Today In Patriots History May 25: Happy Birthday to Sean Farrell

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Today in Patriots History
Sean "Catman" Farrell​

Happy 65th birthday to Sean Farrell
Born May 25, 1960 in Southampton, New York
Patriot right guard, 1987-1989; uniform #62
Acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay on Feb 19, 1987
Pats résumé: three seasons, 43 games (43 starts)


Sean Farrell was an accidental first round draft pick by Tampa Bay in 1982, and started at right guard for the Buccaneers for five seasons. Tired of losing for miserly Hugh Culverhouse, Farrell's request to get out of Tampa was granted as the Pats traded 2nd, 7th and 9th round draft picks for his rights. He started 43 games at right guard for the Pats before shoulder surgery kept him on the injured reserve list for most of 1990. The Patriots attempted to reactivate him - but in doing so exposed him to waivers, and Denver claimed him. In 1984 Farrell was the co-winner along with Tim Goad of the Jim Lee Hunt Award, annually awarded by team's coaches to the top offensive or defensive lineman.

With February's trade for Sean Farrell, the New England... - UPI Archives

With February's trade for Sean Farrell, the New England Patriots believe they've already had a successful draft....

www.upi.com

With February's trade for Sean Farrell, the New England Patriots believe they've already had a successful draft.​

The guard and former first-round pick was acquired from Tampa Bay for second-, seventh- and ninth-round picks in Tuesday's NFL draft.​

'When a player of his calibre becomes available for the price we paid, you have to make the trade,' said **** Steinberg, the Patriots' director of player development. 'It's a plus that he's an offensive lineman.'​

What New England has left are the No. 23 pick overall, two third-round choices, one in the fourth, three fifth-round picks, one in the sixth and nothing else until the 10th round.​

What they need is help on the offensive and defense lines, injuries having created several questions about players' future effectiveness, and the offensive line was unable to create running room last year.​

Tackle Steve Moore and defensive end Ken Sims missed most of last season due to injuries and former All-Pro tackle Brian Holloway intends to retire after the coming season.​

Other players coming back are linebacker Steve Nelson and tight end Lin Dawson. Both have had leg injuries and Dawson missed all of 1986 with a knee injury suffered in Super Bowl XX.​

'We're not looking to make a bunch of changes,' Coach Raymond Berry said. 'There will be some spots and we're waiting to see what the healing process will be, but there are a lot of players who did well the past two years.'​

Steinberg says the Patriots will not be looking to draft a quarterback, wide receiver or defensive back.​

'We'll stay close to our usual philosophy of taking the best football player available,' he said. 'But we would like insurance in our offensive and defensive lines because of the injury situation.​

'Having Sean Farrell will improve the situation on the offensive line but we would still like to come out of the draft with a tackle type of guy.'​

Sean Farrell played in 123 NFL games with 106 starts from 1982 to 1992, plus three playoff games.

The Most Botched NFL Draft Pick Ever

One ill-fated 1982 phone call jump-started the NFL's longest run of ineptitude. The bizarre and calamitous story of Booker Reese only got worse from there

www.si.com

A Helping Hand Is Offered to Battered NFL Veterans


Sean Farrell Joins Advest as Divisional Manager; Former New England Patriot Will Lead Newly Created Eastern Seaboard Division

June 14, 2004--Advest, Inc., a member of The MONY Group Inc. (NYSE:MNY), has announced that Sean Farrell has been named Divisional Manager for the firm's new Eastern Seaboard Division. He joins Advest from Prudential/Wachovia Securities, where he served most recently as vice president and complex manager. Before entering the securities industry in 1993, Mr. Farrell enjoyed a distinguished professional football career, including a stint with the New England Patriots. ​

If you have a few minutes to spare, there is an excellent piece below on the life and times of Sean Farrell below, from his days as a discus thrower and shot-putter on his high school track and field team, to playing for cheapskate Hugh Culverhouse in Tampa, to his untiring work and dedication to bring the C.T.E. issue to light and his post-football life as a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch.

A New York State of Mind - Part 2

The Genealogy of a Discus Record

www.aloerterbacktoolympus.com

The Buc’s tight-fisted, fiscally-controlled, nit-picky, penny ante operation was overseen by owner Hugh Culverhouse. The team facility in Tampa was on par with a good high school program. The practice field was adjacent to the departure end of Tampa International Airport with all of the jets doing their “rev-ups” during practice. Players that were awarded game balls during the season would be “dinged 40 or 50 bucks from their paycheck that week,” Sean recounted. He added, ”You’d get orange sweat suits that looked like prison jumpsuits and they’d bill you for those, too. There was no food at the facility so pre-practice we’d drive over to a Wendy’s with our pads on and hands taped just so we could eat something. Even the Coke machine near the locker room, you had to have the 35 cents to buy a Coke. All true stories.’’ Owner Culverhouse was pleased that his team was considered one of the NFL’s most profitable franchises even though Tampa Bay was called the “Sad Sack Bucs.”​

Sean liked and respected his coaches and teammates all through his tenure in Tampa and the feeling was mutual. Management was another story. After the 1986 season, Sean had had enough and expressed his desire “to get the hell out of Tampa Bay.” In his five seasons with the Bucs, the team won only 17 games. They went 2-14 three times, including Sean’s last two seasons. This, while he endured one shoulder and two knee surgeries. Incredibly, Sean Farrell was chosen 1st Team All-Pro in 1984.​

