Today In Patriots History March 13, 2014: Pats sign CB Darrelle Revis

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Darrelle Revis signs with Pats​

March 13, 2014:
Patriots officially announce the signing of 28-year old All Pro free agent Darrelle Revis, which had been reported in the media the previous day.

​

Patriots sign cornerback Darrelle Revis to one year, $12 million deal

The Patriots have signed Darrelle Revis to a one-year, $12 million contract Wednesday night, just hours after the five-time Pro Bowl cornerback was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

www.boston.com

Revis Island is now located in Foxborough.​

The Patriots made a large splash in the free agent market by signing Darrelle Revis to a one-year, $12 million contract Wednesday night, just hours after the five-time Pro Bowl cornerback was released by Tampa Bay after the Buccaneers were unable to trade him.​

Patriots sign veteran CB Darrelle Revis -- Patriots.com

During his seven NFL seasons, Revis has played and started in 95 regular-season games and has registered 344 total tackles, 21 interceptions with three returned for touchdowns, five forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries. He has also played in and started in six postseason games, tallying 23 total tackles and two interceptions.​

He has been selected to five Pro Bowl (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013), earned three first-team All Pro honors (2009, 2010 and 2011) and was named AFC Defensive Player of the Year in 2009 after finishing the year with 72 total tackles and six interceptions.​

Patriots bow to inevitability, sign Darrelle Revis to one-year, $12 million deal

One way or another, Darrelle Revis was heading back to the AFC East. (David Drapkin/AP) From the moment it was rumored that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were

www.si.com

From the moment it was rumored that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were thinking that they'd rather trade or release cornerback Darrelle Revis than pay him $16 million for another season, and from the moment that the Denver Broncos signed former New England Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib to an enormous six-year, $57 million deal with $26 million guaranteed, the drumbeats around the NFL spoke to one seeming inevitability: Revis was heading to Foxboro to replace Talib and become the newest jewel in Bill Belichick's defense.​

Darrelle Revis agrees with Patriots

Cornerback Darrelle Revis and the New England Patriots have reached agreement on a one-year, $12 million deal, league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

www.espn.com

While Revis' deal has a cash value of $12 million this year, as reported by ESPN, the sides added a second year to the pact. The second year is worth $20 million, a sum so large it makes it unlikely the Patriots would pay it, thus making Revis an unrestricted free agent again in 2015.​

The second year helps the team spread the salary-cap charges for Revis over two seasons instead of taking one $12 million cap hit in 2014. It also eliminates the chance he could be given the franchise tag by the Patriots in 2015.​

How Darrelle Revis helps the Patriots

So the Patriots have added Darrelle Revis. How will he make them better? Let’s explore a few ways.

www.boston.com

Surely the Patriots’ postseason failures in recent years partially motivated their pursuit of Revis. The memories of damage that Mario Manningham, Anquan Boldin, and Demaryius Thomas did to New England’s Super Bowl dreams in recent years still linger. Revis can go a long way toward neutralizing the potential for a playoff letdown. He has six games of postseason experience with the Jets, but twice lost in the AFC title game. So he, too, will be motivated to succeed on the NFL’s biggest stage.​

It’s a dagger for the Jets​

Revis was the pride and joy of the Jets — and their fans — in his six years there. At one point, there was talk that he would be a Jet for life. But that marriage fell apart when they dealt him to Tampa Bay last year. And surely, in sending him to Tampa, the Jets must have wanted to keep him as far away from the AFC East (and especially New England) as possible. But now he’s back, and wearing the colors of the Jets’ hated rivals. It will be a bitter pill for Jets fans — who’ve already watched the Patriots march to five straight division crowns — to watch him bolster the résumé of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick next season.​

Stars aligned for Patriots, Revis

The Patriots had the flexibility to react swiftly and land top CB Darrelle Revis.

www.espn.com

Consider that ...​

Another team had to blow away free agent cornerback Aqib Talib with an offer because the Patriots planned to be competitive to retain him within what they felt was reasonable. The Denver Broncos went above and beyond.​

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, under a new general manager/head coaching regime, had to come to the conclusion that Revis wasn't going to be on their roster.​

That was just the first step.​

The next was seeing if there would be a willing trade partner for Revis among 31 other teams. There wasn't, in part because Revis wasn't willing to restructure his $16 million-per-year salary. So the Bucs released him.​

Then it came down to what the open market would bear for Revis and what was truly important to him at this time. Long-term deal? Short-term? Another $16 million-per-year deal?​

From a pure dollars standpoint, could the Patriots be competitive?​

And even if the Patriots were in the mix, would Revis really be interested in coming to New England to play for a coach he dubbed a "jerk" while playing a word-association game on "SportsCenter"?​

Finally, could the Patriots absorb the significant salary-cap charge?​

It's almost like the X's and O's in a football playbook for a play with a high degree of difficulty -- you draw them up and it might look good on paper, but it won't work unless every little thing is accounted for and every player follows through on his responsibility. The margin for error is slim.​

In this case, the end result was made even more stunning by the sudden change that preceded it.​

With Revis move, Belichick breaks Gang Green nation’s heart again

The last thing the Jets wanted is the nightmare scenario that unfolded swiftly Wednesday night, the Great White Shark lurking off the free-agent waters in New England, the bloodthirsty Bill Belichi…

nypost.com

Good X's & O's column by former NFL safety Matt Bowen, on the positive effect Revis had with the Patriots below:
Darrelle Revis Once Again Making Dominance Look Easy

