Today In Patriots History August 5: Larry Carwell

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
'In The Line of Duty'​

In memory of Larry Carwell, who would have been 80 today
Born August 5, 1944 in Vada, Georgia
Died January 9, 1984 at the age of 39
Patriot CB, 1969-1972; uniform #41
Acquired in a seven-player trade with the Oilers on March 24, 1969


Larry Carwell was a third round draft pick by the Oilers in 1967, out of Iowa State. After two seasons there he was part of a blockbuster trade between Boston and Houston. Two months after the 'common' (combined AFL and NFL) 1969 draft, the Oilers sent Carwell, RB Sid Blanks, MLB Ron Caveness and WR Charley Frazier to the Patriots in exchange for CB Leroy Mitchell and the Pats second round draft pick in 1970. Mitchell was an All-Star with seven interceptions the previous year, and just 24 years old.

The Patriots of that time were rebuilding and in need of upgrades everywhere. In 1966 they seemed destined to win the AFL East and possibly represent the American Football League in the first super bowl. But the Pats were upset on the final game of the season and the entire roster seemed to age and get slow at the same time, resulting in back-to-back ten-loss seasons. Boston was willing to give up a high draft pick and a budding star for four players, but the plan did not work out. Blanks was an all star as a rookie, but had done next to nothing since then; he rarely saw any action behind Jim Nance and Carl Garrett. Frazier did score seven touchdowns in '69, but he was over the hill and had only nine receptions the following year. (If you are rebuilding aren't you trying to get younger, not older?) Caveness never played a single down for the Pats.

Larry Carwell was the only one of the four that made the trade close to being worthwhile. He was a four-year starter for the Patriots at left corner, from '69-'72, in a period of time when there was not much support from either the pass rush or from the offense. Carwell had ten interceptions (with one touchdown) for the Pats, and also contributed on special teams with 13 punt returns and two kickoff returns.

Remembering Larry Carwell

Larry Carwell was an exceptional Iowa State football player from 1964-66. He was also a huge success as a professional, playing six seasons (1967-72) in the AFL for the Houston Oilers and New England Patriots, collecting 14 career interceptions along the way.​

A native of Campbell, Ohio, Carwell lettered three years at Iowa State as an outstanding defensive back. He tallied 127 tackles and picked off seven passes in his career. On Oct. 8, 1966, Carwell picked off two Kansas passes and returned the interceptions for 123 return yards. His interception return yardage that day is still a Cyclone school record.​

Carwell started over 50 games in the AFL during his distinguished professional career. He had five interceptions for the Patriots in 1971 and returned two interceptions for touchdowns in his career.​

Unlike today’s professional athletes, players in the 1970s were underpaid. They needed a second career to survive, and Carwell was determined and ready for another challenge.​

Anybody who knew Carwell would quickly tell you about his love of children and his hatred for drugs. He was sickened how drugs filtered down to kids and ruined their lives. He was going to join the fight and the DEA was his calling.​

It was important for Carwell to set an example for his wife, Lural, and his two children, Larry Jr., Shauntel.​

Carwell entered the United States Drug Enforcement Administration in 1974 shortly after retiring from the pros. He soon became a special agent for the DEA, and on Jan. 9, 1984, Carwell, along with four Air Force servicemen, died in a helicopter crash during an anti-narcotics mission.​

Larry Carwell was stationed in Houston with the United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration’s Houston Field Division soon after becoming a special agent. He was a Sunday school teacher for a local Baptist church and active in drug prevention and sports programs in the community.​

Carwell was sent to Miami with the task of stopping drug runners in the Bahamas. During the 1980s, cocaine smuggling was at its peak and the Bahamas was a key link in the smuggling chain.​

Just off the coast of the Bahamas, his helicopter developed complications. The aircraft suffered from a dual engine flame out and crashed into the sea. All five bodies were never found.​

Carwell was 39 years old.​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
William Roberts​

Happy 62nd birthday to William Roberts
Born August 5, 1962 in Miami
Patriot LG, 1995-1996; uniform #76
Signed as a free agent on July 24, 1995



William Roberts was a late first round draft pick from Ohio State in 1984, playing for the Giants until 1994. During his first few years in the NFL he manned both offensive tackle positions, then from 1989 on he played left guard. As an LG he was named to the Pro Bowl in 1990.

Roberts was a two-year starter with the Pats, one of many former G-Men recruited by Bill Parcells while in the twilight of their careers. He even followed the Big Tuna back to Jersey for his final NFL season with the Jets in '97 - which makes him a guy who played 195 NFL games, for three different teams - and only one head coach. I'm guessing he is the only person to perform that feat.

In the 1996 season he started all 19 games for the Pats, culminating in their Super Bowl 31 loss to Green Bay. That was Roberts' third trip to the Super Bowl. He had previously won his first ring when the Giants defeated Denver 39-20 in Super Bowl 21. This came just one season after the Bears demolished New England in the super bowl, and were still a formidable opponent. New York and Chicago both finished the season with records of 14-2. But in the divisional round game Washington upset the Bears 27-13, shutting Chicago out 20-0 in the second half while limiting Doug Flutie to an 11-31, 134 yards, 1 TD, 2 Int game. The following day the Giants annihilated San Francisco 49-3 in the early game, and then Denver came from behind to defeat the Pats 22-17. The New England defense did its part by limiting John Elway to a 13-32 day with two picks, but Tony Eason - who did throw 19 and 45 yard touchdown passes to Stanley Morgan - was sacked six times, including one for a fourth quarter safety.

