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Today In Patriots History June 9: Happy Birthday Tedy

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Today in Patriots History
Tedy Bruschi



Happy 52nd birthday to Tedy Bruschi
Born June 9, 1973 in San Francisco
Patriot linebacker, 1996-2008; uniform #54
Pats 3rd round (86th overall) selection of the 1996 draft, from Arizona
Pats résumé: too long to list in this short of a space



The only honor still awaiting for Tedy Lacap Bruschi is a gold jacket in Canton.


★ 2013 Patriots Hall of Fame inductee.

★ Played in 211 games (189 regular season games and 22 playoff games) for the Patriots over 13 seasons.

★ The 13 seasons played and the 189 regular season games played both rank as eighth most in franchise history.

★ Owns the team record with 17 forced fumbles.

★ 30½ career sacks ranks as 16th best in club history.

★ With Bruschi the Patriots went to the playoffs nine times, won eight division titles, five conference titles and three super bowl championships.

★ All Pro second team (2003, 2004), Pro Bowl (2004), NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2005), Super Bowl champion (2001, 2003, 2004).

★ 22 playoff games was at the time most in Pats history (since surpassed by four others), and is tied for 20th most in NFL history.

★ Arguably one of the top three Patriots in the Belichick era.

★ First player in NFL history to return four consecutive interceptions for touchdowns.

★ Was part of eight defensive touchdowns: four pick-sixes, two forced fumbles that were returned for TDs, a blocked punt returned for a TD, and a tipped pass that was intercepted and returned for a TD.

★ Those four interceptions returned for a TD are second most in Pats history, behind only Ty Law (6).

★ His twelve interceptions ranks 26th in franchise history, and fifth most by a linebacker.

★ Made countless clutch iconic plays, such as:
- ripping the ball from Dominic Rhodes in the 2004 AFCCG;
- stonewalling Charlie Garner on 2nd-and-3 in the 2001 playoff game against Oakland; or
- the 2003 pick-six in the snow against Miami to win the division.

★ Trivia: the Patriots traded down ten spots in the '96 draft, obtaining picks from Detroit which turned out to be Bruschi, Chris Sullivan and Marrio Grier. The Lions used that pick on safety Ryan Stewart, who started just two NFL games with one career interception.

★ Described by Bill Belichick as "the perfect player".

★ University of Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, 2000

★ National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, 2011

★ College Football Hall of Fame, 2013

★ New England Patriots Hall of Fame, 2013






















Bruschi: 'Today is my end.' -- Patriots.com



Tedy Bruschi -- National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame






















 
I'll be raising a cold one in Tedy's honor this afternoon. Happy Birthday to the real OG Mr Patriot Way!
 
When I think of #54 there is always a huge smile, remember the brouhaha on Sports Talk about how he should not return to the game after his stroke?? Just another effort to gin up some controversy..
He played the game as it should be played, had a load of football intelligence and was a leader on and off the field, one our family's favorite Pats players.. so much so we named our dog "Tedy B"....
 
Happy Birthday Mr. Bruschi! And thanks again for taking the time to walk with me in 2021 to sign my son's jersey. Its hanging in a display case in his home along with this photo. It's a trip we will never forget!
 

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Today in Patriots History
Jason Licht


June 9, 1999:
Jason Licht is hired to the college scouting staff. He had been a scout with Carolina the previous year, and had been with the Miami Dolphins' staff prior to that. Licht worked with the Patriots until 2011, ascending to the position of Director of Player Personnel. After two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals he moved on to Tampa Bay, and has been the Bucs general manager since 2014.


