Today In Patriots History May 8, 2014: Pats draft Dominique Easley

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
The Latest NFL Draft Ever​

May 8, 2014:
The 79th Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 2014 NFL Draft
Radio City Music Hall, New York City
Day One, Round One

The late timing of this draft was due to a scheduling conflict at Radio City Music Hall. Apparently the NFL just assumed the Hall would accomodate them without bothering to make a reservation, while at the same time focusing on ways to spread out events over the course of the off-season. As a result the draft was delayed by two weeks.


Earlier there was discussion and rumors leading up to the draft on the future of keeping the draft in New York City, where it had been held since 1965. Interest in the draft had grown exponentially over the last decade, and there was a belief by some that the event had outgrown Radio City Music Hall, which had been the venue for the previous eight drafts. The possibility of extending the draft to a fourth day was also discussed in the months leading up to the draft. The NFL decided soon after that the 2015 NFL draft would take place in Chicago.


Jadeveon Clowney was the number one overall pick; he was the first defensive player selected number one overall since 2006. Four of the top eight never lived up to their draft status, with zero Pro Bowls between them. OT Greg Robinson, QB Blake Bortles and WR Sammy Watkins were starters for several years, but none were as big of a draft bust as the #8 pick, Browns CB Justin Gilbert - who started just three games and was out of a job three years later. Twenty of the first 36 picks went on to become Pro Bowlers.


While Justin Gilbert may have been the biggest bust of this draft, he is definitely not the most well known. That dishonor would go to the guy selected at #22 by the Cleveland Browns: QB Johnny Manziel. His Texas A&M teammate, wide receiver Mike Evans (selected #7) made Manziel a college sensation, but once they were separated Manziel's lack of talent (other than self-promotion) quickly become obvious.

20:05 hindsight videoreview of the 2014 draft:

​

1st round, 29th overall -- DT Dominique Easley, University of Florida

Dominique Easley was ranked the number one defensive tackle prospect in high school, and then accepted a scholarship to play with the Gators for Urban Meyer. Late in the 2011 he tore his ACL - then tore another ACL three weeks into the 2013 season. Easley was extremely dominant when healthy, but there were serious red flags with his knees. As good a player as he was, he never should have been drafted this high.


Vince Wilfork was getting older and Easley was seen as a long term replacement at the position. But Easley went on injured reserve with another knee injury after 11 games his rookie season, and the writing was on the wall. The Patriots used their first round pick on the same position a yeaar later, selecting Malcom Brown in the 2015 draft.


Easley finished the 2016 season on IR again, this time with a quadricep injury. Knowing he would never pass a physical the Patriots were unable to trade Easley, and the team ended up releasing him two weeks prior to the 2016 draft. Easley signed with the Rams and didn't miss a game in 2016 - but suffered season ending knee injuries again in both 2017 and 2018, ending his NFL career. He played in a total of 41 games over five years in the NFL, with 64 tackles, 6½ sacks, 18 QB hits and 13 tackles for a loss.

 

[WinstonSmith]

As a guy who doesn't follow college ball or pay much attention to pre draft hype, I only knew a hanful of the prospects. On the day of the draft I told my brother that as long as they didn't take that crippled DT guy and a QB with the first 2 picks that I'd be happy...

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
One That Got Away​

Happy 72nd birthday to Steve Freeman
Born May 8, 1953 in Lamesa, Texas; raised in Memphis, Tennessee
Patriot safety, 1975 (offseason); uniform #22
Pats 5th round (117th overall) selection of the 1975 draft, from Mississippi State
Pats résumé: one offseason


In 1975 the Philadelphia Eagles traded away each of their first six draft picks. One of those was a fifth rounder that was dealt to New England for a 1976 8th round pick, plus backup RB John Tarver. A year later the Patriots used that pick on Steven Jay Freeman, a 5-11, 185lb safety from Mississippi State.


Freeman was placed on waivers in late August and claimed by the Bills the next day; he never played in a real game for the Patriots, just two preseason games. After signing with Buffalo he went on to play for 13 seasons in the NFL, 12 with the Bills. Freeman appeared in a total of 190 NFL games with 134 starts) collecting 23 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries.


Oops. That is one that Chuck Fairbanks definitely should not have given up on so quickly.

​

Freeman began working as an official in the Southeast Conference after retiring from the NFL in 1988. He then began working as an NFL back judge in 2001 as part of Jeff Triplette's officiating crew. Freeman continued to work as a back judge for 19 years, until he retired from his second profession in 2021.

