scoring pass, but the ball was just inches out of Patten's reach. Throughout practice all week Bledsoe and Patten have hooked up for several long plays.​

The drive stalled when Damien Woody had a bad snap on a shotgun play, but punter Brad Costello pinned the Giants at their own 1-yard line with a perfect 39-yard pooch. Tebucky Jones downed the ball for the first of several big plays in the kicking game.​

The next big play came from Pochman on the next offensive series for New England. Starting at the New York 46, Bledsoe avoided a sack on first down and connected with Brown for 22 yards. Michael Strahan then abused the Patriots make-shift line on the next two plays, sacking Bledsoe twice for a combined 15 yards. Brandon Short helped on the first sack.​

With the Patriots pushed back to the 35 on fourth-down, Pochman came on for his first professional attempt. He drilled the 53-yarder down the middle and gave New England a 3-0 lead.​

Pochman made three more field goals in the game. He hit on attempts of 53, 23, 25 and 21, but missed a 43-yard try. Costello and Dan Hadenfledt combined to pin six of their eight punts inside the Giants' 20-yard line, including two at the 1-yard line. Sean Morey had a blocked punt in the fourth quarter, and the coverage units were strong all night.​

The major area of concern for New England continued to be the red zone. Despite three trips inside New York's 20, the Patriots failed to come away with any touchdowns. The most agonizing of the three came with Huard at the helm in the second quarter following the Cox interception.​

August 10, 2002:
Giants 22, Patriots 19 in preseason week one at Exit 44W



August 10, 2007:

Buccaneers 13, Patriots 10: Just a glimpse

Every football expert's favorite team to win the Super Bowl - well, not everyone, but close enough - gave what amounted to a sneak peek last night as the New England Patriots took on Tampa in their p…

www.metrowestdailynews.com

Among the missing were Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth, Benjamin Watson, and Laurence Maroney. So much for getting an idea of how this explosive new unit is going to tear apart opposing defenses. So much for seeing how Tom Brady was going to click with Moss and Stallworth, his prized new targets, who figure to blaze paths downfield rarely tread by Patriot receivers.​

In all, Brady went 5-for-7 for 34 yards. Three of those completions went to Faulk, the others to Welker and Gaffney.​

Matt Cassel (4-for-7 for 32 yards) followed Brady, and on his first series, engineered a 65-yard scoring drive, with newcomer Sammy Morris, who got the lion's share of carries due to Maroney's absence, going in from 2 yards out.​

Looking good on this scoring drive was wide receiver Kelley Washington, who had yet to distinguish himself during camp. He made two terrific catches in this series. Rookie Matt Guttierrez also engineered a scoring drive in the fourth quarter, resulting in a 23-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski.​

Defensively, Thomas did play most of his defensive snaps on the inside, at the ``Mike'' position next to Tedy Bruschi. On the first series, a three-and-out by Tampa, he pressured Jeff Garcia into a hurried throw - an incomplete pass - on a blitz. He did make a number of tackles, flying all over the field.​

August 10, 2017:

Jaguars 31-24 Patriots (Aug 10, 2017) Game Recap - ESPN

Expert recap and game analysis of the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New England Patriots NFL game from August 10, 2017 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

Chad Henne hit Keelan Cole on a 97-yard touchdown pass, Corey Grant scored on a 79-yard run and the Jacksonville Jaguars feasted on a Patriots lineup without Brady and Rob Gronkowski -- or much defense at all -- to beat the defending NFL champions in their exhibition opener.​

Garoppolo completed 13 straight passes at one point, finding Austin Carr on a 3-yard touchdown pass at the end of the first half and then K.J. Maye from 5 yards out to start the second and make it 17-17.​

But the New England defense followed by giving up another one-play scoring drive -- this one Grant's run down the left sideline to make it 24-17.​

August 10, 2023:

Texans 20-9 Patriots (Aug 10, 2023) Game Recap - ESPN

Expert recap and game analysis of the Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots NFL game from August 10, 2023 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

The Patriots gave most of their projected starters the night off, including quarterback Mac Jones.​

Backup Bailey Zappe started in his place and went 12 of 14 for 79 yards, playing the entire first half and one series in the third quarter. His best throw of the night was a 27-yard dart to Tyquan Thornton.​

Patriots coach Bill Belichick said coming in with several offensive linemen dealing with injuries contributed to the offense being unable to finish some drives. “It’s tough for the backs. It’s tough for the quarterback,” Belichick said. “We didn’t have a lot of space on the offense for the most part tonight.”​

Rookie quarterback Malik Cunningham, who went undrafted out of Louisville, added a late 9-yard touchdown run. Patriots rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez had three tackles and forced a fumble.​

Gonzalez, the Patriots' first-round pick, got a fast welcome to the NFL. He was setting up to tackle Collins after his reception on the first play from scrimmage. But Collins lowered his shoulder and sent Gonzalez stumbling backward.​

 

[State]

Katzenmoyer was a big disappointment. Side to sideline guy with big size. But neck injuries are serious. And the fact he got a D or F in one of his Ohio State basket weaving classes, I think it was AIDS awareness, made me underwhelmed.

G Damon Denson (14 games, 4 starts) in '97

But this one hurt. Guy was Onwenu 1.0 who never panned out. Does anyone know why?

He was actually better at RG at Michigan than Big Mike.

 

[jmt57]

Katzenmoyer was a big disappointment. Side to sideline guy with big size. But neck injuries are serious. And the fact he got a D or F in one of his Ohio State basket weaving classes, I think it was AIDS awareness, made me underwhelmed.

But this one hurt. Guy was Onwenu 1.0 who never panned out. Does anyone know why?

He was actually better at RG at Michigan than Big Mike.

Good question. My first thought was an injury, but I found nothing at all about Damon Denson having any injuries. He spent the 2000 offseason with the Ravens and they cut him at the end of August - and Denson never signed with another NFL team.

Even in games when he didn't play, Denson appears to be a healthy scratch.

Law is happy to do job vs. football's best

DENVER -- If cornerback Ty Law of the Pats appeared to be attached at the hip to the Broncos' Rod Smith last night, there was reason. Law went to coach Pete Carroll in the off-season and asked to c…

www.southcoasttoday.com

The only other info I can find on Denson was that he was very religious, going back to his college days, and became a pastor.

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