Today In Patriots History Jan 28: Happy Birthday to Stephen Gostkowski

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Stephen Gostkowski​

Happy 41st birthday to Stephen Gostkowski
Born Jan 28, 1984 in Baton Rouge; grew up in Madison, Mississippi
Patriot K, 2006-2019; uniform #3
Pats 4th round (118th overall) selection of the 2006 draft, from Memphis
Pats résumé: 14 seasons, 1,775 points, 4 Pro Bowls, 3x All Pro (2x 1st Team All Pro), 3 Super Bowl Rings; Pats All-2010s Team; NFL All-2010s Team


I can remember wondering why the Patriots wasted a fourth round draft pick on a kicker, and having many fans of opposing teams warn me - and me agreeing with them - that the Pats had royally screwed up by letting Adam Vinatieri go for an unproven rookie. Um, well, - can I get a mulligan on that thought?

​

• Three-time Super Bowl Champion
• Two-time First Team All Pro
• Four-Time Pro Bowl selection
• Five-Time AFC Special Teams Player of the Month
• Seven-Time AFC Special Teams Player of the Week
• Five-Time NFL Season Leader in Points Scored
• Three-Time NFL Season Leader in Field Goals Made
• Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010's Team

Patriot Franchise Records
Ghost ranks first in franchise career rankings for field goals, field goal attempts, extra points, extra point attempts, extra point percentage (minimum 75 attempts), and points scored.

His 1,775 points scored nearly laps the field: it is 617 more than any other player in Patriot history. Gostkowski's 158 points scored in 2013 is the most ever for the franchise, shattering Gino Cappelletti's seemingly unbreakable team record that had stood for 49 years. Ghost owns the three highest single-season point totals in franchise history, five of the top six, and seven of the top ten. He also held the record for the longest field goal in franchise history, 62 yards, since broken by Joey Slye's 63-yarder in last September's loss to San Francisco. That 62-yard kick is still the 12th-longest made field goal in NFL history, and was the sixth longest at that time (2017).


Career NFL Rankings

• 1,875 Points Scored was 11th all-time when he retired (13th now)
• 86.3% Field Goal Accuracy is 11th all-time (was 5th best prior to leaving the Pats)
• 392 Field Goals was 13th all-time (17th now)
• 699 Extra Points was 6th all-time (7th now)

Other Milestones

• Holds NFL record with 523 consecutive extra points converted
• Only player in NFL history to score more than 150 points in multiple seasons; Gostkowski has accomplished that feat five times
• Is one of only three players (Don Hutson, Gino Cappelletti) to lead the league in scoring five times
• 158 points scored in 2013 is 5th most for a kicker in NFL history (just eight points behind all-time leader David Akers 166)
• Ranked 5th in NFL history with 38 field goals made in a single season in 2013 (10th now)

Playoffs

• 212 career points scored is 2nd all-time
• 29 playoff games is 3rd all-time
• 89 extra points made is most all-time
• 41 field goals made is 2nd all-time
• 15 extra points made in a single postseason is 4th most (2014)
• 8 field goals made in a single postseason is 7th most (2006)

March 23, 2020: Patriots Release K Stephen Gostkowski | Patriots.com

March 25, 2020: Statement from Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick on Stephen Gostkowski

"I have had the privilege of coaching some of the best specialists in the NFL and Stephen Gostkowski is one of them. Stephen had many highlights over his 14 years as a Patriot and one of the most impressive was the way it began, when he succeeded the most accomplished kicker in NFL history. For some, this may have been too difficult a challenge. But from his rookie year, Stephen exuded a maturity and confidence that demonstrated he was up to the task. He made several crucial kicks his rookie year and established a top level of performance and consistency for years and years to come. Stephen is a great teammate who made outstanding contributions over a decade of championship football."​

Stephen Gostkowski - 2005 - Football - University of Memphis Athletics

Stephen Gostkowski (32) K - 32 Stephen Gostkowski Class: Senior Hometown: Madison, MS High School: Madison Central HS Height / Weight: 6-2 / 200 Positi...

gotigersgo.com

Most consecutive extra points by an NFL kicker

www.guinnessworldrecords.com

Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski was underappreciated because of the shadow he played in - The Boston Globe

Following the best ever is not easy, but Gostkowski was a worthy successor to Adam Vinatieri.