Sept 3, 1995: Max Lane, William Roberts, Drew Bledsoe and Bob Kratch celebrate following Curtis Martin's game winning TD dive versus the Browns in the season opener.




Nov 12, 1995: William Roberts during the Patriots 34-17 win over Miami at Joe Robbie Stadium




Dec 16, 1995 in Pittsburgh: William Roberts in action protecting Drew Bledsoe's blind side.




Dec 1, 1996 in San Diego: Robert Kraft congratulates Larry Whigham after the Pats 45-7 victory over the Chargers. Curtis Martin and William Roberts precede Whigham.




Jan 5, 1997 division round: Bill Parcells talks with William Roberts (#76) on the sidelines. The Pats defeated Pittsburgh 28-3.




Jan 12, 1997 at Foxboro Stadium: Fans congratulate William Roberts after the Pats 20-6 AFCCG victory over Jacksonville




Jan 26, 1997 in New Orleans: William Roberts stares at the jumbotron in disbelief during Super Bowl 31.​

William Roberts - LinkedIn
WILLIAM ROBERTS
CEO/ Coaching
Miami-Fort Lauderdale Area

Experience
Vice President
Atlantic lnsuance Brokerage
Sep 2015 - Present 9 years
Business Development

CEO/ Coach
The W. H. Roberts Foundation, Inc.
Mar 2010 - Present 14 years 6 months
Training young men to be Great Offensive Linemen, and to become true Professionals in their future occupations. Shaping and molding young minds to become very productive citizens.

O-LINE TECHNICIAN
FOOTBALL UNIVERSITY
Mar 2010 - Present 14 years 6 months
SHAPING AND MOLDING YOUNG PLAYERS TO MAXIMUM POTENTIAL

Pres & Ceo
THE W. H. ROBERTS FOUNDATION,INC
Jan 1996 - Present 28 years 8 months
Miami, Florida
SHAPING and MOLDING the lives of others and instilling positive attitudes in youth, and young adults. WR #66


Education
The Ohio State University
Studied communications Communication and Media Studies
1980 - 1984


Volunteer Experience
Fundraiser
Red Cross Youth
Dec 2001 - Present 22 years 9 months

Fundraiser
United Way of New York City
Mar 2003 - Present 21 years 6 months
Helping children through mentoring

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Will Allen​

Happy 46th birthday to Will Allen
Born August 5, 1978 in Syracuse
Patriot CB, 2012; uniform #26
Signed as a free agent on March 21, 2012

Will Allen was another former Giant, also selected in the first round. New York tabbed the corner from Syracuse as their 22nd overall pick of the 2001 draft. Allen spent five seasons with the Giants and five more in Miami before a final training camp in Foxboro. The Patriots placed Allen on injured reserve on August 27, 2012, 13 days prior to their week one kickoff. He spent the full season on IR and never played for the Pats.

To make matters a bit confusing for football fans there was another Will Allen who was also a defensive back, whose career overlapped (2004-2015) that of our Will Allen (2001-2012). The other Will Allen played for the Bucs, Steelers and Cowboys.

Aug 28, 2012:

What IR means for Allen, Barrett & Larsen

As part of the Patriots' roster moves on Monday, the team placed veteran defensive back Will Allen, safety Josh Barrett and fifth-year fullback Spencer Larsen on injured reserve.

www.espn.com

Allen, who came off the field after warm-ups in Wednesday and Thursday practices in Tampa, didn't play Friday night against the Buccaneers.​

Usually when a player is placed on injured reserve, that means they are lost for the season.​

But in this case, the option is there for the team to work out injury settlements with all three players at any time. If the injury settlement is worked out within five days of them being placed on injured reserve, the option opens for that player to potentially return to the team later in the season.​

A negotiated injury settlement would be for a specific number of games. The team could then approach the players about returning six games after the number of games settled upon.​

Mar 1, 2017:

Former Patriots player sentenced to six years for Ponzi scheme - The Boston Globe

www.bostonglobe.com

Prosecutors said Allen and Daub ran a Massachusetts company, Capital Financial Partners, that took in more than $35 million from investors between 2012 and 2015, supposedly to loan money and then earn money on the interest.​

Some of the loans the duo claimed to issue never existed, authorities said, and in other instances, Allen and Daub exaggerated the size of the loans they made. They used new investments to repay existing investors, claiming the money was coming from loan payments.​

Mar 1, 2017:

Former NFL CB Will Allen sentenced to six years in prison for role in Ponzi scheme

Will Allen was a first-round pick by the Giants and also played for the Dolphins and Patriots.

www.usatoday.com

Will Allen was sentenced to six years in prison and three years of supervised release as well as ordered to pay $16.8 million in restitution by a federal judge on Wednesday for his role in a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme.​

Co-defendant Susan Daub received the same sanctions when U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young announced the sentence in Boston. Allen, 38, and Daub, 56, pleaded guilty in November to two counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy and one count of money laundering as part of a $35 million fraudulent loan scheme targeted at professional athletes.​

“The sentences imposed by the court today send a strong message – those who defraud investors to unjustly enrich themselves will pay a hefty price,” Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation Joel P. Garland said in a statement “As a former professional football player, Mr. Allen’s conduct is especially egregious. He used his status as an NFL athlete to legitimize his dealings with investors. We are proud to bring our financial expertise to joint investigations of this magnitude, and help prevent future victims of such schemes.”​

