Today In Patriots History May 6, 2019: Rodney Harrison elected to Pats Hall of Fame

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
One Red Jacket Down,
One Gold Jacket To Go​

May 6, 2019:
The New England Patriots announce that Rodney Harrison has been elected to the Pats Hall of Fame. The Sunday Night Football analyst won the 2019 fan voting over Richard Seymour and Mike Vrabel.


The strong safety spent the final six seasons of his 15-year NFL career with the Pats, after playing in San Diego for nine years. He admirably filled a large void on the defense when Lawyer Milloy was released as a cap casualty at the start of the 2003 season. Rodney played a key role in the Patriots winning back-to-back Super Bowl titles in his first two seasons in Foxborough.


Rodney Harrison was a clutch performer, with seven interceptions in nine playoff games with the Pats - including two in Super Bowl 39. His seven postseason interceptions are tied for the third-most in NFL history. In his first two seasons in New England, Harrison was not only the team's leading tackler each year, but also led all NFL defensive backs in tackles in both seasons. He was also the leading tackler in the '03 and '04 postseasons, while also registering two sacks, six interceptions, seven passes deflections and two forced fumbles in those six games.


Rodney is the all-time NFL leader in sacks by a defensive back with 30½, including nine while with the Pats. He was the first player in NFL history to have 30 sacks and 30 interceptions, and the only defensive back to do so - with eight of those picks coming during his Patriots career. (Pro Football Hall of Fame CB Ronde Barber has 47 picks, but fell short of the dual-milestone with 28 sacks. The only other 30-30 player is another Hall of Famer, linebacker RLKAG.) Add in a whopping seven post-season picks, and Rodney's actual career totals are 41 interceptions and 32½ sacks.


Harrison was voted a team captain in each of his six seasons with the Patriots and is a member of the New England Patriots All-Decade Team of the 2000s; the Pats All-Dynasty Team; the Pats 50th Anniversary Team; and the San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team. There is no genuine, valid reason for his not being in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I have to assume that this is yet another case where the Patriots HoF representative - lazy plagiarizer Ron Borges - is doing a disservice to the team, and not strongly advocating for Rodney (or any other Pats).


Let's compare apples to apples, two strong safeties: Hall of Famer John Lynch vs Rodney Harrison.
The stats include regular season and playoffs.
Rodney played in a total of 199 games, John Lynch played in 236.

Sacks: Harrison 32½, Lynch 13
Interceptions: Harrison 41, Lynch 28
Tackles for a Loss: Harrison 43, Lynch 28
Passes Defensed: Harrison 85, Lynch 77
Forced Fumbles: Harrison 20, Lynch 9
Fumble Recoveries: Harrison 9, Lynch 9
Defensive Touchdowns: Harrison 4, Lynch 0
Super Bowl Rings: Harrison 2, Lynch 1
(NFL only started tracking TFL and PD in 1999; both players miss out on about the same amount of time for these stats, 48 games as a starter for Rodney vs 55 for Lynch.)

This is not an attempt to bash John Lynch; he was a helluva good player, and deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

But how can anyone possibly justify his inclusion, but not Rodney's?

Until Rodney gets in as well, it is the Hall of Sham, not the Hall of Fame.



Nice summary of Rodney's impact when he retired below, by the Globe's Chad Finn:

Rodney remembered

Graceful exits are scarce in professional sports, maybe because it’s usually someone else telling you it’s time to go. For those whose final act on a football field is to be carted off to a round of bittersweet applause, you’d think it might be particularly agonizing to say goodbye. Jim...

www.boston.com

Rodney Harrison voted into Patriots Hall of Fame | The Patriots Hall of Fame

www.patriotshalloffame.com

Safety Snub: Patriots' Rodney Harrison Denied Hall of Fame

Rodney Harrison, already enshrined in the New England Patriots Hall of Fame, was not chosen for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

www.si.com

Rodney Harrison | The Patriots Hall of Fame

www.patriotshalloffame.com

Best of Rodney Harrison | Career Highlights
4:11 Highlight Video



Rodney Harrison - {Career Highlights} Necessary Roughness!!!!
8:50 Highlight Video by former forum member Jsn
​

Rodney Harrison Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

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

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
NE trades a future All-Pro MVP QB
seven days after drafting him​

May 6, 1987:
The New England Patriots trade their fourth-round draft pick, Delaware QB Rich Gannon, to the Minnesota Vikings for fourth and eleventh round draft picks in 1988.


The Patriots wanted to convert the Yankee Conference Offensive Player of the Year to either running back, defensive back or wide receiver - but Gannon wanted no part of that. He forced a trade and went on to become a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback, passing for 28,743 yards and 180 touchdowns. Gannon led the NFL in touchdown passes in 2000, and was the league's MVP two years later when he led the NFL in completions, completion percentage, passer rating, and 4,689 yards passing. Gannon retired in 2005 and immediately began working as an in-booth analyst on NFL games with CBS for the next 16 years.