www.bostonglobe.com

How do NFL kickers deal with pressure and failure? We asked three former greats

Few positions are as singularly stressful in the NFL as the kicker. Three of the best ever talk about beating the pressure.

www.nytimes.com

Stephen Gostkowski Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money, and Contract History | Over The Cap

Stephen Gostkowski contract and salary cap details, including signing bonus, guaranteed salary, dead money, roster bonuses, and contract history

overthecap.com

Former Memphis kicker Stephen Gostkowski to give commencement address at U of M graduation

University of Memphis students graduating on Saturday will get to hear from a familiar face: Former Tigers kicker Stephen Gostkowski.

www.commercialappeal.com

High school kickers go toe-to-toe with Patriots legend

Three kickers from New Hampshire high school football teams got to win money for their teams and kick with a New England Patriots legend on Saturday.

www.wmur.com

As a rookie in 2006



A few years later



2014 photo



2019


Patriots Talk Podcast: Stephen Gostkowski on Patriots career and quarantine life
30:27 interview with Tom Curran for NBC Sports Boston, 2021
​

Stephen Gostkowski Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Checkout the latest stats for Stephen Gostkowski. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, college, draft, and more on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Rod McSwain​

Happy 63rd birthday to Rod McSwain
Born Jan 28, 1962 in High Shoals, North Carolina; grew up in Caroleen NC
Patriot CB/S, 1984-1990; uniform #23
Acquired in a trade with Atlanta on August 27, 1984 for an 8th round draft pick
Pats résumé: 7 seasons, 90 games, six interceptions, two fumble recoveries and two sacks; 5 playoff games, one pick


Rodney McSwain was a third round draft pick out of Clemson by Atlanta in '84. The Falcons traded the rookie to the Pats on August 27 as they attempted to get down to the 49 man roster limit, in exchange for New England's 8th round 1985 pick. That turned out to be a very good trade for New England.

Over seven seasons McSwain played in 90 regular season games and five playoff games with the Patriots. He was primarily utilized as a special teams ace, occasionally filling in at corner if Raymond Clayborn or Ronnie Lippett were injured, or in nickel and dime defenses. The 1990 season was his only year as a starter, at strong safety.

Despite multiple shoulder surgeries and hamstring injuries over his career, McSwain persevered and was a solid player; he was part of the swarming defense that squished the fish and won the AFC Championship in 1986.

McSwain did have some key plays over his career. In '86 he blocked a punt against the Rams and returned it 31 yards for TD; then in the final regular season game at Miami on December 22nd he intercepted a Dan Marino pass with 36 seconds left to play to seal a 34-27 victory. Two weeks later McSwain picked off John Elway, though the Patriots did lose that playoff game at Denver.

After being waived by the Pats in 1991 McSwain spent two seasons in what was the high point for the Arena Football League - winning an AFL championship with Detroit in 1992, and being named first team All-Arena in 1993.

Statistics

• 90 regular season games played
• 6 interceptions
• 2 fumble recoveries
• 5 playoff games, with one interception

Rodney McSwain | ArenaFan.com


Since 1995 Rod McSwain has been employed by Carolina Container in Hickory NC, where he is the Director of Human Resources.

Rodney McSwain | RC Sports HOF

www.rcshof.org

In May of 1984, McSwain was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons following his college career at Clemson University. McSwain, who also anchored Clemson's 1982 conference champion 400-meter relay team, was quickly acquired by the New England Patriots, where he played seven seasons (1984-1990). He also played two seasons in the Arena Football League with the Detroit Drive, winning Arena Bowl VI in 1992.​

Cornerbacks, in the early 80's were different from that of today's standards. While they were still expected to cover wide receivers, they were also basically linebackers who were lined outside of the eight-man box. Rod McSwain mastered this scenario and was a lock down cornerback. He had the size and power to play linebacker, but speed to play corner.​

In the 1985 season, the New England Patriots saw their first play-off game ever in the Super Bowl era when McSwain sealed the deal with a pass interception. They were the wild card that would not host a single game on their home field and yet would miraculously achieve the honor of squaring off in Super Bowl XX against the powerhouse Chicago Bears. While they did not win, this was a wonderful experience to be a part of.​

Clemson Flashback: McSwain brothers help Tigers finish 1981 undefeated

Danny Ford was a little ahead of his times when it came to how he used his running backs. In the late 1970s and ’80s, it was common for college football teams to have one running back to carry the …

theclemsoninsider.com

Rod McSwain and his brother Chuck, a tailback at Clemson
The 1981 Clemson Tigers went undefeated​