“The defendants’ elaborate Ponzi scheme robbed many of the investors of a stable financial future,” Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb said in a statement. “The significant sentences the court imposed today should remind investment professionals to handle their clients’ money with the transparency and integrity that the law requires.”​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
More August 5th Birthdays​

Happy 27th birthday to Tyree St. Louis
Born August 5, 1997 in Tampa
Patriot OT, 2019 offseason; uniform #71/#68
Signed as a free agent on May 2, 2019


Tyree St Louis started the final eight games of his 2016 sophomore season with the Miami Hurricanes, and all of his junior season at right tackle. He shifted to left tackle as a senior, and was honorable mention for the All-ACC Team. Despite having pretty good stats as both a run blocker and pass protector, scouting reports claimed his technique was inconsistent and needed to improve. St Louis played in the East-West Shrine Game, but departed early with an injury. That didn't help his cause, nor did not being invited to the NFL Combine.

The Patriots had openings at left tackle (sound familiar?) due to the departure of starter Trent Brown and swing tackle LaAdrian Waddle, and St Louis also had the benefit of spending the entire offseason with the Patriots. However, first round pick Isaiah Wynn and third rounder Yodny Cajuste were roster locks due to their draft status, as was incumbent right tackle Marcus Cannon. It appeared that a final roster spot might be up for grabs between St Louis and Cole Croston, but both got the axe as part of final roster cuts. The two were immediatley re-signed to the practice squad, but St Louis was quickly let go to make room for guards Najee Toran and Colby Gossett on the PS. A couple days later the Colts signed St Louis to their practice squad.

Later that season St Louis signed with the Chargers. His NFL playing time all came in 2020, when he played in five games with two starts for LAC.

Slide show with head shots of the 53 players that began the 1991 season the Patriots roster, plus a list of all the waived players:

Patriots make series of roster moves

Other pro football players born on August 5 with New England connections:

Perry Carter, 53 (8/5/71)
Draft Pick Trade
On April 25, 1994 the Patriots traded down, sending their 4th round pick (#107 overall) to the Arizona Cardinals for their 4th (#121) and 5th (#135). Arizona used that pick on Carter, a defensive back from Southern Miss, who played in 28 games from 1995-98. The Pats used the 4th on John Burke, a WR/TE from Va Tech who played in 43 games for the Patriots from '94-'96, and 60 NFL games total. The other pick was used on Pat O'Neill, a punter from Syracuse who played for the Pats for a year and a half.

Freddie Scott, 72 (8/5/52)
Amherst
Wide receiver played in the NFL for ten years, with the Colts and Lions from 1974 to 1983.

Ernie McCann (1902-1971)
Hartford Blues
Tackle, end and guard from Penn State played in the NFL back in the twenties.

Sky August (1904-1993)
Providence Steam Roller
Presumably known for his ability to jump high, this tailback and wingback from Villanova was in the NFL for one season, 1931.

Dwight Bingham, 63 (8/5/61)
grew up in Stamford CT, Stamford High School
Jamaican born defensive end was one of the replacement players in 1987, for Atlanta.




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

Roman Gabriel, (1940-2024)
Four-time Pro Bowl quarterback; from 1967-69 his Rams went 32-7-3, but were unable to win the NFL championship. Borderline hall of Famer, in my opinion.

Bruce Coslet, 78 (8/5/46)
After seven seasons as a tight end for Cincinnati, Coslet was a head coach for 16 years with the Jets and Bengals.

C.J. Spiller, 37 (8/5/87)
Averaged 5.2 yards per rush in 2011 with the Bills, then followed that up with 6.0 ypc the next season, gaining 1,703 yards from scrimmage.

Wendell Hayes (1940-2019)
The fullback scored 35 touchdowns from 1963-74, winning a ring in Super Bowl 4 with the Chiefs.

Howie Ferguson (1930-2005)
Pro Bowl fullback for the Packers in the fifties.

Gary Beban, 75 (8/5/46)
Beban is the answer to the trivia question, 'what UCLA quarterback won the 1967 Heisman Trophy over OJ Simpson'?

There is a weird back story to Gary Beban's being drafted. In 1967 the expansion New Orleans Saints needed information on the college players, in order to make good drafting decisions. Commisioner Pete Rozelle suggested that New Orleans give the Los Angeles Rams their second round draft pick in the 1968 draft, in exchange for the Rams scouting combine information on college talent. The Saints accepted.

The Rams already had Roman Gabriel, who had been a backup to Bill Munson before taking over as starting QB in 1966. Apparently they didn't have much faith in him, and the Rams drafted Beban with the 30th overall pick of the draft. Perhaps that slight motivated Gabriel; he proceeded to more than double his TD total and was named to the Pro Bowl, leading the Rams to a 11-1-2 season.

Beban was still held in high regard though, and the Rams were able to ship him off to Washington a year later for a 1969 first round pick. Beban did absolutely nothing in his NFL career: five games played with zero completions on one pass attempt. he was out of football for good in the summer of 1971.