April 28, 1978: Sports Illustrated "Faces in the Crowd"​

Sean Farrell Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

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

www.pro-football-reference.com

Pro Football Archives -- Sean Farrell Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- Sean Farrell Transactions

Sean Farrell (American football) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Pape]

Today in Patriots History
Sean "Catman" Farrell​

Happy 65th birthday to Sean Farrell

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Donnell Smith​

Happy 76th birthday to Donnell Smith
Born May 25, 1949 in Lakeland, Florida
Patriot defensive end, 1973-1974; uniform #65
Acquired in a trade with Washington on September 6, 1973
Pats résumé: two seasons, 21 games (no starts); four sacks, one fumble recovery


Donnell Smith was originally a fifth round selection by Green Bay in the 1971 draft, from Southern University. Prior to arriving in New England he also spent time with St Louis, Cleveland and Washington, but up to that point his only NFL experience was four games with the Packers as a rookie two years prior. The bulk of Smith's NFL experience came after joinung the Patriots, appearing in 21 games for the Pats in a backup and special teams role for Chuck Fairbanks. Smith was released on August 20, 1975; after his time with the Patriots he joine the Southern California Sun in the World Football League.


1975 Patriots Media Guide -- page 22

DONNELL SMITH DE​

6-4, 252 Southern University 4th Yr. (T-Wash. 73)​

Born 5-25-49 at Lakeland, Fla. . . . three year performer at defensive end for Southern University . . . Green Bay’s fifth round draft choice in 1971 after winning all-SWC honors . . . played in five games during rookie year with Pack but was inactive during 1972 season . . . signed as free agent with Washington in 1973 . . . came to Patriots in late pre-season trade with Redskins . . . played in all but two games during 1973 season and registered one sack . . . dropped in final cut before start of 1974 season but rejoined team after three games . . . made positive contribution and had three sacks.​

PRO STATS: Recovered one fumble, blocked one PAT in 1974. Games played—1971-5, 1972-0, 1973-12, 1974-9.​

Southern football's unique 1969 team produced some of the school's greatest players

A total of 10 future NFL players played on the 1969 Southern team, and 45 years later, that list as just as impressive as it was then: Hall of Fame cornerback Mel Blount, six-time Pro Bowl linebacker Isiah Robertson, four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Harold Carmichael, two-time Pro Bowl defensive back Ken Ellis, defensive back Ray Jones, defensive tackle Jim Osborne, wide receiver Lew Porter, defensive lineman Alden Roche, defensive end Donnell Smith and wide receiver Jubilee Dunbar.​

It was very thoughtful for the Patriots to align the players in numerical order rather than by height,
to make it so much easier for fans to identify all of the players on the team.
Would have been a nice gesture if they named the coaches in the back row as well.​

Donnell Smith Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

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

www.pro-football-reference.com

Pro Football Archives -- Donnell Smith Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- Donnell Smith Transactions

Donnell Smith - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

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Today in Patriots History
Tommy Fussell​

Happy 80th birthday to Tom Fussell
Born May 25, 1945 in Cleveland; hometown Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Patriot defensive end, 1967; uniform #83
Pats 8th round (206th overall) selection of the 1967 draft, from LSU
Pats résumé: one season, 12 games (four starts)


As a rookie Thomas Fussell started four games when Larry Eisenhauer was injured, playing alongside Bob Dee, Jim Lee Hunt and Houston Antwine on the defensive line. He was released at the end of the 1968 training camp and later signed with his hometown New Orleans Saints, but never got back on the field again in another pro football game.


1967 Boston Patriots Media Guide -- page 91

Tom Fussell DE 21 6'3" 250 Louisiana State​

Rated by his coaches as the best senior interior on the LSU team last year ... especially efective on the pass rush ... blocked two punts for touchdowns in college and blocked a punt in his first pre-season game for the Pats ... three year starter for the Bengal Tigers ... was first LSU star ever to play in East-West Shrine Game ... also played in 1967's Senior Bowl and Coaches' All-America Game ... drew special praise from Alabama Coach Bear Bryant for his play against the Crimson Tide in '66 ... comes from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.​

 

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Today in Patriots History
Kent Carter​

In memory of Kent Carter, who would have turned 75 today
Born May 25, 1950 in Los Angeles
Died December 12, 2010 at the age of 60 in Santa Ana, California
Patriot linebacker, 1974; uniform #51
Signed as a veteran free agent on March 28, 1974
Pats résumé: one season, two games


Kent Carter was a late (17th round, 422nd overall) draft pick by the Cardinals in 1972 out of USC, but was released by St Louis at the end of his rookie training camp. I'm not 100% sure about his timeline after that, but it appears that the Pats signed him along with 25 other free agents in late March of '74; released him before the start of the season; and re-signed him on November 27. Carter played in two games for the Pats: a 41-26 week 12 loss at Oakland on December 1, and a 34-27 week 14 loss at Miami on December 15.

After that Carter headed north, playing for Ottawa, Edmonton, Hamilton and Toronto in the CFL from 1975 to 1978.

Carter later became an officer in the LAPD, and died in an off-duty motorcycle accident at the age of 60.

