Today In Patriots History May 15: Happy Birthday to Michael Bishop

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Michael Bishop​

Happy 49th birthday to Michael Bishop
Born May 15, 1976 in Galveston, Texas
Patriot quarterback, 2000; uniform #7
Pats 7th round (227th overall) selection of the 1999 draft, from Kansas State
Pats résumé: eight games, three completions for 80 yards; one touchdown, one interception


Michael Paul Bishop was a healthy scratch for all but one game his rookie season, which was Pete Carroll's last in New England. Because of his strong arm and mobility, he came in as a substitute for Drew Bledsoe on the final play of the half in Week 6 of the 2000 season under new coach Bill Belichick versus the Colts - and completed a 44-yard Hail Mary touchdown to Tony Simmons.

​

Bishop went to NFL Europe the following spring, while his fan club that was based on one throw grew. The oft repeated concept of fans loving the backup on a losing team was in full force, and it hit a crescendo when Bishop was released during 2001 training camp. Bill Belichick wasn't listening, and he kept Tom Brady on the roster instead. Bishop finished his Patriot career with eight games played, completing three of his nine pass attempts for 80 yards - and that one touchdown.

Green Bay picked Bishop up after being waived by the Pats, but the Packers released him less than two weeks later. Bishop later had tryouts with the New York Giants and the Miami Dolphins, but wasn’t signed and never played in the NFL again. He did find success north of the border, winning the Grey Cup in 2004 with the Toronto Argonauts. Overall he played in the CFL for ten seasons, plus a couple of years in the Arena League, with stops in two lower level indoor football leagues in between in 2009.



Good article on Michael Bishop below, from Feb 3, 2017:

Michael Bishop Is Rooting for Tom Brady, Who Beat Him for the Patriots Starting QB Job

In 2000, dual-threat quarterback Michael Bishop—and not relative unknown Tom Brady—was seen as a better prospect for the New England Patriots. Now Bishop plans to be in the stands for Super Bowl LI, cheering on his former teammate.

www.vice.com

Bishop and Brady were technically competing with each other and trying to impress Bill Belichick, New England’s first-year coach, but they understood that the chance of either of them getting any meaningful playing time was slim to none. The Patriots had Drew Bledsoe, the team’s franchise player and starting quarterback since his rookie season in 1993. Bledsoe was entrenched, although Bishop and Brady were ready in case anything happened.​

. . . . .​

For a time, Bishop was seen as the potential heir apparent to Bledsoe, or at least someone the Patriots could trade for a serviceable veteran or draft pick. After winning two national junior college titles at Blinn College in Texas and leading the school to a 24-0 record in two years, Bishop enrolled at Kansas State in 1997. That August, before he won the starting job, he told reporters his dual-threat skills compared favorably with then-Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway and former Nebraska quarterback Tommie Frazier, who led the Cornhuskers to two national titles and finished second in the 1995 Heisman Trophy voting.​

During his two years as Kansas State’s starter, Bishop’s confidence never wavered. In 1997, the Wildcats finished eighth in the final Associated Press poll and went 11-1, the best record in school history. Bishop ran for 566 yards and nine touchdowns and threw for 1,557 yards and 13 touchdowns during the season, and saved his best game for last, throwing for four touchdowns and running for another in a 35-18 Fiesta Bowl victory over Syracuse.​

. . . . .​

Other high-profile programs later copied Bishop’s dual-threat approach, and coaches such as Urban Meyer visited Kansas State coach Bill Snyder to learn the Wildcats’ offense.​

“A lot of people talk about Cam Newton, Michael Vick, and all those guys,” Bishop said. “What those guys did, I did five, six years prior to what they did. At the end of the day, I finally started getting some credit…. When it’s all said and done, I felt great about what I was doing. I think that the rest of the world, as far as the NFL, wasn’t ready for my style of play. I think that might be a main factor why I didn’t get the opportunity that I wanted.”​

While Vick (2001) and Newton (2011) were top overall NFL draft picks, Bishop lasted until the final round of the 1999 NFL draft. At the time, league executives weren’t fond of dual-threat quarterbacks. They questioned Bishop’s relatively low completion percentage, and didn’t think he would be able to elude tacklers and avoid injuries like he did in college.​

. . . . .​

Bishop’s lack of playing time irked some fans and media members who had grown tired of Bledsoe’s plodding style and occasional mistakes. When Bledsoe continued to play late in the season with an injured thumb, a poll on the Patriots’ website revealed that 76 percent of respondents preferred Bishop as Bledsoe’s replacement. Kevin Mannix, a Boston Herald football columnist, wrote in early December that Belichick should give Bishop a chance.​

“The scrambling second-year man brings the element of the unexpected, the potentially entertaining,” Mannix wrote. “He may not know the entire offense, but he’s learned enough to move ahead of Tom Brady on the depth chart.​

“The way this offense is struggling, what better time to give Bishop a Cliff’s Notes version of the playbook, one that’s tailored to his particular skills. Then let’s see if he can make some plays. Given the rest of the lineup, putting Bishop at quarterback instead of Bledsoe could actually give the team its best chance of winning.”​

Former Patriots QB ‘Born Too Soon’ Says NFL Analyst

The Patriots drafted Mac Jones this year. His lack of athleticism is considered an issue. Back in 1999, they selected a QB whose athleticism was his strength.

heavy.com

​

Former Patriots quarterback and current radio host Scott Zolak responded to Curran’s initial tweet with some disbelief. He tweeted: “wow.”​

Curran pushed his point a little more. He responded: Compare that skill set to Fields … better runner … better arm? He just had no concept of how to protect the ball, I think, because he was so outside the box for that time. **** wasn’t in place to take cultivate and take advantage of that skill set and it is now.​

. . . . .​

The New England Patriots drafted Bishop in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft. Bishop was coming off of one of the most successful and dominant college football careers we’d ever seen.​

As a sophomore, he finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up after throwing for 2,844 yards, 23 TDs, and five interceptions while rushing for 748 yards and 14 more scores.​

Despite his brilliance in college and otherworldly athleticism, NFL scouts doubted his ability to become an elite quarterback. Unwilling to change his position, as many athletic black quarterbacks were pressured to do during his time, Bishop found himself at the bottom of the draft and trying to carve a niche on a franchise that already had Drew Bledsoe as their QB1, John Friesz. Some guy named Tom Brady was selected the following year.​

That wasn’t an ideal situation for Bishop.​

Bishop probably needed more years in school, but he instead entered the NFL Draft after two years at Kansas State. He’d come from Blinn College (a school Cam Newton also attended), but he needed more seasoning and preparation for the NFL game.​

He didn’t get much of an opportunity. Old-school offensive coordinator Charlie Weis was the man in charge of the offense, and Bishop’s style wasn’t exactly his cup of tea. Bishop was inactive in almost every game as a rookie.​

Bishop says 'no doubt' he could be No. 1 pick in today's NFL

Michael Bishop in 1998 became the first Davey O’Brien Award winner to rush for at least 500 yards and pass for 1,500 yards in a season.

247sports.com

“Coming out and going to New England, I have so much respect for (offensive coordinator) Charlie Weis, because Charlie Weis was the first person to put me in a game,” Bishop said on the recent podcast. "Charlie Weis told me, ‘Listen, Bishop, you have done nothing wrong.’ His exact words to me were, ‘You just have got too much talent. No one knows what to do with you.’ I said, ‘What do you mean, I have too much talent and nobody knows what to do with me?’ He said, ‘You’ve done nothing wrong, it’s just right now we don’t know what to do with you.’ At that time, I was thinking, ‘Hey, then let me go to another team that can find something to do with me.’ I trusted and believed in what I brought to the table.”​

Michael Bishop Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Michael Bishop Career game log for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Pro Football Archives -- Michael Bishop Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- Michael Bishop Transactions

Michael Bishop (gridiron football) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[signbabybrady]

Joe Milton 1.0

 

[p8ryts]

Alas, I was a Michael Bishop enthusiast. Tom Brady? Who?

 

[Ian]

I wrote this back in 2000 after Belichick was hired:

Belichick Discusses The Michael Bishop Factor | PatsFans.com

Don't be surprised to see Michael Bishop at some point during next season.

www.patsfans.com

It was interesting to hear Belichick's insight into what he was thinking about Bishop back then, albeit we all know how things ultimately played out.

 

[TheRainMaker]

The infatuation with Bishop was wild. He was pretty good at Kansas St. though. Fans wanted him to come into the game just to throw a bomb into the endzone.

 

[jmt57]

The infatuation with Bishop was wild. He was pretty good at Kansas St. though. Fans wanted him to come into the game just to throw a bomb into the endzone.

If I recall correctly that was very soon after college football conferences first decided to add another game - a conference championship game - as an additional money maker.

As it turned out undefeated Kansas State was upset and lost - and as a result, it cost both the school and the Big 12 a ton of money, as they slid from what would have been a national championship game to a second tier bowl game.

 

[jmt57]

Alas, I was a Michael Bishop enthusiast. Tom Brady? Who?

You weren't the only one.

I can vividly recall Bishop have plenty of support from Patriot Nation.

As immobile as Bledsoe was, Bishop was the opposite.

 

[sb1]

Was gonna say Bishop was the kind of QB who should have spent some time playing up in Canada... found out he actually did lol

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Doug Beaudoin​

Happy 71st birthday to Doug Beaudoin
Born May 15, 1954; from Jamestown, North Dakota
Patriot safety, 1976-1979; uniform #27
Pats 9th round (243rd overall) selection of the 1976 draft, from Minnesota
Pats résumé: four seasons, 45 games (20 starts); four interceptions, two fumble recoveries; in on two sacks in one playoff game


Doug Beaudoin played 45 games with 20 starts for the oh-so-close Patriots of the late seventies. In week 8 of '78 he intercepted two Bob Griese passes that led to touchdowns in a 33-24 win that put the Patriots in a first place tie with the Dolphins at 6-2. Injuries limited his playing time the following year, and he ended up playing with the Miami in '80, San Diego in '81, and then spent three seasons with Tampa in the USFL.

Deadspin | Former NFL Player: I Guarantee I Have CTE

Deadspin | Former NFL Player: I Guarantee I Have CTE

deadspin.com

Defensive back Doug Beaudoin was a ninth-round draft pick out of the University of Minnesota in 1976. Beaudoin played with the Patriots through 1979, with the Dolphins in 1980 and with the Chargers in 1981. From 1983 to 1986 he played with the USFL's Tampa Bay Bandits, and Beaudoin now lives in the Tampa area where he works in sales for the FX Marketing Group. He is one of the more than 4,500 former NFL players who filed suit against the league over concussions and other head injuries.​

COMING HOME: Beaudoin one of 13 to enter JHS Athletic Hall of Fame | Jamestown Sun

Nobody was challenging Doug Beaudoin to a friendly game of anything back in 1971. Unless, of course, said challenger was up for a butt whooping. "I could beat just about anybody at anything," Beaudoin said. "Skiing, golf, pingpong. Whatever you w...

www.jamestownsun.com

Beaudoin, a 1972 JHS graduate, was named North Dakota High School Athlete of the Year in '71 after leading the Blue Jays to an 8-1 record in football, a 22-5 mark in basketball and placing second in the Class A state long jump competition. Beaudoin would become a four-year starter at safety in the NCAA's Big Ten Conference for Minnesota, and in 1976 he was drafted by the New England Patriots in the ninth round of a then 17-round NFL Draft—the same draft in which New England selected future NFL Hall of Fame cornerback Mike Haynes fifth overall.​

Nobody was challenging Doug Beaudoin to a friendly game of anything back in 1971. Unless, of course, said challenger was up for a butt whooping. "I could beat just about anybody at anything," Beaudoin said. "Skiing, golf, ping pong. Whatever ...​

Beaudoin played seven seasons in the NFL, five for New England and making stops in Miami and San Diego in '80 and '81, respectively. Beaudoin recorded four interceptions during his NFL run, but was hampered throughout his professional career by an injury suffered during his senior track season at Jamestown High.​

"I'll never forget it," Beaudoin said. "We were running the 440 relay in Valley City and it was about 30 degrees and sleeting. I took the baton for the home stretch, probably ran about 30 yards, and my hamstring snapped. I was probably never the same after that."​

The born athlete said his time in the 40-yard dash fell from approximately 4.40 to 4.60, and hamstring issues would cloud weeks of strong play on the gridiron even as Beaudoin ascended to the sport's highest level. His New England teammate in the secondary, Mike Haynes, brought up Beaudoin's injury-prone legs while the two shared a moment in Canton, Ohio, in 1987.​

Haynes was getting his call to the NFL Hall of Fame.​

"We were sitting there and I was congratulating him on his Hall of Fame career, and he said, "You know what, Doug? If not for your hamstrings, you'd probably be sitting here too," Beaudoin recalled.​

June 19, 2021:

Doug Beaudoin to join nephew in N.D. Sports Hall of Fame

Jun. 19—Doug Beaudoin, who will be enshrined into the North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame in Jamestown next weekend, has had to put up with a few years of teasing from Brooks Bollinger. "Brooks Bollinger — my nephew — actually got inducted three years ago and I think that it's a great injustice...

sports.yahoo.com

During his two years at Jamestown High School, Beaudoin lettered in football, basketball, and track while a student-athlete for the Blue Jays. Beaudoin led the Eastern Dakota Conference (EDC) running backs in 1971 averaging 108.5 yards per game. Beaudoin also paced the East Region in points scored (90) with 15 touchdowns. The former Blue Jay led EDC punters averaging 37.7 yards over 18 kicks.​

Just a couple of months later, Beaudoin helped lead the JHS basketball team to a 22-2 record en route to defeating the undefeated Ft. Yates Warriors. In the spring of his junior year, Beaudoin placed second in the long jump at the Class A State Track and Field Meet.​

"I think I was born with a ball in my hand," Beaudoin said. "I don't care what kind of ball it was — baseball, basketball, football — that's what I was born to do. Back in those days, if you put a ball in my hand, whatever game it was, I think I would beat you."​

Beaudoin was selected to the all-state football and basketball teams during both his junior and senior years. Beaudoin was inducted into the Jamestown High School Hall of Fame in 2018.​

The standout's senior year, however, threw a bit of a wrench into post-high school dreams.​

In the spring of 1972, Beaudoin was running the 4X440-yard relay in Valley City. The sleet and misting invoked a pop of Beaudoin's hamstring and the muscle eventually ended up in a ball at the base of his kneecap.​

After the unfortunate mishap, Beaudoin said his athletic talent wasn't quite at the same level, but the persistence was still there.​

On defense, Beaudoin was the second-leading tackler all three years and recorded four interceptions. Beaudoin was named to the 1975 All-Big Ten Football Team being only one of only a handful of players in Gophers' history with four touchdowns and four interceptions.​

"From high school on, it was grit," Beaudoin said. "I was the first one in the training room, I was the last one on the field because it took so much just to try to stay healthy that I did whatever I needed to do to get back on the field."​

The NFL noticed the Blue Jay alum's perseverance.​

After his four seasons in Minnesota, Beaudoin was drafted by the New England Patriots as a safety in the ninth round of the 1976 NFL draft. Beaudoin remained on the Patriot roster for five years. During the 1976-77 season, he was a leading team player averaging over 25 yards per return on kickoffs and second-leading special team tackles.​

In 1978, Beaudoin was the third leading tackler on defense and second in interceptions with three. Beaudoin made a pair of interceptions in the Patriots' 33-24 win over the Miami Dolphins that propelled the team into the playoffs. The Patriots qualified for the AFC Divisional Playoffs in the 1976 and 1978 seasons.​

"As you get older you realize how much you miss it," Beaudoin said. "(The best part) was competing and the friendships you build through fighting the battles with these guys. Every Sunday you build some really special friendships that you will never lose."​

In 1980, Beaudoin played for the Miami Dolphins, followed by the San Diego Chargers in 1981. He joined the Tampa Bay Bandits of the new USFL in 1982 and played until the league came to an end in 1985. He retired from football following the 1985 season.​

January 28, 2014:

Deadspin | Former NFL Player: I Guarantee I Have CTE

Deadspin | Former NFL Player: I Guarantee I Have CTE

deadspin.com

You really can't believe anything the league says, anything Goodell says, but they're allegedly trying to make the game safer. Now would they have tried to make the game safer without a $785 million judgment? No. It's called cover your ass.​

I feel pretty fortunate when I look around at 59 and see the damage that a lot of my peers are going through and have gone through over the last 10, 15, 20 years. Am I concerned? Hell yes. You know, your decision-making process is sketchy is best. My memory is not good. I do feel depressed more often than I should. So yeah, I'm really concerned. I did have an MRI where they came back and basically said they didn't see any problems with the MRI, but I guarantee you I have CTE. Unfortunately we're not going to know it until I'm dead.​

I am at 59 years old, still gainfully employed. And I've been in sales, basically, since I got out of the league. Went from the brokerage business, which is basically glorified sales, to a marketing company here that is basically sales. I'm not nearly as good of a salesman as I was five years ago, 10 years, 15 years ago. I have cue cards all over my office reminding me what the hell I'm doing. I used to be able to sell a couple projects at one time. Now I can only sell one project at a time because I can't remember the other project and what exactly I need to know.​

We're not looking for sympathy. I'm not looking for anybody to feel sorry for me because, as I said, I feel fortunate and I'd do it again. But am I concerned going forward, where five years from now it's going to be completely worse and it's going to be tougher and tougher to stay employed? Yeah. Yeah, I'm concerned about that.​

I think it was a game against Earl Campbell where we've got 10-yard running head starts, so it's you and him, and you just go like a heat-seeking missile and hit whatever's moving and you take a knee. As his knee's coming up, to the crown of your head, it knocks you silly.​

Now, the one that's the most memorable is one I suffered in the USFL. And I think I remember this because it was the last one. I played seven years in the NFL and three years in the USFL. I think we were playing Jim Kelly's team, Houston, and the tight end ran across the middle and, once again, we're both running full speed and we hit each other. And I remember lying on the field. This was my 10th year of professional football. Not much was moving. I was tingling all over. My head was ringing. And they went through about three commercials and I was still on the field, and I just remember lying there going, "I can't do this anymore." And it was toward the end of the season, 10th year, so your body's run down and beat up to begin with. And it took probably five to eight minutes to get the feeling in all your extremities: your legs and your neck and your arms. And I finally got up, got back to the locker room and said, "Enough's enough. Your body can only take so much."​

Doug finished his pro football career with the Tampa Bay Bandits of the USFL in 1985. He remained in the area, first working for a brokerage, then working as the VP of Sales and Entertainment for the FX Marketing Group in Tampa until his retirement a couple years ago. FX was a sports marketing/management and publishing firm specializing in client & event management.

Boschee, Carlson, Beaudoin, Peluso headed to NDSHF

Jeff Boschee, Whitney Carlson Bruins, Doug Beaudoin, and Mike Peluso will be enshrined into the North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame this summer in Jamestown.

www.jamestownsun.com

Doug Beaudoin Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Doug Beaudoin Career game log for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Pro Football Archives -- Doug Beaudoin Transactions

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Rickie Harris​

Happy 82nd birthday to Rickie Harris
Born May 15, 1943 in St Louis; raised in Los Angeles
Patriot safety, 1971-1972; uniform #25
Claimed off waivers from Washington on September 1, 1971
Pats résumé: two seasons, all 28 games (21 starts); three interceptions, three fumble recoveries


After graduating from high school Rickie Calvin Harris spent two years at East Los Angeles Junior College, then two at the University of Arizona. The 5'11, 182 pounder led the NCAA in 1973 with an average of 17.4 yards per punt return. Undrafted out of Arizona, Harris spent his first six NFL seasons with Washington. As a rookie he led the league with 12.2 yards per punt return. Over those six years he averaged 8.4 yards on 119 punt returns, with three touchdowns. Harris also averaged 22.8 yards on 102 kickoff returns. On the flip side he had one play that he would prefer that we forget about. In a December 11, 1966 34-31 win at Dallas, Harris set an NFL record for worst all-time punt return: a loss of 28 yards.

Harris was used sparingly on returns with the Patriots, but saw plenty of playing time at safety. He appeared in all 28 regular season games over two seasons for the Pats, with 21 starts. Harris had three interceptions during his time with New England, then spent two years in the WFL: 1975 for Florida Blazers, and 1976 with the Memphis Southmen.

Over eight NFL seasons Rickie Harris played in 111 games with 15 interceptions with one pick-six. He also averaged 22.8 yards on 102 kick returns and 8.0 yards on 82 punt returns - with touchdowns of 57, 52 and 85 yards.

Deadspin | The Player Whose Bell Stayed Rung

Deadspin | The Player Whose Bell Stayed Rung

deadspin.com

Most Blazers players—a mix of NFL refugees like Harris and rookies right out of college—didn’t get paid for weeks at a time. Some didn’t get paid at all. Yet head coach Jack Pardee, forced to pay for locker room toilet paper out of his own pocket, used victimhood to bind his squad. The Blazers made it all the way to World Bowl I, the first and only WFL championship game.​

The specific tale I’d been chasing for years held that just before kickoff of that big game, one of the unpaid Blazers took a stand on behalf of his penniless brothers by snatching the coin from the coin toss—-and keeping it. I’d heard long ago that Harris, the Blazers’ defensive captain, was that guy.​

Yup, says Harris: “They called ‘Heads!’ and I scooped it up and said, ‘At least I get paid this week!’” We’re both laughing at the punchline.​

Rickie Harris Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Rickie Harris Career game log for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Pro Football Archives -- Rickie Harris Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- Rickie Harris Transactions

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Andrew Beck​

Happy 29th birthday to Andrew Beck
Born May 15, 1996 in Tampa
Patriot fullback/tight end, 2019 offseason; uniform #86
Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 2, 2019
Pats résumé: one full offseason, preseason and training camp

Patriots spend big on UDFA who could fill Rob Gronkowski's role

The Patriots' highest-paid undrafted free agent signee is Andrew Beck, a block-first tight end out of Texas.

sports.yahoo.com

Andrew Beck Could Add Jolt Of Athleticism To Patriots' Fullback Position - NESN.com

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Shortly after the 2019 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots brought in 12 undrafted free agents. Based entirely on signing bonus alone, Andrew Beck was the most highly sought-after of the group. Because Beck is guaranteed his $115,000 signing bonus, he was the favorite among...

nesn.com

Shortly after the 2019 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots brought in 12 undrafted free agents. Based entirely on signing bonus alone, Andrew Beck was the most highly sought-after of the group.​

Because Beck is guaranteed his $115,000 signing bonus, he was the favorite among the 12 UDFAs to make the 53-man roster. But that’s when it was assumed he was going to play tight end, which remains a position of uncertainty for the Patriots.​

Beck, who played tight end and H-back in college at Texas, was moved to fullback in New England. Since he’s playing behind roster anchor James Develin, Beck has become something of a forgotten man this summer. But maybe he shouldn’t be.​

Patriots projected starting tight end Ben Watson is suspended the first four games of the season. It won’t exactly be difficult for the Patriots to trim players at tight end with Matt LaCosse, Stephen Anderson, Lance Kendricks and Ryan Izzo filling out the depth chart. Tight end almost certainly will be a position less featured in the Patriots’ offense since Rob Gronkowski’s retirement.​

https://985thesportshub.com/2019/08...-as-mass-roster-cutdown-begins-53-man-roster/

On the offensive side of things, the Patriots began their day with the release of tight end/fullback Andrew Beck. An undrafted free agent out of Texas, the 23-year-old Beck had two carries for seven yards and one nine-yard catch in three preseason appearances. His lone action in Thursday's finale came with a four-yard rush.​

The Patriots were a mess at tight end in 2019, having to lure 39-year old Ben Watson out of retirement to be their starter. Beck was signed to a three year contract that included a $15,000 signing bonus and $115,000 guaranteed. Despite all that Beck was unable to beat out Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo for a roster spot and was waived at the end of training camp. He was claimed by Denver, and appeared in 66 games for the Broncos from 2019-2023.

The decision to move Beck from tight end to fullback was a head scratcher, even without the benefit of hindsight. There was a desperate need at tight end, while the team was good at fullback with James Develin on the roster. Ben Watson was the leading tight end that season - with a mere 17 receptions for 173 yards and no touchdowns.

Andrew Beck has now played in 70 NFL games for the Broncos, Texans and Packers as a blocking tight end and fullback. For some unknown reason he decided to sign with the Jete on February 7, 2025.

Andrew Beck Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Andrew Beck Career game log for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Pro Football Archives -- Andrew Beck Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- Andrew Beck Transactions

Andrew Beck (American football) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[sb1]

Never gets old. Fun to hear Kevin Harlan call this…

 

[Pape]

Today in Patriots History
Rickie Harris​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
More May 15 Birthday Trivia​

In memory of Don Shinnick, who would have turned 90 today
Born May 15, 1935 in Kansas City; raised in San Pedro, CA
Died Jan 20, 2024 in Modesto, California
Patriot linebacker coach, 1985-1999
Hired on January 9, 1985; fired on February 27, 1990
Pats résumé: four seasons as a coach with the Patriots


Don Shinnick was the RLB for the Baltimore Colts from 1957 to 1969, winning three NFL championships. He played in 166 games and still to this day hold the NFL record for most interceptions by a linebacker, with 37. Prior to joining the Patriots he was a defensive backs coach for the Bears and Cardinals, a linebackers coach for the Raiders, and the head coach for Central Methodist University in Missouri.

Happy 39th birthday to Marcus Thigpen
Born May 15, 1986 in Detroit
Patriot PR/KR/WR/RB, 2014 practice squad; uniform #33
Signed to the practice squad on September 3, 2014
Pats résumé: one week on the practice squad


Sept 3, 2014:

New England Patriots add Marcus Thigpen, two others to practice squad

The New England Patriots swapped out three practice squad players Wednesday, cutting quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, safety Kanorris Davis and defensive back Daxton Swanson in favor of offensive lineman Chris Barker, tight end Allen Reisner and running back Marcus Thigpen....

www.masslive.com

The New England Patriots swapped out three practice squad players Wednesday, cutting quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, safety Kanorris Davis and defensive back Daxton Swanson in favor of offensive lineman Chris Barker, tight end Allen Reisner and running back Marcus Thigpen.​

Thigpen, a former Miami Dolphin, is the most notable signee. He appeared in all 32 games the past two years, mostly as a return specialist. In those two years, he amassed 2,490 return yards and scored two touchdowns.​

Sept 16, 2014:

Patriots make several moves to their practice squad

The Patriots made a series of moves to their practice squad on Tuesday.

www.providencejournal.com

The team announced that they signed linebacker Darius Fleming, offensive lineman Caylin Hauptmann and defensive lineman Kona Schwenke.​

To make room, the Pats released defensive lineman Cameron Henderson and running back Marcus Thigpen. The third spot opened when the Indianapolis Colts signed defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles off of the Patriots practice squad on Tuesday.​

Over four NFL seasons 5'9, 193 lb Marcus Arnette Thigpen averaged 9.7 yards on 95 punt returns and 23.7 yards on 107 kick returns with the Dolphins, Bucs, Bills and Raiders.




Happy 55th birthday to Artie Smith
Born May 15, 1970 in Stillwater, Oklahoma
Patriot defensive end, 1998 offseason
Signed as a free agent on March 11 1998
Pats résumé: one offseason


Artie Enlow Smith was a 5th round draft pick by the 49ers out of Louisiana Tech in 1993. The Bengals claimed him off waivers in '94, and he was their starting RDE through '96. Artie had been out of the NFL for a full season when the Patriots signed him. (Smith did play for Rhein Fire in Europe in the interim.)

On August 25, 1998 the Pats traded Smith to Dallas in exchange for the ever-popular, ambiguous "future considerations". Overall he played in 73 NFL games with 34 starts, making 105 tackles and 4½ sacks - and won a super bowl ring as a rookie in 1993 with the 49ers.

Other NFL May 15 birthdays with a New England connection:

QB Josh Johnson, 39 (May 15, 1986)
Draft pick trade
April 27, 2008: Pats trade up, sending their 2008 5th round draft Pick (160th overall, Josh Johnson) and a 2008 7th round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their 2008 5th round pick (153rd overall, Matthew Slater).

If it seems like it was decades ago when Josh Johnson was the Bucs quarterback, that's because it was. He has changed uniforms 22 times and counting (plus stints in the AAF and XFL). Joshua Javon Johnson is somehow still in the league, despite a career record of 1-8, with more interceptions (16) than touchdowns (13).

Good trade by the Patriots.


LB/C/FB Pete Lamana (May 15, 1921 - August 7, 2007)
Born in Bristol CT; Springfield Cathedral High School; Boston University
Played in 35 games for the Chicago Rockets in the forties before the AAFC merged with the NFL.


OL Butch Spagna (May 15, 1897 - Dec 11, 1948)
Raised in Avon Mass; Avon High School; Brown University
Played in 32 games starting in the earliest days of pro football, from 1920-1925.


QB Cliff Olander, 70 (May 15, 1955
Born in Hartford
A fifth round pick in 1977, he played in 15 games over three seasons with the Chargers. Cliff later won the Grey Cup with Edmonton in the CFL, and then played in the USFL.


OL Joe Murphy (May 15, 1897 - May 22, 1940)
Born in Concord NH; went to Worcester Academy, Hebron Academy, Harvard and Dartmouth
Another player from the genesis of pro football, Joe played eight games at guard in 1920-21 for the Canton Bulldogs and Cleveland Indians.


RB Swede Ellstrom (May 15, 1906 - April 25, 1994)
Old defunct professional Boston football teams
Marvin Lawrence Ellstrom was a wingback for the 1934 Boston Redskins and 1936 Boston Shamrocks.




Plenty of other famous (and infamous) pro football players were also born May 15, including:
- LB Ray Lewis, aka RLKAG, or maybe more than one

- QB Ryan Leaf

- RB Emmitt Smith

- WR Rod Smith

- S Joey Browner

- DT/DE Wally Chambers

- KR/PR/WR Desmond Howard, who annihilated the Patriots with his returns in Super Bowl 31.
I had the pleasure of meeting with him once at a charity fundraiser, and we spoke for quite some time. I have to say that Desmond Howard is a super nice guy who, on a side note, was extremely positive and complimentary of the Patriots and their long run of success - and Bill Belichick specifically.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Other May 15 Trivia​

May 15, 1971:
The Patriots re-sign WR Bill Rademacher and TE Tom Beer to one-year contracts.


May 15, 1976:
New England signs free agents Bob Mitch, Don Callahan, Jim Jerome and John Delaney.


May 15, 1995:
Former Patriot RB Billy Lott passes away at the age of 60.

Billy Rex Lott (1934-1995) - Find a Grave...

Professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL). He played for the NFL's New York Giants (1958) and the AFL's Oakland Raiders (1960) and Boston Patriots (1961-1963). 3 Year Letterman (1955, 1956, 1957) at Ole Miss. Only...

www.findagrave.com

May 15, 2001:
RG Sale Isaia is released, and Lee Gissendaner is hired as a scout.

Patriots release Sale Isaia - UPI Archives

The New England Patriots on Tuesday waived guard Sale Isaia, who started 14 of 16 games last season....

www.upi.com

May 15, 2006: Doug Flutie retires.

QB Doug Flutie Retires from Professional Football

New England Patriots quarterback Doug Flutie announced his retirement today after 21 seasons in professional football.

www.patriots.com

Flutie's fun ride ends after 21 years

Boston sports legend Doug Flutie announced his retirement on Monday after playing pro football for over two decades. The former star of the USFL, CFL and NFL will now focus his attention on being a college football analyst.

www.patriots.com

Flutie retires, to work as analyst for ABC, ESPN

Doug Flutie retired from pro football Monday, ending a 21-year career in which the Heisman Trophy winner puzzled both opposing defenses and his own coaches with hisunconventional style at quarterback.

www.espn.com

Flutie retires

Doug Flutie made it official -- he's retiring from professional football.

www.boston.com

Doug Flutie timeline

www.milforddailynews.com

On the same day, two rookie free agents are signed: RB Patrick Cobbs and WR Jakari Wallace.

Patriots Sign RB Patrick Cobbs and WR Jakari Wallace

The New England Patriots signed rookie free agent running back Patrick Cobbs and rookie free agent wide receiver Jakari Wallace today. Terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

www.patriots.com

May 15, 2007:
ILB Justin Warren of Texas A&M was released, 12 days after the rookie free agent and teammate of Ty Warren (no relation) was signed.

J. Warren released

The Patriots release rookie free agent linebacker Justin Warren of Texas A&M.

www.boston.com

May 15, 2008:

Patriots sign WR Robert Ortiz

The Patriots sign free-agent WR Robert Ortiz, who is a longer shot to earn a roster spot.

www.boston.com

May 15, 2012:
QB Mike Hartline is released.

Patriots confirm signing of Tavon Wilson, release QB Mike Hartline

The Patriots have announced the signing of second-round draft pick Tavon Wilson. Terms of the contract were not disclosed, but last week Scout.com reported that it was a four-year deal worth $4.2 mil…

www.providencejournal.com

WR Wes Welker signs his franchise tender.

Wes Welker signs $9.5 million franchise tender for 2012 season

After much controversy regarding his contract situation, Welker opted to accept the Patriots' one-year offer.

www.masslive.com

Wes Welker signs franchise tender

The receiver can now re-join his team ASAP.

www.boston.com

May 15, 2013:
DT Kyle Love is released.

Patriots release Kyle Love

The New England Patriots made a surprising roster decision Wednesday, releasing starting defensive tackle Kyle Love with a non-football injury designation.

www.espn.com

May 15, 2014:
TE Tyler Beck and LS Charley Hughlett are released.

Patriots release TE Beck, LS Hughlett

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Rookie tight end Tyler Beck of Bowling Green and first-year long snapper Charley Hughlett were released Thursday by the New England Patriots.

www.espn.com

May 15, 2018:
WR Darren Andrews is placed on reserve/non football injury list with torn ACL in right knee.

Reports: Patriots stash WR Andrews on NFI; restructure Dorsett contract

The Patriots placed recently signed undrafted free-agent receiver Darren Andrews on the non-football injury list for 2018 and have restructured the contract of receiver Phillip Dorsett, according to ESPN reports. Mike Reiss of ESPN reported the Andrews’ move: Field Yates of ESPN reported the...

www.nbcsportsboston.com

Patriots Sign Punter, Waive Undrafted Receiver With Non-Football Injury

The Patriots made a pair of moves on Monday, signing rookie free-agent punter Corey Bojorquez and waiving receiver Darren Andrews.

985thesportshub.com

May 15, 2019:
Patriots sign free agent LB Jamie Collins to a one-year, $2 million contract.

Patriots sign linebacker Jamie Collins

The Patriots pulled off their second reunion in as many weeks, signing linebacker Jamie Collins, a league source confirmed Wednesday. Collins already is in Foxborough and is expected to participate in some on-field work Thursday as the team continues its voluntary offseason workout program. The...

www.boston.com

May 15, 2024:
Pats sign Australian rugby player/DE Jotham Ru.

Patriots receive IPP roster exemption, sign Australian rugby player Jotham Russell

Updated International Player Pathway program rules allow the Patriots to sign Russell without forfeiting one of their 90-man roster spots.

www.boston.com

May 15, 2025:

Patriots Injury News Thread 'Barmore cleared'

May 15, 2025

• Joey007
• Replies: 63
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

 

[Patjew]

And Happy Birthday to Patjew on May 15th as well!

 

[jmt57]

And Happy Birthday to Patjew on May 15th as well!

LOL, and me as well!

 

[signbabybrady]

And Happy Birthday to Patjew on May 15th as well!

LOL, and me as well!

Happy 29th fellas

 

[Patjew]

Happy 29th fellas

Thanks! I'm 25! (backwards)

 

[Patjew]

LOL, and me as well!

Wow! 5/15/73 here.