 

[Pape]

Today in Patriots History
'In The Line of Duty'​

In memory of Larry Carwell, who would have been 80 today
Born August 5, 1944 in Vada, Georgia
Died January 9, 1984 at the age of 39
Patriot CB, 1969-1972; uniform #41
Acquired in a seven-player trade with the Oilers on March 24, 1969


Larry Carwell was a third round draft pick by the Oilers in 1967, out of Iowa State. After two seasons there he was part of a blockbuster trade between Boston and Houston. Two months after the 'common' (combined AFL and NFL) 1969 draft, the Oilers sent Carwell, RB Sid Blanks, MLB Ron Caveness and WR Charley Frazier to the Patriots in exchange for CB Leroy Mitchell and the Pats second round draft pick in 1970. Mitchell was an All-Star with seven interceptions the previous year, and just 24 years old.

The Patriots of that time were rebuilding and in need of upgrades everywhere. In 1966 they seemed destined to win the AFL East and possibly represent the American Football League in the first super bowl. But the Pats were upset on the final game of the season and the entire roster seemed to age and get slow at the same time, resulting in back-to-back ten-loss seasons. Boston was willing to give up a high draft pick and a budding star for four players, but the plan did not work out. Blanks was an all star as a rookie, but had done next to nothing since then; he rarely saw any action behind Jim Nance and Carl Garrett. Frazier did score seven touchdowns in '69, but he was over the hill and had only nine receptions the following year. (If you are rebuilding aren't you trying to get younger, not older?) Caveness never played a single down for the Pats.

Larry Carwell was the only one of the four that made the trade close to being worthwhile. He was a four-year starter for the Patriots at left corner, from '69-'72, in a period of time when there was not much support from either the pass rush or from the offense. Carwell had ten interceptions (with one touchdown) for the Pats, and also contributed on special teams with 13 punt returns and two kickoff returns.

Remembering Larry Carwell

Larry Carwell was an exceptional Iowa State football player from 1964-66. He was also a huge success as a professional, playing six seasons (1967-72) in the AFL for the Houston Oilers and New England Patriots, collecting 14 career interceptions along the way.​

A native of Campbell, Ohio, Carwell lettered three years at Iowa State as an outstanding defensive back. He tallied 127 tackles and picked off seven passes in his career. On Oct. 8, 1966, Carwell picked off two Kansas passes and returned the interceptions for 123 return yards. His interception return yardage that day is still a Cyclone school record.​

Carwell started over 50 games in the AFL during his distinguished professional career. He had five interceptions for the Patriots in 1971 and returned two interceptions for touchdowns in his career.​

Unlike today’s professional athletes, players in the 1970s were underpaid. They needed a second career to survive, and Carwell was determined and ready for another challenge.​

Anybody who knew Carwell would quickly tell you about his love of children and his hatred for drugs. He was sickened how drugs filtered down to kids and ruined their lives. He was going to join the fight and the DEA was his calling.​

It was important for Carwell to set an example for his wife, Lural, and his two children, Larry Jr., Shauntel.​

Carwell entered the United States Drug Enforcement Administration in 1974 shortly after retiring from the pros. He soon became a special agent for the DEA, and on Jan. 9, 1984, Carwell, along with four Air Force servicemen, died in a helicopter crash during an anti-narcotics mission.​

Larry Carwell was stationed in Houston with the United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration’s Houston Field Division soon after becoming a special agent. He was a Sunday school teacher for a local Baptist church and active in drug prevention and sports programs in the community.​

Carwell was sent to Miami with the task of stopping drug runners in the Bahamas. During the 1980s, cocaine smuggling was at its peak and the Bahamas was a key link in the smuggling chain.​

Just off the coast of the Bahamas, his helicopter developed complications. The aircraft suffered from a dual engine flame out and crashed into the sea. All five bodies were never found.​

Carwell was 39 years old.​

the post trade Patriots backfield...

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
August 5th Transactions​

Aug 5, 2024:

Patriots Daily News Thread - Monday Patriots News Thread 8/5

www.patsfans.com

PATRIOTS TRAINING CAMP - Monday Patriots Training Camp 8/5

www.patsfans.com

Patriots place OL Jake Andrews on injured reserve and sign long snapper Tucker Addington

Patriots center Jake Andrews has been placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury. He started one game as a rookie last year.

www.boston.com

Patriots offensive lineman Jake Andrews has been placed on injured reserve, the team announced Monday.​

Andrews played in 16 games last season with one start in the regular-season finale against the Jets on Jan. 7. Andrews primarily plays center but started that game at left guard.​

The Patriots drafted Andrews in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He spent most of his rookie year backing up veteran center David Andrews.​

Without Jake Andrews in the mix during training camp, the Patriots have turned to Nick Leverett for the backup center role. Atonio Mafi, who primarily played guard last season, has also been taking snaps at center in a reserve role.​

The Patriots also announced that they signed long-snapper Tucker Addington. Addington had a brief stint with the Patriots in 2022, during which he played in three games. He has spent time with Dallas, Washington, and Dallas, mostly as a practice squad player.​

Joe Cardona, who started at long snapper last year, remains on the roster.​

Aug 5, 2020:
Patriots re-sign WR Isaiah Zuber. The Pats had originally signed Zuber as an undrafted rookie from Mississippi State on April 27, and waived him July 26. Between multiple signings and releases, Zuber played in four games for the Pats, with two receptions (29 yards) and two rushes (21 yards).