Rod McSwain Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Checkout the latest stats for Rod McSwain. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, college, draft, and more on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Tommy Hodson​

Happy 58th birthday to Tom Hodson
Born Jan 28, 1967 in Mathews, Louisiana
Patriot QB 1990-1992; uniform #13
Pats 3rd round (59th overall) selection of the 1990 draft, from LSU
Pats résumé: 3 seasons, 32 games (12 starts); 171-315, 1,809 yards, seven touchdowns


As a newcomer to living in SEC country at that time, I was very happy when the Patriots drafted Tommy Hodson: he was an exciting player to watch that had led his team to multiple victories over top-ten ranked teams. Unfortunately he never lived up to those hopes as a pro quarterback - though to be fair, he was in a no-win situation with the Victor Kiam/Rod Rust-era Patriots.

Hodson appeared in 32 games for the Patriots with 12 starts; the Pats went just 1-11 in those games. To get an idea of how bad those teams were, Hodson was sacked 41 times for a cumulative loss of 300 yards - despite having only 315 pass attempts. He was released near the end of the 1993 training camp when new coach Bill Parcells elected to go with Scott Secules and Scott Zolak as backup quarterbacks behind Drew Bledsoe.

Tommy Hodson Bio - LSU Tigers Athletics

Arguably the best quarterback in LSU history ... One of the most prolific passers in the history of the Southeastern Conference ... Chosen All-SEC for four years in a row by at least one of the major wire services ... Passed for 9,115 yards in his career, becoming the first 9,000-yard passer in SEC history ... Holds the LSU record for total yards with 8,938 (-117 yards rushing, 9,115 yards passing) ... Maintains the LSU record for touchdown passes in a career with 69 ... Averaged the most yards per game passing over a career in LSU history with 203.1 yards per game over 44 contests ... First player in SEC history to throw for over 2,000 yards in four straight seasons ... Threw for over 200 or more yards 26 times ... Started all but one game over his four year career ... Leads all LSU quarterbacks with 31 career victories ...​

Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inductee Tom Hodson still king of LSU QBs | NOLA.com

A Mathews, La. native, his numbers in the aforementioned categories were also the best in the SEC when he finished in 1989. In his first start, he guided the Tigers to a 35-17 upset victory against No. 7-ranked Texas A&M, and later etched his name into LSU lore permanently with the game-winning touchdown pass with 1:47 left in the "Earthquake Game" victory against No. 4 Auburn in 1988.​

Hodson was also a two-sport star at Central Lafourche High School, guiding the Trojans to a 13-1 record and passing for 4,361 yards and 36 TDs as a senior. As a basketball player, he averaged 27.4 points a game his senior and had serious recruiting offers in that sport.​

Here is a great article from February of 2005:
Catching Up With Tommy Hodson | Boston.com

Hodson showed signs of what made him legendary at LSU with the Patriots, but never had a consistent opportunity to play an entire season. During his time with New England, Hodson played under Rod Rust in 1990 and **** MacPherson in 1991 and 1992. The team struggled, going 1-15 under Rust and 6-10 and 2-14 under MacPherson, but despite the struggles Hodson enjoyed his time here.​

“I loved it there and Boston is a great city,” said Hodson “I grew up in the south and love the south, but it was a great experience to be in the northeast because it’s a different culture, different climate and there is a lot of history. “I had some great teammates and had a great experience. I met a lot of nice people and unfortunately we didn’t have a lot of success when I was there.”​

After being released by the Patriots, Hodson was picked up by the Miami Dolphins, where he spent half of the 1993 season and one week in 1994. Hodson then played one more year in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints (1995). “Although I didn’t have great success as a professional I played six years and it was a great honor to play in the NFL,” said Hodson. “I am grateful I was able to play six years.”​

As far as the current Patriots, Hodson has enjoyed watching them win two of the last three Super Bowls and feels they are the pick to win the Super Bowl once again this year over the Philadelphia Eagles. “Certainly it would be great if I could be on some of these Patriots teams now,” said Hodson. “I enjoy watching them and pull for them every week. I am a Patriots fan.”​

Getting in the game: Tommy Hodson - Baton Rouge Business Report

Following his professional football career, a friend guided Hodson into a career in financial services. After six years in wealth management, Hodson felt ready to make a change.​