Steve Freeman's son Brad also went to Mississippi State - and also became an official. Brad Freeman has worked in the NFL as a field judge, back judge and side judge since 2014.



Oct 15, 2024:

Steve Freeman To Be Inducted Into The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame - Mississippi State

Mississippi State great Steve Freeman will be inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 class

hailstate.com

Mississippi State great Steve Freeman will be inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 class, the Sports Hall of Fame & Museum announced on Tuesday. Freeman joins seven other inductees in the 2025 Hall of Fame Class, which will be celebrated and formally enshrined during the MS Sports Hall of Fame Induction Weekend on August 1-2, 2025.​

Freeman starred at Mississippi State from 1971 to 1974 before being drafted by the New England Patriots in the fifth round of the 1975 NFL Draft. During his time at Mississippi State, Freeman was a three-year starter in the Bulldog secondary and concluded his time at State ranking No. 4 in program history for career interceptions with 10. Freeman is still on the all-time interceptions list, as he is tied for ninth as of 2024. He also ranked fifth in single-season interceptions with five during the 1973 season and is currently one of 19 different Bulldogs to have five interceptions in a single season.​

​

Freeman, who was inducted into the Mississippi State Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the 2000 class, was one of the best Bulldog defensive backs in program history. He led Mississippi State in interceptions in 1973 (5) and 1974 (4) and was also the team's leading punt returner in 1973.​

In 1974, Freeman helped guide Mississippi State to a 9-win season, a berth in the Sun Bowl, where they defeated North Carolina 26-14, and a final AP ranking of No. 17. State's nine wins in 1974 were the most by the Bulldogs since their 8-win campaign in 1964.​

​

Following the 1975 NFL Draft, where the New England Patriots selected Freeman, he was cut after two preseason games. Freeman didn't have to wait long to find another home in the NFL, as he was quickly claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills, becoming one of the Bills' greatest waiver acquisitions in franchise history. He played 12 seasons for the Bills, compiling 23 career interceptions and three touchdowns. From 1975 until late in the 1984 season, Freeman played in 150 consecutive games, setting a new Buffalo Bills record. He also held the record for most games played by a Bill at 178 career games. Freeman missed a total of one game while playing in Buffalo.​

During the 1980 season, he was one of the leaders on the NFL's top-rated defense, allowing just 256 yards per game while also winning the division. That same season, he picked off seven passes for 107 return yards and a score. In 1984, Freeman earned a well-overdue honor and was named to The Sporting News All-Pro Defensive Team. That same year, he was also named to the Buffalo Bills Silver Anniversary All-Time Team, a team that commemorated the 25th season of professional football for the Bills.​

Following Freeman's 13-season NFL career, he played his final season in 1987 with the Minnesota Vikings, he became a football official, working in the Southeastern Conference and NFL Europe before joining the NFL ranks as a back judge in 2001.​

Freeman's son, Brad, was a three-year letterwinner for the Mississippi State baseball team and helped lead State to the 1997 and 1998 College World Series. Brad followed in his father's footsteps, joining the college football officiating ranks in the SEC before joining the NFL in 2014.​

Steve Freeman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Checkout the latest stats for Steve Freeman. 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 -- Steve Freeman Player Profile Page

Pro Football Archives -- Steve Freeman Transactions

Pro Football Archives -- Steve Freeman NFL Officiating Record

Pro Football Archives -- Brad Freeman NFL Officiating Record

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Other May 8 Birthdays​

Other pro football players with New England area connections born on May 8:

Booth Lusteg (5/8/1939 - 7/12/2012)
Born in New Haven CT; raised in Branford CT; UConn

Born and raised in Connecticut, Gerald Booth Lusteg went to UConn but did not play football there. He was a baseball player in college and 1B/OF in the minor leagues for two seasons.

The Buffalo Bills had open auditions for a kicker in 1966 when Pete Gogolak was injured. Lusteg was a frustrated actor who was playing for the New Bedford Sweepers in the old Atlantic Coast Football League. In an attempt to appear younger, Lusteg used his younger brother's identity. He won the job over a variety of miscreants, including an Austrian count who lived in the Alps and a guy with one arm and one eye.


