Today in Patriots History
Other May 16 Trivia
May 16, 1973:
The Patriots acquire TE/OT
Bob Adams from Pittsburgh in exchange for a conditional 7th round draft pick.
Adams played in 25 games with 12 starts for the Pats in 1973-1974, with 31 receptions for 441 yards. After retiring in 1977 he worked as a tech consultant, teacher, author and gym owner. Soon after he became a spokesperson and vice president for the Church of Scientology.
Teaching biology was my goal before I played pro football, and football was not a long- term career so I needed a fall back. As a free agent, I didn’t know if I would be on a plane home to San Francisco from week to week for the first two years at Pittsburgh. The stress factor for me was a 9.8 out of 10, which gave me the incentive to complete grad school to have the job I had planned for before my career.
I went back to school my first two off seasons with the Steelers, not making much money in those days, I drove cross country in my VW to training camp with about $400 to my name.
Those lean and fretful days by themselves were lessons in emotional endurance and budgeting. I took nothing for granted, which was a valuable lesson in itself. As a free agent up against draft choices, All Americans and veterans, I learned to listen and watch with every perception turned on full.
I had to learn the pro football game fast since I was from a small school and my football career consisted of little league flag football and one year in high school as a 150 lb lineman. I was a bench warmer and a very late bloomer.
I finally started playing ball after my second year community college. I had grown physically and emotionally and performed well enough to be a starter at Tight End. Following that one year I received a full two-year ride at the University of the Pacific. I matured into a fairly decent player, at least good enough to be looked at by a few pro teams as a possible draft choice.
May 16, 1983:
New England signs free agents Keith Graham, Steve Addazio and Tom Skoruppa.
The club also signed rookie draft picks
Smiley Cresswell and
Stephen Starring to contracts.
May 16, 1985:
Undrafted rookies
Michael LeBlanc, Robert Anse, Robert Hobby and Willie Muckle are signed.
LeBlanc played in four games for the Pats, rushing for 146 yards in a 1987 replacement game win over Buffalo.
May 16, 1990:
The Patriots sign free agents
Brian Hansen, Don Overton and Mac Stephens.
Hansen led the NFL in punts (90) and punt yardage (3,752 yards) in 1990.
Overton was a backup RB who performed kickoff return duties for part of the '90 season.
Stephens didn't stick with the Pats but did play briefly for the Jets and Vikings.
May 16, 2003: The Patriots sign veteran free agent
Don Davis
The linebacker was a special team standout and competent backup from 2003 to 2006, at which point he retired at the age of 35. Davis later served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach as well as team chaplain; he is now an executive in the NFLPA.
Don Davis is a transformative leader, passionate visionary, strategic thinker, and relationship builder. Recognized for his ability to connect with players, ...
focalpointministries.net
Dr. Don Davis is the Senior Director of Player Affairs for the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) and is responsible for advancing and overseeing the management of varying aspects of player labor issues. Prior to joining the NFLPA, Don enjoyed a successful 11-year playing career an
www.realdondavis.com
Don Davis held an 11-year career in the NFL that included four teams: New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams and New England Patriots, where he was a two-time Super Bowl champion. Sensing a call from the Lord to full-time ministry, Davis began directing NFL programs for Pro...
www.brnow.org
The Patriots also signed undrafted free agents
Gene Mruczkowski and Fresno State OT Joe Schey.
Mruczkowski played in 18 games at guard for the Pats from 2004 to 2006.
Schey didn't make the Pats roster - but was part of the cast in the 2005 remake of
The Longest Yard.
The Patriots announced the signing of veteran FA LB Don Davis today. Also signed OL: Gene Mruczkowski, Joe Schey.
www.patriots.com
May 16, 2004:
Jim Colclough, who spent nine years in the AFL with the Boston Patriots and was the team's all-time leading receiver through 1983, died Sunday.
www.upi.com
Jim Colclough, who spent nine years in the AFL with the Boston Patriots and was the team's all-time leading receiver through 1983, died Sunday. He was 68.
Colclough attended Boston College before beginning his professional career in Canada as a defensive back. He joined the Patriots in 1960 and immediately led the team in receiving with 49 catches for 666 yards and nine touchdowns.
Colclough totaled 283 career receptions for 5,001 yards and 39 TDs. His team record for receiving yards stood until 1983, when Stanley Morgan broke it. Colclough remains third in team history in average yards per catch (17.7) and fourth in touchdown catches.
Jim Colclough passes away -- Patriots.com
May 16, 2005:
Otis Smith signs a one-day contract and retires as a New England Patriot.
"I wanted to retire as a Patriot because the greatest success of my career came in a Patriots uniform," said Smith.
www.patriots.com
May 16, 2012:
The receiver and the Patriots have agreed on a four-year deal.
www.boston.com
Wide receiver Jeremy Ebert, the Patriots' seventh-round draft choice out of Northwestern, has signed a four-year contract with the team, a source confirms.
www.espn.com
Wide receiver Jeremy Ebert, the Patriots' seventh-round draft choice out of Northwestern, has signed a four-year contract with the team.
Ebert was selected 235th overall, which was the Patriots' final selection of the draft. He was productive in his final two seasons at Northwestern, with 62 catches in 2010 and 75 receptions in 2011. He is a potential slot receiver in the Patriots' scheme. Aaron Wilson of Scout.com reported that Ebert's deal has a maximum value of $2.148 million.
Ebert played in five NFL games with three receptions, all with Jacksonville in 2013. Struggles with punts hurt his case to make the team.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Rookie receiver Jeremy Ebert was answering questions from reporters after Monday's practice when he heard a voice behind him. "Jeremy, don't forget the pads, bro.
www.espn.com
Offense starts to get its groove back while WR Jabar Gaffney exits with an injury.
www.boston.com
May 16, 2013:
By Shalise Manza Young, Globe Staff Now there are three. The Patriots and Steve Beauharnais have finalized a contract for the linebacker. The Patriots’ final draft pick (235th overall), the Rutgers product is listed at 6 feet 1 inch, 240 pounds. New England drafted three Scarlet Knights —...
www.boston.com
The Patriots got two more draft picks under contract on Friday and both of them are linebackers.
www.nbcsports.com
May 16, 2014:
Like plenty of other teams, the Patriots announced that they've reached agreement with some of their 2014 draft picks on Friday but those weren't the only moves in New England.
www.nbcsports.com
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Linebacker Darius Fleming was one of the feel-good stories of the New England Patriots' preseason.After tearing his left ACL in his rookie minicamp with the 49ers in 2012, and then tearing it again in 2013 training camp, Fleming had been released and was looking for work.
www.espn.com
May 16, 2016:
Danny Amendola reportedly underwent a pair of offseason surgeries.
www.cbsnews.com
May 16, 2018:
The Patriots sign second round draft pick
Duke Dawson to a four-year, $4.7M contract through 2021.
Seven down, two to go. On Wednesday, the Patriots signed second-round pick Duke Dawson to his four-year rookie deal. Dawson represents the seventh 2018 draft pick to sign his contract with the Pat…
www.providencejournal.com
Running back
Andy Johnson, a member of the Pats All-1970s team passes away at the age of 65.
Former Patriots running back Andy Johnson passes away -- Patriots.com
Johnson played quarterback in college at Georgia but was a running back for nine seasons in the NFL.
www.boston.com
May 16, 2019:
New England waives DT
Frank Herron for the second time in two years, and sign OLB
Jamie Collins
The Patriots needed a roster spot for linebacker Jamie Collins.
www.nbcsports.com
The Patriots create a roster spot for Jamie Collins, linebacker, by releasing Frank Herron, defensive lineman.
www.patriotledger.com
May 16, 2022:
Pats sign undrafted rookie free agent LS Ross Reiter, sixth round draft pick OL Chasen Hines, and Mr. Irrelevant, seventh round draft pick G Andrew Steuber; the Pats also waive undrafted rookie free agents S Devin Hafford and QB Deriq King
The New England Patriots reportedly waived two undrafted free agents Monday, including quarterback/receiver D'Eriq King.
nesn.com
The New England Patriots also released two undrafted free agents, while adding rookie long-snapper Ross Reiter.
www.si.com
May 16, 2023:
Rodrigo Barnes, a backup linebacker with the Pats in 1974-75, passes away at the age of 73.
Rodrigo Barnes, a trailblazing NFL player and outspoken civil rights activist among the first to integrate Rice University's sports program, dies at 73.
May 16, 2024:
The Patriots have signed center David Andrews to a one-year contract extension that includes $8 million fully guaranteed, league sources told ESPN on Thursday.
www.espn.com
More tidbits from the vault from one year ago today:
The month of November is certainly brutal for the New England Patriots. They play three of those four games on the road, all of which come against some pretty good teams.
www.patsfans.com
The Panthers and Patriots will be at the bottom of the NFL this season, if the betting lines are to be believed.
www.nbcsports.com
The Pats, and the Panthers (man they suck!) for that matter, are not favored in any games in 2024...
buckle up that chinstrap and tighten that belt... 2024 is going to be some tough sledding...
2024 Patriots look ahead lines
Bengals: +8.5 Total 43
Seattle: +2.5 Total 42.5
Jets: +7.5 Total 42
49ers: +11.5 Total 45
Dolphins: +3.5 Total 45
Texans: +4 Total 44
Jaguars: +6 Total 42.5 (London)
Jets: +3.5 Total 42
Titans: +2.5 Total 41
Bears: +4.5 Total 41
Rams: +4 Total 44.5...
Of 129 votes cast on an actual record, 71 - including myself - thought the Patriots would finish with six or more wins in 2024.
My premise:
The offensive line had to beteer than in 2023, right?
The receiving corps had to be better than in 2023, right?
The passing game and offense had to be better than in 2023, right?
Time for a way too early poll! How confident do you feel about the upcoming season? How many wins do you feel this team will get by the end of the year?
I'm going to go with 6 wins. We should see a little bit of improvement with the defense hopefully coming back fully healthy - Gonzalez, and Judon.
But I don't see Jacoby Brissett winning much with a very unproven offensive core.
And I'm really hoping we don't throw Drake Maye to the wolves right off the bat.
I'd rather he sit back and learn for at least the first 6 months of the season.
Let the kid get his mechanics right, and the...