Feb 2, 2012:
Nebraska Wesleyan University alum Jason Licht describes his job in simplistic terms.​

“I’m either on the road scouting players or I’m watching film,” Licht said recently from Indianapolis, Ind., where he was preparing for Super Bowl XLVI.​

Another Super Bowl appearance for the New England Patriots is the ultimate proof that Licht’s hard work and dedication are anything but simplistic.​

Licht is the Director of Pro Personnel for the New England Patriots. He’s responsible for finding hidden talent, evaluating every player in the league, preparing scouting reports on every opponent, evaluating the Patriots, and preparing evaluations for the NFL draft. He’s helped the team land their share of draft gems.​

“I feel like an invaluable member of this organization,” Licht said of the Patriots. “And it’s nice to feel like your contributions have led to a successful team.”​

Licht — who graduated from NWU in 1994 — already dons one Super Bowl ring from the Patriots win in February 2002. But the Patriots aren’t the only team to benefit from Licht’s talents.​

He re-joined the Patriots personnel department in 2009 after previously spending four seasons (1999-2002) with New England. In 2008, he served as personnel executive for the NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals after spending five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. While at Philadelphia the Eagles reached the NFC Championship Game three times and won the 2004 NFC Championship, representing their conference against the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX. That means Licht has been part of four Super Bowl teams. Last month he was a finalist for the general manager job with the Chicago Bears.​

A career in the NFL wasn’t in Licht’s original plans as he worked on his undergraduate degree. Licht began his academic career at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he played football for three seasons.​

“I faced reality that I was always going to be a back up,” he recalled of his Husker football days. “I wanted to play football, so I transferred to Wesleyan.”​

Licht was an all-conference defensive tackle at Nebraska Wesleyan in 1993 and 1994 under coach Jim Svoboda. While at NWU, he studied biology with the intention of becoming a pediatrician.​

“I thought I wanted to be a pediatrician but my heart wasn’t really in it,” he said.​


2024 Tampa Bay Bucs Media Guide:
Licht joined the Buccaneers in 2014, on the heels of two seasons with Arizona as the vice president of player personnel, working under general manager Steve Keim, who earned NFL Executive of the Year honors from both Pro Football Talk and Sporting News. Licht's first draft pick with Tampa Bay, wide receiver Mike Evans, was selected seventh overall in the 2014 NFL Draft and went on to have a stellar rookie season, finishing with 68 receptions for 1,051 yards and 12 touchdowns and being named to the PFWA, NFL.com, ESPN.com and SI.com All-Rookie Teams.​
PERSONNEL​
Licht first worked for the Cardinals in 2008 as a personnel executive, before leaving to spend three seasons as director of pro personnel with New England. He returned to Arizona in 2012 as director of player personnel before being promoted to the vice president position.​
In addition, Licht's career has intersected with some of the NFL's greatest head coaches, including Don Shula, Jimmy Johnson, Bill Belichick and Andy Reid. In all, Licht has worked alongside seven head coaches who have led a team to a Super Bowl (Shula, Johnson, Belichick, Reid, Bruce Arians, Pete Carroll, Lovie Smith, Ken Whisenhunt) and seven who have won AP Coach of the Year honors in their careers (Shula, Johnson, Belichick, Reid, Smith, Arians and Dom Capers).​
While with Arizona, Licht worked directly with the head coach and general manager on player acquisition and contract negotiations, as well as leading the club’s scouting efforts as he oversaw both the college and pro scouting departments. The 2013 season saw the Cardinals improve to 10-6 from a 5-11 campaign the previous year.​
In 2008 Arizona won the NFC West and advanced to the Super Bowl. Licht then spent three seasons (2009-11) as director of pro personnel with the New England Patriots, where he was responsible for monitoring every NFL roster with an emphasis on scouting talent of upcoming pro free agents, while also maintaining depth on New England's roster. The Patriots were AFC East champions in each of those three seasons and advanced to the Super Bowl following the 2011 campaign.​
PLAYERS​
Licht spent five years with the Philadelphia Eagles (2003-07), first serving as the club's assistant director of player personnel before being promoted to vice president of player personnel for his final two seasons. The team won three NFC East titles during that span and earned a berth in Super Bowl XXXIX.​
Prior to joining Philadelphia, Licht enjoyed his first stint in New England, serving as a scout and assistant director of player personnel from 1999-2002, a stretch that included a victory in Super Bowl XXXVI. He was part of a front office that drafted core pieces of the team that won three Super Bowls in four seasons, such as Damien Woody, Kevin Faulk, Tom Brady, Richard Seymour, Matt Light, and Deion Branch.​
Licht began his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins in 1995, where he worked as a scouting department assistant before spending the 1996 season as an offensive assistant/quality control coach. In 1997, he worked for National Football Scouting, a college football scouting service, before joining the Carolina Panthers’ scouting staff in 1998.​










