Today in Patriots History
21st Century June 14 News
June 14, 2004:
The Patriots signed first-year defensive tackle Ryan Atoe to a one-year contract, according to documents filed with the NFL Players Association.
The 6-foot-1, 315-pound Atoe attended the team's mandatory mini-camp June 10-13 on a tryout and signed his deal June 14. The team has yet to officially announce the move.
Atoe was in training camp with the Cardinals last year, suffering a high ankle sprain in the team's final preseason game. The injury kept him out for the season, but he recovered to play for Cologne in NFL Europe this spring.
Atoe, who played one season of Division I football at the University of Idaho, projects to be a developmental nose tackle.
To nobody's surprise, Ryan Atoe did not make the roster; he was waived on July 25, four days before the opening of training camp to make room on the roster for newly signed draft picks WR PK Sam, and CB Christian Morton. Atoe, 24, was signed by the Patriots on June 14 after spending the 2004 NFL Europe season with the Cologne Centurions.
They can't all be Patriots - New Bedford Standard-Times
If you are currently seventh on the depth chart at your position (DT Ryan Atoe) ... you're probably not going to be a Patriot.
June 14, 2010:
Mike Reiss of ESPN just spoke to Logan Mankins, and apparently the news isn't good. Reiss reported via Twitter that Mankins says he wants to be traded, and has no further desire to be a Patriot.
"I want to be traded," Mankins told Reiss. "I don't need to be here any more." "This is about principle with me and keeping your word and how you treat people."
Reiss reports that Mankins will not sign his restricted free agent tender and does not plan to attend camp, so it appears this story is just beginning.
"At this point, I'm pretty frustrated, from everything that's happened and the way negotiations have gone," Mankins told Reiss. "I want to be traded. I don't need to be here any more."
According to Reiss, Mankins and his agent Frank Baur discussed the possibility of an extension after the 2008 season, where they were reportedly told to wait until after the 2009 season due to the uncertain labor situation surrounding the league. Now a restricted free agent, Mankins feels that the team isn't being "true to their word", and as a result he's extremely disappointed.
"After the 2008 season, me and my agent approached the Patriots about an extension and I was told that Mr. Kraft did not want to do an extension because of the [uncertain collective bargaining agreement]," Mankins said. "I was asked to play '09 out, and that they would address contract after the uncapped year. I'm a team player, I took them at word, and I felt I played out an undervalued contract.
"That's the big thing," he continued. "Right now, this is about principle with me and keeping your word and how you treat people. This is what I thought the foundation of the Patriots was built on. Apparently, I was wrong. Growing up, I was taught a man's word is his bond. Obviously this isn't the case with the Patriots."
Mankins told Reiss that "there's no way" he's signing his tender offer, which means New England will likely exercise their right to reduce his 2010 salary 110% from $3.268 this season to $1.54 million - which they reportedly sent him a letter to inform him of last week.
Reiss also reports that Mankins will not be attending any of the upcoming minicamp sessions, nor will he be at training camp.
Mankins would hold out until signing his tender on November 2, and made the Pro Bowl despite only playing in nine games. The Patriots placed the franchise tag on Mankins the following year, before signing a six-year deal that made him the highest paid guard in the league on August 10, 2011.
June 14, 2011:
Tom Addison passes away at the age of 75
View Thomas Marion Addison, Jr.'s obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.
www.lancasterfuneralhome.com
The Patriots are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of one of the franchise's original members, linebacker Tom Addison, who passed away on Tuesday, June, 14 at his home in Bluffton, S.C. He was 75.
www.patriots.com
Born April 12, 1936, Addison attended the University of South Carolina and was originally drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the 12th round (141st overall) of the 1958 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound prospect was also drafted by the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League, but eventually signed with the Boston franchise of the newly formed American Football League (AFL) in 1960. He played his entire eight-year career (1960-67) with the Boston Patriots and was selected to the team's first all-decade team by a fan ballot in 1971. He is also a member of the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame.
Addison quickly became a leader for the fledgling franchise, earning All-AFL honors in 1960 (before an all-star game was formed), followed by four consecutive trips to the AFL All-Star game (1961-64). He was also a Sporting News All-League player in 1963 and 1964.
His leadership was recognized by his AFL peers, who formed the AFL Players Association in 1964 and elected Addison as the union's first president. His contributions as president played a significant role in the development and competitiveness of the new league.
June 14, 2012:
New England now has six of seven drafts picks under contract.
www.boston.com
The Patriots and third-round draft pick Jake Bequette have agreed to a four-year contract, a league source confirms.
Bequette was the 90th overall player taken in the draft, and the fourth of seven players selected by New England.
The 6-foot-5 inch, 271-pound defensive lineman from Arkansas appeared in 48 games with 42 starts and recorded 126 total tackles, 23.5 sacks and 35 quarterback pressures. After spending his redshirt year as a tight end, Bequette made the switch to the defensive line and became a full-time starter as a junior in 2010. Last season, he led the SEC and tied for third in the nation with 10 sacks.
With Bequette signed, that leaves just one member of the Pats’ draft class of 2012 unsigned: LB Dont’a Hightower.
June 14, 2013:
The Patriots release Notre Dame kicker David Ruffer.
www.enterprisenews.com
The New England Patriots announced that they have released rookie free agent kicker David Ruffer.