Article clipped from The Boston Globe

Clipping found in The Boston Globe published in Boston, Massachusetts on 3/29/1974.

www.newspapers.com

LAPD Mourns Death of Veteran Officer Who Was Killed Off-Duty - Beverly Press & Park Labrea News

Los Angeles Police Department officials are mourning the death of Officer Kent Carter, who died on Dec. 12...

beverlypress.com

Off Duty LAPD Officer Dies in a Tragic Accident NR10580cj - LAPD Online

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is mourning the death of Emergency Operation Divisions Officer Kent Carter, who died in a tragic traffic collision in Santa Ana. On Dec. 12, 2010, at around 4:30 p.m., Carter was riding his 2007 Suzuki motorcycle, northbound on Santiago...

www.lapdonline.org

Officer Kent Carter worked for the LAPD for over 29 years and his work ethic is legendary. He was hired by the Department on February 23, 1981. The first decade of his career was spent working patrol in Divisions including Wilshire, Rampart, 77th, and time working as a vice officer. Carter’s hard work earned him a position at Training Division where he trained thousands of officers. His method of instruction was legendary and to this day held in high regard from those who learned from him. ​

In 1998, Carter was assigned to LAPD’s Labor Relations Division, now under Emergency Operations Division and had been working there ever since. He was a veteran labor relations officer who was responsible for Building and Trades and also worked with numerous unions across the city. Lieutenant Andrew Neiman of Emergency Operations Division explains, “Kent was the most gracious, warm, and considerate individual I have ever met. He loved his family, loved life, and was looking forward to a wonderful retirement in a year. His passing will create a huge void in the Department.”​

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

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

www.pro-football-reference.com

Pro Football Archives -- Kent Carter Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- Kent Carter Transactions

Kent Carter (gridiron football) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

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Today in Patriots History
The Swap Fox​

In memory of Marion Campbell, who would have turned 96 today
Born May 25, 1929 in Chester, South Carolina
Died July 13, 2016 at the age of 87 in Plano, Texas
Patriot defensive line coach, 1962-1963
Pats résumé: two seasons coaching


Francis Marion Campbell played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs from 1949 until 1951, where he was nicknamed "Swamp Fox" after Revolutionary War General Francis Marion. He was a defensive lineman who was drafted by San Francisco in 1952, then traded to Philadelphia in 1956. Campbell became far more productive with the Eagles; he was named to his first Pro Bowl in 1959, and in 1960 he was a First Team All-Pro as the Eagles won the NFL championship 17-13 over Green Bay in Vince Lombardi's one and only playoff loss.

Campbell's final season as a player was in 1961, and he immediately joined the Patriots as their defensive line coach the following year, at the age of 33. That was the start of a 29-year career as an NFL coach that also included stints as a DL coach with the Vikings ('64-'66) and Rams ('67-'68); defensive coordinator for the Falcons ('69-'74), Eagles ('77-'82) and Falcons again ('86); and head coach for the Falcons ('74-'76), Eagles ('83-'85) and Falcons again ('87-'89). Campbell concluded his football coaching career in 1994 as the defensive coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs.


1963 Patriots Media Guide -- page 10

MARION CAMPBELL - DEFENSIVE LINE COACH​

Francis Marion (Swamp Fox) Campbell brought a sweet breath of the South and a stern football background to the Patriots when he was named Defensive Line Coach before the start of the 1962 season.​

A native of Chester, S.C., he won his football spurs at the University of Georgia as an All-South defensive tackle and during eight years in the National League with the San Francisco '49ers and Philadelphia Eagles.​

He reached his peak during the 1959 and 1960 seasons. In the former year, he was named all NFL defensive end and competed in the Pro Bowl classic. The following season he was a member of the Eagles' team that won the championship and he participated again in the Pro Bowl. He voluntarily retired after the 1961 season.​

Taking a look at Campbell's 6'3", 250-pound physique, it took a little courage to discover that his unusual first names came from the South's historic military figure, Colonel Francis Marion. The big fellow, whose soft tones belie an iron fist, is also affectionately addressed as "Swamp" and "Fox" by the Patriots.​

Marion now makes his home in Framingham, Mass. with his wife Ilda and their two-year-old son, Michael Scott, who is already on his way to matching his daddy's size.​

Former Georgia star, Atlanta Falcons coach Marion Campbell dies

Marion Campbell, an All-Southeastern Conference defensive tackle at Georgia who went on to become an NFL head coach and returned for a season as Bulldogs defensive coordinator, died Wednesday at age …

www.augustachronicle.com

As a coach, he was defensive coordinator for the Vikings "Purple People Eaters," the "Fearsome Foursome" with the Rams and also with the Eagles (coaching in Super Bowl XV) and Falcons.​

He was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1981.​

Marion Campbell Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Stats, Coaching Records, Team Ranks, Coordinators, and more for Marion Campbell on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Pro Football Archives -- Marion Campbell Coaching Record

Marion Campbell - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

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Today in Patriots History
Shawn Bouwens​

Happy 57th birthday to Shawn Bouwens
Born May 25, 1968 in Lincoln, Nebraska
Patriot guard, 1990 offseason; uniform #69
Pats 9th round (226th overall) selection of the 1990 draft, from Nebraska-Wesleyan
Pats résumé: one offseason and training camp


Shawn Bouwens did not survive final roster cuts as a rookie, and was signed soon after by the Browns to their practice squad. That turned out to be a lucky break for Bouwens: the Pats went 1-15 in one of the worst seasons of any NFL team over the last 75 years. Detroit signed Bouwens early in the 1991 offseason, and he played four seasons with the Lions before finishing his NFL career in 1995 with Jacksonville. The Division 3 prospect may have never made it with the Pats, but overall Bouwens played in 73 NFL games with 42 starts.