2011 New England Patriots Media Guide



2024 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Media Guide


 
Today in Patriots History
Matt Gutierrez



Happy 41st birthday to Matt Gutierrez
Born June 9, 1984 in Concord, California
Patriot quarterback, 2007-2008; uniform #7
Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent from Idaho State on May 8, 2007
Pats résumé: two seasons, five games; one pass attempt, good for 15 yards and a first down



Matt Gutierrez had been enrolled at Michigan and was slated to be their starter in 2004, before he suffered a shoulder injury (torn labrum). While Gutierrez was sidelined Chad Henne played well enough to keep the starting position, so Gutierrez transferred to Idaho State.




The Patriots signed the undrafted rookie about a week after the 2007 NFL draft. He made his NFL debut with a kneel down on the final play of a 38-14 September 9, 2007 victory against the Jets. Gutierrez completed his first NFL pass to Donté Stallworth for a 15 yard gain, against the Miami Dolphins in week 7. That would turn out to be his only pass play with New England.



Gutierrez, Matt Cassel and Tom Brady in 2008​


Gutierrez appeared in five games during garbage time in '07. During the 2008 preseason Gutierrez completed 29 out of 45 passes for 362 passing yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw two picks. He was cut at the end of training camp, and was signed to the practice squad. After Tom Brady went on IR, Gutierrez was promoted to the 53-man roster; he was an inactive healthy scratch in all 14 games.




Soon after the start of training camp the following August the Patriots signed veteran Andrew Walter, and cut Gutierrez. Over the next five years Gutierrez bounced between practice squads and training camps with the Bears, Skins and Rams, the Arena League, and the United Football League. His only other NFL appearance was in one 2009 game for the Chiefs. Matt Gutierrez now works in commercial real estate - hopefully not dwelling on the question of what his career would have been had he not been injured at Michigan.





2008 Patriots Media Guide





Pro Football Archives -- Matt Gutierrez Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- Matt Gutierrez Transactions

 
Today in Patriots History
Jack Westover



Happy 26th birthday to Jack Westover
Born June 9, 1999 in Snoqualmie, Washington
Patriot tight end, 2024-present; uniform #87
Signed to the practice squad on October 2, 2024
Pats résumé: one season, three games; no stats



Jack Westover was originally signed by Seattle as an undrafted rookie from Washington on May 3, 2024. The Seahawks released the tight end with an injury settlement on August 30, and the Patriots signed him to their practice squad a month later. Westover was elevated to the active roster on November 23, ahead of the week 12 game against Miami. He appeared in three games late in the 2024 season, logging nine snaps on offense and 26 on special teams.


With the return of Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper and Jaheim Bell at tight end, plus the signings of undrafted rookies CJ Dippre and Gee Scott Jr., Westover has his work cut out for him in terms of making the Pats 2025 roster.





