Today In Patriots History May 24: Catching babies, unlike Nelson Agholor

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
The Nigerian Nightmare​

Happy 33rd birthday to Nelson Agholor
Born May 24, 1993 in Lagos, Nigeria; hometown Tampa
Patriots wide receiver, 2021-2022; uniform #15
Signed as a veteran free agent on March 19, 2021
Pats résumé: two seasons, 31 games (20 starts); 68 receptions for 835 yards (12.3 ypc) and five touchdowns


Nelson Agholor played in 92 games over six NFL seasons prior to coming to Foxborough, with 272 receptions for 3,411 yards and 26 touchdowns during that time. Agholor was a first round draft pick out of USC in 2015 by Philadelphia. He didn't do much his first two years, improved to 768 yards/8 TD in 2017 and 736 yards/4TD in 2018, before dropping to 363/3 the following season.

2020 - the season just prior to joining the Patriots - was his best season as a pro, with 896 yards receiving, eight touchdowns, 18.7 yards per reception and 10.9 yards per pass attempt, after signing a meager one year, $1 million contract for the Raiders.

Agholor regressed with New England though, with fewer yards receiving and touchdowns in two seasons combined, than he had in his one year in Las Vegas. To rub salt in the wound, the Patriots paid $22 million for that (lack of) production.

Over ten NFL seasons Nelson Agholor has 389 receptions for 4,858 yards and 37 touchdowns.

Nelson Agholor Drops Touchdown Catch - Patriots vs. Eagles
46-second lowlight play



​

As for the thread title, that is due to an off-the-cuff comment from a Philadelphia resident who caught a baby dropped from a burning building, which was caught on video. The hero completely roasted the wide receiver, succinctly stating 'My man just started throwing babies out the window and we was catching them, unlike Agholor.'

‘I Was Saying What Everybody Else Was Thinking,' Eagles Fan Who Called Out Nelson Agholor After Rescuing Woman and Baby From Fire Reacts to Internet Fame

Nothing, not even a dramatic rescue, can stop a frustrated Philadelphia sports fan from venting about a tough loss, as Hakim Laws proved in a moment that will live on in Internet infamy.

www.nbcphiladelphia.com

The former firefighter and Army veteran jumped into action and helped rescue trapped occupants by literally catching a baby and a woman who were thrown out of the burning building.​

"You can believe in me," Laws told NBC Sports Philadelphia's John Clark in an exclusive interview Tuesday. "I'm not gonna drop her. So she came down. Boom. My first thought actually in the back of my head was like, 'Yeah, no fumble.' So I caught two. And then ran them in for a touchdown."​

The football metaphor showcases what was still on Laws' mind even after the rescue: the Eagles' tough loss to the Detroit Lions Sunday in which Wide Receiver Nelson Agholor dropped a critical pass.​

"Messed up my whole day," Laws said. "That was earlier the same day that happened. Maybe 12 hours or so. Less than that. Yeah, I'm gonna think about that all day."​

Laws didn't hesitate to speak on it even while being interviewed after the fire early Monday morning.​

"My man just started throwing babies out the window and we was catching them, unlike Agholor and his mishaps, I'd like to put that out there," Laws told NBC10.​

'Unlike Agholor': Hero Eagles fan negged Nelson Agholor after catching kids dropped from burning building

Nelson Agholor's two drops in Sunday's game were on the minds of every Eagles fan — even those performing acts of heroism.

sports.yahoo.com

Nelson Agholor has perfect response to salty baby-catching Eagles fan

Even an act of heroism couldn’t stop this Philly fan from hating on the Eagles. Local hero Hakim Laws took a shot at wide receiver Nelson Agholor, as he described to reporters how he and others cau…

nypost.com

Some fun forum commentary from March 2023 when news broke that Baltimore had signed Agholor after the Patriots made no attempt to re-sign him in free agency:

Patriots Player Departure Thread 'O/T: Nelson Agholor signs with Ravens'

Mar 24, 2023

Patriots free agent receiver Nelson Agholor reportedly signs with Ravens

• Patsfan1958
• Replies: 43
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Patriots Add WR Nelson Agholor, 2-Yrs, $26 Million | PatsFans.com

Agholor scored eight TDs including a career-high 896 yards on 48 catches with an impressive 18.7 yards-per-catch average

www.patsfans.com

Who Did the Patriots Sign in Free-Agency? Here's the List | PatsFans.com

If you're wondering about the Patriots signings today, we have the full updated list of the group of players New England added to the roster.