The fib about his age almost caught up to Booth. His brother went to BC and when Buffalo's bus driver got lost on the way to Alumni Stadium to play the Patriots, Lusteg was asked for directions. Acting like he knew where he was going, the team bus miraculously arrived at the destination. Lusteg finished second to Gino Cappelletti in scoring in that 1966 season. He spent two seasons in the American Football League, two in the NFL and one in the World Football League.


After hanging up his cleats, Lusteg hit the professional tennis circuit, peaking at a #11 by the USTA in the over-40 division..


Great story on Booth Lusteg's life below.
Oct 20, 2012:
NEW HAVEN 200: Branford's 'Booth' Lusteg got a kick out of life -- New Haven Register


Another good one:

BUFFALO BILLS

When Pete Gogolak left the Buffalo Bills in the neatest jump since Jack and the candlestick, Personnel Chief Harvey Johnson found himself sifting through

vault.si.com

Ryan Purvis, 39 (5/8/86)
Boston College, class of 2009

The tight end had 113 receptions for 1,122 yards and six touchdowns while at BC from 2005-08. He went undrafted and signed with Tampa Bay, spending most of 2009 on the practice squad. When Jerramy Stevens was released after an arrest, Purvis was promoted to their active roster. He appeared in ten games with five catches on six targets for 38 yards in 2010, but did not survive roster cuts in 2011.




Bill Godwin (5/8/19-3/26/98)
C/LB for the 1947-48 Boston Yanks




One other notable pro football player born May 8 that is part of Patriots folklore:

- Keith Lincoln (5/8/1939 - 7/27/2019)
Th five-time AFL All-Star RB single handedly demolished the Patriots in the 1963 AFL championship game. His 206 yards rushing (on a mere 13 carries), 123 receiving yards and a 20 yard pass completion led the way to San Diego's 51-10 victory. More than sixty years later his 329 yards from scrimmage is still a single-game postseason record, one that may never be broken. Over his career Keith Lincoln scored touchdowns rushing (19), receiving (19), passing (5), via kick return (1), punt return (1) - and also kicked five field goals and 16 extra points.

 

[Wozzy]

Easley was a horrible pick (said so at the time, odd for a “BB disciple”) and not because of his knees. He just wasn’t a great athlete or player.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
More May 8 Trivia​

May 8, 1974:
Patriots sign 2nd round draft pick Steve Corbett
Corbett was a local guy: born and raised in Dover New Hampshire, then went to BC. The guard had a promising career but it was derailed by two neck surgeries. He finally retired in 1979, after having only played in 14 games, all in 1975.




May 8, 1979:
New head coach Ron Erhardt hires Gino Cappelletti as Special Teams Coach.
Gino was an original member of the AFL Boston Patriots from 1960-71. He was an integral part of the first 50+ years of the Patriot organization, contributing as an All-Star player for eleven years and assistant coach and radio broadcaster for 32 years. His many roles with the Patriots enabled him to be around football, a game he loved with a passion for most of his life.

Gino, left, shakes hands with QB Joe Kapp before a Boston Patriots workout session at Curry College in Milton on October 2, 1970.​

May 8, 1982:

The New England Patriots Saturday signed five free agents,... - UPI Archives

The New England Patriots Saturday signed five free agents, bringing the number of players on their roster to 94.

www.upi.com

FOXBORO, Mass. -- The New England Patriots Saturday signed five free agents, bringing the number of players on their roster to 94.​

John Ellis, a 267-pound offensive lineman from the University of Rhode Island, and wide receiver Richard Brown of Fitchburg State were among the group.​

Also signed after a tryout were Ricky Bynum, a cornerback from Colorado; Peter Corrigan, a running back from Purdue; and Roy Dean, a wide receiver from Alabama A&M.​

A total of 187 prospects attended the free-agent tryout camp.​

All Patriots rookies and free agents will report to a mini-camp Tuesday. Veterans will join them on Friday and a full squad mini-camp will be held Saturday and Sunday.​

None of the above ever even lasted to the start of training camp.




May 8, 1989:
The Patriots sign rookie free agent WR Glenn Antrum.
A native of Ansonia CT and graduate of UConn, Antrum spent most of 1989-90 on what was then known as the developmental squad. His only NFL playing time came in a November 19, 1989 33-24 victory over Buffalo when the two teams combined for ten turnovers.