Aug 5, 2015:

Patriots Place Sixth-Round Draft Pick A.J. Derby On Injured Reserve - NESN.com

UPDATE (5 p.m. ET): A.J. Derby went unclaimed and was placed on injured reserve Wednesday. ORIGINAL STORY: The New England Patriots used 11 selections in the 2015 NFL Draft, so it was unlikely all of those rookies were going to make the team’s 53-man roster. The Patriots already waived one of...

nesn.com

A.J. Derby went unclaimed and was placed on injured reserve Wednesday.​

Derby missed the Patriots spring practices and only was present for the team’s first training camp session. A sixth round draft pick, Derby played quarterback for Iowa, Coffeyville Community College and Arkansas before switching to tight end in his senior season. He caught 22 passes for 303 yards with three touchdowns with the Razorbacks. He had been waived on Tuesday.​

Aug 5, 2013:

Patriots re-sign Stankiewitch, Zupancic

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- With two open roster spots, the Patriots re-signed rookie center Matt Stankiewitch and rookie long snapper Mike Zupancic, coach Bill Belichick announced this morning.

www.espn.com

With two open roster spots, the Patriots re-signed rookie center Matt Stankiewitch and rookie long snapper Mike Zupancic, coach Bill Belichick announced this morning.​

Stankiewitch, who played at Penn State under former Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, had been waived after opening training camp on the non-football injury list. He was initially signed May 3 and addresses some concerns with depth along the interior of the line.​

Zupancic, who was initially signed by the team on May 3, had been waived last Thursday as the Patriots juggled the back end of their roster with injuries in mind (they needed some offensive linemen after a run of injuries). He competed with veteran long snapper Danny Aiken in camp but was released on Aug. 2. Aiken, who has served as the Patriots' snapper in each of the last two seasons, remains the favorite for the job.​

Aug 5, 2012:

A day after signing, Patriots release FB Kareem Huggins

The Patriots, apparently, do not need any more fullbacks. At least not those who have been out of football for a year.

www.boston.com

The Patriots, apparently, do not need any more fullbacks. At least not those who have been out of football for a year.​

A day after signing Kareem Huggins, the Patriots released the 27-year old veteran of two NFL seasons.​

Huggins went undrafted in 2009 out of Hoftsta, and was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a free agent, where he spent two seasons (2009-2010). He did not play in the NFL in 2011.​

The Patriots listed Huggins, 5-foot-9, 198 pounds as a fullback, although he has previous experience as a running back. The 26-year has played in three career games, totaling four carries for 11 yards rushing.​

Aug 5, 2011:

Patriots sign pass-rushing DE Anderson

The Patriots signed of veteran defensive end Mark Anderson, a pass-rusher whose best season came as a rookie in 2006 when he had 12 sacks.

www.espn.com

The New England Patriots on Friday signed veteran defensive end Mark Anderson, a pass-rusher whose best season came as a rookie in 2006, when he had 12 sacks for the Chicago Bears. Anderson was at practice Friday, wearing No. 95.​

The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Anderson, who entered the league as a fifth-round draft choice of the Bears in 2006, was with Chicago until Oct. 5 of last season. He was signed by the Houston Texans the next day and ended up playing 11 games (with two starts) for them.​

Anderson has started in 20 of 77 games, totaling 154 total tackles, 25½ sacks, seven passes defensed, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He also has played in three postseason games, including Super Bowl XLI.​

His 12 sacks in 2006 were the most of any rookie that year. He played defensive end in a 4-3 scheme that season.​

The Patriots have been working with six-year veteran Eric Moore and second-year man Jermaine Cunningham as their top ends in a four-man line. Anderson joins that mix.​

The team also announced the release of defensive lineman Marlon Favorite, who was a long shot to make the roster.​

Patriots sign DE Anderson, release Favorite

The former Bears 4-3 end has 25.5 career sacks, with 12 coming as a rookie.

www.boston.com

Analysis: Anderson is strictly a pass-rushing end at this point. With the ascension of Israel Idonije last season with the Bears, Anderson became expendable. He’s very active and can get after the quarterback. He can’t defend the run at all anymore. Tight ends cover him up with ease. And Anderson is a 4-3 guy.​

Anderson had the second-best season of his career in 2011, tops since he finished second in 2006 for voting on the defensive rookie of the year. Anderson and Andre Carter tied for the team lead with ten sacks each in the regular season, and then had 2½ sacks, 11 tackles and four QB hits in the playoffs.

Aug 5, 2008:

Patriots' defense not tuning in just yet

FOXBORO - Bill Belichick does not appear to be leaping on board with the latest high-tech innovation the National Football League is offering its coaches.

www.thesunchronicle.com

Bill Belichick does not appear to be leaping on board with the latest high-tech innovation the National Football League is offering its coaches.​

Thursday at Gillette Stadium, when the Patriots play host to the Baltimore Ravens (7:30 p.m.; Ch. 5, 64), it doesn't appear that Belichick will be sending one of his defensive players onto the field wearing a helmet equipped with a radio receiver.​

It's not clear whether Belichick is disdainful of the new rule because it has an association with the "Spygate" scandal of last year. More likely, it's a matter of the priorities Belichick and his staff have assigned to the installation and refinement of his defense in general.​

"We haven't used them yet, so it's not really a high priority right now," Belichick said. "We need to just go out there and learn how to play good defense and learn our assignments and all that. We'll get to the other stuff when we get to it."​