While it seemed as though the Patriots were set with their quarterback depth at the time Gannon was drafted, that did not remain the case for even a single season. The Patriots went through four quarterbacks in Gannon's rookie year of 1987 (five if you include replacement player Bob Bleier), and five more over the course of six seasons. The Pats could have used Gannon while he was in Minnesota as Wade Wilson's backup. From 1987 to 1992 the Pats QB position was a revolving door, with Steve Grogan (8-12), Tony Eason (3-5), Doug Flutie (8-5), Tom Ramsey (2-2), Marc Wilson (1-9), Tommy Hodson (1-11), Hugh Millen (5-15), Scott Zolak (2-2) and Jeff Carlson (0-2) all taking turns under center, until the Patriots drafted Drew Bledsoe in 1993.


Oct 17, 1991:

VIKINGS’ GANNON NOT PASSED OVER

Rich Gannon knew he was never going to play quarterback for the Patriots as soon as he heard the word athlete. The Patriots made him a 1987 fourth-round draft pick with plans to turn him into a wide receiver, defensive back or running…

www.courant.com

Vikings' Gannon Not Passed Over | Hartford Courant

"I knew the quarterback situation in New England and at the time it was a pretty good one with Grogan and [Tom] Ramsey and [Tony] Eason," Gannon said. "I didn't really see where I fit in. And New England was one of the only teams that didn't work me out. I was sort of confused as to why I was drafted." It became clear when **** Steinberg, now vice president of player operations for the Jets, the Patriots' draft expert at the time, got on the phone.

"[Steinberg] called and said `We're excited about having you, we think you're a great athlete,' " Gannon said. "I started hearing that "athlete" word and I put two and two together. [Former Patriots coach] Raymond Berry got on the phone and he said they were going to try to find the best position for me. I wasn't real pleased. If they were going to draft me as a versatile player or utility player, they should have made that known to me before they drafted me. It wasn't anyone's fault. It was just a misunderstanding." The Patriots have gone through Eason, Ramsey, Marc Wilson and Doug Flutie and are now trying Hugh Millen and Tommy Hodson in search of a replacement for Grogan. Millen will start Sunday.​

Rich Gannon – Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame

desports.org

Rich Gannon (2005) - Hall of Fame - University of Delaware Athletics

University of Delaware Athletics

bluehens.com

Drew Bledsoe & Rich Gannon to be Inducted into National Quarterback Hall of Fame — National Quarterback Club

The National Quarterback Club (NQBC) announced today that Drew Bledsoe and Rich Gannon will be inducted into the National Quarterback Hall of Fame at the 2019 NQBC Awards Dinner and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on January 17, 2020. NQBC will also celebrate Arizonan Bill Shover with the Legacy Rec

www.nationalqbclub.com

299. Rich Gannon

It took a long time before Rich Gannon really had his chance in the NFL and/or found his groove, but once he did, he had a stretch where he was amongst the best Quarterbacks in the National Football League. From the University of Delaware, Gannon was drafted by the New England Patriots in 1987...

www.notinhalloffame.com

Rich Gannon - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GannRi00.htm

Rich Gannon Pro Football Record

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

www.profootballarchives.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
20th Century Trivia​

May 6, 1962:
Mike Holovak signs Brian McNeely to the Boston Patriots

McNeeley was a center/linebacker who didn't have much of a chance to make the roster - listed as third on the depth chart at middle linebacker behind Harry Jacobs and Nick Buoniconti, while Walt Cudzik and Bob Yates were at center. After being released by the Pats, Brian played in the Atlantic Coast Football league from 1963 to 1965 for Boston, New Bedford and Holyoke.

Brian and his brother Tom (a lineman/fullback) were both from Arlington and Michigan State. I couldn't find much else about Brian other than his retiring to Fort Lauderdale, but it sounds like his brother was quite a character. Tom was a brawler who refused to quit, and had fought Floyd Patterson for the heavyweight boxing championship in 1961. Tom later served eight years as the commissioner of the Massachusetts State Boxing Commission.