Shawn Bouwens (2000) - Hall of Fame - Nebraska Wesleyan University Athletics

Shawn Bouwens, Class: 1997 Induction: 2000 Sport(s): Football - Shawn Bouwens, a graduate of Lincoln Northeast High School, was one of the most dominant offensive

nwusports.com

Shawn Bouwens: NFL to Scooter's Coffee Success

Former NFL player Shawn Bouwens tackled a new goal: multi-unit Scooter's Coffee franchise owner. Learn about his journey to entrepreneurial success!

franchising.scooterscoffee.com

Bouwens has found success in a career off the playing field. It’s a well-documented feat that many athletes to this day have difficulty navigating. Bouwens is first to admit it took him about 18 months to find his footing. “It was tough. When I was playing ball, that was my identity. That’s all I knew. When I retired, I knew it was going to be difficult. It wasn’t that I didn’t have a sense of purpose. But I ate, slept and drank football. Then it was gone. It was difficult not being recognized or being able to say, ‘Yes, I do play football.’”​

“He mowed the lawn like clockwork for the first two years of retirement,” Tracy says. “I remember saying to myself, ‘again with the grass.’ The NFL does a good job educating and preparing players and wives of the various aspects of being a professional athlete, including the exit strategy. But discussing it and going through it was two different cases. When we went through it, it was hard. It was an interesting transition. We didn’t really have a plan for after the NFL.”​

What they did have was each other. Tracy, who stayed at home to raise their three children while Shawn was playing, was now on a mission. She was ready to be an entrepreneur. Just as Tracy cheered Shawn on the field, he was now doing the same, as Tracy researched America’s love affair with specialty coffee.​

That’s how they were introduced to Scooter’s Coffee. “We were watching the coffee industry emerge in the Midwest, and we’re ready to make the investment,” says Shawn. “After meeting with (Scooter’s Coffee co-founder) Don Eckles, we knew they were a perfect fit for us.”​

Shawn wasn’t exactly sitting on the sidelines as Tracy was conducting her research. He was getting back to his family roots. While he and Tracy were cultivating their blooming Scooter’s Coffee franchise, Shawn was also jumpstarting his own general contracting business. Construction is something he’s passionate about. Bouwens advises athletes that it’s the passion for their post-athletic career that will keep them sane​

Bouwens Contracting | Kansas City | Commercial Contracting Services

Commerical contracting providing services to the Kansas City and Omaha area.

www.bcscontracting.com

Pro Football Archives -- Shawn Bouwens Transactions











Other pro football players born on May 25 with New England area connections:

Pete Hunter, 45 (May 25, 1980)
Draft Pick Trade
April 21, 2002: Pats traded their 2002 5th round pick (168th overall, Pete Hunter) to Dallas for a 2002 7th round pick (237th overall, Antwoine Womack) and 2003 5th round pick (140th overall subsequently traded for Isaac Sopoaga)
Hunter played in 34 games with six starts from 2002-2006.


Zak DeOssie, 41 (May 25, 1984)
Born and raised in North Andover; Phillips Andover Academy; Brown University
Zak was the first player from Brown to ever be invited to the NFL Combine, and his father Steve finished his NFL career with the Pats in 1994-95. Zak was a long snapper for the Giants, playing in 199 games from 2007 to 2019.


Gennaro DiNapoli, 50 (May 25, 1975)
Milford Academy, Milford CT
C/G was a 4th round pick by the Raiders in 1998, playing in 39 games with 27 starts from '98 to 2003.


Archie Golembeski (May 25, 1900 - March 9, 1976)
Raised in Worcester; Worcester Classical High School; Holy Cross
Golembeski was an All-East All-Star at Holy Cross. He played guard, end and center for the Providence Steam Roller in the twenties, then was the Steam Roller's head coach in 1925. Archie was also the first basketball coach at Providence College.


Bruce Campbell, 37 (May 25, 1988)
Born and raised in Hamden CT; Hyde Leadership School, New Haven
OT was also a 4th round pick by the Raiders, but in 2010. Played in 19 games for Oakland and Carolina from 2010 to 2012.


Jerome Cunningham, 34 (May 25, 1991)
Born and raised in Waterbury CT; Crosby High School in Waterbury; Southern Connecticut State
No relation to Jermaine, Jerome was a tight end with the Giants, Jets, Tennessee, Detroit and Washington from 2015-2019.


Frank Morris (May 25, 1918 - Oct 16, 1988)
Born and raised in Newton; Our Lady's High School (Newton Catholic); Boston University
Fullback for the Chicago Bears in 1942.


Bob Haas (May 25, 1906 - Sept, 1979)
Worcester State
Haas is the one and only Worcester State University alum to ever play in the NFL.
He was a single wing back for the 1929 Dayton Triangles.


Ben Mason, 26 (May 25, 1999)
Born and raised in Newtown CT; Newtown High School
Fullback from Michigan was a 2021 5th round draft pick by Baltimore, from Michigan




Since today is also Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher's 47th birthday, it is appropriate to finish with this video:

Tom Brady Remembers Time He Juked HOFer Brian Urlacher | Pro Football Hall of Fame

Brady - "Lucky I didn't get my head taken off"

www.profootballhof.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Kevin O'Connell​

Happy 40th birthday to Shawn Bouwens
Born May 25, 1985 in Knoxville; hometown Carlsbad, California
Patriot quarterback, 2008; uniform #5
Pats 3rd round (94th overall) selection of the 2008 draft, from San Diego State
Pats résumé: one season, two games; 4-6 for 23 yards, 73.6 passer rating


With Matt Cassel set to become a free agent in 2009 and undrafted rookie Matt Gutierrez the only other backup quarterback on the roster, the Patriots elected to use a relatively early draft pick on another QB - despite Tom Brady coming off a record-setting year. Then Bernard Pollard happened - but Cassel performed well enough to never give The New England coaching staff a reason to insert KOC into a meaningful game situation. O'Connell appeared in two 2008 games, going 4/6 for 23 yards.