All NFL teams can send one defensive player onto the field equipped with a radio-equipped helmet (designated by a green dot decal) to receive defensive signals from the sideline. Two players can be designated as those empowered to wear the radio helmets, but only one such headset can be on the field at any time.​

Beyond the "Spygate" tie-in - Belichick and the Patriots were fined a total of $750,000 last year and their lost their own first-round draft choice over having illegally videotaped the Jets' assistant coaches signaling in plays in the season opener - the Patriots have yet to finalize some of the positions that might be candidates for wearing the radio helmet on the field, nor have they really established who might be the likely backup who'd don the helmet if the designated individual substitutes out of the game.​

There are likely to be times when it might be simpler for Belichick to just rely upon old-fashioned hand signals to get the plays in rather than tossing helmets all over the sidelines.​

"No argument here," he said.​

= = = = =​

Belichick still has five players on the PUP list, including offensive lineman Stephen Neal, which makes the versatility of veteran Russ Hochstein all the more important to the team. "I don't know where we'd be without him," Belichick said. "Russ is one of the most solid and consistent players we have on the team. He's really the same guy every day, whether it be practice or games, preseason or postseason, first quarter or fourth quarter, it doesn't matter."​

Late in the afternoon, the team signed veteran offensive lineman John Welbourn and released rookie defensive lineman Chris Norwell. Norwell, 23, was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 2. The 6-foot-6-inch, 303-pound defensive tackle played four seasons for the University of Illinois from 2004-07. As a senior in 2007, his three fumble recoveries led the Big Ten Conference.​

Chris Norwell - Head Coach - Staff Directory - Thomas More University

Chris Norwell is entering his 17th season with Thomas More and his 4th as the head football coach for the 2025-2026 season. The 2024 season saw the Saints go

thomasmoresaints.com

Aug 5, 2005:

Patriots Waive WR Ricky Bryant

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots waived first-year wide receiver Ricky Bryant today.

www.patriots.com

The New England Patriots waived first-year wide receiver Ricky Bryant today.​

Bryant, 24, was originally signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2004. The 6-foot, 185-pound receiver was a member of New England's practice squad for the final four weeks of the 2004 regular season and throughout last year's playoffs. He participated in the Patriots' 2004 training camp and was released in the final roster cutdown on Sept. 5, 2004. Bryant was signed to the practice squad on Dec. 8, 2004 and was signed to the active roster on Feb. 16, 2005. The Hofstra product was allocated to NFL Europe this spring and started the first four games of the 2005 season for the Hamburg Sea Devils, coming up with four touchdown grabs in the season's first four weeks.​

There is a detailed bio on Bryant here:

Ricky Bryant: Pride Grad Epitome of Perseverence

University alumnus Ricky Bryant experienced the rush during the biggest game in football as a member of the New England Patriots. Super Bowl XXXIX commanded players to pull up their socks for a once in a lifetime chance for glory.

www.thehofstrachronicle.com

Odd 2008 story involving Bryant:

Former NFL player and New England Patriots wide receiver Ricky Bryant accused of chasing newspaper carrier; Speeds reached 100 mph

Ricky Bryant INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP, Michigan -- A former New England Patriots wide receiver is accused of chasing a newspaper carrier and pointing a gun at him. Ricky Bryant, 27, of Clarkston was charged with two felonies this week after an...

www.mlive.com

LinkedIn - Ricky Bryant

Ricky Bryant may be most well known for selling his Super Bowl ring on the tv show Pawn Stars after falling on hard times.

​

Aug 5, 2004:
Ironically, of the two transactions, the player that received 99% of the ink never played for the Patriots. The afterthought named after an R&B band played in nine games before losing playing time in the defensive backfield to a 33 year-old wide receiver (Troy Brown).

Pats sign three-time pro bowl DL Dana Stubblefield and CB Earthwind Moreland

The Patriots signed DL Dana Stubblefield and CB Earthwind Moreland today.

www.patriots.com

Patriots sign three-time Pro Bowler Dana Stubblefield

FOXBORO -- Dana Stubblefield, a one-time defensive player of the year, signed with the New England Patriots yesterday. In 11 NFL seasons, the 33-year-old defensive tackle has played for San Francis…

www.southcoasttoday.com

Dana Stubblefield, a one-time defensive player of the year, signed with the New England Patriots.​

In 11 NFL seasons, the 33-year-old defensive tackle has played for San Francisco, Washington and Oakland, winning a Super Bowl ring with the 49ers in 1994. He was with the Raiders last season after a second stint with the 49ers.​

The signing is in keeping with coach Bill Belichick's policy of using veterans on a team that has won two of the last three Super Bowls. Stubblefield will be used to help fill the void caused when Ted Washington left as a free agent after last season and to help break in rookie nose tackle Vince Wilfork, the team's first draft pick.​

He was one of three players who last month was fined three games' salary for testing positive for the steroid THG last season. The fine will be based on last season's salary.​

Stubblefield has appeared before the grand jury investigating a nutritional supplements lab -- the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO) -- which has been at the center of a steroids controversy in several sports.​

The 6-foot-2-inch, 290-pound lineman has started 149 NFL games and amassed 428 career tackles, including 53.5 sacks. He also has 32 pass deflections, two interceptions, nine forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.​

He was selected to the Pro Bowl following the 1994, 1995 and 1997 seasons, and was named the league's defensive player of the year following a career-best 15-sack season in 1997.​

The Pats also signed free agent cornerback Earthwind Moreland.​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
20th Century August 5th Transactions​

Aug 5, 1999:
Patriots sign free agent WR Keivi Baker

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - Tony George, the Patriots' third-round draft pick out of Florida, was expecting a quiet, uneventful training camp.