Tom McNeeley | A Fighter in his Father's Shadow

Tom McNeeley will not go down as a great Heavyweight, but he fought some of the best of his era, he didn't beat any, but he won respect!...

thegruelingtruth.com

Thomas McNeeley Obituary (2011) - Arlington, MA - Boston Globe

View Thomas William McNeeley Jr.'s obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

www.legacy.com

Brian McNeeley Pro Football Record

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

www.profootballarchives.com

May 6, 1971:
The New England (no longer Boston) Patriots sign four of their draft picks

- 6th round pick David Hardt
Attleboro native was a TE from Kentucky; never played in the NFL

- 13th round pick Lewis Swain
Safety from Alabama A&M never played in the NFL

- 14th round pick Alfred Sykes
Florida A&M alum played in four games for the Pats in '71, with one 15-yard reception

- 17th round pick Ron Leigh
DE from Elizabeth City State never played in the NFL

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Marcus Cannon​

Happy 38th birthday to Marcus Cannon
Born May 6, 1988 in Odessa, Texas
Patriot right tackle, 2011-2022; uniform #61
Pats 5th round (138th overall) selection of the 2011 draft, from TCU
Pats résumé: ten seasons, 90-30 record in 120 games (73 starts); 14-5 in 19 playoff games; 3 super bowl rings


On April 20, 2011, just days before Texas Christian offensive line prospect Marcus Cannon was to enter the NFL Draft, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a treatable form of cancer found in lymph tissue. A little more than one week later, the Pats selected Cannon in the fifth round (138th overall) of the draft with the knowledge of his illness. The Patriots placed Cannon on the Reserve/Non Football Injury list to start the 2011 season while he received treatment and recovered. Cannon was activated to the 53-man roster later that year and is now set to enter his ninth season with the team.


Cannon made a full recovery and was named the Patriots 2011 Ed Block Courage Award winner - an annual award presented to select players in the National Football League who are voted by their teammates as role models of inspiration, sportsmanship and courage.


Marcus Cannon played in 124 regular season games with 77 starts: 72 at right tackle, three at left guard and two at left tackle. He also played in 19 playoff games, with the Pats going 14-5 in those contests - and earned three Super Bowl rings.


Back in 2011 the Patriots traded down (shocking, I know), moving down 13 spots in the third round, from #60 to #73 overall, picking up a fifth, #138 in the process. The draft picks were used on Cannon (5th) and Stevan Ridley (3rd) in that draft day trade. In exchange the Texans received a late second round (60th overall) pick used on safety Brandon Harris - who was out of the league in three years, after a 42-game career with zero starts. Captain Obvious proclaims that trade to be a huge win for the Patriots.

Marcus Cannon an all-time great Patriots comeback story

After overcoming non-Hodgkins lymphoma and a draft-day slide, Marcus Cannon proved himself at right tackle, leading to a five-year extension.

www.espn.com

Marcus Cannon NFL Playoff Statistics - Pro Football Archives

The trusted source for NFL playoff information about Marcus Cannon. Get statistics, transactions. biographical data and more at Pro Football Archives.

www.profootballarchives.com

Marcus Cannon Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

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

www.pro-football-reference.com

Marcus Cannon - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Derwin Williams
The first player to cause
the Pats to lose a Draft Pick​

Happy 65th birthday to Derwin Williams
Born May 6, 1961 in Brownwood, Texas
Patriot wide receiver, 1984-1987; uniform #82
Pats 7th round (192nd overall) selection of the 1984 draft, from New Mexico
Pats résumé: three seasons, 42 games (one start); 14 receptions for 228 yards (16.3 ypc)


When the Patriots traded QB Matt Cavanaugh to San Francisco they received three draft picks; the first one was used on Derwin Dewayne Williams.


On August 24, 1984 Williams was playing pretty well in a preseason game. Head Coach Ron Meyer instructed him to go on the field with the kickoff unit, hit somebody, fall down and pretend he had a concussion.


Williams did so, and spent his rookie season on injured reserve. Meyer succeeded in stashing Williams on IR, preventing another team from claiming him off waivers. Problem was the NFL found out, and penalized the Pats for Meyer's chicanery. As a result the Patriots were docked a 1986 third round draft pick.


Derwin Williams appeared in 42 regular season games plus two playoff games with the Pats. Down on the depth chart behind Stanley Morgan and Irving Fryar, he was limited to just one start. With limited reps he had 14 receptions for 228 yards, his final game coming in a 22-17 playoff loss to Denver on January 4, 1987. His primary contributions were on special teams, where he one season he had 15 tackles and a fumble recovery.


In his post-NFL career Williams settled in Pawtucket, RI and went on to become an official in Conference USA, as well as officiating some ECAC and high school games.

