May 31 in Pats History: A Wild and Crazy JAG

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
A Wild and Crazy JAG​

Happy 47th birthday to Steve Martin
Born May 31, 1974 in St. Paul, Minnesota
Patriot DT, 2002; uniform #90

No relation to the wild and crazy comedian, the Patriots signed the 6'4", 320 lb veteran on April 3, 2002. A fifth round draft pick by the Colts in 1996 out of Missouri, he was viewed as a being a two-down player, superior against the run and average versus the pass.

Martin played in 14 games with five starts while with the Patriots, but was unhappy with his decreased role and playing time - and let that be known to the New York press prior to an upcoming game against his prior team, the Jets. Aside from his not keeping these matters in house, this was also on the heels of a loss to Tennessee in which the Patriots allowed 238 yards rushing to drop to 8-6. The combination of a bit too much mouth and not enough run stuffing led to a swift pink slip, as Bill Belichick cut Martin while the ink on those newspapers was still wet.

Steve Martin played in 127 games with 51 starts over nine NFL seasons, constantly moving from one team to the next. His longest tenure was his first, two seasons plus a month in Indy. After that Martin played with the Eagles for a year and a half, then one season or less with the Chiefs, Jets, Patriots, Texans and Vikings.

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Happy 30th birthday to Shamiel Gary
Born May 31, 1990 in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Patriot S, 2014 offseason and 2016 practice squad; uniform #31
Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 12, 2014

The Oklahoma State Cowboy was released on August 30, 2014 and never got on the field for the Pats. He did play six games for Miami in three for the Bills in 2017. Gary also spent times on the practice squads for the Bears, Dolphins, Vikings, Patriots and Bills, and in 2014 was with the Boston Boxers of the short-lived Fall Experimental Football League. He is now back in Tulsa, self employed as a motivational speaker and real estate investor.

James White on a 68-yard catch-and-run avoiding the tackle by Miami Dolphins strong safety Reshad Jones and defensive back Shamiel Gary (27) during the third quarter of a game at Sun Life Stadium on January 03, 2016.​

Aug 8, 2014 preseason depth chart:

Meet Shamiel - Shamiel Gary | Keynote Speaker | NFL Athlete

Father, collegiate athlete, NFL athlete, entrepreneur and author, Shamiel Gary is one of the most highly sought after speakers in the world.

www.shamielgary.com

Tackling life

What if we knew we didn’t have tomorrow? Would you do anything different today? Former NFL player and motivational speaker Shamiel Gary visited Beaty Warren Middle School for the first time to share with students the importance of perseverance when facing your fears and chasing your dreams. Gary...

www.timesobserver.com

May 31, 2001: Patriots sign veteran free agent wide receivers Charles Johnson and Torrance Small
Johnson was a first round draft pick in 1994, and had spent five seasons in Pittsburgh and two in Philadelphia. With Terry Glenn either suspended or deactivated most of the 2001 season, Johnson was the number three option at wide receiver - on a team that rarely used three WR formations. He played in 14 games (plus all three playoff games), with 14 receptions and one touchdown. Johnson also had two receptions in the AFCCG versus Pittsburgh.

Small was a 31 year old veteran who had averaged 43 receptions and four touchdowns over the previous seven seasons. Part of the revolving door at wide receiver in an attempt to replace Glenn behind Troy Brown and David Patten that year, Small appeared in just three games with four receptions early in the season, for what turned out to be his final stop in the NFL.




Other pro football players with New England area connections born on this date:
- Jim Del Gaizo, 74 (May 31, 1947); QB 1972-1974.
Born in Everett and an alum of Revere High School class of '65, Del Gaizo got a ring as a backup QB with the '72 Dolphins.
- John LoVetere (5/31/36-10/27/12); DT 1959-65.
Born in Boston, he made the Pro Bowl in '63 and played in 77 games for the Rams and Giants.
- Colonel James 'Big Jim' Landrigan (5/31/23-6/24/74); offensive lineman for Colts and Steelers. Jim went to Wakefield High School, Holy Cross and Dartmouth.



Notable NFL players born today:
- Joe Namath, 78
- Richard 'Batman' Wood, 68
- Norm Johnson, 61
- Jordy Nelson, 36

 

[captain stone]

Tyler Gaffney...Still at the bottom the depth chart...Way to go Bill...

 

[captain stone]

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May 31, 2001: Patriots sign veteran free agent wide receivers Charles Johnson and Torrance Small
Johnson was a first round draft pick in 1994, and had spent five seasons in Pittsburgh and two in Philadelphia. With Terry Glenn either suspended or deactivated most of the 2001 season, Johnson was the number three option at wide receiver - on a team that rarely used three WR formations. He played in 14 games (plus all three playoff games), with 14 receptions and one touchdown. Johnson also had two receptions in the AFCCG versus Pittsburgh.

Small was a 31 year old veteran who had averaged 43 receptions and four touchdowns over the previous seven seasons. Part of the revolving door at wide receiver in an attempt to replace Glenn behind Troy Brown and David Patten that year, Small appeared in just three games with four receptions early in the season, for what turned out to be his final stop in the NFL.

Shoulda just drafted Justin McCareins instead of Jabari Holloway.