May 8, 2006:
New England signs two veteran free agents and two undrafted rookies.
Barry Gardner was an inside linebacker and seven year NFL veteran with the Eagles, Browns and Jets. He suffered a leg injury in preseason and spent the 2006 season on IR, and retired the following year. LB Jeremy Loyd had been with the Browns and Rams, and was waived a couple weeks later. Rookie DT Remi Ayodele didn't stick with the Pats, but later became a starter for the Saints and Vikings.




May 8, 2007:
The Patriots sign six undrafted rookie free agents.

- UAB LB Kyle Bissinger was waived with an injury settlement in August, and was later signed to the practice squad.

- N Illinois TE Jake Nordin spent time on several other team's practice squads, and played briefly for Baltimore and Detroit.

- Rice RB Quinton Smith was also waived at the end of camp; he was later on the Giants, Saints and Raiders practice squads.

- Texas A&M OLB Justin Warren was waived just a week later; he played for various arena league teams from 2008-2014.

- UTEP DE Zach West spent 2007-2008 on the Pats and Cleveland Browns practice squads.

- Idaho State QB Matt Gutierrez made the roster as a rookie, and appeared in five games in 2007. He began 2008 on the practice squad, then was promoted after Tom Brady's injury, but was active on the game day roster just once. The Patriots released Matt when they signed QB Andrew Walter on August 3, 2009. Gutierrez was later with KC, Chicago, Washington and St Louis, as well as spending time in the United Football League and Arena Football League.




May 8, 2009:
Dom DiMaggio passes away at the age of 92
More well known for being Joe's brother, and Red Sox center fielder from 1940-1953, Dom does have a major connection to the early days of the Boston Patriots. In 1959 he and eight others put the money up to help Billy Sullivan create the Boston Patriots. It was Dom DiMaggio who used his contacts with the Red Sox to get Tom Yawkey to allow the Patriots to play at Fenway Park. DiMaggio and Sullivan did not always see eye-to-eye though (imagine that!), and he attempted to oust Sullivan as team president. Sullivan won that battle, and DiMaggio ended up selling his share of the team in August 1966 for $500,000 - earning DiMaggio a tidy profit of $400,000 from his initial investment of $100,000. 400% ROI in seven years? Not too shabby.




May 8, 2015:
New England signs seven undrafted rookie free agents.

- Vanderbilt DT Vince Taylor was placed on PUP at the beginning of training camp, and never played in the NFL.

- 6'3 UAB CB Jimmy Jean was waived at the end of camp, and never caught on with another team.

- Ball State CB Eric Patterson was waived just a month after being signed; he later played briefly for the Colts and Rams. He was shot and killed by an intruder in his Tampa home in 2019; the case remains unsolved.

- Michigan QB Devin Gardner's stay in Foxboro was even shorter: he was waived May 18. He and Jeremy Gallon later played in Japan.

- Cal WR Chris Harper was activated from the practice squad in November, but was quickly released after a costly muffed punt.

- Georgia C David Andrews won the starting job as a rookie, and proceeded to play in 124 games (plus 12 more in the postseason) from 2015-2024, while collecting two Super Bowl rings.

- Auburn ST Brandon King spent five seasons with the Pats, before a torn quad ended his NFL career. The ST ace played in 73 NFL games, all with the Pats; he too has a pair of rings.

May 8, 2019:
WR/PR/KR Bruce Ellington is released with an injury waiver, less than two months after being signed by the club.
The 2014 49ers fourth round pick had dealt with hamstring injuries throughout his career, totaling 769 yards receiving in four seasons.


May 8, 2019:
Pats sign 32-year old OT Jared Veldheer to a one-year, $3.5 million contract
Veldheer was penciled in to be the starting left tackle following the loss of Trent Brown in free agency - but after just one single offseason workout he retired - and then decided to unretire in midseason, so he could sign with Green Bay.

Perhaps it was just as well, because Veldheer was just a shell of his former self, playing in two games with the Packers in 2019 and one for the Colts in 2020 to finish his pro football career.

Patriots add depth to offensive line with deal for Jared Veldheer

Veldheer, 31, has started 113 games in nine seasons, and has experience on both sides of the line.

www.boston.com

May 8, 2023:

Former Vikings, and Boston Patriot, QB Joe Kapp remembered

Kapp was also a Boston Patriot! (Pardon us AP, but we had to edit in this gem). According to NFL.com: “A rare free agent in 1970, Kapp signed with the Boston Patriots two weeks into the seaso…

www.bostonherald.com

 

[jmt57]

Easley was a horrible pick (said so at the time, odd for a “BB disciple”) and not because of his knees. He just wasn’t a great athlete or player.