At the time it just blew me away why a team would use that early of a draft pick on a player that was not expected to ever get on the field, except to hold the ball for an extra point. Brady was only 31 and coming off an MVP season where he had thrown 50 touchdowns and 4800 yards. Even if you thought TB12 might start slowing down around age 35, by then KOC is a free agent. It made no sense to me whatsoever then, and makes less sense now. The selection was a complete head-scratcher that never made any sense.


Maybe the coaching staff was overly enamored with his meticulous volumes of notes taken from every game he played in, or seduced by his affinity to watch and break down game film. Who knows...


The Patriots traded Cassel to Kansas City, which should have opened up the door for KOC to be #2 on the depth chart. In a preseason week three loss to Washington, Tom Brady hit Randy Moss for a pair of touchdown passes before leaving with a shoulder injury on a hit by Albert Haynesworth. O'Connell came in and proceeded to complete five of his ten passes: three to fellow Patriots, and two to players on the opposing defense. Undrafted rookie Brian Hoyer and veteran free agent Andrew Walter both outperformed O'Connell in training camp and preseason games, and KOC was KO'd, unceremoniously released without a final chance of redemption prior to the fourth preseason game. It was one of the rare instances when an NFL player drafted in the first three rounds was cut after just one season.

Over the next four years O'Connell spent time with the Lions, Jets, Dolphins, Jets again, and Chargers. Other than being named captain for a game against the Patriots (a typical Rex Ryan failed psychological ploy), O'Connell never appeared on the field in another NFL game. His final stop was with the Chargers during their 2012 training camp.


Similar to former Patriot quarterbacks Kliff Kingsbury and Matt Cavanaugh, Kevin O'Connell has had more success in the coaching ranks than he did as an NFL quarterback. KOC is in his seventh season as an NFL coach. He started out as the quarterbacks coach for the Browns in 2015, then became a coaching assistant for the 49ers in 2016. O'Connell was hired by Washington to be their QB coach in 2017, was elevated to passing game coordinator and QB coach in 2018, and then promoted to Offensive Coordinator for the 2019 season. In his second season as OC for the Los Angeles Rams he successfully oversaw the transition from Jared Goff to Matthew Stafford as the starting quarterback, with the Rams winning Super Bowl 56. O'Connell now faces another QB challenge as the Vikings transition from Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold to virtual-rookie J.J. McCarthy.

June 4, 2008:

Meet the Rookies: QB Kevin O'Connell

A four-year captain in college, the second of the Pats' 2008 third-rounders has all the tools, mental as well as physical, to be a successful NFL QB. The question is, what will O'Connell's role be with the Patriots?

www.patriots.com

Aug 3, 2009: (Fun read that begins with rumors of signing QB Cleo Lemon; OLB Vince Redd's release; and 'oh, by the way', the signing of another OLB who can also be the long snapper, Rob Ninkovich.)

PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK: O’Connell stays the course

Tom Brady’s backup blocks out talk that help (no, not Michael Vick) may be on its way while focusing on the task at hand.

www.patriotledger.com

Aug 21, 2009:

Kevin O’Connell gets a shot

FOXBORO – After spending most of his time taking shotgun snaps at San Diego State, Kevin O’Connell is still not completely comfortable under center. The Patriots backup quarterback was 8-of-15 for 84 yards and one sack in last n…

www.bostonherald.com

Aug 31, 2009:

Patriots pull plug on backup Kevin O’Connell

There were certainly high hopes for Kevin O’Connell, the promising signal-caller out of San Diego State. But after one season holding the clipboard and a training camp plagued by errors, the Patriots pulled the plug on the 2008 third-round …

www.bostonherald.com

Jan 29, 2019:

Kevin O'Connell promoted by Redskins to offensive coordinator

Kevin O'Connell, who served as the Redskins' quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator last season, will replace Matt Cavanaugh as offensive coordinator.

www.espn.com

Jan 11, 2020: (I found this one interesting in regards to his note-taking and film study as a player)

4 things to know about new Rams OC Kevin O'Connell

For the first time since 2017, Sean McVay will have an offensive coordinator. The Rams are hiring Kevin O'Connell to take over that role next season, effectively replacing co-coordinators Shane Waldron and Aaron Kromer. This is a major change for McVay and the staf

theramswire.usatoday.com

Feb 13, 2020:

Habits from playing career shape Kevin O'Connell's coaching career

New Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell was a coach long before he officially joined a pro staff.

www.therams.com

Nov 23, 2020:

Rams coordinator Kevin O'Connell gained knowledge as Tom Brady's teammate

Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell was Tom Brady's teammate with New England in 2008, when the Patriots drafted O'Connell out of San Diego State.

www.latimes.com

March 3, 2021:

McVay: OC Kevin O'Connell "has a huge say and a huge influence on how we want to operate, and I think even more so moving forward"

Blocking offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell from interviewing for the same position with another NFL team reflects his value to the Rams coaching staff moving forward, according to head coach Sean McVay.