Some other headlines, links and threads from 2014:

CB Darrelle Revis Joins Patriots Defense

One day after losing their starting number one cornerback to the Denver Broncos, the Patriots went out and made a splash in free agency that should hopefully see them be able to improve their secondary heading into next season.

www.patsfans.com

Patriots Swap Talib For Revis, Literally

The Patriots Upgrade With Signing of Revis

Revis Island has now been established in the New England area. The New England Patriots made a big splash Wednesday night, signing All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis to a one-year, $12 million contract.

www.patsfans.com

Thursday's New England Patriots Links 3/13/14 - Patriots Make a Splash with Revis

Here are this morning's top New England Patriots Links for Thursday March 13th, 2014.

www.patsfans.com

Friday's New England Patriots Links 3/14/14 - Manning Forced Patriots to Get Revis

Here are this morning's New England Patriots links for Friday March 14th, 2014.

www.patsfans.com

37-page thread:

Thread 'We. Have. Revis.'

Mar 12, 2014

Mike Reiss ?@MikeReiss 1m
Per @AdamSchefter, CB Darrelle Revis and the Patriots have reached agreement on a 1-year, $12 million deal.

:singing::singing::singing::singing::singing:



Hey Jets Fans

• CISGS
• Replies: 729
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Soon after Revis signed, there was this:

13-page thread based on speculation & rumor:

Thread 'Seahawks CB Brandon Browner meeting with Pats Thursday 3/13'

Mar 12, 2014

Will miss the first 4 games...but still

Mark OckerbloomFox25 ?@ocktalks 8m

A source tells me Seattle free agent CB Brandon Browner is in town for a visit with the @Patriots tomorrow. #fox25

• Brady_to_Moss
• Replies: 253
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Followed by this 35-page thread:

Thread 'Report (Unconfirmed) - Patriots sign Brandon Browner'

Mar 13, 2014

@cpriceNFL: Browner gets a 2-year deal with the #Patriots, per @RapSheet.

• Brady6
• Replies: 696
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

And this 13-page thread:

Thread 'Pats Sign Brandon Browner!'

Mar 14, 2014

This Better Be Official! lol

New England Patriots, Brandon Browner reach agreement on deal - ESPN Boston

• DaBronxPats14
• Replies: 248
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

One year later:

Patriots Player Departure Thread 'CB Brandon Browner signs with New Orleans Saints'

Mar 12, 2015

Looks like Browner is a Saint



ProFootballTalk @ProFootballTalk · 7m 7 minutes ago
Saints closing in on a deal with CB Brandon Browner. "Almost finished," source says.


---------

Thanks for your help getting the ring Brandon. See ya.

I think NO needs more help on D than he can give them...

• sb1
• Replies: 121
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Revis, Chandler Jones, Hightower, Jamie Collins, McCourty, Chung, Ninkovich all square in the prime of their careers with Browner and Wilfork past their prime but still good was so insane. Even Mayo in his prime too before injury mid season and Logan Ryan just coming into his as a 2nd year player.

They also had good rotational players too with Chris Jones, Alan Branch, Kyle Arrington, Akeem Ayers, Sealver Siglia, and obviously MALCOM BUTLER.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Lonie Paxton​

Happy 47th birthday to Lonie Paxtion
Born March 13, 1978; from Corona, California
Patriot LS, 2000-2008; uniform #66
Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent on April 19, 2000
Pats résumé: 9 seasons, 141 regular season and 14 postseason games; three super bowl championships; Pats All-Dynasty Team


Lonie Paxton's father was a Rams season ticket holder, and he took his son with him to their games. Their seats just happened to be right above where the long snappers would practice during a game. Paxton became a two-way lineman and long snapper at Sacramento State. The Patriots signed him as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2000, nine days after releasing the 1999 long snapper, Mike Bartrum. Lonie Paxton went on to become an incredibly dependable special teams player for the Patriots, missing just three games over nine seasons. Paxton snapped on many game winning field goals for Adam Vinatieri and Stephen Gostkowski with the Patriots, and earned three super bowl rings along the way.

The iconic and often repeated image of a player making a snow angel after a game winning score began in the Snow Game, aka the Tuck Rule Game. The player making that snow angel was Paxton, and he repeated the scene a few weeks later in the Silence of the Rams super bowl victory - in confetti this time, rather than in snow.

Paxton has kept busy since retiring from the NFL. In 2003 he established the Active Force Foundation, a non-profit organization that designs and donates special sports equipment to physically challenged athletes, has has worked with the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Sacramento, and he later worked as the Mass Sports Marketing Manager for GoPro cameras. Paxton is now a partner with a consulting/venture capital/private equity investment firm called The Critical Co in southern California.


On a side note, I just discovered that Paxton married a Taunton native named Meghan Vasconcellos, and they have four kids. The attractive woman briefly dated Tom Brady - but dumped him because she was more into Paxton.