​

NFL teams hiding players on the injured reserve list... - UPI Archives

NFL teams hiding players on the injured reserve list can now pay a price....

www.upi.com

Oct 13, 1985 -- Football -- Washington Post

The New England Patriots say they won't appeal a National Football League decision stripping them of their third-round draft choice next season for misusing the injured reserve list. The team announced it was being penalized for placing wide receiver Derwin Williams on the list last season, allegedly with a concussion. Williams later was quoted as saying he was told by Ron Meyer, the Patriots' coach at the time, to fake the injury.​

Sept 22, 2017 -- Obscure Patriot of the Week: Derwin Williams -- NE Patriots Life

This week's Obscure Patriot of the Week goes to Derwin Williams, a wide receiver on that magical Patriots team.​

Williams was selected by the Patriots out of New Mexico in 1984, but missed that whole season on IR and didn't get up and running until 1985. Falling in behind names like Stanley Morgan and Irving Fryar, Williams made one start in his rookie year (the only start of his career) and appeared in all 16 games, catching nine passes for 163 yards.​

Those nine passes turned out to be a career-high, as he spent two more seasons in the league, catching five more passes along the way in 26 more games. His main contributions came on special teams, and according to the Patriots' website, his 15 tackles were fourth-most on the special-teams units.​

Williams left the NFL in 1987, but didn't leave football entirely after that, serving as an official with Conference USA -- a position he still holds today, according to Google. Occasionally, he'll officiate with ECAC Boston, or find a high school game to ref as well.​

Williams' athletic lineage still endures today, as his son, Mason, is a prospect in the New York Yankees organization, having been selected in the fourth round of the 2010 draft. He spent five games with the Yankees this year, before being sent back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in July.​

Derwin Williams Pro Football Record

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

www.profootballarchives.com

Derwin Williams Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

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

www.pro-football-reference.com

Derwin Williams - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Patjew]

I told my dad just this past weekend that Rodney is my favorite Patriot of all time. I was explaining to my daughter's boyfriend what kind of player he was. He is a young Panthers fan and I described Rodney as a Steve Smith type of player that got to tackle and hit people.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Scooter McGruder​

Happy 62nd birthday to Michael McGruder
Born May 6, 1964 in Cleveland
Patriot cornerback, 1996-1997; uniform #27
Signed as an unrestricted veteran free agent on April 5, 1996
Pats résumé: two seasons, 17 games; 25 tackles, 1½ sacks; three playoff games


The final two of Scooter's nine NFL seasons were in Foxboro, where he played in 17 games. Mike McGruder was on the Patriot AFC Championship team that lost to Green Bay in the Super Bowl.


After graduating from Kent State, McGruder began his pro football career with the Oklahoma Outlaws of the USFL in 1984. He then played in the CFL from 1985-88, before signing with Green Bay. From 1989 to 1995 he played for the Packers, Dolphins, 49ers and Buccaneers, before joining the Patriots at the age of 32. A career depth player and special teamer, McGruder played in 92 NFL games with 18 starts over nine seasons.

McGruder has devoted much of his post-football career to charitable causes, including assistance for victims of domestic violence and youth literacy programs.

ABOUT MIKE SCOOTER MCGRUDER - Platinum Charities

MIKE “SCOOTER” MCGRUDER BIO Mike “Scooter” McGruder is a former NFL player. Over his 12-year career, Mike has played in championship games for the Miami Dolphins, the San Francisco 49ers, and in Super Bowl XXXI with the New England Patriots. During Mike’s tenure in San Francisco, he became the...

platinumcharities.org

Mike “Scooter” McGruder is a former NFL player. Over his 12-year career, Mike has played in championship games for the Miami Dolphins, the San Francisco 49ers, and in Super Bowl XXXI with the New England Patriots.​

During Mike’s tenure in San Francisco, he became the team captain and led them in interceptions. He also tied for 3rd in the NFC for most interceptions and was selected as an alternate for the NFL Pro Bowl. In 1998, he announced his retirement.​

Mike was once voted as one of the best names in the NFL and received a True Value Award in 1995 and a Generation Excellence Award in 1997, which was given by United Way because of his impact on the lives of others. He also received an NFL Extra Effort Award and was a finalist in the Bar Starr Award in 1997—this is an award that is voted by NFL players for leading a life that models a high moral character. His former teammate, Steve Young, won this award.​

Mike’s business knowledge and success, has made him a sought-after speaker for high schools, higher education institutions, and corporate functions. He was a partner with the Trinity Entertainment Group for more than 10 years, which won the Blockbuster Video Franchise Award twice. He was also a partner of Trinity Properties, a Texas real estate management company.​

Raised in the inner city of Cleveland, Mike witnessed the devastating effects the streets can have on our youth. Heavily involved in charity work and passionate about improving the lives of others, Mike founded Platinum Charities (PC) in 2010.​

At Noble and Oxford school libraries, Heights all-time great ‘Scooter’ McGruder reads again

Before the extended coronavirus break, retired NFL cornerback, Kent State University great and Heights hero Michael "Scooter" McGruder offered what proved to be some very timely advice when he shared some of his "secrets" to success.

www.cleveland.com

Mike McGruder Pro Football Record

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

profootballarchives.com

Michael McGruder Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

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

www.pro-football-reference.com

Mike McGruder - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org