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July 15 is a major letdown after yesterday's birthdays - but the good news is that we are down to five days to go until the first day of training camp.
July 15, 2015:
The Patriots sign Stephen Gostkowski to a four-year contract valued at $17 million. The team had placed the franchise tag on the kicker the previous spring, and was literally down to the final day to either work out a long term contract, or go into the season with him on the franchise tag cost of $4.1 million. Gostkowski had set the franchise record for most career points scored during the week 15 victory over Miami the prior season.
www.si.com
July 15, 2005:
Scott Pioli is re-signed to a contract extension as Vice President of Player Personnel. Pioli had been with New England since 2000, and would stay with the Pats through 2008, when he took over as General Manager for the Kansas City Chiefs.
www.patriots.com
July 15, 2004:
Patriots sign veteran Jim Miller. The quarterback had an 11-2 record as a starter with the Bears in 2001, guiding Chicago to their first postseason in seven years. Miller suffered a shoulder injury thanks to a cheap shot from Philadelphia's Hugh Douglas early in the divisional round game, and was never quite the same after that. After the Pats 20-3 playoff victory over the Colts in the 2004 postseason, Bill Belichick specifically praised Miller - who was a healthy scratch in all 19 games that season - for his work on the scout team, emulating Peyton Manning.
On the same day the Pats also signed another quarterback, Kurt Kittner, who had been a fifth round draft pick from Illinois in 2002 by Atlanta; he didn't last long, being released on August 6.
www.bostonherald.com
July 15, 1993:
New England claims safety Ken Swilling off waivers from Cincinnati. The defensive back never made it in the NFL, but had been a star on Georgia Tech's undefeated 1990 national championship team.
vault.si.com
July 15, 1982:
For some unknown reason the Patriots re-sign wide receiver Carlos Pennywell to a second, multi-year contract. The third round pick of the 1978 draft had a mere twelve receptions in his first four seasons, a stat that by comparison would make N'Keal Harry an All-Pro. He was placed on waivers on August 25, and never played in the NFL after that less than inspiring resume.
July 15, 1975:
The Patriots acquire Steve Zabel from Philadelphia, for a 1976 fourth round draft pick and a 1977 eighth round pick. The trade was one of many shrewd transactions made by Chuck Fairbanks during his time in Foxborough; Zabel would proceed to be the Pats starting outside linebacker for the next four seasons.
www.philadelphiaeagles.com
Steve Zabel: All-American, Entrepreneur and Inventor
July 15, 1972:
Isaac Lassiter is traded to Washington for a 1973 ninth round draft pick. The defensive end had been with the Patriots for the previous two seasons, but was slowing down due to age and injuries. Ike had spent most of his career in the AFL West with the Broncos and Raiders; he was an All Star in 1966 and unofficially led the league with 17 sacks in 1967.
saintaugfalcons.com
July 15, 1971:
The Patriots hire Upton Bell as their general manager. At age 33 Bell - the son of former NFL commissioner Bert Bell - was the youngest GM in the league. Previously Bell had been the personnel director for the Baltimore Colts, who had just won Super Bowl 5.
Although he was not in New England very long, Bell did have some positive impact. His first act in Foxboro was to change the name of the team from the Bay State Patriots to the New England Patriots. Bell hired Bucko Kilroy and **** Steinberg, along with several other quality scouts and front office executives. He wanted to fire John Mazur early on, but received push back from the team's board of directors. The two sides ended up agreeing that if the Patriots lost to the Colts in the final game of the '71 season that Mazur would be let go. The Pats upset Baltimore 21-17 thanks to a fourth quarter 88 yard bomb from Jim Plunkett to Randy Vataha, to finish the season 6-8. One year later the team regressed to 3-11 - and Mazur and Bell were both fired.
www.bostonmagazine.com
www.bostonherald.com
July 15, 2015:
The Patriots sign Stephen Gostkowski to a four-year contract valued at $17 million. The team had placed the franchise tag on the kicker the previous spring, and was literally down to the final day to either work out a long term contract, or go into the season with him on the franchise tag cost of $4.1 million. Gostkowski had set the franchise record for most career points scored during the week 15 victory over Miami the prior season.
Reports: Patriots sign K Stephen Gostkowski to four-year deal
The New England Patriots signed kicker Stephen Gostkowski to a contract extension for four years and more than $17 million.
www.si.com
July 15, 2005:
Scott Pioli is re-signed to a contract extension as Vice President of Player Personnel. Pioli had been with New England since 2000, and would stay with the Pats through 2008, when he took over as General Manager for the Kansas City Chiefs.
VP Pioli signs extension with Patriots
Scott Pioli, who helped build the New England Patriots teams that have won three of the last four Super Bowls, has agreed to a contract extension as the team's vice president of player personnel.