Lonie Paxton recalls origin of his snow angel celebration

Former Patriots long snapper Lonie Paxton stopped by the media workroom today at Gillette Stadium and told some old stories. Paxton is in town because the Patriots are honoring the 22 players who won three Super Bowls with the team a decade…

www.bostonherald.com

Lonie Paxton Retiring As A Patriot; Reflects On His Famous Snow Angel Celebration

A career as a long-snapper in the NFL is a truly unique one, and Lonie Paxton is ending his where it all began.

www.cbsnews.com

Paxton will forever be remembered for his post-victory snow angel on the Foxboro Stadium field after Adam Vinatieri booted a game-winning 23-year field goal against the Oakland Raiders in the 2001 AFC Divisional Round. Vinatieri's kick was the final play, ever, at the old stadium, and is immortalized with a plaque at Patriot Place where Paxton's snap landed in Ken Walter's hands, setting up the franchise-changing kick that snowy Saturday evening.

"Snappers got to do something to get noticed other than screwing up the play," Paxton said with a smile Tuesday down at Gillette Stadium. "It's been a fun thing to continue to talk about. We have a monument in Patriot Place that signifies the spot where it went down, so that's pretty special to be part of Patriots history with some of the greats of all time."


Feb 21, 2013 interview with Mike Reiss:

Catching up with Lonie Paxton

INDIANAPOLIS -- One of the nice parts about the NFL combine for a reporter is that you never know who you might run into next.A good example of this came Thursday morning as the ESPNBoston.

www.espn.com

Home - The Critical Co

thecriticalco.com

We support our partners with the financial and operational acumen to get the project to its inflection point quickly.

By leveraging our best-in-class network of manufacturers, designers, distributors, marketers, thought leaders and technology partners, Critical identifies exisiting, and new businesses opportunities in targeted markets, amongst key demographics and use cases.

Lonie Paxton - The Critical Co

thecriticalco.com

Lonie Paxton
Partner / CPG / Sports & Entertainment
Marketing leader who successfully transitioned from a 12 year NFL career with 3 Super Bowl Championships. Lead global sports and lifestyle At GoPro, oversaw multi-year 360 partnerships NHL, PGA, Monday Night Football, Fox Sports Under Amour, Real Madrid. Loni has built and fostered direct business relationships in APAC, LATAM, US, UK and India. Loni heads sports initiatives and development at Ctical while providing valuable deal flow and access.

14:47 interview:



10:19 interview:







Dec 4, 2005: Adam Vinatieri become the Patriots' all-time leading scorer, passing Gino Cappelletti's previous record with a 34-yard field goal in the final seconds of the first half. That kick gave Vinatieri 1,131 career points, passing Cappelletti's mark of 1,130 points. That total had stood as the franchise record for 34 years and 349 days (533½ games) since Cappelletti - one of the original Boston Patriots - retired following the 1970 season. The Patriots beat the Jets by the score of 16-3.












Paxton's wife, Meghan Vasconcellos, back in her cheerleading days​

Tom Brady Had A Brief Fling With This New England Patriots Cheerleader Who Left The GOAT For One Of His Teammates And Got Married To Him

Tom Brady is not only a talented QB, but also a handsome man. He was once linked to a Patriots cheerleader. But she moved on to marry a former teammate.

www.essentiallysports.com

Lonie Paxton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Checkout the latest stats for Lonie Paxton. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, college, draft, and more on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Lonie Paxton - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Julius Adams​

March 13, 1971:
Patriots sign their second round draft pick, Julius Adams, a defensive tackle from Texas Southern.
Adams would proceed to hold the franchise record for most games played, until some guy named Tom Brady came along.
He is a member of the Patriots All-1970s Team, All-1980s Team, 35th Anniversary Team, 50th Anniversary Team, and Patriots Hall of Fame.

1971 Patriots Media Guide, page 65:
The 27th player selected by the pros in the entire draft was the Patriots second round pick, 6'3", 258 pound Julius Adams, a feensive tackle from Texas Southern University. Adams is typical of the many high draft choices coming from small colleges in that he is a relatively unknown to the fans but highly regarded by the pro scouts. "We have him highly rated as a defensive lineman," said John Mazur, "as a very strong boy who should help us inside and gives us youth for a good future up front."

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
March 13 trivia from the 2000s​

March 13, 2000:
- ERFA Sean Morey is re-signed. The Marshfield native and Brown alum was a 7th round pick by the Pats in 1999, appearing in two games. Morey was a WR/ST ace who ended up spending 2000 on the Pats practice squad, then spent most of his career with Pittsburgh abd Arizona.

Sean Morey of Marshfield retires from the NFL

Former Marshfield High and Brown University football star Sean Morey has retired from the NFL after nine seasons with four different franchises, including the 2007 Super Bowl Champion Steelers.

www.patriotledger.com

- Free agent John Munch was signed. The linebacker was a two-time D3 All-American at Illinois Wesleyan. He was originally signed as an undrafted rookie by the Jets in '98, and had also previously spent time with Washington, St Louis and the NFLE's Frankfurt Galaxy. The Jete stain apparently never wore off; the Pats cut him on August 22, ending his pro football career.
John Munch (1998) - Order of Titans - Illinois Wesleyan University Athletics

- Connecticut native Ed Ellis is re-signed. The OT was a 4th round pick out of Buffalo in 1997, and had appeared in nine games with one start in three seasons for Pete Carroll. He was waived in July but played in 45 mores games over the next four seasons with Washington and San Diego.
UB's Edward Ellis selected in draft by AFC Champion New England Patriots

- The Patriots rescinded a tender offer on Terry Billups and released the safety, who had appeared in two games with the Pats in '99. That was it for his NFL career, though he did spend some time in the XFL and CFL in 2001.