www.patsfans.com

Patriots boost receiver unit by signing Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne to multi-year deals, per reports

New England's spending spree continues

www.cbssports.com

Source: Pats get 2-year, $26M deal with Agholor

Wide receiver Nelson Agholor has agreed to a two-year, $26 million deal with the Patriots, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

www.espn.com

The Patriots’ big bet on WR Nelson Agholor

Agholor signed a 2-year, $22 million contract with $16 million guaranteed in free agency.

www.bostonherald.com

https://www.courant.com/2023/03/24/ex-patriots-wr-nelson-agholor-signing-1-year-deal-with-afc-rival/

NFL notebook: Patriots lose receiver Nelson Agholor to Ravens

Agholor has agreed to a deal with Baltimore after two seasons in New England.

www.pressherald.com

Ex-Patriots WR Nelson Agholor signing 1-year deal with AFC rival

The Patriots are losing a veteran wideout to a longtime rival.

www.bostonherald.com

Nelson Agholor Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

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

www.pro-football-reference.com

Nelson Agholor Pro Football Record

The trusted source for pro football information about Nelson Agholor. Get statistics, transactions. biographical data and more at Pro Football Archives.

www.profootballarchives.com

Nelson Agholor Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money, and Contract History | Over The Cap

Nelson Agholor contract and salary cap details, including signing bonus, guaranteed salary, dead money, roster bonuses, and contract history

overthecap.com

Career Earnings: $49,135,401

Nelson Agholor - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Before 28-3 there was 24-0​

I could not find much of anything notable for May 24 in the history of the New England Patriots, other than being a great excuse to re-watch the Pats come back from a 24-0 deficit to defeat Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. At the time that was the largest comeback in franchise history, and is still second in team history, behind only the amazing 28-3 comeback in Super Bowl 51 versus Atlanta.

Our birthday guy, Tony Carter, had a hand in that outcome.

New England Patriots Biggest Comebacks | Pro-Football-Reference.com

New England Patriots biggest Comebacks

www.pro-football-reference.com

Happy 40th birthday to Tony Carter
Born May 24, 1986 in Tallahassee, Florida
Patriots cornerback, 2010; uniform #29
Signed to the practice squad on September 7, 2010
Pats résumé: one season, two games
Not to be confused with FB Tony Carter, who played with the Patriots from 1998-2000


After being waived-injured by Denver, the Pats signed corner Tony Carter to their practice squad in early September of 2010. When Jonathan Wilhite was placed on IR with a hip injury, Carter was promoted to the 53-man roster in mid-December. The former Florida State Seminole appeared in two of those three final regular season games, with a final stat line consisting of one tackle.


The Patriots released Carter just prior to the start of the 2011 training camp, and he later re-signed with Denver. Carter is unfortunately most well known for being on the wrong side of a return team miscommunication in November of 2013.


The 7-3 Patriots hosted 9-1 Denver in Week 12 of 2013, on Sunday Night Football. All the hype for Brady vs Manning #14 fizzled early, as the Pats fumbled the ball away on each of their first three possessions. The rest of the half wasn't much better: three punts and a turnover on downs, resulting in a 24-0 halftime deficit.


The second half was a complete reversal, with New England scoring touchdowns on each of their first four possessions, and scoring 31 unanswered points. However, Denver tied it up on a pass to Demaryius Thomas with 3:06 left to play to force overtime. On the cold (22°, six-below wind chill, 22 mph wind) night Bill Belichick elected to ignore conventional overtime wisdom of receiving the ball first, and instead go with the wind at the team's backs - and that decision eventually paid off.


With just over three minutes left to play in overtime, the Pats were forced to punt after three straight incomplete passes. Wes Welker - at this point a Denver Bronco - was the return man. Carter was also on Denver's return unit, and Welker made a very late call that he would not catch the punt, alerting the return team to clear away from the ball. But Welker's call was too late; by that time Carter was too close, moving fast, and the ball bounced and hit him - and Nate Ebner recovered. The play set up a 34-31 game-winning field goal by Stephen Gostkowski to cap the comeback, with just two minutes left to play in OT.