July 15, 2004:
Patriots sign veteran Jim Miller. The quarterback had an 11-2 record as a starter with the Bears in 2001, guiding Chicago to their first postseason in seven years. Miller suffered a shoulder injury thanks to a cheap shot from Philadelphia's Hugh Douglas early in the divisional round game, and was never quite the same after that. After the Pats 20-3 playoff victory over the Colts in the 2004 postseason, Bill Belichick specifically praised Miller - who was a healthy scratch in all 19 games that season - for his work on the scout team, emulating Peyton Manning.
On the same day the Pats also signed another quarterback, Kurt Kittner, who had been a fifth round draft pick from Illinois in 2002 by Atlanta; he didn't last long, being released on August 6.
Fitzgerald: Behind Patriots success, there are some lessons to be learned
There’s so much to enjoy if you’re a fan of these Patriots that it’s easy to overlook how much there is to be learned as well.When you’re about to appear in your eighth Supe…
www.bostonherald.com
July 15, 1993:
New England claims safety Ken Swilling off waivers from Cincinnati. The defensive back never made it in the NFL, but had been a star on Georgia Tech's undefeated 1990 national championship team.
sweet dreams
A guy who wears a black visor over his eyes, has the number 1 emblazoned on his jersey and has K. SOLO painted on his shoes probably ought to add a cape to
vault.si.com
July 15, 1982:
For some unknown reason the Patriots re-sign wide receiver Carlos Pennywell to a second, multi-year contract. The third round pick of the 1978 draft had a mere twelve receptions in his first four seasons, a stat that by comparison would make N'Keal Harry an All-Pro. He was placed on waivers on August 25, and never played in the NFL after that less than inspiring resume.
July 15, 1975:
The Patriots acquire Steve Zabel from Philadelphia, for a 1976 fourth round draft pick and a 1977 eighth round pick. The trade was one of many shrewd transactions made by Chuck Fairbanks during his time in Foxborough; Zabel would proceed to be the Pats starting outside linebacker for the next four seasons.
Steve Zabel prospered as a two-way Sooner star half a century ago. Here's why two-way college football stars are 'more possible' in 2020.
In 1968, Oklahoma football coach Chuck Fairbanks made a choice that would dramatically change tight end Steve Zabel’s career. The Sooners started off slow despite a No. 5 preseason ranking, with a …
oklahoman.com
Where are they now? LB Steve Zabel
The Eagles quickly realized the former tight end's personality was better suited for the defensive side of the football. Following his career, Zabel made a significant impact in Oklahoma City.
Steve Zabel: All-American, Entrepreneur and Inventor
July 15, 1972:
Isaac Lassiter is traded to Washington for a 1973 ninth round draft pick. The defensive end had been with the Patriots for the previous two seasons, but was slowing down due to age and injuries. Ike had spent most of his career in the AFL West with the Broncos and Raiders; he was an All Star in 1966 and unofficially led the league with 17 sacks in 1967.
BLACK HISTORY FALCON FACTS: Pro Football Standout Isaac "Ike" Lassiter - Saint Augustine's University Athletics
RALEIGH, N.C. (Feb. 19) – Isaac "Ike" Lassiter was a mountain of a man with a bigger heart.
saintaugfalcons.com
July 15, 1971:
The Patriots hire Upton Bell as their general manager. At age 33 Bell - the son of former NFL commissioner Bert Bell - was the youngest GM in the league. Previously Bell had been the personnel director for the Baltimore Colts, who had just won Super Bowl 5.
Although he was not in New England very long, Bell did have some positive impact. His first act in Foxboro was to change the name of the team from the Bay State Patriots to the New England Patriots. Bell hired Bucko Kilroy and **** Steinberg, along with several other quality scouts and front office executives. He wanted to fire John Mazur early on, but received push back from the team's board of directors. The two sides ended up agreeing that if the Patriots lost to the Colts in the final game of the '71 season that Mazur would be let go. The Pats upset Baltimore 21-17 thanks to a fourth quarter 88 yard bomb from Jim Plunkett to Randy Vataha, to finish the season 6-8. One year later the team regressed to 3-11 - and Mazur and Bell were both fired.
Upton Bell was a top-notch NFL talent scout - Urbana Daily Citizen
Upton Bell was born with football in his blood. His father, Bert Bell, co-founded the Philadelphia Eagles in 1933 and was later the NFL commissioner from 1946-59. Following Bert Bell’s death at an Eagles’ game in 1959, Upton Bell soon landed a job working in the front office for the Baltimore...
www.urbanacitizen.com
Memoir: Upton Bell's Road Back
When my car flipped over on Route 2, I was left with 39 fractures and a concussion. Then the real journey started.
www.bostonmagazine.com
Book excerpt: Upton Bell takes fans back to crazy early days of Patriots
• Editor’s note: Former Patriots general manager Upton Bell has authored a newly available book, “Present at the Creation: My Life in the NFL and the Rise of America’s Game,&…
www.bostonherald.com