Meet Terry Billups

For tackling a new career, Shaker was the place

shaker.life

Patriots sign Morey, Ellis

FOXBORO — The season is saved. Sean Morey is under contract.

www.thesunchronicle.com

March 13, 2001:
Thomas, Whigham terminated -- Patriots.com

Long-time special teams standout Larry Whigham and defensive tackle Henry Thomas had their contracts terminated by the Patriots late Tuesday. In addition, the team re-signed exclusive rights free agent Garrett Johnson and waived wide receiver Tony Hamler.​

Originally a fourth-round draft pick for Seattle in 1994, the Northeast Louisiana product had four interceptions and deflected 10 passes for the Patriots. Three of his picks came against future Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino.​

Whigham was also a clutch player for the Patriots. In the AFC Championship game against Jacksonville on Jan. 12, 1997 he tackled Jaguar punter Brian Barker at the 4-yard line. The play set up a New England touchdown in the 20-6 win. Whigham had two years remaining on his contract.​

Long rumored for either a contract restructure or termination, Thomas recorded 21 sacks in four seasons with the Patriots and led the team with 6.5 in 1998. He recorded a single-season high and led all defensive linemen with 87 tackles in 1999, good for fifth on the team.​

The 6-0, 185-pound Hamler had been allocated to the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe, but now the Patriots lose their training camp roster exemption for him.​

Pats cut veterans loose

FOXBORO -- The New England Patriots on Tuesday released two former Pro Bowl selections, nose tackle Henry Thomas and special teams star Larry Whigham. Thomas, 36, is a 14-year NFL veteran who has r…

www.southcoasttoday.com

The New England Patriots on Tuesday released two former Pro Bowl selections, nose tackle Henry Thomas and special teams star Larry Whigham.​

Thomas, 36, is a 14-year NFL veteran who has registered 1,061 career tackles, including 93? sacks, with four interceptions, 20 forced fumbles and 11 fumble recoveries. The two-time Pro Bowl selection was originally drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 1987.​

Whigham, 28, played seven seasons with the Patriots and recorded 120 career tackles and four interceptions as a safety. He also had 97 tackles on a special teams career that included a trip to the Pro Bowl in 1997.​

Also yesterday, former Boston College lineman Pete Kendall chose not to sign with the Pats, agreeing to a five-year, $18 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals.​

Kendall, one of the top free agents offensive linemen available, has played all five of his NFL seasons with Seattle, and has started for the Seahawks in their last 73 games. He visited the Patriots last week, and was also considering Cleveland and Cincinnati.​

It wasn't all bad news for Patriots fans, however -- the team did re-sign free agent nose tackle Garrett Johnson, who played well in reserve duty last year.​

March 13, 2002:
Patriots sign free agent safety Chris Hayes.
The former Jet was cut at the end of camp, re-signed in December, and played in the final four games of the 2002 season with the Patriots.

PATRIOTS BRING IN 3; JOHNSON LIKELY OUT

As their spring harvest of unrestricted free agents continues, the Patriots are bringing in the Hayes. The more important bundle would seem to be 6-foot-4, 208-pound former Panthers wide receiver Donald Hayes, who started 30 games and…

www.courant.com

As their spring harvest of unrestricted free agents continues, the Patriots are bringing in the Hayes.​

The more important bundle would seem to be 6-foot-4, 208-pound former Panthers wide receiver Donald Hayes, who started 30 games and caught 118 passes for 1,523 yards and five touchdowns over the last two seasons. He is expected to be the fast and rugged deep threat the Patriots have been looking for to replace the disgruntled Terry Glenn, whom they traded to the Packers on Friday.​

The smaller bundle is former Jets reserve safety and superb special teams performer Chris Hayes (6-0, 206), who would replace Matt Stevens, lost to the Texans in the expansion draft, as Tebucky Jones’ backup.​

March 13, 2006:
Patriots Release LB Chad Brown and Ryan Krug -- Patriots.com

Chad Brown released

The Patriots released LB Chad Brown and OL Ryan Krug today.

www.boston.com

The Patriots released linebacker Chad Brown today. Brown, who was signed to a two-year contract prior to the 2005 season, was due a $200,000 roster bonus on March 22. His release saves the Patriots about $1 million on the salary cap.​

The Patriots also released offensive lineman Ryan Krug.​

March 13, 2007:
Patriots sign former Bengals WR Washington -- Patriots.com

The New England Patriots signed free agent Kelley Washington, another deal in an offseason overhaul of their receiving corps.​

"I am happy to be part of such a great franchise and to have the opportunity to help them get back and win another Super Bowl," Washington said in a statement released by his agent.​

Washington has 72 catches for 893 yards and nine touchdowns in four seasons with Cincinnati.​

The Patriots have also signed free agent receiver Donte' Stallworth, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles last season, and acquired Wes Welker from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a draft choice.​

Washington and Stallworth were teammates at Tennessee.​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
March 13 trivia from the 2010s-2020s​

March 13, 2012:
• 2nd round tender placed on restricted free agent QB Brian Hoyer
• Exclusive rights tender placed on DT Kyle Love
• Pats decline to tender offer to S Bret Lockett, making him an unrestricted free agent

The following players all became unrestricted free agents
• DE Mark Anderson
• WR Deion Branch
• DE Andre Carter
• C/G Dan Connolly
• DE Shaun Ellis
• RB Kevin Faulk
• RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis
• LB Gary Guyton
• S James Ihedigbo
• C Dan Koppen
• LB Niko Koutouvides
• CB Antwaun Molden
• ST Matthew Slater
• DT Gerard Warren
• LB Tracy White