It was then that he and Jamie Howard, a fellow LSU quarterback, teamed up on Howard’s business idea. Howard’s relatives own Howard Industries—the largest manufacturer and distributor of transformers in the country—and needed manufacturer representatives in Louisiana and Arkansas. JTH Agencies was born.​

Ten years later the company is growing, now representing 10 different companies and ready to hire more employees.​

Happy 42nd birthday to Titus Adams
Born Jan 28, 1983 in Omaha, Nebraska
Patriot DE, 2008-2009; uniform #62
Signed as a free agent on July 24, 2008
Pats résumé: two games played, two tackles

After being released by the Bengals, the Pats signed Titus Adams at the start of the 2008 training camp. He was waived as part of roster cuts on August 30, then signed to the practice squad two days later.

In 2009 Adams was again waived during roster cutdowns, and again re-signed to the practice squad. On December 9 Titus was promoted to the 53-man roster after CB Bret Lockett was placed on injured reserve. Adams played in two games before being waived on December 31. He had two tackles, one solo in victories over Carolina and Buffalo.

Years of work pay off for Titus Adams

FOXBORO – You’d think Titus Adams would have been texting and Twittering his brains out last Sunday night. You’d think he’d have been on the cell phone, calling everyone with the news that, y…

www.bostonherald.com

You’d think Titus Adams would have been texting and Twittering his brains out last Sunday night. You’d think he’d have been on the cell phone, calling everyone with the news that, yes, the pride of Creighton Prep High in Omaha, Neb., finally played in a NFL game.​

When veteran Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork was forced out against the Carolina Panthers last Sunday, it was Adams who snapped on his helmet and took his place.​

In baseball, these things happen all the time. Some kid will kick around the minors for six, seven or eight seasons or more, and then, finally, get a shot at the bigs. Remember Bobby Scales? During spring training in 2007, the career minor leaguer got his 15 minutes of fame when he was the first Red Sox player to take live BP off newly signed phenom Daisuke Matsuzaka. Scales didn’t make it to the big leagues with the Sox, but finally made it with the Cubs this past season. He was 31.​

In football . . . no. The few college players with the right stuff to be considered for NFL employment are either drafted or signed as free agents. Some of them make it to the NFL right away; others kick around on practice squads, moving around from team to team.​

After a few years, most of them go home, but some of them keep fighting the good fight – like the 26-year-old Adams.​

He played his college football at Nebraska, and then was selected by the Jets in the seventh round of the 2006 draft. He was released, signed by the Jets for their practice squad, and then picked up by the Giants, who added him to their practice squad. . . .​

Former Prep NFL Player Turned Sno-Ball Shop Owner

Creighton Prep graduate Titus Adams played football in high school, college, and the NFL, but now he is changing the community in north Omaha one scoop at a time. Adams is the proud owner and founder of Cooler Sno-Balls, a snow ball shop located at 2323 N. 24th Street. Cooler Sno-Balls offers a...

jayjournal.org

Creighton Prep graduate Titus Adams played football in high school, college, and the NFL, but now he is changing the community in north Omaha one scoop at a time. Adams is the proud owner and founder of Cooler Sno-Balls, a snow ball shop located at 2323 N. 24th Street. Cooler Sno-Balls offers a special twist on snow cones, but is also a safe spot for kids in North Omaha to hangout.​

“I really didn’t reinvent the wheel, I just added my own personality and who I am into it,” Adams said. “Snow Balls are more than something for me and my wife, it’s a lifestyle,” Adams said. “It’s cool to have good grades, it’s cool to not be a bully, it’s cool to not be in gangs. We try to give them a different way of thinking and a different way of life.”​

Three other pro football players born today with New England connections:

Fred Hoaglin, 81 (1944)
Patriots Offensive Line Coach, 1993-1996
NFL center for 11 years ('66-'76), mostly with the Browns. He won two rings as the OL coach with the Giants, then followed Tuna to New England. When Parcells departed for the Jets, Hoaglin instead joined Tom Coughlin in Jacksonville as the Jags TE coach. While there they won two AFC Central Division titles, reached the playoffs in three straight seasons, and made it to the AFCCG in 199.

Fred DiRenzo, 64 (1961)
University of New Haven
Played fullback in 1987 with the New York Giants.

Enid Thomas (1897 - 1968)
Was a wingback for the 1926 Hartford Blues.