www.therams.com

Vikings.com bio: Kevin O'Connell

Kevin O'Connell was named the 10th head coach in Minnesota Vikings history on Feb. 16, 2022, after serving as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams during the 2020-21 seasons.​

In his first two seasons at the helm of the Vikings, O'Connell became the fastest head coach in team history to reach 20 wins, needing just 30 games to do so (at Las Vegas in Week 14 of 2023). He broke Dennis Green's record, who won 20 games as the Vikings head coach in his first 32 games during the 1992-93 seasons.​

O'Connell navigated the 2023 season with four different starting quarterbacks, the most in franchise history, due to a season-ending injury to QB Kirk Cousins in Week 8. In addition to Cousins, rookie Jaren Hall, Joshua Dobbs and Nick Mullens each started multiple games for the Vikings in 2023. Minnesota won three consecutive games with a different starting quarterback in Weeks 8-10 (Cousins, Hall and Dobbs), and as a result of that stretch, O'Connell became the 11th head coach in NFL history to lead a team to three straight victories with three different starting QBs, and the first to do so since Bill O'Brien in 2015 (Houston Texans).​

In his first season as head coach in 2022, O'Connell led the Vikings to 13 wins, the most by any first-year head coach in franchise history, earning the club's first division title since 2017. O'Connell had seven players win Player of the Week awards in 2022, also the most by a first-year head coach in franchise history, seven notched Pro Bowl berths and three earned Associated Press All-Pro honors.​

O'Connell heavily emphasized his team becoming "situational masters," pointing to areas that might not always be prominent on stat sheets, but are crucial to winning games. Minnesota saw immediate improvement in these areas, finishing 11-0 in one-score games during the regular season after going 5-8 in those same situations in 2021. The team also had an NFL-record-tying 10 comeback wins this season, including overcoming a 33-point halftime deficit in Week 15 against the Colts, the greatest comeback in NFL history.​

In 2021, he led the Rams to finish ninth in total offense (372.1 yards per game), helped his unit rank second in plays of 50-plus yards (10), fourth in yards per play (5.98) and eighth in offensive touchdowns (51). Under the guidance of O'Connell, Rams QB Matthew Stafford and WR Cooper Kupp both had career years in 2021. Stafford set the single-season team record for passing yards (4,886) and tied Kurt Warner from his 1999 MVP season for the most passing touchdowns in a season by a Rams quarterback with 41, while also winning his first playoff game in his 13th season in the NFL. Kupp, who was named 2021 NFL Offensive Player of the Year by The Associated Press and Super Bowl LVI MVP, had one of the best receiving seasons in NFL history, leading the NFL in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947) and receiving touchdowns (16), earning AP First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors.​

Prior to joining the Rams, O'Connell worked in Washington, serving as the quarterbacks coach in 2017-18 and the offensive coordinator in 2019. O'Connell coached Cousins in 2017, helping him throw for more than 4,000 yards and 27 touchdowns, and record a career-high 342 rushing yards and a league-leading four game-winning drives. Cousins' 4,093 passing yards marked his third-consecutive 4,000-yard passing season, helping him become the 11th quarterback in NFL history to accomplish this feat. During the 2018 season, O'Connell was tasked with getting three different quarterbacks (Josh Johnson, Colt McCoy and Mark Sanchez) up to speed following a devastating injury to starting QB Alex Smith.​

As a player, O'Connell was drafted in the third round (94th pick) of the 2008 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots out of San Diego State. He played one season for the Patriots behind QB Matt Cassel following a season-ending injury to QB Tom Brady. During the 2009 preseason, O'Connell was claimed by the Detroit Lions and was then later traded to the New York Jets for a seventh-round pick. Before his NFL career ended in 2012, O'Connell spent time with the Miami Dolphins, a second-stint with the Jets and the San Diego Chargers.​

As a four-year captain at San Diego State, O'Connell finished his career after appearing in 40 games while ranking third in completions (664), fourth in passing yards (7,689) and fifth in passing touchdowns (46) in school history. The Carlsbad, Calif., native and his wife, Leah, have two sons, Kaden and Kolten, and two daughters, Quinn and Callie. O'Connell's father, Bill, was a longtime FBI agent, and his mother, Suzanne had a career as an educator. O'Connell has an older sister, Kelley, who is an attorney.​

What we were saying on the forum messageboard about KOC back then:

Is Kevin O'Connell, Steve Young to Tom Brady's, Montana??

Time to get the hype machine in full gear! First of all let's look at the size of Kevin O'Connell. 6'5 225 lbs. Excellent height to see the field. Solid weight. http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/kevin-o'connell?id=371 Next let's look at what he can do with his feet. He holds the school...

www.patsfans.com

Kevin O'Connell would bring much more excitement to the season

Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco are already starting, why not Kevin O'Connell? Neither of these guys have NFL experience, but that's what this game is about is getting opportunities and learning. Matt Cassell is what he is, we know what we'll more than likely get out of him now that he's in his...

www.patsfans.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
20th Century May 25 News​

May 25, 1980:
Pats sign two undrafted players: Jonathan Koneeny and Steve Beal

I don't know anything about Koneey, but Beal is still the all-time single-season sacks leader in UConn's history with 13 in 1978. Neither one ever made it onto a regular season NFL roster.