• ST/LB Niko Koutouvides re-signed
• ST/WR/DB Matthew Slater re-signed

Patriots re-sign LB/SpT Koutouvides

Though the Patriots have yet to make a splashy move in free agency (free agency opened about four hours ago, so not to worry just yet), they did apparently re-sign one of their own free agents: linebacker/special teamer Niko Koutouvides. According to NFLPA records, Koutouvides is on the books...

www.boston.com

Though the Patriots have yet to make a splashy move in free agency (free agency opened about four hours ago, so not to worry just yet), they did apparently re-sign one of their own free agents: linebacker/special teamer Niko Koutouvides.​

According to NFLPA records, Koutouvides is on the books for $825,000 in base salary for 2012. Since the NFLPA website is not updated instantly, it’s likely Koutouvides’ deal was done within the last day or two.​

The 28-year old Purdue product had 8 tackles on defense and 9 special-teams tackles in eight regular-season games, plus one tackle, one quarterback hit and one special-teams tackle in the postseason.​

March 13, 2013:
A few hours after slot receiver Wes Welker departed for Denver in free agency, the Patriots replaced Wes by signing Rams receiver Danny Amendola to a five-year, $28.5 million contract that included a $6 million signing bonus, and $10 million guaranteed.

Patriots Sign Unrestricted Free Agent WR Danny Amendola -- Patriots.com

Danny Amendola agrees with Patriots

The New England Patriots moved quickly to replace Wes Welker, agreeing to terms with wide receiver Danny Amendola on a five-year contract, league sources tell ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

www.espn.com

Amendola's agreement comes hours after Welker left the Patriots for a two-year deal with the Denver Broncos. That deal is worth $12 million, sources told Schefter.​

The 27-year-old Amendola finished last season with 63 receptions for 666 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games for the St. Louis Rams.​

He missed virtually all of the 2011 season after dislocating his left elbow in the opener, and then injuring a triceps muscle after returning to practice. In 2011, Amendola played under then-offensive assistant coach Josh McDaniels, who is now the Patriots' offensive coordinator.​

Amendola has 196 receptions for 1,726 yards and seven touchdowns in 42 career games. He previously has been compared to Welker because of their elusiveness and ability to play in the slot.​

In New England, Amendola has big shoes to fill in Welker, who had 672 receptions over six seasons (an average of 112 per season) with the Patriots. Welker had a team-high 118 catches for 1,354 yards and six touchdowns last season.​

March 13, 2015:

Patriots announce re-signing of Chris White

The linebacker, whose main duties with the Pats have been on special teams, re-signs with a team in a development that was reported earlier this week.

www.patriotledger.com

The New England Patriots announced today that they have re-signed backup LB and special teamer Chris White.​

White, 26, has spent the last two seasons with New England after originally joining the team in 2013 when he was claimed off waivers and awarded to the Patriots from Detroit on Sept. 1, 2013. The 6-foot-3, 238-pounder, entered the NFL as a sixth-round draft pick (169th overall) by Buffalo out of Mississippi State in 2011. He was traded by Buffalo to Detroit in a trade for QB Thad Lewis on Aug. 25, 2013. White was released by Detroit on Aug. 31, 2013. Last season, White played in 13 games and finished with nine special teams tackles. He played in all three postseason games and tallied four special teams tackles.​

March 13, 2017:
Patriots sign free agent DL Lawrence Guy -- Patriots.com

The New England Patriots announced that they have signed DL Lawrence Guy as an unrestricted free agent from the Baltimore Ravens.​

Guy, 27, is a veteran of six NFL seasons with Green Bay (2011), Indianapolis (2012-13), San Diego (2013-14) and Baltimore (2014-16). The 6-foot-4, 305-pounder, has played in 67 regular-season games with 19 starts and has 128 total tackles, 6½ sacks, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. In addition, he has played in five postseason games with one start and has seven total tackles and one fumble recovery.​

Guy originally entered the NFL as a seventh-round draft pick (233rd overall) by Green Bay out of Arizona State in the 2011 NFL Draft. After spending his rookie season on Injured Reserve, he began his second season on the Green Bay practice squad before being signed to the Indianapolis 53-man roster. Guy was released by Indianapolis in October of 2013 and claimed off waivers by San Diego. After playing in three games with San Diego in 2014, Guy was released and claimed off waivers by Baltimore. Last season, Guy played in 16 games with 10 starts and accumulated 28 total tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.​

March 13, 2018:

Report: Patriots will re-sign Nate Ebner to two-year deal

The Patriots reportedly have reached a two-year agreement with Nate Ebner to bring back the core special teams player, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

www.nbcsports.com

The Patriots reportedly have reached a two-year agreement with Nate Ebner to bring back the core special teams player, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. New England placed Ebner on injured reserve November 27 with a season-ending knee injury. He played in nine games last season.​

Ebner, 29, has played in 82 regular-season games, making five tackles on defense to go along with 74 special teams tackles. He also has appeared in 12 playoff games, with five special teams tackles. He originally entered the NFL as a sixth-round draft choice out of Ohio State in 2012. Ebner has played rugby for the U.S. Olympic Team.​

March 13, 2019:
Patriots decline to tender a qualifying offer to Cody Hollister, making him a free agent.

Patriots exercise team option on Matthew Slater, retaining him through 2019 season.