He was prepared to arrive at Bryant College as just another prospect at free safety, hoping to eventually replace long-time starter Willie Clay. But with the Patriots' sudden release last month of …

www.capecodtimes.com

Tony George, the Patriots' third-round draft pick out of Florida, was expecting a quiet, uneventful training camp. He was prepared to arrive at Bryant College as just another prospect at free safety, hoping to eventually replace long-time starter Willie Clay.​

But with the Patriots' sudden release last month of Clay for salary cap reasons, George suddenly finds himself battling veterans Chris Carter and Larry Whigham for the starting job. . . . . . . . . .​

In addition to the Patriots training camp, George has other obstacles in life. He was diagnosed with diabetes in 1991 and has to take daily injections of insulin.​

But he considers his affliction minor compared to that of his younger sister, Tari, who has cerebral palsy. He said his sister serves as an inspiration for him.​

"My relationship with my sister is second to none," he said. "When I play football, I'm really playing it for her." . . . . . . . . . .​

PATS SIGN A RECEIVER: The Patriots signed wide receiver Keivi Baker yesterday in an attempt to shore up the team's hobbled receiving corps.​

Baker, 25, played this year with the Houston Outlaws of the Regional Football League. The 6-foot-1-inch, 208-pound receiver also played with the Jefferson City Jaguars of the South Central Football League in 1997.​

Baker was drafted out of high school by the Baltimore Orioles in 1992. He played in 1992 and 1993 as an outfielder, designated hitter and catcher for the the Gulf Coast Orioles, the Orioles' Rookie League team in Sarasota, Fla.​

The Patriots waived Baker on August 30, making New England the one and only stop of his short NFL career. Rumor on the interwebz is that Keivi Baker became a standup comedian, touring with a guy named Earthquke and has been on the Howard Stern show.



Aug 5, 1997:
The Patriots waived Michael Dritlein with an injury designation. The wide receiver from Washburn University (the Ichabods are a D-2 school in Topeka, Kansas) suffered a fractured collar bone and would be placed on IR the following day. Dritlein had originally been signed as an undrafted rookie by KC in 1976, and spent the '76 and '77 offseasons with the Chiefs. The Pats had just signed him on July 23; he did not play any pro football after the injury.

Michael Dritlein (2006) - Hall of Fame - Washburn University Athletics

Michael Dritlein, Class: 1996 Induction: 2006 Sport(s): Football - Michael Dritlein - Football (1992-95) Michael Dritlein finished his career ranked second on Washburn's

wusports.com

Former pro football player racing in memory of mother

Even record-breaking heat isn’t going to stop Mike Dritlein from his training Thursday. Pushing his limits on his road bike up South Mountain, the thought of his mom is not far from his mind.

www.abc15.com

July 23, 1997, Smithfield RI: Newest Patriot Michael Dritlein (R) hopes to backup Terry Glenn (L)​

Aug 5, 1987:
Pats waive John Askin, an undrafted offensive lineman from Notre Dame.

John Askin Files Lawsuit Against the NCAA and Notre Dame Regarding Administered Pain Medications and Neurological Damage | Shepherd & Allen

Without a doubt, the NCAA has found itself in the line of fire a significant number of times during the past few years. It appears that the antediluvian organization is slow to adjust, desperate to hang on to power and its revenue stream. It appears that the floodgates are fully opened...

saalawoffice.com

Notre Dame Defeats Claim by Brain-Damaged Injured Former Player | Sports Litigation Alert

sportslitigationalert.com

Askin grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. Gerry Faust recruited Askin to play at Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, so Askin and his family moved there. Faust became Head Coach at Notre Dame in 1980 and recruited Askin to South Bend. He entered Notre Dame in 1982 and played offensive line. Askin wore #72 jersey, 6’6” and weighed over 270 pounds. Football practice was not kind to Askin. He “suffered numerous concussions at practices and games.” On one occasion, “documented in Notre Dame’s medical records, he was knocked unconscious and sent to the hospital for a CT brain scan. He returned to practice several hours later that day at the insistence of the coach.” According to the Complaint, Askin was subjected to repetitive head impacts, and “was never furnished with appropriate health and safety protocols”. He did not see a neurologist, nor warned about the risks of concussions. It further asserted that Askin was never pulled from practice or games due to concussions, but rather was returned to play as soon as possible. He was given various pain medication for multiple orthopedic injuries that the Complaint alleges were illegally dispensed and illegally administered, often in the locker-room.​

Following his time at Notre Dame, Askin tried, but failed to play in the NFL. This attempt ended in 1987. Askin returned home and worked for an insurance company, then a bank in Louisville. The pain associated with various injuries took a heavy toll and by age forty-five he left his job and qualified for Social Security disability benefits. The Court acknowledged that three years later he began to see a physician for treatment related to issues with “his low back, neck pain and headache pain [due] to trauma from playing football.” The doctor “prescribed MS Contin (morphine) and oxycodone.” By 2013 and 2014 Askin had “cognitive problems, including short-term memory loss.” This included “difficulty remembering names and performing everyday activities” and became addicted to opiates. A “friend testified that his speech was slurred, and he had difficulty conducting a coherent conversation.”​

Patrriots also waived Scott Schutt, an outside linebacker from North dakota State. Schutt did get to play three NFL games for the Bengals in 1987 as a replacement player.