Today in Pro Football History:
Packers Hire Vince Lombardi​

Today in Pro Football History
January 28, 1959: Vince Lombardi Hired as Head Coach/GM of Packers

Lombardi was not the most innovative head coach in pro football history, but he was outstanding at adapting other coaches’ methods and was a great teacher and motivator. When it came to the fundamentals, and performing the basics well, Lombardi’s teams excelled. The power sweep was the signature play of his offense over the years, and the Packers ran it with skill because they practiced it relentlessly and executed with precision.​

Over nine seasons, the Packers compiled an 89-29-4 regular season record under Lombardi’s guidance, for a .754 winning percentage, and were 9-1 in the postseason. Considering his significant influence on coaching methods and the game in general, his nine years with Green Bay (he also coached one last year in Washington in 1969) seems surprisingly brief. But he set a standard for pro football coaches that others in the years since have sought to measure up to; it is only fitting that the Super Bowl winner’s trophy is named after him.​

Other Pro Football Jan 28 Birthdays:

Daunte Culpepper, 48 (1977)
Three-time Pro Bowl QB led the NFL with 33 TD passes in his first season as a starter in 2000, and led the league with 4,717 yards passing in 2004 with the Vikings.

Dwight Stone, 61 (1964)
KR/WR played in 216 games from 1987-2000, mostly with the Steelers, with a total of 7,0001 all-purpose yards.

Charlie Kreuger (Jan 28, 1937 - Feb 5, 2021)
15-year starting Pro Bowl DT for the 49ers played in 198 games from 1959 to 1973.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Dante Scarnecchia retires​

January 28, 2020:
Dante Scarnecchia, arguably the greatest offensive line coach in NFL history, retires - for good this time - after 34 years with the Patriots.

Patriots Offensive Line Coach Dante Scarnecchia to Retire - Patriots.com

The New England Patriots announced today that offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia will retire after 36 seasons in the NFL, including 34 seasons with the organization (1982-88, 1991-2013, 2016-19). Scarnecchia closes the coaching chapter of his career spanning five decades and five Super Bowl championships.​

Dante Scarnecchia retiring as Patriots' offensive line coach

Dante Scarnecchia, who has coached with the Patriots for 34 years, is retiring as the team's offensive line coach.

www.espn.com

The last NFL coach to garner at least 30 seasons with one team was **** Hoak, who spent an NFL-record 35 seasons as an assistant with the Pittsburgh Steelers.​

Scarnecchia was hired by the Patriots in 1982 under coach Ron Meyer, then joined Meyer's Indianapolis Colts staff for the 1989 and 1990 seasons before returning to New England in 1991.​

Scarnecchia worked under head coaches Meyer, Raymond Berry, **** MacPherson, Bill Parcells, Pete Carroll and Belichick for the Patriots. He has been on the sideline for 22 of the franchise's 27 playoff seasons, and he has coached in 49 of the team's 58 playoff games, winning five Super Bowls.​

In 2007, when the Patriots posted an undefeated regular season, he was named Sports Illustrated's Assistant Coach of the Year.​

Longtime Pats OL coach Dante Scarnecchia to retire - NFL.com

Scarnecchia, who turns 72 years old next month, initially stepped aside from the Patriots in 2013 after a lengthy assistant coaching career. Belichick coaxed his O-line coach back to the sideline in 2016.​

"You never know what to expect in this crazy business and it's been an unbelievable four years," Scarnecchia told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport on Tuesday. "An unbelievable career. To coach 48 seasons of football, it's been unbelievable and I never would've expected anything remotely close to this. I've been extremely blessed for 1000 different reasons. I'll give you three: Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. To have those stars all in alignment, it's been unbelievable. To just be able to share in it has been great."​

Scarnecchia has been one of the best offensive line coaches in the NFL for years. After his return, he helped solidify a previously struggling O-line in front of Tom Brady, as the Pats won two additional Super Bowls following his return.​

Four Takeaways From Dante Scarnecchia's Retirement From Patriots - NESN.com

After the 2013 season, Dante Scarnecchia retired from coaching, only to return to the New England Patriots’ sideline two years later. On Tuesday, two weeks shy of his 72nd birthday, the Patriots’ longtime offensive line coach called it a career again, confirming to multiple media outlets he...

nesn.com

2. Scarnecchia’s decision comes at an inopportune time​

Even without a coaching change, the Patriots’ O-line would have faced questions heading into the 2020 season.​

Standout left guard Joe Thuney is set to hit free agency next month and likely will receive more lucrative offers from other teams after earning second-team All-Pro honors this season. Center/guard Ted Karras also will be a free agent and could fetch starter’s money elsewhere after serving as a solid fill-in for David Andrews.​

Speaking of Andrews, who missed the entire season with blood clots in his lungs, the veteran center is “optimistic” about his chances of playing in 2020 but couldn’t say with certainty that he’ll be healthy enough to return to the field. Right tackle Marcus Cannon also struggled this season at age 31, and Isaiah Wynn, despite showing flashes down the stretch, remains an unfinished product at left tackle.​

3. This change could be detrimental for New England’s 2019 draft picks​

Tackle Yodny Cajuste (third round) and guard/center Hjalte Froholdt (fourth round) both redshirted as rookies. Froholdt suffered a season-ending injury during the preseason that landed him on injured reserve. Cajuste has yet to even practice with the Patriots after undergoing pre-draft surgery to repair a torn quad.​

Both of these players — plus any others the Patriots might draft this spring — would have benefited from another season under Scarnecchia, who was lauded for his ability to develop young O-linemen. (You can include Wynn in this group, as well.)​

Andrews, Thuney, Mason and Cannon all became multi-year starters despite being drafted outside the top two rounds (and, in Andrews’ case, not being drafted at all). Scarnecchia also was instrumental in elevating Trent Brown’s game during the gargantuan tackle’s lone season in New England.​

End of an era: Dante Scarnecchia to retire having made immense impact on Patriots dynasty

MIAMI — It’s the end of an era in New England. While there is still no determination on Tom Brady’s future whereabouts, we do know that another Patriots staple will not be roaming the sidelines at Gillette Stadium in 2020. Dante Scarnecchia is retiring. The longtime offensive line coach, who...

www.nbcsportsboston.com

Since 1999 — first under Pete Carroll, then under Bill Belichick — Scarnecchia has directed the offensive line group in Foxboro. He retired following the 2013 season and stayed away from the game for two years before getting back into it in 2016. He's won five Super Bowl rings coordinating the blocking schemes that protected Tom Brady.​

Throughout his career, he's been lauded by players and fellow coaches alike for his unyielding work ethic and his attention to detail. The hours he's put in — oftentimes on off days or after practices — have helped mold everyone from first-round picks to undrafted free agents into championship players.​

It was under Scarnecchia that Stephen Neal went from a wrestler who'd never played offensive line to a Super Bowl-winner. Both Nate Solder and Trent Brown have fallen into record-setting free-agent contracts in recent years after working with Scarnecchia.​

"You really see that and how detail-oriented he is, and how much he puts into it each week," center David Andrews told me back in September. "It's really impressive. He makes sure, for us, there's no stone unturned. That's what makes us go out there and play really confident. We feel so prepared.​

"Whatever they throw at us is nothing we're not prepared for. Maybe we haven't seen it. Maybe it's a new wrinkle. But somewhere, somehow we've been prepared for it. Whether it's the techniques we've learned, or the communication, or just the overall schemes and how we want to run our offense."​

Andrews added: "He's definitely a demanding coach for sure. But I think there's two sides of him, and I think that's what makes him so special and loved and respected by not only us as players but the whole team.​

"He cares for us. He has our back. He sticks up for us. We're all in it together . . . He includes himself in that. I think that means a lot to you as a player."​

Scarnecchia has had a pair of assistants in recent years who've helped him coach his linemen. Coaching assistant Cole Popovich has worked with that group, but more recently those duties fell to Carmen Bricillo, who was in his first year with the Patriots in 2019. The Patriots typically like to promote coaches from within, making Bricillo and Popovich among the leading candidates to fill Scarnecchia's role.​

No matter who it is, it is the end of an era for the Patriots.​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Drafts and other January 28 events​

January 28, 1969:
Day One (rounds 1-12) of the 1969 common draft is held at the Belmont Plaza in New York City.
USC running back OJ Simpson goes first overall.

Boston general manager George Sauer seems to be interested in a high number of small school prospects for the Pats in latter rounds.