May 25, 1982:
Patriots trade DE John Lee to Chicago for an undisclosed draft pick

John Lee was a career backup (52 games with 14 starts in six NFL seasons), which is not surprising considering his draft status (13th round, 351st overall in 1976, from Nebraska). The Pats claimed him off waivers from the Chargers late in the 1981 season after rookie DE Steve Clark was placed on IR. Lee started the final four games of the 1981 season for the Pats, then in the following offseason Ron Meyer replaced Ron Erhardt as head coach. After the draft and signing undrafted rookies, one of the first actions by the Meyer regime was to shed some of the 2-14 Erhardt leftovers; Lee was was literally the first to be let go. Lee spent part of the 1982 offseason with Chicago and Washington before being waived by both NFL teams, then went to the USFL, where he had 24 sacks in 1983-84 for the Chicago Blitz and Arizona Wranglers.

John Lee - USFL (United States Football League)

The online home and historical archive for the United States Football League (USFL) featuring stories, pictures, stats and video.

www.usflsite.com

May 25, 1983:
New England signs Nebraska DE Toby Williams, their 10th round (265th overall) pick of the 1983 draft

The Ultimate Patriots Draft: A Look at Their History of Player Selection by Range, Not Round

Based on how the draft is currently structured -- 32 picks per round -- here are Chad Finn's picks for the best Patriots picks in their history, in 32-pick increments. Trust me, it'll make sense, and I promise not to do this again next year ...

www.boston.com

BEST PLAYER CHOSEN FROM 257-288​

Toby Williams, DT/DE, 265th, 1983​

Williams, who played 80 games for the Patriots and collected 15 sacks in six seasons, is the best of a marginal bunch. Receiver Ricky Feacher (270th, ’76) had a decade-long run as a kick returner for the Browns.​

May 25, 1989:
The Patriots re-sign free agent kicker Jason Staurovsky
Staurovsky played in 40 games for the Pats from 1988 to 1991, connecting on 73% of his field goal attempts.

May 25, 1994:
Around the NFL -- Washington Post

The Patriots signed T Ervin Collier (3rd round, Texas A&M), C Joe Burch (3rd round, Texas Southern), TE John Burke (4th round, Virginia Tech) and S Steve Hawkins (6th round, Western Michigan.​

In his second season as New England's head coach, Bill Parcells whiffed on the two third round picks, as neither Collier nor Burch ever played in the NFL. Burke lasted three seasons, with 25 receptions for 251 yards and no touchdowns. Hawkins was convereted to wide receiver, appearing in seven games with two catches in his only season in the NFL.

 

[Pape]

Today in Patriots History
Donnell Smith​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
21st Century May 25 Trivia​

May 25, 2006:

Pats release Loyd

The Patriots have released linebacker Jeremy Loyd after signing him May 8.

www.boston.com

The Patriots released linebacker Jeremy Loyd today. He was originally signed May 8 and was a longshot to make the 53-man roster.​

Loyd spoke last week about how he had just attended the Dolphins’ minicamp on a tryout when the Patriots called to work him out. He expressed excitement about joining the team after signing a one-year deal.​

In 14 career games with the Rams, all of Loyd’s playing time came on special teams. He had entered the league as a rookie free agent in 2003 out of Iowa State.​

May 25, 2010:

Patriots Sign Taylor Price and Ted Larsen - NESN.com

FOXBORO, Mass. — The Patriots have officially signed two of their 12 draft picks, and if owner Robert Kraft tipped his hand Thursday, a third signee isn’t far behind. Kraft was asked about the two signings — third-round wide receiver Taylor Price and sixth-round offensive lineman Ted Larsen —...

nesn.com

Price becomes highest signed draft pick

Patriots come to terms with third-rounder.

www.boston.com

Patriots third-round pick Taylor Price has come to terms on a four-year, $3.35 million contract, according to a source, making the Ohio Univ. product the highest signed draft pick in the league.​

Price was impressive during minicamp, but is considered a bit of a raw prospect having come from Frank Solich’s option offense in Athens. And despite having signed, Price is not permitted to report to Foxborugh until after June 11, the final day of finals at OU. That means we probably won’t see him again until the full-squad minicamp June 15-17.​

May 25, 2012:
The Patriots reach the 90-man roster limit after signing veteran free agent Jamey Richard

The New England native would be placed on injured reserve on August 2 and never catch on with another NFL team again after that.

OL Jamey Richard signed by Pats

New England adds depth on the offensive line.

www.boston.com

The Patriots have signed G/C Jamey Richard, according to league sources.​

The 27-year old Richard is 6-foot-5, 295 pounds, and was originally a 7th round pick of the Colts in 2008 out of the University of Buffalo, though he has New England roots: he was born in Weston, Conn. and played at Weston High.​

Richard played in 48 games over four seasons with Indianapolis, with 11 starts (seven in ’08 and four in 2010).​

He and two other free-agent offensive linemen were in Foxborough this week for workouts with the team, and with Richard signing, it was clear the team was in the market for a lineman to help with depth and not just doing due diligence with their visits.​

May 25, 2017:

Patriots sign WR Andrew Hawkins

The New England Patriots announced today that they have signed WR Andrew Hawkins.

www.patriots.com

Hawkins, 31, is a veteran of six NFL seasons with Cincinnati (2011-13) and Cleveland (2014-16). The 5-foot-7, 180-pounder, originally entered the NFL as a free agent with St. Louis out of Toldeo. Hawkins began his professional career with the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League where he helped the team capture consecutive Grey Cup championships. Hawkins has played in 74 regular-season games with 30 starts and posted 209 receptions for 2,419 yards and nine touchdowns. He has also appeared in three postseason contests and caught six passes for 43 yards. His most productive NFL season came with the Browns in 2014 when he totaled 63 receptions for 824 yards and tow touchdowns.​

