Today In Patriots History August 25, 2015: Pats sign WR Reggie Wayne

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Today in Patriots History
Reggie Wayne​

August 25, 2015:
The New England Patriots sign veteran receiver Reggie Wayne





The announcement confirmed reports that had been circulating the previous day. At the time Wayne was seventh in NFL history with 1,070 receptions and eighth with 14,345 receiving yards. At that point he was one of six players in NFL history to post four 100-plus reception seasons, and one of eleven with back-to-back 100-plus receptions seasons. In addition he held the NFL record of 82 consecutive games with three or more receptions. Wayne said that he chose the Patriots because "I just want to win, point-blank."


Between injuries and ineffectiveness, the Pats were not looking good at WR. Brandon LaFell was dealing with a foot injury, and ended up missing the first several weeks on PUP. Julian Edelman had been slowed down by a leg injury. Brandon Gibson limped off the field in the previous preseason game, and Brian Tyms was about to be placed on IR. Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce were healthy, but both had been underwhelming during training camp.


While Reggie Wayne was a welcome addition, there were also question marks. He was 36 years old, and in the offseason had surgery to repair his torn triceps this offseason as well as knee surgery. But even if his speed wasn't quite the same as it used to be, Wayne was an excellent route runner, and still productive. In 2014 he started in 15 games and finished with 64 receptions for 779 yards and two touchdowns, after returning from an ACL injury in 2013. And Pats fans also remembered Wayne for being the guy who caught Indy's winning touchdown pass in the 2009 “4th and 2’’ game when the Colts came from behind to win 35-34.

The Reggie Wayne situation was completely different than that of another former Colt, Joseph Addai. The running back literally quit on his first day, after being unable to finish his physical conditioning test. Wayne had no problem with that, and unlike other veteran receivers such as Chad Johnson and Joey Galloway, he had no problem grasping the playbook. Within three days he was working with the first team in training camp, and was getting quality playing time in the first half of a Week Three preseason game on August 28.


Wayne did not perform well in the fourth preseason game (two receptions on ten targets), but that was with soon-to-be-cut Ryan Lindley at QB, and the entire starting offensive line watching from the sideline. Wayne and Bill Belichick 'mutually agreed' on his release as part of final roster cuts. Wayne later stated that the decision was his, because his children were reaching an age that he wanted to be home, and he did not want to uproot the family into a new school system and curriculum. On the other hand he also allegedly said at the time that 'would be willing to sign with another team but only in the right situation'. Either way, that was the end of Reggie Wayne's career.

WR Wayne Would Give Patriots Depth, But He's Not the Answer Patriots Need | PatsFans.com

Injuries at the receiver position have put the Patriots in a tough position and it looks like they're now reportedly willing to take a chance on free agent WR Reggie Wayne.

www.patsfans.com

Bringing in a player like Reggie Wayne would have made sense five years ago, but now that all the other suitors have passed on him, injuries at the receiver position have put the Patriots in a tough position and it looks like they’re now reportedly willing to take a chance on him.​

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Wayne was brought in for a physical, leaving the team to try and see how much the 36-year old still has left. Right now the Patriots are pretty banged up at the receiver spot, with Julian Edelman still sidelined from a leg injury earlier this month, while Brandon LaFell remains on PUP, Brian Tyms season seems in peril with a foot injury, Aaron Dobson is sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Brandon Gibson went down late Saturday night with a knee injury.​

With their depth now taking multiple hits and still two preseason games to go, it appears Wayne might get an opportunity to prove he can contribute. The only problem is they’re getting the wrong version of him. He was a solid receiver during his days with Indianapolis, but past experience has proven what happens with older veterans. They’re terrific players from September through December, but by the time the postseason arrives they have little left to give and can’t always beat one-on-one coverage. That was what had plagued the Patriots until a much younger Danny Amendola broke that trend during their Super Bowl run last season and was able to accomplish that thanks to his speed and quickness.​

We know how good Wayne was and the type of player he could be if his body was up for it. Unfortunately that’s going to be the biggest concern if he’s able to make the roster, and another reason to hope that some of these younger guys can get healthy as we head into the 2015 regular season.​

https://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4800734/wr-reggie-wayne-patriots-told-me-to-keep-450k-signing-bonus

When the New England Patriots signed veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne to a one-year, $2.8 million contract in August of 2015, the deal included a $450,000 signing bonus.​

When Wayne and the Patriots parted ways 11 days later, one lingering question was what happened to the signing bonus.​

"They told me to keep it," Wayne revealed Thursday at Super Bowl LI, where he is working as an analyst for NFL Network. "If they would have said 'We want it back,' I would have given it back. You find $1,000, and they say you can keep it, put it in your damn wallet."​

Patriots sign veteran WR Reggie Wayne

The Patriots announced today that they have signed veteran WR Reggie Wayne.

www.patriots.com

Patriots Announce Signing Of Receiver Reggie Wayne

With health questions surrounding a few of their top receivers, the New England Patriots have added one of the best pass-catchers over the last 14 years.

www.cbsnews.com

Patriots sign former Colts receiver Reggie Wayne to 1-year deal

The Patriots have signed a longtime nemesis to add depth to the wide receiver corps.

www.boston.com

Wayne's stay with Pats short-lived as WR let go

Veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne, who signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots on Aug. 25, was released by the team Saturday in what Bill Belichick called a mutual decision.

www.espn.com

 

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Today in Patriots History
Sony Michel traded​

August 25, 2021:
The New England Patriots trade Sony Michel to the Rams


The running back was coming of his third season in the NFL. As a rookie he rushed for 931 yards and six touchdowns, then ran for 336 yards and six more touchdowns in three postseason games, culminating with the tie-breaking TD in the 13-3 victory over the Rams in Super Bowl LIII. Michel followed that up with 1,006 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns in 2019.


During the offseason he had foot surgery, and began 2020 training camp on PUP. In week three Sony rushed for 117 yards with 23 more receiving, but was placed on IR for the next two months with a quadriceps injury. At that point Damien Harris was playing well, and Sony did not see much action until the last three games, after Harris got hurt. His final game for New England came in a January 3, 2021 28-14 victory over the Jets, where he ran out the clock in the fourth quarter after scoring on a short pass from Cam Newton, and running it in 31 yards for the game-clinching touchdown.


In the spring of 2021 the Patriots drafted Rhamondre Stevenson, and two days later the Patriots declined the fifth year option on Michel. The Patriots also re-signed James White, so even though Rex Burkhead departed in free agency, it appeared as though Sony might only be RB#4 in 2021. He was traded to the Rams for a 2022 5th and a 2022 6th. Michel was LA's leading rusher with 845 yards and five touchdowns, and won his second Super Bowl ring that post season. He finally got the opportunity for a free agency payday, but his body was wearing down. The best offer he got was one-year contract from Miami with only $850k guaranteed, and the Dolphins cut Michel before the season began. He signed with the Chargers, but there was no tread left on the tires. he called it quits in the summer of 2023, saying that his body told him it was time to retire.


In his three seasons in New England, Sony Michel rushed for 2,292 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. He also caught 26 passes for 258 yards, for a total of 2,550 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns. While he only played for three seasons (2½ factoring in the time spent on IR), he ranks 18th all time in franchise history in rushing yardage, and 20th in rushing touchdowns.

MORSE: Sony Michel Trade and Mac Jones as the Starter | PatsFans.com

With the trade that sent Sony Michel to the LA Rams, I thought I would highlight some of the things I wrote about Michel, comments made by posters, and my thoughts on the trade itself.

www.patsfans.com