Dec 29, 2023:


Oct 3, 2024:
Jack Westover signed with the New England Patriots practice squad as well on Wednesday. He was an undrafted rookie free agent in 2024 and spent training camp with the Seattle Seahawks. Westover becomes the fifth tight end on the Patriots roster. Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, and Jaheim Bell are on the 53-man roster. Westover joins Mitchell Wilcox on the practice squad.​

Westover enjoyed a five-year career with the Washington Huskies, appearing in 52 games. He finished his collegiate career with 87 receptions for 849 yards and six touchdowns. He was an All-Pac 12 honorable mention in 2023 when he caught 46 passes for 433 yards and four touchdowns. Westover helped the Huskies reach the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship, where they fell to the Michigan Wolverines 34-13.​


Jan 4, 2025:
Those moves are highlighted by the team signing four players to the active roster from the practice squad. Tight end Jack Westover, defensive end Truman Jones, linebacker Monty Rice, and cornerback Miles Battle all were signed on Saturday.​

The Patriots had one open roster spot before making those moves. To open the other spots the Patriots placed center Ben Brown, wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk, and safety Jabrill Peppers on IR. All three had previously been ruled out for Sunday's game.​




Pro Football Archives -- Jack Westover Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- Jack Westover Transactions

Career Earnings: $347,223

 
Today in Patriots History
Big Mac



Happy 58th birthday to Eugene 'Big Mac' McNeil
Born June 9, 1967 in Richmond, Virginia; hometown Highland Springs, VA
Patriot tnose tackle, 1989; uniform #92
Pats 10th round (267th overall) pick of the 1989 draft, from Tennessee-Martin
Pats résumé: one season, one game



Emanuel McNeil appeared in just one game with the Pats. When **** Steinberg left Foxboro to become GM of the Jets in 1990, he signed McNeil as a Plan B free agent. Plan B free agency was something the owners had grudgingly put in to place for legal purposes. They were able to protect any 37 players they desired, which when you think about it is all your starters on offense and defense, all your third down players, and all your core special teamers. Only those other players at the very bottom of the roster were permitted to depart in free agency.




In standard Jete fashion, after all that maneuvering McNeil played in just two more NFL games. He later signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL, but suffered a career ending knee injury in 1992. McNeil returned to his alma mater, working as the Director of Player Development at the University of Tennessee-Martin. He now works as an an assistant football coach at North Central High School in Kershaw, South Carolina, which is about an hour north of Columbia SC and hour and a half south of Charlotte NC.


1989 Patriots Media Guide









The University of Tennessee-Martin -- Emanuel 'Big Mac' McNeil

LinkedIn -- Emanuel McNeil


Pro Football Archives -- Emanuel McNeil Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- Emanuel McNeil Transactions






Other pro football players born on June 9 with a New England connection:

Tarheeb Still, 23 (June 9, 2002)
Draft Pick Trade
On April 26, 2024 the Patriots made one of the worst trades of the 21st century - not just for the franchise, but for the entire NFL.

Team Wolf/Mayo elected to traded down, sending their 2024 2nd round pick (34th overall, Ladd McConkey) and sweetening the pie by also adding their 2024 5th round pick (137th overall, Tarheeb Still) to the Chargers for LAC's 2024 2nd round pick (37th overall, Ja'Lynn Polk) and 2024 4th round pick (110th overall, Javon Baker).

It's bad enough that the Pats passed on McConkey. Here's the kicker: even Still also had a better season than Polk and Baker combined!
The CB played in 14 games with 12 starts his rookie season, with four interceptions, ten passes defensed, 62 tackles and a 61-yard pick-six. That's about a thousand times more production than Polk and Baker combined.


Julian Talley, 36 (June 9, 1989)
UMass
The wide receiver played sparingly for the Giants from 2012 to 2015.


Bernie Digris (June 9, 1919 - Nov 1, 1978)
Born in Union City, CT; raised in Ansonia, CT; Ansonia High School; St John's Prep, Danvers; Holy Cross
Bernie was a team captain at Holy Cross, then played tackle and guard for the Bronko Nagurski-led 1943 NFL champion Chicago Bears before joining the Navy in WWII. After the war ended he was a Teachnical Saleman for General Tire and Rubber.
Bernard John Digris Obituary
 
Today in Patriots History
Other June 9 News


June 9, 1982:
Patriots sign fifth round draft pick Fred Marion

Fred Marion was awarded first team All-America honors by the United Press International, Kodak and The Football news in 1981. Fred held the UM career mark for most assista by a safety (151), held the UM career mark for interceptions with 16 for 170 return yards and most consecutive games with an interception with 4, until Bennie Blades broke those records from 1984-1987.​