Patriots re-sign Jason McCourty to a 2-year, $10M contract through 2020.

The following players became unrestricted free agents:
• P Ryan Allen
• DT Malcom Brown
• WR Phillip Dorsett
• DE Trey Flowers
• K Stephen Gostkowski
• RB Jeremy Hill
• WR Chris Hogan
• LB Ramon Humber
• OT Ulrick John
• DE Albert McClellan
• NT David Parry
• CB Eric Rowe
• DT Danny Shelton
• DE John Simon
• OT LaAdrian Waddle




March 13, 2022:

Patriots use second-round tender on Jakobi Meyers ahead of 2022 NFL free agency, per report

The wideout will likely be staying put in 2022

www.cbssports.com

Fresh off a career season as the Patriots' top wide receiver, Jakobi Meyers will likely be staying in New England in 2022. A day before the start of the NFL's legal tampering period, New England has used a second-round tender on the pending restricted free agent.​

Undrafted out of NC State in 2019, the 25-year-old Meyers emerged as the Patriots' steadiest player at his position over the last two seasons. A second-round tender would pay the receiver a projected $3.98 million in 2022, a notable raise from his $850,000 payout last season. Meyers will still be free to negotiate with other teams, if he chooses, but the Patriots will have the opportunity to match any offer he gets, as well as receive a second-round draft pick as compensation in the event he signs elsewhere.​

Patriots re-sign Devin McCourty to 1-year, $9 million deal

The Patriots re-signed one of their biggest free agents Sunday night.

www.bostonherald.com

Patriots re-sign Devin McCourty to a one-year deal

Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images As first reported by his children, Devin McCourty is returning to New England for a thirteenth season with the franchise on a reported one-year deal…

www.patspropaganda.com

Positivley speaking, Devin McCourty is one of, if not the top leaders of this team, he’s one of the most tenured players on the roster and certainly checks off that worry I had about if there would be enough locker room leaders to help the team forward. Alongside his duties as a captain, DMac still can still play a role on defense, in a unit which is slated to include him, Kyle Dugger, and Adrian Phillips.​

The downside to this is that $9M is a fair bit for a declining veteran who we all saw slow down last season, I think this could be his final season as a pro, let’s hope it’s a good one!​

Also reported this afternoon was the decision that the team have decided to let Fullback Jakob Johnson test out the open market, not a surprise given how much of a salary increase the lowest tender would have cost. Don’t be surprised to see Johnson back with the team next season though, especially given that the Patriots now have an international market in Germany.​

March 13, 2023:

​

Patriots re-signing CB Jonathan Jones, one of their top free agents

The Patriots just re-signed one of their best free agents. Here are the dtails.

www.bostonherald.com

Jonathan Jones contract details reveal team-friendly deal for cornerstone defender

The details are out for Jonathan Jones' contract extension with the New England Patriots, and it's team-friendly based on the full details.

985thesportshub.com

Cornerback Jonathan Jones is staying with the Patriots, and on what looks like a team-friendly deal.​

According to multiple reports, Jones’ new deal with the Pats is for two years, $13 million guaranteed, and a $7.5 million signing bonus. There were conflicting reports on the total value of the deal, between $19-20 million. But everyone agrees on the aforementioned guaranteed money, and there are more details tied to bonuses and incentives.​

​

March 13, 2024:
OLB Chris Board and WR DeVante Parker are released.

The following players became unrestricted free agents:
• LB Anfernee Jennings
• S Cody Davis
• RB Ezekiel Elliott
• CB Jalen Mills
• OL James Ferentz
• WR Kendrick Bourne
• LB Mack Wilson
• ST Matthew Slater
• TE Mike Gesicki
• OL Mike Onwenu
• CB Myles Bryant
• TE Pharaoh Brown
• LB Raekwon McMillan
• OT Riley Reiff
• WR Tre Nixon
• OT Trent Brown




March 13, 2025:

Patriots Parting Ways With Long Time Captain | PatsFans.com

There will definitely be some changes when the Patriots take the field in 2025, and it appears one of the staples on their offensive line won't be a part of it.

www.patsfans.com

There will definitely be some changes when the Patriots take the field in 2025, and it appears one of the staples on their offensive line won’t be a part of it.​

According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the team is reportedly parting ways with veteran David Andrews, with the club set to now make a change at center heading into next season.​

Andrews appeared in just four games last season, with the veteran suffering a shoulder injury in San Francisco during the team’s 30-13 Week 4 loss to the 49ers.​

With Andrews out of the line-up, it only added to what was a tumultuous year for an offensive line that was arguably the worst in the NFL in 2024. They struggled at both tackle positions all season, and up until his injury, the long-time veteran was one of the few bright spots in a group that had a difficult time finding any continuity.​

While he was sidelined, the club ended up turning to Ben Brown, who New England snagged off Las Vegas’ practice squad. He went on to start every game and play every snap for 10 straight weeks, filling in admirably and being one of the few consistent players on a Patriots offensive line that was ultimately never able to fully get it together.​

When Cole Strange finally was healthy enough to play, he saw time at center over the final two weeks, and the belief is that he’ll potentially be a candidate to take over, with Jake Andrews being another player who is thought to be in the mix. He’s another player coming off a torn meniscus, with the former Troy standout suffering the injury last summer during training camp.​

Needless to say, things will certainly look a little different next season.​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Joe Bellino​

In memory of Joe Bellino, born on this date 87 years ago
Born March 13, 1938 in Winchester
Died March 28, 2019 at the age of 81 in Bedford
Patriot HB/KR, 1965-1967; uniform #27
19th round (146th overall) selection of the 1961 AFL draft, from Navy
Pats résumé: 3 seasons, 35 games; 215 yards from scrimmage, 1 TD; 7.8 yard avg on 19 punt returns; 21.0 yard avg on 43 kick returns

Bellino was a college sensation, winner of the Heisman Trophy in 1960. The only reason he was drafted so late was because of the four-year commitment to join the Navy following graduation.

1965 Wire Photo: Joe Bellino reports to Boston Patriot's coach Mike Holovak​

Ten Questions: Joe Bellino | HistoryNet

What can you tell us about playing pro football with the Boston Patriots?​

BELLINO: That was the summer of ’65, and I accepted a contract at Patriot camp, resigned my active commission from the Navy, but stayed in the Reserves.​

I played with the Patriots for three years; but unfortunately, the first two years I had a broken ankle. My last year, I was healthy and did very well on punt returns and was also a wide receiver and running back. In my third year, I was picked up by the Cincinnati Bengals in the expansion draft, but at age 30 I was not keen on moving my young family to Cincinnati.​

Joe Bellino | Heisman

Joe Bellino, the “Winchester Rifle” is the first Naval Academy football player to win the Heisman Trophy.​

Born and raised in Winchester, Mass., Bellino was a three-sport star for Winchester High. He was good enough in baseball to be offered a contract out of high school by the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he chose to play football for Navy despite offers from Notre Dame and several Big Ten schools.​

After a year in prep school, Bellino became an instant star for the Midshipmen. In his three years at Navy, he scored 31 touchdowns, rushed for 1,664 yards on 330 carries, returned 37 kicks for 833 more yards and altogether set 15 Naval Academy football records.​

In 1960, Bellino rushed for 834 yards and 15 touchdowns and scored another three TDs via pass receptions. He was a unanimous All-America selection and also the winner of the Maxwell Award. He won the Heisman handily over Richie Lucas of Penn State, totaling 1,929 points to Lucas’ 613.​

In addition to his football exploits, Bellino was an outstanding catcher and outfielder on Navy baseball teams. He hit .428 in 22 games in 1959 and led the Eastern Intercollegiate League in stolen bases. He had a .320 average in 1960 and was the baseball team captain in 1961.​

Boston Patriots players Joe Bellino (Winchester); Ed Toner (Lynn); Bobby Nichols (South Boston); Ray Ilg (Wellesley) pose for a portrait together on July 25, 1967
​

Bill Belichick can draw up a play from 1959 from memory because of course he can: Belichick sat down with Leslie Visser and Joe Bellino to talk about his father and Navy football - CBS Sports

In a segment for CBS Sports Network produced ahead of this weekend's Army-Navy football game, Belichick sat down with Leslie Visser and former Navy halfback (and Heisman Trophy winner) Joe Bellino, and Belichick drew up the exact diagram for Navy's 27 F Trap, from memory, complete with the route Bellino would usually take -- through the seven hole, then to the outside, then up the field -- when running the play.​

Some Bellino memories from our own PatFanKen:

God I'd love to hear the rest of clip from that show.​

I have one Joe Bellino Story though. When I signed with the Quincy Giants I had to go Joe Bellino's office to do the paperwork. In his office he introduced himself to me and shook my hand, and then pointed out his Heisman Trophy. It then took about 2 minutes to finish up and I was out the door with the next guy coming in. He seemed like a pretty nice guy, and it was many years later before I met him again. But I still remember walking out the office with a copy of my contract (which paid me $250/game) and remembering him pointing out the Heisman so proudly and thinking to myself, "what a douche" ​

I can't recall ever seeing him again that season, or for over a decade. Joe lived in Winchester and so did one of my weekly poker buddies. One night Joe showed up for poker night and he was great. Great stories, Great laughs, and he was a bad poker player. . Since then I've always felt a little bad for my initial reaction that summer night in August of 1969...​

USNA Class of 1963 - memories

Half a century ago, few players caught the nation's fancy like Bellino, a modest little plugger who, at 5-feet-9, looked like anything but America's best. Yet there he was, the nation's No. 2 scorer (110 points), darting here and feinting there and scuttling for touchdowns with a spontaneity that drove opponents nuts.​

"He runs like a berserk butterfly," Sports Illustrated wrote of its cover boy on the eve of the 1960 Army-Navy game.​

Red Smith, sports columnist for the New York Herald Tribune, wrote that Bellino "wriggles like a brook trout through congested traffic."​

"All I know is that I was quick," Bellino said. "I wasn't big in the shoulders or waist, but my legs were stocky and I was built low to the ground. I could run straight, or sideways, without losing any speed, and I had lateral movement that let me bounce in and out (of jams)."​

Bellino appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show." Two days later, he won the Heisman Trophy in a landslide vote over college stars like Mike Ditka (Pitt), Tom Matte (Ohio State) and Billy Kilmer (UCLA).​

"I was in engineering class when I got the news," Bellino said. "Someone said the (Naval Academy) Superintendent wanted to speak to me. I thought, 'Geez, I'm in trouble academically.' "​

Afterward, a reporter asked Bellino what else he hoped to accomplish.​

"Well," the All-American said, "another guy from Massachusetts did pretty good this year and I'd like to meet him."​

Within days, Bellino found himself having lunch with that "other guy," - President elect John F Kennedy - in Georgetown. Kennedy, a former Navy Lieutenant who served in World War II, attended the Orange Bowl, where the Midshipmen fell to No. 5 Missouri, 21-14. Playing with a broken collarbone, Bellino made a diving, 28-yard TD catch that he still calls "the best play I ever made."​

He and Kennedy stayed friends.​

"In June of 1961, I was picked to deliver our class yearbook to the President," Bellino said. "He invited me into the Oval Office, where we sat for an hour, just two guys with Boston accents talking football."​

July 2, 1965: Joe Bellino and Boston Patriots president Bill Sullivan pose for a photo after Bellino signed with the team.