Ruffer, 24, originally signed with the Patriots on May 20, 2013. The 6-foot-1, 193-pounder, transferred from to Notre Dame from William & Mary in 2008. He connected on his first 23 career field goal attempts at Notre Dame to set a school record. After appearing in seven games in 2009 as an injury replacement, he was the full-time kicker in 2010 and 2011. Ruffer finished his college career making 33-of- 44 field goals and 93-of-97 extra point attempts.
The Patriots have three open spots on their 90-man roster. With the organized team activity/minicamp portion of the offseason program complete, it's a good time to re-set the roster with a quick-hit thought at each position.
www.espn.com
Ninth in a 10-part series : The Patriots’ special teams units had their issues during the 2012 campaign. The team is hoping the addition of Leon Washington will improve the return game, while two-tim…
www.patriotledger.com
Place-kicker Stephen Gostkowski matched the career high (or low, depending upon how you look at it) he set as a rookie in 2006 by missing six field goals, including what would have been a game winner from 42 yards with one second left in a Week 2 loss to Arizona.
Clearly, the Patriots still trust Gostkowski’s toe, which, while inaccurate at times, remained strong enough to produce 52 touchbacks in 111 kickoffs.
With David Ruffer’s release in mid-June, less than a month after he was signed as a rookie free agent out of Notre Dame, Gostkowski will be the only place-kicker in training camp when it kicks off with the full squad due in at Gillette Stadium on Thursday.
June 14, 2018:
Pro Bowl fullback James Develin reportedly reaches terms on a two-year contract extension with the team. Long snapper Joe Cardona reportedly comes to terms on a four-year extension with the Pats.
www.patriotledger.com
Looks like the blue collar guy from Brown will be sticking around Gillette Stadium.
Same goes for the Navy man.
Jeff Howe of “The Athletic” was first to report on Thursday that the Patriots had finalized a two-year, $3.8-million contract extension (which includes a $600,000 signing bonus) that will tie Pro Bowl fullback James Develin to the team through the 2020 season.
Thursday night, ESPN's Mike Reiss reported that the team had reached terms with long snapper Joe Cardona on an extension through 2022.
As for Develin?
“Whenever you see James you see him working,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said after his Pro Bowl selection was announced last December. “You see him doing extras in the weight room. You see him doing extras on the practice field. You see him in early or late looking at film, going over things.
“He’s got a role. He’s very good at it. It’s a very important role, so it’s great to see him recognized for it.”
He’s got a role, and while it is far from glamorous – he’s most often slamming his 255 pounds into an opponent to help clear a path for a running back or blocking for quarterback Tom Brady – he does it well enough to have become the first Patriots fullback since Sam Cunningham in 1978 to earn a Pro Bowl berth. Develin also plays on special teams.
The players are breaking for the summer, but that doesn’t mean the Patriots are done handling business. On Thursday, reports broke that the Patriots were nearing extensions with fullback James Dev…
www.providencejournal.com
Develin’s story is one of the best in New England. A former defensive tackle at Brown University, he went undrafted in 2010 and played for the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz of the Arena Football League. Then he suited up for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League. There, in the UFL, he made the transition to fullback.
After spending time on the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad, from 2010-2012, Develin signed with the Patriots practice squad. Develin appeared in one game with the Patriots in 2012. He’s been the starting fullback over the past five years. He’s appeared in every game, every season, expect for in 2015 when he broke his tibia in the preseason.
A two-time Super Bowl champion, Develin was named as a Pro Bowler last year for the first time. On Thursday, he was rewarded for his efforts.
Cardona also comes to the Patriots with an interesting back-story. Drafted in the fifth round in 2015, the 26-year-old is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and an officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve. In his rookie season, he worked at the Naval Academy Preparatory School full-time while also playing for the Patriots.
Over the last three years, Cardona has been a rock solid long snapper for the Patriots. Signing him locks up one of three main special teamers. Kicker Stephen Gostkowski and punter Ryan Allen are also in the final years of their deals.
Looking at QB
The Patriots already have three quarterbacks in the fold, but that hasn’t stopped them from checking other options.
On Thursday, the Patriots brought in 2016 second-round pick Christian Hackenberg for a visit to Gillette Stadium. The 23-year-old, who was drafted 51st overall by the N.Y. Jets, was released by the Oakland Raiders on Tuesday. He cleared waivers and is now a free agent.
June 14, 2019:
After being traded to the Patriots, tight end Michael Roberts was reverted to the Lions roster, per trade conditions.
www.nbcboston.com
The Patriots' trade with the Lions for tight end Michael Roberts has been voided.
On Friday, the Lions announced Roberts was reverted back to their roster, per trade conditions. They subsequently waived the 25-year-old.
"The Detroit Lions announced today that TE Michael Roberts reverted back to the team's roster, per trade conditions.
"Subsequently, the Lions announced that they have waived Roberts."
This likely means Roberts failed his physical, though that has yet to be confirmed.
The Patriots will keep their seventh-round conditional selection in 2020 that originally was included in the trade for Roberts.
Matt LaCosse remains the No. 1 tight end on New England's depth chart with Ben Watson suspended for the first four games of the season.
