Today In Patriots History June 9: Tedy Bruschi

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Tedy Bruschi​

Happy 51st birthday to Tedy Bruschi
Born June 9, 1973 in San Francisco
Patriot ILB, 1996-2008; uniform #54
Pats 3rd round (86th overall) selection of the 1996 draft, from Arizona



- 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.

- 30.5 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 must 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, getting draft picks which turned out to be Bruschi, Chris Sullivan and Marrio Grier from Detroit. 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

Best of the Belichick Era: Number 3 — Tedy Bruschi

I’m spending 50 days ranking the top 50 players of the Bill Belichick Era, from No. 50 down to No. 1. (Click here for a criteria on how I made my selections.) Enjoy. Today we reach . . . . NUMBER 3: TEDY BRUSCHI Years With Patriots: 13 (1996-2008), 9 under Belichick (2000-08) Games: 189 (127...

www.csnne.com

In snowy Foxborough, Patriots blank Dolphins to win division - The Boston Globe

With mounds of snow piling inside and around the stadium, the Patriots suffocated the Dolphins 12-0 to win the AFC East as fans celebrated with cannons of snowballs.

www.bostonglobe.com

Bruschi: 'Today is my end' - The Boston Globe

Teddy Bruschi HOF

Teddy Bruschi HOF

arizonawildcats.com

Recent News | University of Arizona News

Find the latest news stories from the University of Arizona, covering UArizona research, projects and people.

uanews.arizona.edu

Tedy Bruschi | National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame

Tedy Bruschi | The Patriots Hall of Fame

www.patriotshalloffame.com

Tedy Bruschi

Three-time Super Bowl champion Tedy Bruschi joined ESPN as a NFL analyst in August 2009, one week after announcing his retirement from pro football. The former New England Patriots linebacker provides analysis on Sunday NFL Countdown, Get Up, First Take, SportsCenter and ESPN Radio, and he...

espnpressroom.com

Tedy Bruschi charts a new career path with latest gig

New England Patriots legend Tedy Bruschi will be joining the Arizona Wildcats coaching staff alongside former Patriots staffer Jedd Fisch.

www.nbcsports.com

 

[captain stone]

Tedy hugging the ring-less Junior Seau on the sidelines (and probably telling him, Just one more stop) should've been one of the lasting memories of the 2007 season.

 

[signbabybrady]

13K views · 208 reactions | How do we feel about Tedy Bruschi's birthday?! AWWWW YEAAAAAAH! New England Patriots #Patriots | NFL Films

How do we feel about Tedy Bruschi's birthday?! AWWWW YEAAAAAAH! New England Patriots #Patriots

www.facebook.com

 

[Pape]

**** stats. dude belongs in the NFL HoF.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Matt Gutierrez and Big Mac McNeil​

Happy 40th birthday to Matt Gutierrez
Born June 9, 1984 in Concord, California
Patriot QB, 2007; uniform #7
Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 8, 2007

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.

Happy 57th birthday to Emanuel 'Big Mac' McNeil
Born June 9, 1967 in Richmond, Virginia
Patriot NT, 1989; uniform #92
Pats 10th round (267th overall) pick of the 1989 draft, from Tennessee-Martin

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 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 is now back at his alma mater, working as the Director of Player Development at the University of Tennessee.

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Emanuel McNeil - Football Coach - UTM Athletics

Emanuel “Big Mac” McNeil enters his first season as the director of player development at UT Martin. Before UT Martin, McNeil previous served as a defensive ...

utmsports.com

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




Other pro football players with New England connections born on this date:

Julian Talley, 35 (June 9, 1989)
The UMass alum had 60 catches for 759 yards his senior year; he has since played in the CFL, Arena Football League and NFL. Talley was with the Giants from 2012-15, but mostly only in the offseason or on the practice squad; the WR appeared in two games in 2013 and two more in 2014.

New York Giants cut former UMass football players Julian Talley, Jeromy Miles

The Giants signed Talley in 2013 and Miles this past July.

www.masslive.com

Bernie Digris (June 9, 1919 - Nov 1, 1978)
Connecticut native was born in Union City, raised in Ansonia, and went to St John's Prep after Ansonia High School. He graduated from Holy Cross, and was captain of their football team. Bernie played tackle and guard for the Bronko Nagurski-led 1943 NFL champion Chicago Bears, and then joined the Navy in WWII.