New England scout George Blackburn retires. Blackburn had been a college head coach at Miami of Ohio (1948), Cincinnati (1955-60) and Virginia (1965-70), and had also been an assistant coach for eight years at Army and the above three schools. He then spent 17 years in the NFL as a scout with the Saints, Oilers and Patriots.

Former Virginia Head Football Coach George Blackburn Dies

virginiasports.com

Former Virginia coach Blackburn dies at 93

George Blackburn, who was the head football coach at Virginia from 1965-70, has died, the school said Tuesday. He was 93.

www.espn.com

Aug 5, 1986:
New England signs their first round draft pick, RB Reggie Dupard of SMU. Dupard averaged 2.6 yards per carry as a rookie, 3.4 yards in 1987, 2.9 yards in '88 and 2.5 yards before being released halfway through the 1989 season - thus earning him the nickname, "Two Yards Dupard".



Aug 5, 1981:
The Patriots release eight players:
- Stanley Brooks of Abilene Christian
--- Stanley Brooks facebook page
- Mike Bush - found nothing due to name similarities
- Russ Compton - 6'3, 260 lb center for the Indiana Hoosiers, then played in the USFL from 1982-1984 with the New Jersey Generals, Birmingham Stallions, Tampa Bay Bandits and San Antonio Gunslingers.
--- Russ Compton - USFL (United States Football League)
- Arnie Pinkston - defensive back from Yale; became a lawyer
--- NIRI - Arnie Pinkston
--- https://www.nhregister.com/colleges/article/Yale-UConn-wasn-t-a-mean-rivalry-but-it-was-16536645.php
- Mark Ross - split end/punter from Northeastern State; the Riverhawks are a D-2 school in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
--- Mark Ross (2002) - Northeastern State Athletics Hall of Fame - Northeastern State University Athletics
- Tim Ross - linebacker/defensive end from Bowling Green State University played in three replacement games in 1987
- Ron Tate - found nothing due to a basketball player of the same name, and another football player named Ronnie Tate
- Edward Wright - there was an Eddie Wright who would have graduated in 1977 from Middle Tennessee State that was an undersized defensive end; unsure if the two are the same.



Aug 5, 1975:
Patriots trade Bob Adams to the Oilers for a 1976 seventh round pick.

Adams was a blocking tight end who had 31 receptions with the Pats in 1973-74. He played in 82 NFL games from 1969-76.

The Pats used the draft pick on Perry Brooks, a defensive tackle from Southern. Brooks was waived at the end of training camp and signed with Washington. He played in 92 games for the Skins from 1978 to 1984 and was part of the '82 team that beat the Dolphins in Super Bowl 17, as well as the 14-2 '83 team that lost to the Raiders in Super Bowl 18.



Aug 5, 1970:
Harry 'Skip' Orzulak dislocates his shoulder and is ruled 'out indefinitely'. The wide receiver from Pitt never did get on the field in a regular season game in the NFL.

Oct 19, 1983 - The Pittsburgh Press from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Ex-Pitt receiver Harry Orszulak dies. Dr. Harry J. "Skip" Orszulak, 36, an Irwin dentist, died yesterday in Presbyterian-University Hospital after a lengthy illness. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and its dental school, Dr. Orszulak played wide receiver on the university's football team and was drafted by the San Diego Chargers.​

He made the team but remained on injured reserve during his playing career.​

August 5, 1963:
Patriots trade **** Klein to Oakland for the rights to Jim Leo, and cash considerations.

Klein was an AFL All-Star at defensive tackle in 1962, and had played in 26 of a possible 28 games over the previous two seasons, with 22 starts. Leo was a defensive end for the Giants and Vikings from 1960-62, who never did play for the Patriots.

More on Richard 'Sleepy' Klein here:

Richard James “Sleepy” Klein (1934-2005) - Find a...

Richard Sleepy Klein, 71, of Pana died Tuesday, December 27 at 10:25 p.m. in Pana Community Hospital. He was born February 11, 1934 in Pana, IL, the son of Celeste A. & Ethelyn A. Galvin Klein. Born in Pana, he was a graduate of Danville Schlarman High School, Class of 1951 and attended...

www.findagrave.com

August 5, 1961:
The Patriots release three players: Bob Knight, Bob Lasch and Larry Lavery, none of whom ever played in the AFL or NFL.

A search for Knight was fruitless since he shares the same name as the legendary basketball coach, and nothing came up for Bob Lasch either. As for Lavery, it turns out that he was a lineman at Illinois who was drafted by Philadelphia in the 17th round of the 1961 draft, 238th overall. Although undrafted by the AFL he chose instead to sign with the Boston Patriots.

At some point very early in training camp Lavery suffered an injury that caused his pro football career to end before it even began, and he was released by the Pats on August 5th. Larry returned to Illinois where he wound up the 1961 season as football coach at Galena High School and in 1962 posted a 9-1 mark at Freeport Acquin.

A few years later Lavery became the head football coach at Peoria Central, a position he remained in for an amazing 27 seasons. While there he won more games (he finished with a 176-109-2 record) than any coach in the history of the school, before retiring following the 1998 season.

Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame | Larry Lavery