WR Andrew Hawkins signs one-year deal with Patriots

The Patriots signed former Browns and Bengals wide receiver Andrew Hawkins to a one-year deal, adding to their loaded depth chart at the position.

www.espn.com

Already loaded at the wide receiver position, the New England Patriots added another layer Wednesday by signing Andrew Hawkins to a one-year contract.​

Hawkins confirmed the deal on Uninterrupted, the network developed by LeBron James and his business partner Maverick Carter, saying, "I'm super excited about the opportunity to join the reigning football champions. I exited Cleveland, and I said it was about joining a contender and the Patriots are the contender, the reigning champs. The program is top-notch and you get the opportunity to play with the best quarterback and the best coach in NFL history."​

Hawkins added that he passed up on deals that "were probably double the compensation" with other teams.​

"It's all about winning for me at this point, and putting myself in the best position to do so. I have my work cut out for me, it's an opportunity, and that's how I'm approaching it: Go in there, seeing how I stack up with the best, and try to earn my keep and prove my worth. Hopefully I can be a part of something special and kind of join that Patriots legacy."​

To make room for Hawkins, the Patriots waived wide receiver Devin Street.​

The Patriots announced the signing on Thursday, but did not disclose terms.​

Hawkins, 31, worked out for the team last week. He most recently made headlines by earning his master's degree from Columbia with a 4.0 GPA.​

Hawkins joins a crowded depth chart headlined by Brandin Cooks, Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Malcolm Mitchell and Danny Amendola, so he isn't assured a spot on the 53-man roster.​

The Browns had released him on Feb. 27 in a move the wide receiver agreed was best for all parties.​

The Browns are a young team that drafted four receivers a year ago. Even though none had an outstanding rookie season, the Browns wanted to give them a longer look.​

Hawkins signed with the Browns as a restricted free agent in the spring of 2014. He led Cleveland with 63 catches and 824 yards in his first season, but had just 60 catches the past two seasons combined.​

Hawkins played for the Bengals in his first three NFL seasons.​

While it is commendable that Hawkins turned down more money to sign from another team, it may not have been the wisest choice. Aside from the extra salary, he had more of a chance to make the roster with some other team. Hawkins saw the writing on the wall and retired on the day that veterans were to report for the start of training camp.

On the other hand, Hawkins already had his eyes set on a post-NFL career.

Andrew Hawkins: From the NFL to Master’s Student

Alum Andrew Hawkins is now Director of Business Development at The Robot Company, a multimedia platform for athletes.

sps.columbia.edu

Andrew Hawkins - StatusPro | LinkedIn

Experience: StatusPro · Education: Columbia University in the City of New York · Location: Los Angeles · 500+ connections on LinkedIn. View Andrew Hawkins’ profile on LinkedIn, a professional community of 1 billion members.

www.linkedin.com

May 25, 2023:

Patriots' Raekwon McMillan suffers Achilles injury at OTAs, set to miss entire 2023 season, per report

New England placed the linebacker on IR

www.cbssports.com

The Patriots will be down a key reserve for the 2023 NFL season after linebacker Raekwon McMillan suffered a partial Achilles tear at organized team activities (OTAs) this week, according to The Athletic. New England has since placed the veteran on injured reserve, meaning he'll be forced to miss the entire season.​

During the season, players can be designated to return from IR, but an offseason move to IR means the only way a player can suit up again is if he is released with an injury settlement and signs elsewhere.​

Patriots agree to terms with veteran tight end Anthony Firkser, per report

Firkser will compete for the No. 3 tight end spot on New England's roster

www.cbssports.com

The New England Patriots have agreed to terms with free agent tight end and former Harvard standout Anthony Firkser, according to ESPN. The specific details of Firkser's deal that find him heading to Foxborough were not immediately disclosed.​

Firkser entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He initially signed on with the New York Jets but was released during final roster cuts that summer. He latched on with the Chiefs practice squad for his rookie season and eventually found his way to the Tennessee Titans in 2018. With the Titans, Firkser carved out a role as a top blocker while sprinkling in some production as a pass catcher. He played in Nashville from 2018 through the 2021 season. He spent last season with the Atlanta Falcons.​

For his career, Firkser has hauled in 115 passes for 1,207 yards and five touchdowns in 69 regular season games. For those in New England, The 28-year-old may be best remembered by his performance in Tennessee's wild-card victory over the Patriots during the 2019 playoffs (aka Tom Brady's last game for the franchise). In that 20-13 victory, Firkser caught two passes for 23 yards and a touchdown.​

As he now joins the Patriots, the veteran will come in and compete for the No. 3 spot on the tight end depth chart behind Hunter Henry and fellow free agent signee Mike Gesicki. His blocking prowess could give him an edge over the likes of fellow tight ends Matt Sokol, Scotty Washington, and Johnny Lumpkin, who make up the rest of the tight ends on New England's 90-man offseason roster.​

May 25, 2024:
365 days ago this is what the forum was discussing in an 80-comment thread

Thread 'Judon Close to an extension?'

May 25, 2024

I quoted his Tweet on the @PatsFans account, but Judson’s post has a lot of people thinking he’s possibly close to an extension.

• Ian
• Replies: 80
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum