Today In Patriots History July 18: Deion Branch

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Deion Branch​

Happy 45th birthday to Deion Branch
Born July 18, 1979 in Albany Georgia
Patriot WR, 2002-2005; uniform #83
Patriot WR, 2010-2012; uniform #84
Pats 2nd round (65th overall) selection of the 2002 draft, from Louisville

Franchise Stats and Rankings:
* 328 receptions ranked 8th when he retired (11th now)
* 4,297 yards receiving (9th then, 11th now)
* 24 touchdown receptions (11th then, 14th now)
* 13.1 yards per reception ranks 10th [minimum 200 catches]
* 30 points in 14 playoff games (10-4 record)
* Super Bowl 38 champion
* Super Bowl 39 champion
* Super Bowl 39 MVP

Career Stats:
* 518 receptions for 6,644 yards and 39 TD
* 64 playoff receptions for 948 yards, 4 TD
* 3 playoff rushes for 41 yards, 1 TD
* Albany GA Sports Hall of Fame, 2005
* Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame, 2005

Deion Branch and family at Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame induction, 2019​

Monroe retires Branch's jersey

<strong>The city of Albany's celebration of New England Patriot wide receiver Deion Branch starts with his high school retiring the number "8" he wore in high school</strong>

www.walb.com

Monroe High and the city of Albany are rolling out the red carpet this weekend which is Branch's first trip back to his hometown since he caught a team high ten passes in the Patriots Super Bowl win.​

Branch beats "big head" to become Super Bowl MVP

JACKSONVILLE - Deion Branch grew up dreaming about playing for Steve Spurrier at the University of Florida. He had to settle for Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Miss. And Branch, who was n…

www.gainesville.com

Deion Branch grew up dreaming about playing for Steve Spurrier at the University of Florida. He had to settle for Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Miss.​

And Branch, who was named the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XXXIX on Sunday after catching a record-tying 11 passes for 133 yards in New England's 24-21 win over Philadelphia, figures that letdown was one of the best things to happen to him.​

"I think I got the big head," said Branch, recalling his senior year at Monroe High School in Albany, Ga., when he committed to the Gators. "I was doing so good in high school and I got all these letters of intent and all this stuff, so I started hanging with my friends and stopped going to class. My grades fell."​

His grades fell so far he couldn't get into Florida.​

"I had to go to a junior college after so much hype about me going to Florida," he recalled. "Coach Spurrier said I had to go down to a junior college, and from there I signed with Louisville."​

It taught Branch a painful lesson.​

Branch, 25, missed seven games with a knee injury this season, his third in the NFL. He caught 35 passes, ranking third among Patriots receivers. But he broke loose in the AFC championship game in Pittsburgh, catching four passes for 116 yards and a touchdown and running the ball twice for 37 yards and another touchdown.​

He probably wouldn't be here if not for the shock of losing that University of Florida scholarship.​

"I thought once I had committed that I was cool," he said. "It doesn't work that way. Once that happened, I fully committed to my schoolwork and made sure I wouldn't let another opportunity slip past me."​

Deion Branch (2014) - Hall of Fame - Jones College Athletics

Deion Branch, Class: 1999 Induction: 2014 Sport(s): Football - Deion Branch played the 1997-98 seasons at JCJC for head coach Parker Dykes. The Albany, Georgia,

jcbobcats.com

The Albany, Georgia, native played on the 12-0 team in 1998 that won the MACJC championship and was named national champion.​

Branch was an NJCAA Second Team All-American in 1998 with 70 catches for 1,012 yards and nine scores. He returned 15 punts for a 12.8 average and 17 kickoffs for a 19.6 average.​

After leaving Jones, Branch signed with the University of Louisville where he starred in 2000-01.​

Branch has returned to JCJC several times over the years and has donated money to the football weight room. He has also appeared at the Pine Belt Area Fellowship of Christian Athletes Golf Tournament.​

Cardinals In The Pros - University of Louisville Athletics

Deion Branch was named the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIX for the champion New ...

gocards.com

Ex-Louisville star Deion Branch inducted into Ky. Hall of Fame

Former Louisville wide receiver Deion Branch inducted into the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame

247sports.com

Branch was an all-conference wide receiver for the Cardinals from 2000-01 where he led the Cardinals to consecutive Liberty Bowls.​

In two seasons with the Cardinals, Branch caught 143 passes for 2,204 yards and 18 touchdowns, producing a pair of 1,000-yard receiving seasons. The former junior-college transfer was only the third player in school history to produce back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, totaling 1,188 yards in 2001 and 1,016 in 2000.​

From The Hall: MVP Branch outshined T.O. in Super Bowl XXXIX

The storylines were plenty as the Patriots and Eagles descended upon Jacksonville, Fla., for Super Bowl XXXIX in February of 2005.

www.patriots.com

The storylines were plenty as the Patriots and Eagles descended upon Jacksonville, Fla., for Super Bowl XXXIX in February of 2005.​

Philadelphia had finally cleared the NFC Championship hurdle that had stood in its way under Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb. Terrell Owens, the team's flamboyant star receiver, was working to rehabilitate and overcome a broken leg, leaving questions as to his status that week despite his own insistence that he would be ready (he was).​

New England was back in the title game looking to repeat as champions but would have to do so without starting cornerbacks Ty Law and Tyrone Poole, both of whom were on injured reserve. Bill Belichick's "Next Man Up" credo was in full force back then as he turned to undrafted Randall Gay and future Eagle Asante Samuel to fill those roles with wide receiver- turned-slot corner Troy Brown filling in as the team's nickel back.​

Regardless, the 2004 Patriots walked confidently into ALLTEL Stadium in Jacksonville with a two-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback and 16-2 overall record that actually was led by running back Corey Dillon's 1,635 regular-season rushing yards. The running game was the Patriots most dominant since John Hannah had retired following Super Bowl XX.​

Deion Branch named Super Bowl MVP - The Boston Globe

Branch still had his gloves on 30 minutes after the game. You never know when Tom Brady might fling another ball his way.

www.bostonglobe.com

Take that T.O.: Branch is Super Bowl MVP

www.milforddailynews.com

Deion Branch managed to outshine Terrell Owens on football's biggest stage. And that was no small feat in this Super Bowl.​

The leader of New England's unheralded receiving corps, Branch tied a Super Bowl record with 11 catches, accounting for 133 yards Sunday night in a 24-21 victory over Philadelphia that gave the Patriots their third championship in four years.​

While Branch didn't make it to the end zone, he played a role in all four scoring drives. The biggest catch might have been the last one - a leaping 19-yarder over the middle that set up Adam Vinatieri's 22-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.​

Branch leaped off the turf and defiantly signaled a first down, the sort of brazen move that Owens is known for. New England pushed its lead to 10 points, enough to hold off the Eagles.​

And when it was done, Branch was named the MVP.​

Philadelphia's All-Pro receiver had a remarkable game, too, defying his doctor by playing just 6 weeks after surgery. With a metal plate and two screws in his right ankle, Owens somehow had nine catches for 122 yards.​

But Branch was even better, tying the great Jerry Rice (and Cincinnati's Dan Ross) for catches in a Super Bowl.​

Branch came up huge on a tone-setting drive to start the second half, making four catches for 71 yards. Linebacker Mike Vrabel finished it off with a 2-yard touchdown catch, but Branch did all the heavy lifting.​

Eight of his catches - for 106 yards - came on New England's scoring drives.​

In last year's Super Bowl, Branch had 10 catches and a touchdown in a 32-29 victory over Carolina. Now, he's helped the Patriots become a team for the ages - just the second to win three Super Bowls in four years.​

Patriots win third Super Bowl, set up modern dynasty

Because they do not beat you over the head with their excellence or beat their chests in triumph, the New England Patriots are forever being cast as

vault.si.com

So before the coronation of the plucky Patriots as the team of the decade, let's get this much straight: As they proved again in front of 78,125 fans at Alltel Stadium and an estimated 80 million television viewers worldwide, the Pats are more than Belichick's brain and quarterback Tom Brady's golden right arm. Defenders like McGinest, fellow linebackers Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel and strong safety Rodney Harrison, whose second interception of Donovan McNabb iced the game with nine seconds remaining, showed that they’re elite players, while unheralded wideout Deion Branch seized footballs out of the cool night sky and the MVP award from Brady’s grasp.​

“It’s awesome to see a guy like Deion win it,” said Brady (23 of 33, 236 yards, two touchdowns), a two-time Super Bowl MVP. “The guy has done everything he can for this team, and this is a team full of guys who cheer for one another. The MVP is nice, but that's not why you play. I’m playing for that diamond ring that's as big as a belt buckle.”​

New England's first two titles came courtesy of Adam Vinatieri field goals in the final seconds—and this victory was only slightly less tense. Again, the Pats relied on their patented formula of individual opportunism, selflessness, innovative game-planning and emotion fueled by perceived disrespect. The last of those came after the Patriots received a copy of an e-mail sent from an Eagles official to a member of the Boston Red Sox organization seeking advice on a prospective victory parade, a missive that Belichick milked for maximum effect during his address to the Pats on Sunday morning at the team's hotel in St. Augustine.​

But it was the Eagles, despite being seven-point underdogs, who supplied the bulk of the pregame bluster, from wideout Terrell Owens's assertion that God would heal his right ankle in time to play to fellow wideout Freddie Mitchell's digs at Harrison and the other New England defensive backs.​

If the Philly faithful thought Brady would be fazed, they haven't been paying attention the past four years, during which the 2000 sixth-round draft pick has ensured himself a place in the Hall of Fame. Following an emotional week in which his 94-year-old grandmother, Margaret, died, Brady exuded an eerie calm when the situation was most tense. He was 4 for 4 on the Pats’ nine-play, 66-yard drive, with running back Corey Dillon providing the go-ahead points on a two-yard run with 13:44 left. On New England's next drive Brady and Branch hooked up on the play of the night, a pass over the middle on which the third-year receiver leaped over the back of Philly cornerback Sheldon Brown to turn a possible pick into a 19-yard reception. Six plays later Vinatieri's 22-yard field goal put the Pats up 24-14.​

“Outside of that terrible first quarter, we felt we had the game under control,” said Branch, who had 133 receiving yards on 11 catches—tying the Super Bowl record shared by Cincinnati Bengals tight end Dan Ross and San Francisco 49ers wideout Jerry Rice, the last receiver to be named MVP (16 years ago). That followed up a 10-catch, 143-yard effort in New England's 32-29 Super Bowl victory over the Carolina Panthers last season.​

The coach undoubtedly was pleased with Eagles coach Andy Reid's curious decision to forgo a no-huddle offense while trailing by 10 with 5:40 to go. When the Eagles (15-4) completed a 79-yard scoring drive on McNabb's 30-yard strike to wideout Greg Lewis, only 1:48 remained. After the Pats' Christian Fauria recovered David Akers's onside kick, the Eagles' defense held, but New England punter Josh Miller pinned Philly at its own four with 46 seconds remaining, and Harrison's interception set off a fitting release of red, white and blue confetti.​

Pats give holdout WR Branch permission to seek trade

The New England Patriots on Friday granted holdout wide receiver Deion Branch permission to seek out potential trade suitors and to negotiate a contract with another club.

www.espn.com

While the move by the Patriots is surprising, it is also reflective of the state of discussions between the two sides. There has been virtually no meaningful dialogue for weeks and Branch, the team's leading receiver in 2005, remains out of camp and is being fined at the rate of $14,000 per day during his absence.​

Pats cut ties with Branch

www.milforddailynews.com

Holdout didn’t break Branch

There were times when Deion Branch was worried, but there was never a moment when he wavered. Branch saw his increasingly acrimonious contract holdout draw to a close Monday when the Patriots trade…

www.telegram.com

WR Deion Branch returns to Patriots - again

One week into his second round of unemployment this season, Deion Branch had just picked his daughter up at school when she wondered why he had so much free time.

www.espn.com

Patriots release Deion Branch, add Aqib Talib, Greg Salas

The Patriots reportedly released Deion Branch and Malcolm Williams on Saturday in order to make room for Aqib Talib and Greg Salas.

www.cbssports.com

'I do not agree with him on that': Deion Branch responded to Cassius Marsh's comments about the Patriots

'I do not agree with him on that': Deion Branch responded to Cassius Marsh's comments about the Patriots being "no fun."

www.boston.com

​

DEION BRANCH CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Deion Branch Charitable Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to offer support to children’s mental, physical, and emotional well-being by assisting programs and initiatives aimed at improving their quality of life.

www.deionbranchcharitablefoundation.org

Deion Branch - Director of Player Development & Alumni Relations | Louisville Cardinals

Best of Deion Branch | Career Highlights



Every Deion Branch Touchdown | Deion Branch Highlights
​

 

[jmt57]

Today In Patriots History
His Parents Named Him What?!​

Happy 82nd birthday to **** Shiner
Born July 18, 1942 in Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Patriot QB, 1973-1974; uniform #11
Claimed off waivers from Atlanta on October 18, 1973

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aGVNnShIVbI/STWOYrMFlZI/AAAAAAAAAII/Z22cRHTXzu4/s320/****+Shiner.jpg​

Richard Earl '****' Shiner was a legend for one game while at the University of Maryland. The quarterback led the Terrapins to an upset over Joe Paterno and Penn State, in what would be the one and only Maryland victory over the Nittany Lions during a one-sided series between the two schools that ran from 1960 through 1993.

As a pro football player Shiner was mostly a career backup, on the bench behind Sonny Jurgensen, Frank Ryan, Fran Tarkenton and Jim Plunkett. His only time as a starter included Chuck Noll's first season in 1969 as head coach for the Steelers. Pittsburgh went 1-13 that year, with Shiner 3-16-1 over two seasons as the starting QB - though to be fair, that record was primarily due to a porous defense.

​

In 1973 the NFL implemented the Passer Rating statistic, which is still utilized today. Shiner had the honor being the first quarterback to record a perfect passer rating when he went 13 for 15 with three touchdowns in week one of that season for Atlanta, against the Saints. Ironically he also become the first player to have an imperfect 0.0 passer rating the very next week, going 2-9 for 17 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception.

**** Shiner's final NFL game is also noteworthy. Jim Plunkett had thrown three touchdowns, and the Pats were beating the Baltimore Colts 35-3 while the game was still only in the third quarter. Shiner took over, and led the Patriots on an 80-yard drive. He then surprised everyone by taking himself out of the game. Shiner later explained:

"I wanted [third-string QB] Neil Graff to get experience. Neil was a good kid, and I knew my time in the NFL was coming to an end."​

https://alchetron.com/cdn/****-shiner-0bdf7ab9-e00a-4241-b0b4-f0c913f7349-resize-750.jpeg​

In his post-football career Shiner worked for a beer distributor, and then retired after having spent twenty years in the copier business. He later passed time as an assistant high school football coach.

2007 ACC Football Legend: Maryland's Dick Shiner - University of Maryland Athletics

When one steps through the door to the offices of Steve Smear, two things are certain. For one, it is clearly possible to purchase insurance policies there against

umterps.com

But in 1959 along came one Lee Corso, an assistant coach for Tom Nugent at Maryland and a man on the young end of a career that would lead to collegiate head coaching jobs and his present work as a college football analyst on national television.​

"Coach Corso had come up to Pennsylvania to look at some great running back on a team we were playing," Shiner said. "I come from a town (Lebanon, Pa.) that in the late 1950s numbered, maybe, 12,000 people, and 10,000 of them would show up on Friday night for the high school football game.​

"And coach Corso was in the crowd and when he got there, he maybe didn't know who I was. But I threw four touchdown passes that night.​

"He came to my school a few days later to talk to me. Coaches didn't do that as much as they do now, and that impressed me. That's how I wound up at Maryland."​

Catching up with ... former Terp QB **** Shiner | Baltimore Sun

Against Air Force, a national power in 1963, Shiner led a comeback that rocked College Park. Trailing 14-0 at halftime, Maryland won the game on a 36-yard pass from Shiner to Darryl Hill as time expired.​

The crowd of 31,000 went nuts.​

"See, we were 0-4 and Air Force had just beaten Nebraska," which would win the Orange Bowl that year, Shiner said. "So when I hit Darryl with a bullet on a deep cross, and he hit the end zone, the whole place exploded. They had to clear all of the fans off the field for us to kick the extra point."​

To celebrate, he said, "we all went to Howard Johnson's, on Route 1, where they served hot dogs on toasted buns. They were great."​

Maryland's **** Shiner: A legend in his first start is a legend once again | CSTV

He starred as a throwing quarterback in an era when many head coaches still subscribed to the old theory that two of three things that can happen to a forward pass are bad. "We were throwing the ball 20, 22 times a game, sometimes a few more," Shiner said. "You'd look in the paper on Sunday morning and you'd read that some other ACC team was 4-for-7 passing. We were conservative compared to today's offenses, but we threw the ball a lot for the time."​

Like all those people who show up at Steve Smear's office, Shiner still treasures the victory over Penn State in his first collegiate start. But the memories of a handful of other games remain precious to the man who went on to spend 11 seasons in the National Football League. Among them is a victory over one of Syracuse's legendary teams.​

"It was a great Syracuse team," Shiner said. "The great Ernie Davis was on that team along with a lot of other great players, players like John Mackey, Art Baker at fullback, Roger Brown.​

"Through the first two games, against a really good SMU team and Clemson, I'd been running with the second team and Coach Nugent would put us in for a quarter or two. Then the Syracuse game came up and they were one of the national powerhouses. They were ranked in the Top 10 (seventh).​

"Coach Nugent called those of us on the second team the `Go' team and against Syracuse he sent the `Go' team in in the third quarter. I ran 29 yards, which is an awfully long way for me, and we scored a touchdown and beat that great Syracuse team (22-21)."​

https://lebanonsportsbuzz.com/****-shiner-was-one-of-lebanons-original-professional-athletes/

In 1964, **** Shiner became the first of three Lebanon County quarterbacks, who would collectively play 36 years in the National Football League.​

Shiner’s time was 11 years (1964-74) with six different teams. Kerry Collins followed with 16 seasons (1995-2011), also with six teams, and Frank Reich had a 13-year career (1985-1998) as a player. An interesting bit of trivia is that Collins and Reich were both on the Carolina Panthers 1995 roster.​

Shiner was also a very good baseball player, meaning he had to make a big decision following his high school graduation, as to which direction to go.​

“The odds of playing minor league baseball, riding the buses and advancing weren’t as good as getting the education and see what happened from there on,” Shiner said. “At Maryland I got a full scholarship, but could only play football because unless the coach (Tom Nugent) told you before you came there that he’d allow you to play baseball, you couldn’t do it.”​

The game most area sports fans recall was Maryland’s 1961 victory over Penn State, which had a 35-1-1 overall record against Maryland going into that contest.​

“That was my first start, when I was 19, and I connected for three first-half touchdowns for a 21-0 lead that ended with a 21-17 win, and I finished with 13-for-22 for 164 yards that were big numbers for the era,” Shiner said, with a laugh.​

The Redskins signed Shiner for the 1964 season where he served as the backup for Sonny Jurgensen for three years before going to Cleveland for a year. Then he played for Pittsburgh until they were able to draft Terry Bradshaw, because he led the Steelers to a 1-13 season.​

“Art Rooney called me in when they knew they would be drafting Bradshaw because he heard I wanted to be traded,” Shiner said. “He told me I’m number one and we’re not going to trade you because Wellington Mara and I have talked and we both agree you are the best back-up quarterback in the game. The next thing I knew I was traded to Mara’s Giants as the backup for Fran Tarkenton, and the next season I was with Atlanta, and then finished up with the New England Patriots behind Jim Plunkett.”​

“Jurgensen knew more about football than most of the coaches in the league and Fran was also one of the smartest people I ever met,” continueds Shiner. “I’d watch him run a two-minute drill in practice and he’d have several interceptions, but come Sunday he’d throw four TD passes. When the coach gave him the game plan, he’d look at it and tear it up, then put his own plan in and would also draw up a play on the field during the game, just like we did as kids.”​

As for Plunkett, Shiner said, “Physical-wise he was unbelievable throwing the ball 75-80 yards in the air, so it didn’t surprise me when he went to Oakland and they won two Super Bowls with him.”​

When watching games now Shiner admitted what he really does is watch certain quarterbacks like Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady and Drew Brees, because they understand and study the game, but he really likes watching Frank Reich-coached teams and roots for his teams every time.​

https://247sports.com/nfl/cleveland...owns-****-shiner-butterfly-effect--149297029/

Only Terps QB to beat Penn State hopes they can repeat

To Maryland football fans he was “The Rifleman,” a blond quarterback with a slingshot arm who broke school passing records and led the Terps to signature wins in the 1960s. How hard did **** Shiner throw? Once, in practice, his…

www.baltimoresun.com

https://alchetron.com/****-Shiner

 

[jmt57]

Today In Patriots History
Stephen Spach​

Happy 42nd birthday to Stephen Spach
Born July 18, 1982 in Fresno, CA
Patriot TE, 2007-2008; uniform #82
Signed as a free agent on December 13, 2007

Stephen Spach was originally signed by Philadelphia in 2005, and was out of football in 2006. The Pats signed him in week 15 of the 2007 season when Mike Wright was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury. Spach played in the last three games of the regular season as well as the AFCCG versus San Diego, as a blocking tight end and special teamer.

Spach was cut at the end of training camp in 2008, immediately re-signed, then cut for good after two games. He was waived on September 15 when the Pats added Kyle Eckel to the roster. Spach moved on to Arizona at that point, playing in 31 games with 22 starts from '08-'10. From 2005 to 2012 Stephen Spach played in 60 NFL games, with 22 receptions for 137 yards.


This column is a pretty decent read:

Alumni Spotlight: Stephen Spach’s journey from football to finance

Transitioning into a different career path can be a scary and life-changing process. For 2005 Recreation Administration alumnus, Stephen Spach, leaving the National Football League for a career in …

fresnostatechhs.com

Transitioning into a different career path can be a scary and life-changing process. For 2005 Recreation Administration alumnus, Stephen Spach, leaving the National Football League for a career in finance was a gamble, but one that proved to be worth the risk.​

For nearly eight years, Spach – a former Fresno State football player – played professional football with the NFL, with teams like the St. Louis Rams, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles. With his first child on the way, Spach eventually decided to leave the game in 2012 to focus on himself and his family.​

He said the tough physical nature of the sport also took a toll on his body.​

“Sometimes I miss playing, but overall it was the best decision for myself and my family,” Spach said.​

Nearing the end of his football career, Spach took notice of how little financial education and guidance there was for himself and his football colleagues. At the time, he made it his mission to learn more.​

“I set out educating myself through various programs offered through the NFL,” Spach said. “The more I learned, the more interesting it all became.”​

February 6, 2015:

Alumni Spotlight: Stephen Spach - Fresno State

Stephen Spach played in the NFL from 2005-2012. Feb. 6, 2015 Describe your history with Fresno State (years attended, sport(s) played, major, why you chose F...

gobulldogs.com

What is your favorite memory from your time as a Bulldog student-athlete? Is there a game or moment in particular from your Bulldog career that stands out the most?​

I will treasure many great memories from my Bulldog years, but without doubt the most memorable moment was catching the game-winning overtime touchdown from Paul Pinegar in the MPC Computers Bowl on the final play of my senior season. We were down 21-7 and rallied to win against the Virginia Cavaliers. I was fortunate to be part of a determined and cohesive group of Bulldogs, and that bowl win (which gave us three bowl wins in a row) brought all our hard work to a climactic finish.​

December 13, 2007:

Spach signed

The Patriots have officially signed free-agent tight end Stephen Spach today. A second-year player out of Fresno State, Spach has played in 13 career games, all with the Eagles in […]

www.boston.com

A second-year player out of Fresno State, Spach has played in 13 career games, all with the Eagles in 2005. He was with the Vikings in training camp this year but was cut before the season began.​

The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Spach was a teammate of current Patriots players Logan Mankins and James Sanders in college. He was prepared to sign a “futures” contract in the coming weeks in hopes of hooking on with an NFL team in 2008, and was planning to spend the rest of the year as a substitute teacher.​

But as is often the case in the NFL, opportunity sometimes arises when least expected. The Patriots were one of the few teams in the NFL with just two tight ends on the active roster — Benjamin Watson and Kyle Brady — and Watson injured his left ankle in Sunday’s win over the Steelers. Watson was limited in Thursday’s practice.​

The 25-year-old Spach (pronounced “Spock”) entered the league as a rookie free agent with the Eagles in 2005. He caught seven passes for 42 yards and also served as a fullback at times. Spach was released by the Eagles at the end of 2006 training camp and spent the year out of football. He tried to hook on with the Vikings this year, was cut before the season began, and worked out for several teams before the Patriots brought him in Wednesday.​

February 1, 2008:

Couch Potato Turned Super Bowl Player

archive.nytimes.com

Before signing with the Patriots, Spach said he worked as a personal trainer and was about to start as a substitute teacher.​

August 30, 2008:

Roster breakdown

A snapshot look at the Patriots roster, position by position, with a quick-hit at each spot.

www.boston.com

Tight end​

Benjamin Watson, David Thomas, Stephen Spach​

Quick hit: Watson and Thomas were considered locks, so the addition of Spach is a bit of a surprise. Spach’s addition could be tied to the health of Watson, who missed practice last week, as well as the preseason finale.​

Septmber 4, 2008:
Patriots re-sign TE Stephen Spach; Release TE Pociask | Patriots.com

The New England Patriots re-signed tight end Stephen Spach today. Additionally, the Patriots released tight end Jason Pociask, signed punter Reggie Hodges to the practice squad and released tight end Tyson DeVree from the practice squad.​

Spach (pronounced SPOCK), 25, is in his third NFL season and played in 16 games with one start for the Philadelphia Eagles (2005) and New England Patriots (2007). The 6-foot-4-inch, 250-pound tight end was signed by the Patriots as a free agent on Dec. 13, 2007 and played in three games for New England in 2007. For his career, Spach has totaled seven receptions for 42 yards. He was released by the Patriots on Sept. 1, 2008. Spach will wear number 82 for the Patriots.​

September 15, 2008:
Patriots re-sign FB Kyle Eckel; Release Stephen Spach | Patriots.com

Stephen Spach

www.pinionwealth.com

Stephen found inspiration to join the financial services industry during his 8-year NFL career. Since 2013, Stephen has helped clients minimize taxes, grow their wealth, and plan for their future. He remains focused working alongside CPAs and the Pinion Wealth team to help individuals, families, and business owners achieve their financial objectives.​

Stephen earned his Master of Business Administration degree from the Craig School of Business at Fresno State in 2018. He and his wife, Katey, met as college athletes and are now raising 3 very energetic boys in Clovis, CA.​

December 16, 2007: The Patriots defeated the Jets 20-10 in Spach's first game with the Pats​

 

[jmt57]

Today In Patriots History
More July 18 Trivialities​

Happy 52nd birthday to Bruce Walker
Born July 18, 1972 in Compton, CA
Died November 7, 2014 at the age of 42 in Forsyth, Georgia
Patriot NT, 1994-1995; uniform #91
Signed as a free agent November 22, 1994


Bruce Walker was a second round draft pick by Philadelphia in 1994, but was cut at the end of his rookie training camp. He was with the Pats for 11 games the following year, starting five games and finishing the season with 18 tackles (16 solo).

Aug 17, 1993:

Bruins Suspend Two for Criminal Activity : UCLA: Bruce Walker cannot play until next season; Jamir Miller must skip the opening game against Cal.

Bruce Walker, a UCLA nose guard, was suspended for a year, and linebacker Jamir Miller must skip the Bruins' season-opener Sept. 4 against California because of recent criminal problems, school officials announced Monday.

www.latimes.com

Bruce Walker, a UCLA nose guard, was suspended for a year, and linebacker Jamir Miller must skip the Bruins' season-opener Sept. 4 against California because of recent criminal problems, school officials announced Monday.​

Walker, who has one year of eligibility remaining, will be allowed to redshirt and return for the 1994 football season if he stays out of trouble, UCLA Coach Terry Donahue said. Miller, who led the team in sacks last season and tied for the lead in 1991, is expected to begin practicing today.​

Walker was sentenced to three years of probation and 100 hours of community service last week in Superior Court in Santa Monica after pleading no contest to one felony count of receiving stolen property.​

Miller, Walker and Raul Martinez, a UCLA student, were arrested last April and charged with possession of $15,000 worth of stereo and computer equipment that was stolen from a UCLA dormitory last winter.​

The 10 Most Bizarre Draft Picks in Eagles History

The Eagles’ selection of Jalen Hurts got Reuben Frank to research some of the franchise’s most bizarre draft picks of all time.

www.nbcphiladelphia.com

Bruce Walker, DT, UCLA, 2nd round, 1994​

Here's an idea: Use the 37th pick in the draft on a disinterested, out-of-shape defensive tackle with multiple arrests on his record. Walker was suspended from the UCLA football team in January of 1993 after an arrest on misdemeanor weapons charges. He was reinstated on April 6, then suspended again 12 DAYS LATER after an arrest on felony charges after police found $13,000 in stolen property in his apartment. The Eagles saw that and said, ‘That's our guy!" Walker didn't even make it to opening day his rookie year.​

July 17, 1996:

Medium Rare Injury : Patriots' Lineman Walker Stabbed While Playing Catch With Steak Knife

Bruce Walker, a defensive lineman for the New England Patriots, incurred a stab wound in his chest while he and a friend were throwing a steak knife at each other in a grocery store parking lot.

www.latimes.com

Bruce Walker, a defensive lineman for the New England Patriots, incurred a stab wound in his chest while he and a friend were throwing a steak knife at each other in a grocery store parking lot.​

Police said that Walker, who played at UCLA, suffered the wound when he missed a catch. He was treated at Southwood Community Hospital in Norfolk and required several stitches, police said.​

Not surprisingly, Walker did not make the roster following the mysterious knife throwing injury. He then spent two years playing for Frankfort in the World League, including in their 1998 championship season. Walker was part of the San Diego Charger organization for the next two years, but never got on the field due to injuries.




Other pro football players born on this date with New England connections:
- John Wetzel, 33 (b 1991; Boston College class of 2013)
The offensive tackle played in 46 games with 24 starts for the Arizona Cardinals.
John Wetzel: 5 Things You Need to Know About the Boston College OT

- Mike Pyle (1939-2015; Yale class of 1961)
The nine-year starting center for Chicago missed just five games while playing from 1961 to 1969. After his retirement Pyle did pre and post game radio shows for the Bears. He is the great uncle of Charger defensive end Joey Bosa, and has four more relatives that have played in the NFL.

Mike Pyle, Captain of 9-0 Yale Team and Champion Bears in ’63, Dies at 76 (Published 2015)

Pyle was among the many former N.F.L. players who brought suit against the league for disregarding cognitive dangers resulting from football collisions.

www.nytimes.com

Some notable pro football players born on this date:
- Jerome Barkum, 74 (1950); the tight end had 40 touchdowns with the Jets from 1972-83.

- George Starke, 76 (1948); Washington's starting right tackle from 1973-84; he and Sid Luckman share the longest career (12 seasons) of any player from Columbia.

- Terry Taylor, 63 (1961); CB had 25 interceptions over twelve seasons with Seattle, Detroit, Cleveland and Atlanta from 1984-1995.

- Lonnie Young, 61 (1963); FS played in 147 games from 1985-96 for the Cardinals, Jets and Chargers.

- Jeff Lageman, 57 (1967); a first round pick in 1989, the DE played in 122 games for the Jets and Jags from 1989-98.

- Dan Edwards (1926-2001); the all-pro end had 234 receptions and 16 touchdowns from 1948-1954.

- Ray Ramsey (1921-2009); as a rookie with the Chicago Rockets in 1947 he scored ten touchdowns, leading the AAFC in yards per catch (21.9) and yards per touch (11.4).

- Bernard Williams, 52 (1972); the 14th overall pick of the 1994 draft played for only one season in the NFL. An off season incident led to a disorderly conduct arrest, and a couple weeks later a failed drug test resulted in a six game suspension for marijuana. He didn't bother to fulfill any of the requirements for reinstatement, and instead spent the next seven years in the CFL, XFL and Arena League.

- Cornelius Lucas, 33 (1991); the term 'Ventroned' may need to be changed to 'Lucased', because the Washington OT has been part of 80 transactions with the Lions, Rams, Saints, Bears and Commanders since 2014, according to Pro Football Reference.

 

[jmt57]

Today In Patriots History
July 18 News​

July 18, 2022:

Patriots waive long snapper Ross Reiter

The Patriots are back to having just one long snapper on their roster.

www.nbcsports.com

The Patriots are back to having just one long snapper on their roster. Via Mike Reiss of ESPN, New England waived rookie long snapper Ross Reiter on Monday.​

As noted by Reiss, Reiter had helped lighten the load for longtime long snapper Joe Cardona during the offseason program. The Patriots signed Reiter as an undrafted free agent out of Colorado State in the spring.​

Cardona has been with New England since 2015, entering the league as a fifth-round pick out of Navy. Cardona, 30, has not missed a game in his career.​

Ranking the Patriots’ roster from 1-87! | WEEI 93.7

From Pro Bowl stars to backup special teams specialists, there are 87 men headed to training camp with the Patriots. Here’s a very unscientific ranking of all those New England competitors from an impact pass rusher to backup long snapper. | WEEI 93.7

www.audacy.com

87 -- LS Ross Reiter: No disrespect, but a backup long snapper is a backup long snapper.​

July 18, 2016:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...ate-ebner-rugby-sevens-team-usa rio/87240804/

The NFL will be represented at the Rio Olympics.​

New England Patriots safety and special-teams ace Nate Ebner was selected to the 12-man Team USA rugby roster Monday morning.​

July 18, 2014:

Stratford alum McDonald Signs With Patriots

Former SC State WR had 7 TD's last year

www.live5news.com

The New England Patriots announced they've signed former South Carolina State and Stratford star WR Tyler McDonald on Friday.​

McDonald, 23, had a career-best 51 receptions for 956 yards and 7 touchdowns as a senior in 2013 at South Carolina State. The 6-3, 190-pounder finished his college career with 159 receptions for 2,389 receiving yards.​

Patriots sign rookie WRs Derrick Johnson, Tyler McDonald

The Patriots have filled two of their open roster spots.

www.nbcsports.com

The club said Friday it had signed undrafted rookie wideouts Derrick Johnson and Tyler McDonald. Johnson is a Maine product, while McDonald played at South Carolina State.​

This is Johnson’s second stint with New England. The club first signed him on May 19, then waived him on June 9. The 23-year-old Johnson hauled in 60 passes for 608 yards and two touchdowns in his senior season with the Black Bears.​

July 18, 2012:

Report: Patriots Sign Rookie Linebacker Dont'a Hightower

The New England Patriots have reportedly reached a deal with rookie linebacker Dont'a Hightower, according to ProFootballTalk.com, meaning all seven of their 2012 draft picks have been signed.

www.cbsnews.com

Patriots sign first-round pick Dont'a Hightower

The Patriots have now signed all of their rookies.

www.masslive.com

The Patriots made a trade with the Denver Broncos to move up and draft Dont'a Hightower with the 25th overall selection in April's draft, and hope that he will be able to help shore up a defense that ranked last in the AFC last season.​

The team also moved up to select defensive lineman Chandler Jones in the first round.​

Hightower played all over the place while at Alabama, and will look to make an impact as both a pass rusher and run stopper, likely on the outside, for New England.​

The 6-foot-2, 265-pounder earned consensus All-American honors by recording 85 tackles and four sacks last season, while also serving as a captain.​

In May, Hightower said that he believes the experience he gained while playing for Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban will accelarate his learning curve and help him contribute early in the season.​

"Some of the terms are the same," he said, "but at the same time it's going to be more about me getting in the playbook and learning the different terminology, get with some of the older guys that have been here for a while and had so much success."​

July 18, 2001:
Patriots Sign Fourth Round Draft Choice OT Kenyatta Jones | Patriots.com

Jones, 22, was drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL draft. The 6-foot-3-inch, 305-pound offensive tackle started 40 of 43 games at left tackle in four years at South Florida. In 2000, he started every game and was credited with 91 knockdown blocks. He closed out his collegiate career with an overpowering performance in a 59-0 win over Austin Peay State. In that game, the offense totaled 540 yards, including 298 yards rushing.​

The 15 worst Patriots draft picks of the Bill Belichick era

Who are the Patriots’ worst draft picks since 2000? Ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft beginning Thursday, we’re revisiting every one of Bill Belichick’s selections to determine which players the team should have thought twice about. To build the list, we used production, expectations, and overall...

www.boston.com

July 18, 1998:
Patriots re-sign ERFA Lovett Purnell



July 18, 1996:
Pats sign four draft picks:
- LB Tedy Bruschi, 3rd round, Arizona
- G Heath Irwin, 4th round, Colorado
- RB Kantroy Barber, 4th round, West Virginia
- DT Devin Wyman, 6th round, Kentucky State

The Patriots also placed Dwayne Sabb on the Non-Football Injury List, and released Steve DeOssie.



July 18, 1995:
Patriots sign two rookies:
- LB Ted Johnson, 2nd round, Colorado
- RB Curtis Martin, 3rd round, Pitt



July 18, 1994:
Pats place rookie center Joe Burch, a 3rd round pick from Texas Southern, on the NFI list.
Burch was waived at the end of camp and never played in the NFL.



July 18, 1991:
New England signs three players:
- QB Scott Zolak, 4th round (#84), Maryland
- free agent DL Greg Meisner, 11-year veteran with the Rams, Chiefs and Giants
- re-signed OL Dave Viaene



July 18, 1988:
Pats sign Tim Norton, and waive Robert Weathers and Randy Sealby. Patriots also sign 4th round draft pick Sammy Martin, and place him on NFI.



July 18, 1986:
Pats re-sign free agent Ronnie Lippett, and sign 8th round draft pick Greg Baty



July 18, 1983:
Patriots sign undrafted rookie Derrick Taylor, a safety from NC State. Pats also sign WR Mike Elarms of Angelo State, who would play for Saskatchewan in the CFL.



July 18, 1978:
Club signs three draft picks:
- 1st round OT Bob Cryder, Alabama
- 6th round LB Ken Coleman, Mississippi
- 8th round G Terry Falcon, Montana



July 18, 1977:
Patriots sign first round draft pick Raymond Clayborn, CB from Texas
Pats also claim Joe Owens off waivers from the Oilers, and Jim Pietrzak off waivers from the Giants.



July 18, 1976:
Patriots cut DL Craig Hanneman, who had played in 20 games for the Pats the previous two seasons. The team also cut Tom Neville, who had missed the 1975 season due to a broken leg and failed his physical. Neville would re-sign with the Pats, part of his twelve-year career with the Patriots.

Alumni Spotlight: Tom Neville

Tom Neville played in 160 games over 13 seasons with the Patriots. During that time he mentored some of the best linemen in Patriots history and watched as the team earned an identity in New England.

www.patriots.com

The accidental jeweler: Former NFL tackle for Patriots shares his love of bling

At a recent luncheon at the Capital City Club, former Patriots offensive lineman Tom Neville wowed the Ladies Luncheon group with a display of some of his treasured pocket watches -- ranging from the 1820s to the 1920s -- and jewelry pieces from the Victorian and Art Deco ages.

www.al.com

July 18, 1973:
Willie Banks fractures his right leg, and would eventually miss the entire season while on injured reserve.
The Patriots also re-signed Ken Lee and Lloyd Voss, both of whom had been acquired in offseason trades. The Pats also re-signed Ron Acks, Josh Ashton and John Tanner, and signed free agent John Outlaw.



July 18, 1971:
Patriots release kicker Peter 'Tug' Wilson

3 ‘Superfoots’ Arrive For Patriots' Tryout (Published 1971)

www.nytimes.com

BOSTON, June 26, 1971 (AP)— Michael Walker, a 21?year? old English bricklayer who won the recent “superfoot” kicking competition in London for a chance to try out with the New England Patriots, arrived in Boston today.​

Walker and the top two runners?up, Peter (Tug) Wilson and Albie Evans, arrived at Logan International Air port. All three have been signed as free agents with the National Football League team and will report to the training camp at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst on July 13.​

Walker won the distance and accuracy competition with two kicks from 55 yards. Wilson, a 32?year?old career Army sergeant stationed in Germany, was the most accurate kicker from 50 yards or under. Evans, 23, a beer sales man, kicked for the greatest distance but was not as accurate as the other two.​

July 18, 1963:
Boston trades their 1964 fifth round draft pick to the Chargers for DT Bill Hudson. Hudson was a third round draft pick in 1957 by the Chicago Cardinals from Clemson, and had been an AFL All-Star in 1961 with San Diego. He played in four games with one start in '63. The purpose of the trade is unclear, as the Patriots were set at DT with Houston Antwine and Jim Lee Hunt.

 

[signbabybrady]

Who do you think Brady had his best mind meld with?

First thought would probably be Jules, Gronk, or Wes. But I think it was Deion. I'm not talking best combo just whose minds were more connected or on the same page?

I'll never forget how quickly they picked up right where they left off when Deion came back and it makes me think Deion is the answer.

 

[captain stone]

Who do you think Brady had his best mind meld with?

First thought would probably be Jules, Gronk, or Wes. But I think it was Deion. I'm not talking best combo just whose minds were more connected or on the same page?

I'll never forget how quickly they picked up right where they left off when Deion came back and it makes me think Deion is the answer.

I remember watching at the Bears Den in Hershey the first Jete game his rookie season, at Exit-16W, during which he caught a crossing corner route pass at midfield, turned on a dime and went straight up the field for a TD… I also remember thinking, Wow, this is different…