Bernie Digris - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Other pro football players born on June 9 include:
- Olin Kreutz, 47; 6-time Pro Bowl center for the Bears.
Local legend Olin Kreutz

- Josh Cribbs, 41; 3-time Pro Bowl KR/WR for the Browns. It never looked right at all seeing him wear a Jets or Colts uniform.

Josh Cribbs retires as a Brown: 'I can look in the mirror and say I'm done'

Josh Cribbs has been out of football for two years, but officially retired Wednesday as a Brown.

www.cleveland.com

- Woodrow Lowe, 70; 11-season starting LB for the Chargers.

Woodrow Lowe honored as Alabama Football Legend

The former Alabama All-America linebacker spoke at the Camellia Bowl luncheon.

www.montgomeryadvertiser.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Pats hire 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:

Super Experience: NWU Alum’s Career Has Taken Him To Four Super Bowls | NWU

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.

www.nebrwesleyan.edu

Nebraska Wesleyan University alum Jason Licht describes his job in simplistic terms.​

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“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.​

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

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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.​

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“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.”​

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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.​

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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.​

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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.​

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“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.”​

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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.​

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

Buccaneers.com | Jason Licht

Jason Licht was named the fifth general manager in franchise history on January 21, 2014. Licht owns more than two decades of scouting and player personnel experience with six organizations. In 27 NFL seasons, including one as a coach, the clubs that Licht has worked for have amassed a 231-206 (.529) record, 12 playoff appearances, 10 division championships, five conference championships and two Super Bowl titles.​

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Tampa Bay's 2022 season saw the Buccaneers earn their second consecutive NFC South division title, marking the first time in franchise history that the organization has garnered back-to-back division championships. The 2022 campaign signaled the final season of Tom Brady's career, concluding a three-year span with Tampa Bay that saw him lead the Buccaneers to 32 regular season wins, five postseason wins, two division titles and one Super Bowl Championship after he was signed by Licht as a free agent during the 2020 offseason. Brady finished his time in Tampa Bay as the organization's all-time leader in passer rating (98.1) and completion percentage (66.7%), while ranking second in passing touchdowns (108), pass completions (1,376) and yards per attempt (7.10), and third in pass attempts (2,062) and passing yards (14,643). The 2022 season also saw 2020 draftee Tristan Wirfs named to his second Pro Bowl, while garnering second-team All-Pro honors.​

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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.​

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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.​

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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, 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, Dom Capers and Bruce Arians).​

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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.​

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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.​

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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.​

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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.​

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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.​

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Licht played linebacker and guard at the University of Nebraska from 1989-91 before transferring to Nebraska-Wesleyan, where he was an all-conference defensive tackle.​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
June 9 Final Edition​

June 9, 2022:

Patriots Sign Draft Pick to 4-Year Contract

Fourth-round cornerback Jack Jones agreed to terms during this week's minicamp.

www.si.com

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.​

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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.



June 9, 2015:

Patriots Release Rookie Cornerback Eric Patterson, Opening Roster Spot - NESN.com

FOXBORO, Mass. — 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...

nesn.com

The New England Patriots’ game of roster musical chairs continued Tuesday afternoon.​

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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.​

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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.​

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

Former Plant High football star Eric Patterson fatally shot by intruder in his Tampa home

TAMPA — Eric Patterson was a well-liked, standout football player at Plant High School who went on to play at Ball State University and then a short stint in the NFL.

www.tampabay.com

June 9, 2014:

New England Patriots sign UNH football alum Kyle Auffray

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — 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 Mo…

www.seacoastonline.com

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.​

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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.​

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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.​

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

Kenneth Sims - Texas Athletics - University of Texas Athletics

Kenneth Sims - Sport: Football (1978-81) Position: Defensive Tackle Inducted: 1997 Hometown: Groesbeck, Texas Consensus All-American and All-SWC in 19...

texassports.com

Ranking Five Biggest Draft Busts In Patriots' Storied History

The Patriots haven't always lived up to the golden standard when hand-picking talent in the NFL draft, owning a handful of regrets.

nesn.com

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.​

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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.​

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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.​

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“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.​

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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, 1982:
Patriots sign fifth round draft pick Fred Marion

Fred Marion - University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame

Biography page for University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame member, Fred Marion

www.umsportshalloffame.com

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.​

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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.​

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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.​

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