Patriots Beat: A win for the ages

It had to end that way, didn’t it. A tie seemed all but inevitable in one of the wackiest games to ever be played in the NFL. Sorry, no shootouts in this league. The Patriots recovered a fumbled punt…

www.metrowestdailynews.com

Life’s Bounces

The winds of what looked to be a Broncos rout over the Patriots changed dramatically Sunday night. In a game of oddities, it was only fitting that in the end it all came down to a relative cast of unknowns and the unpredictable landing of one punt

www.si.com

Wes Welker blames self for costly turnover

FOXBORO — Last night began with a video tribute to former Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker, and then essentially ended with Welker watching helplessly in overtime as Ryan Allen’s punt glanced off teammate Tony Carter with Nate…

www.bostonherald.com

Wes Welker accepts blame for Broncos' muffed punt vs. Patriots

Wes Welker was basically a non-factor for most of Sunday night during his first game in Foxboro since leaving the New England Patriots as a free agent and signing with the Denver Broncos.

www.latimes.com

Degree of difficulty makes Patriots' rally to victory over the Broncos all the sweeter

The hideous opening scenes will be lost in the buzz of the greatest comeback in franchise history against their most prominent individual rival, and that's how it should be.

www.boston.com

PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK: Welker contributes little to Broncos’ cause in return to Foxboro

Denver wide receiver Wes Welker catches just four passes for 31 yards in his team’s 34-31 overtime loss against his former team.

www.patriotledger.com

Tom Brady, Patriots rally past 24-point Broncos lead to stun Peyton Manning

Tom Brady, Patriots rally past 24-point Broncos lead to stun Peyton Manning

www.denverpost.com

Ryan Allen’s punt gave Patriots the drop on Broncos - The Boston Globe

FOXBOROUGH — The sixth and final punt from Ryan Allen on Sunday night traveled only 42 yards, not far considering the Patriots rookie had a strong wind at his back.

www.bostonglobe.com

Patriots storm back from 24-0, beat Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning and Tom Brady have played a number of classics over the years, but they never have played a game quite like the one that happened on Sunday night.

www.nfl.com

Denver Broncos vs New England Patriots. 2nd Half. Patriots Comeback
14:57 Highlight Video

Classic Peyton Manning faces at 4:02 and 4:48

Tony Carter played in 50 NFL games (including five in the postseason) over seven seasons, from 2009 to 2015. He scored three touchdowns, two on fumble returns and one on an interception. He retired after the 2016 season, and since 2018 has been employed as a coach at both the NFL and collegiate levels. Carter is currently the head coach for the division two Central State Marauders in Wilberforce, Ohio.

Broncos cornerback Tony Carter breaks up a pass intended for Patriots receiver Matthew Slater in the 1st quarter of the 2013 AFC championship game.




2006: FSU's Tony Carter returns a blocked kick for a touchdown against Clemson​

Tony Carter Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

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

www.pro-football-reference.com

Tony Carter Pro Football Record

The trusted source for pro football information about Tony Carter. Get statistics, transactions. biographical data and more at Pro Football Archives.

profootballarchives.com

Tony Carter (cornerback) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
20th Century May 24 Trivialities​

May 24, 1960:
The Patriots sign undrafted rookie free agent RB Roger Kranz from the University of New Mexico.

Kranz must have been an incredible blocking back for Los Lobos, because his 1959 stat sheet doesn't exactly jump out at you: ten carries in ten games, with one touchdown - though the 9.7 yards per carry is impressive. Roger has no Patriots/AFL stats to be found, so I assume he didn't make the regular season roster.

From his obituary:

Roger was a talented athlete excelling in many sports including track, basketball, baseball and football. He came to New Mexico on a football scholarship to UNM where he proudly played for the Lobos. He went on to play professional football for the New England Patriots. Roger also honored his country by serving in the Air National Guard. After college he began a successful career in sales. For the last twenty plus years he has been employed with Rio Grande Drywall Supply. Roger was an avid fisherman and hunter. He had many other loves which included gardening, singing in the church choir, dancing, golf and being with family and friends. Known as "Big Rog" to many, his huge heart and radiant smile will be greatly missed.​

May 24, 1980:
New England signs undrafted free agent OL Bobby McIntyre, from Salem (WV) College.

Bobby McIntyre was four years removed from his Salem College graduation when he signed with the Patriots. He stuck with the club through all of the offseason, appearing in all the preseason games - but did not survive final roster cuts and never played in a regular season NFL game. At the time he was a high school defensive coordinator in Sandusky, Ohio, getting his one shot at the big time.

After being cut by the Pats, McIntyre settled in Long Island and progressed through the coaching ranks. He was DC and HC at West Hempstead High School, DB coach at Nassau Community College, LB coach at Hofstra and at Bryant, then DC/LB coach at Stony Brook University from 2011 until his retirement in 2020.

Stony Brook Football promotes Bobby McIntyre to defensive coordinator

Bobby McIntyre, formerly the Seawolves' linebackers coach, has been named Stony Brook Football's next defensive coordinator.

sbstatesman.com

Bobby McIntyre - Football Coach - Stony Brook University Athletics

HONORS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS AT STONY BROOK • Became Stony Brook’s Defensive Coordinator in 2017. • Guided the Seawolves’ defensive that ranked third in the FCS in

stonybrookathletics.com

Coach Mac Retires: 'Every player ... who played for him has complete praise for who he is as a person' - Stony Brook University Athletics

STONY BROOK, N.Y. — For each of the last 52 summers, Bobby McIntyre has been on a football field somewhere for training camp.

stonybrookathletics.com

* This entry was a tad confusing to compile, because in 1980 there was also a linebacker by the name of Bob McIntyre from Eastern Kentucky who was an undrafted free agent as well, who was signed by the Packers.





May 24, 1994:
Patriots re-sign veteran unrestricted free agent Michael Timpson

1993 was Timpson's fifth season in the NFL, and he was finally getting a bit of playing time under first year head coach Bill Parcells. He had seven starts that year, with 42 receptions for 656 yards and two touchdowns. Most notable was a 36-yard TD catch in overtime in the season finale to give the Pats their fourth consecutive win, 33-27 over Miami - thus knocking Don Shula's Dolphins out of the playoffs.

Throwback: Patriots Thrill in Overtime Win Over Dolphins - January 2, 1994 -- Patriots.com
1:43 Highlight Video
Today is the 30th anniversary (January 2,1994) of the Drew Bledsoe overtime touchdown pass to Michael Timpson for the thrilling season-ending win over the Miami Dolphins on January 2, 1994. The game featured 4 lead changes in the 4th quarter.

​

Timpson would go on to have a breakout season in 1994, with career highs in catches (74) and receiving yards (941). That led to his getting a decent free agent payday, with the Bears - though his production dropped dramatically with Erik Kramer passing the football to him rather than Drew Bledsoe.

May 24, 1995:
Linebacker Dwayne Sabb is re-signed by the Patriots

A fifth round draft pick in 1992 out of the University of New Hampshire, Sabb played in 74 regular season games plus four playoff games with the Pats from 1992 to 1996.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
May 24 fun factoids
from the Aughts​

May 24, 2000:
The Patriots waive three undrafted free agents who apparently failed to make a good first impression during Bill Belichick's initial rookie mini-camp. Mississippi State LB Barrin Simpson, Washington State punter Kareem Anderson and New Mexico State WR Ryan Shaw were all waived within weeks of being signed, ending their extremely brief NFL careers.

Patriots Waive Three Players

FOXBORO, Mass. – The New England Patriots waived three rookie free agents, punter Kareem Anderson, wide receiver Ryan Shaw and linebacker Barrin Simpson, today.

www.patriots.com

Simpson went on to play 11 seasons in the Canada, where he was a seven-time CFL All-Star, five-time league-leading tackler, and two-time defensive player of the year. Shaw is a manager of asset information, workflow, and quality control at Bristol Myers Squibb. Anderson is apparently off the grid.

CMSD Hires Barrin Simpson as head football coach

COLUMBUS, Miss. – Columbus Municipal School District has hired former Mississippi State linebacker ...

www.columbuscityschools.org

Player Bio: Kareem Anderson :: Football - Washington State University Athletics

Player Bio: Kareem Anderson :: Football Kareem Anderson Class: Senior Hometown: Phoenix, Ariz. High School: South Mountain '96 Weight: 199 Posi...

wsucougars.com

Ryan Shaw - Bristol Myers Squibb | LinkedIn

To obtain a position where I can utilize my education, work experience, and work ethics… · Experience: Bristol Myers Squibb · Education: New Mexico State University · Location: Greater Phoenix Area · 143 connections on LinkedIn. View Ryan Shaw’s profile on LinkedIn, a professional community of 1...

www.linkedin.com

May 24, 2001:
Patriots sign veteran DT Emarlos Leroy after claiming him off waivers, and waive Boston College LS Ryan Burch

A 1999 sixth round draft pick by Jacksonville, the former Georgia Bulldog played in 23 games for the Jaguars over two seasons. The Pats released him less than three weeks later.

​

Patriots claim interior lineman

New England also added some much needed depth to the interior of the defensive line by claiming former Jacksonville defensive tackle Emarlos Leroy off waivers.

www.patriots.com

Belichick offers rookies a crash course

FOXBORO -- The New England Patriots welcomed 10 rookie free agents and 10 draft choices to a mini-camp yesterday, and coach Bill Belichick had a fierce warning for them Get ready for the tougher, fas…

www.southcoasttoday.com

24th annual Albany Sports Hall of Fame induction: Emarlos Leroy – Albany Herald

Danny AllerJACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Emarlos Leroy can illustrate better than anyone his importance to the Monroe High School football team during his heyday

www.albanyherald.com

Boston College 2000 Football Outlook - Boston College Athletics

June 16, 2000 Defense Defensive Line Returning Lettermen (3): No. Player Cl. Ht. Wt. 85 Antonio Garay Jr. 6-4 286 99 * Sean Guthrie Jr. 6-4 248 58 Derric Ros...

bceagles.com

Ryan Burch - T. Rowe Price | LinkedIn

Experienced executive who thrives in dynamic business environments. Creative and… · Experience: T. Rowe Price · Education: University of Maryland School of Law · Location: Baltimore · 500+ connections on LinkedIn. View Ryan Burch’s profile on LinkedIn, a professional community of 1 billion members.

www.linkedin.com

May 24, 2001:

McWilliams bolsters TE spot

The tight end spot gained some experience Thursday when New England signed free agent Johnny McWilliams, who is entering his sixth season in the NFL.

www.patriots.com

The tight end spot gained some experience Thursday when New England signed free agent Johnny McWilliams, who is entering his sixth season in the NFL. The Patriots also waived rookie long-snapper Ryan Burch.​

McWilliams gives the Patriots a huge target for Drew Bledsoe. The former third-round pick for the Arizona Cardinals has recorded 73 catches for 690 yards and nine touchdowns since coming into the league in 1996.​

New England already has five tight ends on its roster, but the only one with significant playing time is Rod Rutledge. Rutledge's roster spot was in jeopardy before McWilliams' arrival, and now his days with the Patriots seem even more numbered. In three seasons Rutledge has not been able to prove himself in the receiving game, and the tight end spot needs to be productive in New England's offense.​

Other than McWilliams and Rutledge, the Patriots also have second-year men Jermaine Wiggins and Chris Eitzmann, and draft picks Jabari Holloway and Arther Love. Wiggins made an impression at the end of last season with 16 catches for 203 yards and a touchdown in just four games, but he is not yet an established all-around tight end.​

Pats add McWilliams, their 6th tight end

FOXBORO — Johnny McWilliams, a tight end who started seven games for the Minnesota Vikings last season, signed with the New England Patriots. McWilliams, a 6-foot-7, 271-pound free agent, caught 22…

www.capecodtimes.com

Johnny McWilliams, a tight end who started seven games for Minnesota last season, signed with the New England Patriots. McWilliams, a 6-foot-4, 271-pound free agent, caught 22 passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns with the Vikings in 2000.​

The six-year veteran was a third-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals. He had his best season with Arizona in 1998 when he had 26 catches for 284 yards and four touchdowns.​

McWilliams becomes the sixth tight end on the Patriots' roster. He joins veterans Rod Rutledge, Jermaine Wiggins and Chris Eitzmann and draft picks Jabari Holloway and Arther Love.​

McWilliams was waived-injured on September 2, and never played in the NFL after that. Rutledge ended up keeping his job as the starter, and Wiggins emerged with clutch performances in the playoffs. Harvard grad Chris Eitzmann was also released on September 2, and spent the season on the Cleveland Browns' practice squad.

As for the draft picks, 4th rounder Jabari Holloway spent the 2001 season on injured reserve, and was released at the end of the 2002 preseason; he then spent two seasons with the Houston Texans. Fifth round selection Arther Love began the season on the reserve/PUP list, was activated in November, but never got on the field. He spent the first two weeks of 2002 on the practice squad before being released. Love later signed with Denver, but he never got into a regular season NFL game.





May 24, 2004:

Report: WR Brown gets guaranteed money, extension

According to a report in today’s Boston Herald the Patriots have extended Troy Brown’s contract through 2005, while guaranteeing his 2004 salary.

www.patriots.com

According to a report in Tuesday's Boston Herald the Patriots have guaranteed wide receiver Troy Brown's 2004 $2.25 million salary while also extending the contract through 2005 for salary cap purposes.​

Brown, 32, had been slated to earn $2.25 million in salary this season with a reported cap number of approximately $4 million. The reworked deal and extension now leave the 11-year veteran's cap number close to $3 million.​

While there had been speculation that Brown might be asked to cut his salary this offseason, heading into the final season of a five-year, $12.5 million deal that he signed in 2000, the reworked agreement that was reportedly reached last week virtually guarantees that the longest-tenured Patriot will be catching passes from Tom Brady at Gillette Stadium this fall.​

The Patriots also waived rookie free agent defensive tackle Louis Gachelin on Monday. The 6-1, 287-pound, 23-year-old Syracuse alum had signed with the Patriots on April 29.​

Feds bust three ex-NFL players in Miami-Dade on ID-theft, tax evasion charges

Three former National Football League players have been arrested by the FBI on federal charges in connection with an alleged scheme to steal people’s identities and file false tax returns in others’ …

www.palmbeachpost.com

Ex-Syracuse University lineman Louis Gachelin gets prison for tax fraud

Gachelin, who played at Syracuse from 2000-03, faces 28 months in prison.

www.syracuse.com

Former NFL Player Sentenced to 28 Months in Prison for Identity Theft Tax Refund Fraud

www.fbi.gov

3 ex-football players charged in Fla. tax ring

The official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more.

www.nfl.com

Former football player Gachelin gets 2-plus years in ID theft case

Former NFL free agent Louis Gachelin was sentenced to two years and four months in federal prison Monday for his role in an identity theft tax fraud. Gachelin, 31, of Miami, pleaded guilty in July to charges of aggravated identity theft…

www.sun-sentinel.com

May 24, 2007:
Restricted free agent Randall Gay signs his one year RFA tender, worth $1.3 million

GAY VISITS JETS

Patriots cornerback Randall Gay yesterday completed a visit with the Jets, who now must decide if they want to sign him to an offer sheet. Gay is a restricted free agent and the Pats tendered him w…

nypost.com

CB Gay signs free-agent qualifying offer with Pats

Veteran cornerback Randall Gay, who started for the New England Patriots in their Super Bowl XXXIX victory but has been plagued by leg injuries in each of the past two seasons, on Thursday signed his one-year restricted free agent qualifying offer with th

www.espn.com

The deal, based on the tender the Patriots made Gay three months ago, is worth $1.3 million. The three-year veteran was one of the few remaining restricted free agents in the league who had not signed his tender. Signing the deal means that Gay can participate in the organized team activities practices (OTAs) without having to sign an injury waiver, and can attempt to jump start a promising career stalled by the injuries.​

Having Gay healthy again would certainly be a boon for a New England secondary that has been decimated by injuries the past three seasons.​

Signed as an undrafted college free agent in 2004, Gay started in nine of his 15 appearances as a rookie and in all three of the Patriots' postseason victories that year. He had 38 tackles, two interceptions and six passes defensed as a rookie and, in the Super Bowl win over the Philadelphia Eagles, led all Pats' defenders with 11 solo tackles and added a pass defensed and a forced fumble.​

In 2005, though, Gay suffered an ankle injury that limited him to five games. The injury required offseason surgery and Gay's rehabilitation stretched into the summer of 2006, when he started training camp on the physically unable to perform list. He then sustained a severe hamstring and appeared in just three games in 2006.​

A former LSU standout, Gay, 25, is still highly regarded and, if he can regain his health and his playing form, figures to draw interest in the unrestricted free agent market next spring. The New York Jets brought Gay in for a visit last month as a restricted free agent, but did not propose an offer sheet to him.​

Once the deadline for signing restricted free agents passed in mid-April, the Patriots gained Gay's exclusive rights, and he could not negotiate with another team. So it became only a matter of time before he signed the one-year, $1.3 million tender.​

Gay is expected to compete for a nickel cornerback job in training camp.​

For his career, Gay has appeared in 23 games with 11 starts, and has posted 50 tackles, two interceptions, seven passes defensed and two forced fumbles.​

D-Back re-set

With Randall Gay officially in the fold, a look at the team's cornerback spot.

www.boston.com

With Randall Gay signing his restricted free agent tender today, let’s re-set the cornerback situation for the Patriots:​

Cornerbacks​

Larry Anam​

Randall Gay​

Ellis Hobbs​

Eddie Jackson​

Tory James​

Mike Richardson​

Asante Samuel​

Chad Scott​

Antwain Spann​

Gemara Williams​