The Patriots select Florida State split end Ron Sellers with the sixth overall pick. The Pats then add Colorado guard Mike Montler in the second round, New Mexico Highlands RB Carl Garrett in the third, Alabama A&M QB Onree Jackson in round five, New Mexico State tackle Rick Hackley in the seventh, and Notre Dame RB Bob Gladieux #188 overall in round eight. The Pats also drafted San Jose State guard Steve Alexakos, Albany State DE Joe Walker, Wyoming safety Dennis Develin, Boston College receiver Barry Gallup and Grambling DT Richard Lee in rounds 9-12.




January 28, 1970:
Day two (rounds 8-17) of the 1970 draft saw the Pats select nine players.
The only one of note was ninth round defensive end Dennis Wirgowski from Purdue, who played in 37 games with 26 starts with the Pats.




January 28, 1971:
The first seven rounds of the 1971 NFL Draft are held at the Belmont Plaza Hotel in New York.

With the first overall pick the Boston Patriots select Jim Plunkett, the 1970 Heisman Trophy quarterback from Stanford.

At the top of the second round the Pats select Julius Adams, a defensive tackle from Texas Southern.

Other day one picks are Notre Dame LB Tim Kelly to start the fifth round, and Kentucky TE David Hardt with the first choice of the sixth round. Neither ever made it to the NFL. Kelly did not make the roster as a rookie and then played in the CFL; Hardt was injured in the first preseason game to ever be played at Schaefer Stadium, ending his pro football career.




January 28, 1975:
The first seven rounds of the 1975 NFL Draft are held at the Hilton at Rockefeller Center.
Cal QB Steve Bartkowski goes first overall to Atlanta.

Chuck Fairbanks had a nice draft in his third year as head coach and GM.

The Pats landed Oregon TE Russ Francis 16th overall, Oklahoma LB Rod Shoate in the second, USC running back Allen Carter in round four, and QB Steve Grogan in the fifth round. Other Day One draftees were Pete Cusick, Steve Burks, Steve Freeman and Lawrence Williams.

The Pats also made one trade, sending WR Reggie Rucker to Cleveland for a fourth round pick, which was used on Carter. The 28-year old Rucker went on to have seven more productive years with the Browns, though he was no longer needed in Fairbanks' run-heavy offense that had Randy Vataha, Darryl Stingley and TE Russ Francis as pass receiving options. Carter was used as a kick returner his rookie season, then suffered a career-ending knee injury in the first game of the 1976 season.




January 28, 2006:
The Patriots allocated three players to NFL Europe:
RB Earl Charles, G Nick Steitz and WR Rich Musinski; none ever played in the NFL.

Patriots Release Rookie RB Earl Charles

Lowdown on Brown

Bill Belichick said experience has helped Troy Brown improve at cornerback.

www.boston.com

Pats Sign WR Rich Musinski; Announce PUP and NFI Lists

January 28, 2013:
C Colin Miller is released from the practice squad
Chicago signs S Cyhl Quarles off the practice squad

Bears Sign S Cyhl Quarles To A Reserve/Future Contract

The Bears announced today they have signed safety Cyhl Quarles (pronounced "Kyle Quarlz") to a reserve/future contract.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[TheRainMaker]

He was statistically a way better kicker than Adam Vinatieri and didn't get the recognition because he wasn't needed during the 2nd Dynasty or wasn't put in positions to do so (SB42 controversial non FG attempt on 4th down). Adam was propped up for his kicks in 2001 and 2003, but he was very inconsistent during his career. During the Ghost years, the offense was clearly superior to the early years where Ghost wasn't needed to come in for a kick.

Ghost was consistently not allowing teams to even return kicks with 574 touchbacks during his 15 year career while Adam had a whopping 88 in 24 years. Field goals 40+ Ghost blows Adam out of the water.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

He was statistically a way better kicker than Adam Vinatieri and didn't get the recognition because he wasn't needed during the 2nd Dynasty or wasn't put in positions to do so (SB42 controversial non FG attempt on 4th down). Adam was propped up for his kicks in 2001 and 2003, but he was very inconsistent during his career. During the Ghost years, the offense was clearly superior to the early years where Ghost wasn't needed to come in for a kick.

Ghost was consistently not allowing teams to even return kicks with 574 touchbacks during his 15 year career while Adam had a whopping 88 in 24 years. Field goals 40+ Ghost blows Adam out of the water.

And Gostkowski went into God mode for about three years.

 

[TheRainMaker]

And Gostkowski went into God mode for about three years.

He was a way better K than was given credit for by Pats fans.