1960,Norfolk, VA: Navy vs SMU in the Oyster Bowl - Navy HB Joe Bellino, #27, vaults the SMU line in the third quarter for a 6 yard gain.​

Thread 'Joe Bellino Passes Away at 81'

Mar 29, 2019

Belichick grew up idolizing this guy. I can see why:

Joe Bellino, Heisman winner and Patriot, dies at 81

-In the meantime, does anyone else think about BB drafting Edelman back in '09 and saying to him, 'We don't know where we're going to play you, but you are a football player and we'll plug you into several positions' think he was summoning visions of Bellino?

Does this from the above link sound familiar?

"....At Navy, Bellino played three seasons, from 1958 to 1960, and was a running back, receiver, defensive back, kickoff and punt returner, and...

• shmessy
• Replies: 16
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

You grew up in Winchester and can be considered a townie:

You grew up in Winchester and can be considered a townie: (This is obviously my limited list. Please add your own). - if you remember the W...

nowfamilyperspective.blogspot.com

Joe Bellino's memory lives on in Winchester's Bellino Park, legacy to young athletes

Joe Bellino died on March 27. He was the Navy halfback was nicknamed the “Winchester Rifle,” after his suburban Boston hometown. In 1960 he became the first Navy player to win the Heisman Trophy. Bel…

www.wickedlocal.com

Bellino's Trattoria Italian Restaurants | Wakefield - Winthrop Massachusetts

Bellino's Trattoria are a family-owned business dedicated to bringing our guests the best dining experience. Our goal is to share our passion for Italian food by providing you with the best quality products and best customer service. Bellino’s Trattoria Restaurants is a vibrant and welcoming...

www.bellinosrestaurants.com

Joe Bellino Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Checkout the latest stats for Joe Bellino. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, college, draft, and more on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Two players who were part of the organization, but never saw a regular season snap:


Happy 46th birthday to David Terrell
Born March 13, 1979 in Richmond, Virginia
Patriot WR, 2005 (offseason)

The 8th overall pick by the Bears in 2001 was a huge draft bust. His biggest claim to Fame may be that Ron Borges ranted about how the Pats should have drafted Terrell over Richard Seymour. The Pats cut Terrell at the end of camp in '05, the same thing happened in Denver in both '06 and '07 - and his NFL career was over by age 26. Altogether he had 128 receptions for 1,602 yards and nine touchdowns with the Bears and Broncos.



Happy 31st birthday to Cole Toner
Born March 13, 1994 in Greenwood, Indiana
Patriot OT, 2017 practice squad

Toner is a semi-local (Harvard grad) who was a 5th round draft pick by Arizona in 2016.; he was on the Pats practice squad for one week in 2017. Toner played in 14 games from 2016-21 for Arizona, San Diego and Houston.




Several other pro football players with New England connections were born today

Jo-Lonn Dunbar turns 40; born March 13, 1985.
Boston College
LB played in 100 games, with 64 starts for the Saints and Rams from 2008-2015. 2012 was his best season, when he totaled 115 tackles, two picks, 4½ sacks and 12 QB hits with St. Louis. Dunbar also earned a ring while with New Orleans in 2010 when they beat the Colts.

Brian Saxton turns 53; born March 13, 1972.
Boston College
TE played in 19 games for the Giants and Falcons in 1996-97.

Bill Kennedy was born March 13, 1919 out in Lee, Massachusetts.
Played in the NFL before and after WWII, and was the starting LG for the 1947 Boston Yanks.

Julius Archoska was born March 13, 1905.
He was born and raised in Lynn, and was the first of six Lynn Classical High School graduates to go on to play pro football.

Harold 'Pinky' Lester was born March 13, 1900 in New London CT.
He grew up and spent most of his life in Providence, and was an End for the Providence Steam Roller in the twenties. Lester is one of just two East Providence High School alumni to play in the NFL.

Edgar 'Spike' Staff was born March 13, 1892 in Brockton MA.
Staff went to Brockton High School and Brown University.
He too played briefly for the Providence Steam Roller.



Draft Pick Trade:

Byron Young turns 27; born March 13, 1998
April 2, 2022: Traded by Patriots as 2023 3rd round pick (77th overall) to Dolphins for 2022 5th round pick (158th overall subsequently traded, Tyreke Smith) and DeVante Parker

Young has played in all 34 games (32 starts) in two seasons for the Rams, with 15½ sacks, 32 QB hits, 20 TFL, 3 forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, a safety and 123 tackles.

For Devante Parker?

Ouch.




Also, RIP to Dave Watson, who died on March 13, 2021 at the age of 80.
Watson was an 11th round pick by the Patriots in the 1963 AFL draft, from Georgia Tech.
The guard played in all 28 games for the Pats in 1963-64.