In 1980 Marion led the team in interceptions with seven picks and was the second leading tackler on the team. A four-year letter winner(1978-1981), he was the leading punt returnerduring his career finishing with 62 returns for 392 yards.​

Fred was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 5th round of the 1982 NFL draft and four years later played in Super Bowl XX. He had a stellar career in the NFL and retired following the 1991 season.​









1982 Patriots Media Guide





June 9, 1990:
Patriots sign first round draft pick Kenneth Sims to a four-year contract

Defensive end, Kenneth Sims (1982-89)
Sims never lived up to the inherited expectations of being selected No. 1 overall in his draft class, which plays a major factor.​

Drafted out of Texas, Sims was projected to grow into one of the league’s next great defensive ends. But that was far from the case for the ex-Longhorns stud.​

Best known for a poor locker room attitude, Sims logged only 17 career sacks through eight seasons with the Patriots. He spent nearly a decade in New England failing, even going as far as turning a bold phrase into comedic material for Sims’ many doubters.​

“Game Day” Sims became a huge mockery and a memorable name behind what’s now remembered as one of New England’s all-time biggest mistakes.​

Sims was cut in 1990 by the Patriots after being charged with possession of cocaine and showing up to training camp out of shape.​




June 9, 2014:
Kyle Auffray, who played for the University of New Hampshire football team from 2008 to 2010, signed a free agent contract with the New England Patriots, the NFL team announced Monday.​

Terms of the contract were not announced. Auffray, 27, was signed by the Arizona Cardinals in May 2013 but was released by the team in July of that year.​

Auffray played 16 games as a tight end and punter for UNH after beginning his collegiate career at Mississippi State (2006-07) as a quarterback.​

As a senior in 2010, Auffray made four receptions for 34 yards and scored his first career touchdown on a 12-yard reception against Towson University in his final home game at Cowell Stadium (Nov. 20). The CAA Academic All-Conference Team member also served as the Wildcats' punter in all 13 games, averaging 37.7 yards/punt with a long of 67 yards.​

Despite the versatility that Bill Belichick covets, the Patriots waived Kyle Auffrey seven days later.




June 9, 2015:
The New England Patriots’ game of roster musical chairs continued Tuesday afternoon.​

The Patriots released rookie cornerback Eric Patterson one day after signing veteran Derek Cox, the team announced. Patterson originally was signed May 8 as an undrafted free agent out of Ball State. The 5-foot-10, 193-pound defensive back participated in both organized team activities open to the media.​

The Patriots now have 89 players on their 90-man roster, leaving one spot open. Patterson’s release leaves the Patriots with nine cornerbacks: Cox, Malcolm Butler, Bradley Fletcher, Justin Green, Jimmy Jean, Robert McClain, Darryl Roberts, Logan Ryan and Daxton Swanson.​

Patterson was one of just seven undrafted free agents signed by the Patriots this spring.​





June 9, 2022:
Keeping up with their myriad Joneses, the New England Patriots on Thursday signed rookie cornerback Jack Jones. According to his agent, Jamal Tooson, the deal is for four years and $4.4 million, including a $747,000 signing bonus.​

Jack Jones was one of three fourth-round picks by the Patriots. On the roster are four players named Jones: Jack, Marcus, quarterback Mac and veteran cornerback Jonathan.​

On June 16, 2023, Jack Jones was arrested by TSA at Logan Airport for stupidity attempting to bring two loaded guns and a high capacity magazine with him in his carry on baggage. Prior to the November 5 week nine game versus Washington he missed curfew and was benched. Jones was waived eight days later, 18 games into his NFL career with the Patriots.
 
That Jersey Fred is holding up looks tight. I still have one our Tippett jerseys from the 80s. Doesn't fit me though I'm a little bigger now.
 
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