Yeah, I just don't understand why in this era, any team would use that early of a draft pick on a player with those major health issues. All of the medical information is readily available.

I can see taking a shot on him later on - but in the first round? No way.

By comparison Curtis Martin slid to the third round, and his health concerns were not nearly as big as Easley's were.

 

[JohnJH]

Today in Patriots History
The Latest NFL Draft Ever​

May 8, 2014:
The 79th Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 2014 NFL Draft
Radio City Music Hall, New York City
Day One, Round One

The late timing of this draft was due to a scheduling conflict at Radio City Music Hall. Apparently the NFL just assumed the Hall would accomodate them without bothering to make a reservation, while at the same time focusing on ways to spread out events over the course of the off-season. As a result the draft was delayed by two weeks.


Earlier there was discussion and rumors leading up to the draft on the future of keeping the draft in New York City, where it had been held since 1965. Interest in the draft had grown exponentially over the last decade, and there was a belief by some that the event had outgrown Radio City Music Hall, which had been the venue for the previous eight drafts. The possibility of extending the draft to a fourth day was also discussed in the months leading up to the draft. The NFL decided soon after that the 2015 NFL draft would take place in Chicago.


Jadeveon Clowney was the number one overall pick; he was the first defensive player selected number one overall since 2006. Four of the top eight never lived up to their draft status, with zero Pro Bowls between them. OT Greg Robinson, QB Blake Bortles and WR Sammy Watkins were starters for several years, but none were as big of a draft bust as the #8 pick, Browns CB Justin Gilbert - who started just three games and was out of a job three years later. Twenty of the first 36 picks went on to become Pro Bowlers.


While Justin Gilbert may have been the biggest bust of this draft, he is definitely not the most well known. That dishonor would go to the guy selected at #22 by the Cleveland Browns: QB Johnny Manziel. His Texas A&M teammate, wide receiver Mike Evans (selected #7) made Manziel a college sensation, but once they were separated Manziel's lack of talent (other than self-promotion) quickly become obvious.

20:05 hindsight videoreview of the 2014 draft:

​

1st round, 29th overall -- DT Dominique Easley, University of Florida

Dominique Easley was ranked the number one defensive tackle prospect in high school, and then accepted a scholarship to play with the Gators for Urban Meyer. Late in the 2011 he tore his ACL - then tore another ACL three weeks into the 2013 season. Easley was extremely dominant when healthy, but there were serious red flags with his knees. As good a player as he was, he never should have been drafted this high.


Vince Wilfork was getting older and Easley was seen as a long term replacement at the position. But Easley went on injured reserve with another knee injury after 11 games his rookie season, and the writing was on the wall. The Patriots used their first round pick on the same position a yeaar later, selecting Malcom Brown in the 2015 draft.


Easley finished the 2016 season on IR again, this time with a quadricep injury. Knowing he would never pass a physical the Patriots were unable to trade Easley, and the team ended up releasing him two weeks prior to the 2016 draft. Easley signed with the Rams and didn't miss a game in 2016 - but suffered season ending knee injuries again in both 2017 and 2018, ending his NFL career. He played in a total of 41 games over five years in the NFL, with 64 tackles, 6½ sacks, 18 QB hits and 13 tackles for a loss.

I thought that was B.B.'s worst 1st Round Pick ever. With N'Keal Harry and Cole Strange in the running for a 3 way tie.

 

[Patjew]

Today in Patriots History
More May 8 Trivia​

May 8, 1974:
Patriots sign 2nd round draft pick Steve Corbett
Corbett was a local guy: born and raised in Dover New Hampshire, then went to BC. The guard had a promising career but it was derailed by two neck surgeries. He finally retired in 1979, after having only played in 14 games, all in 1975.




May 8, 1979:
New head coach Ron Erhardt hires Gino Cappelletti as Special Teams Coach.
Gino was an original member of the AFL Boston Patriots from 1960-71. He was an integral part of the first 50+ years of the Patriot organization, contributing as an All-Star player for eleven years and assistant coach and radio broadcaster for 32 years. His many roles with the Patriots enabled him to be around football, a game he loved with a passion for most of his life.

Gino, left, shakes hands with QB Joe Kapp before a Boston Patriots workout session at Curry College in Milton on October 2, 1970.​

May 8, 1982:

The New England Patriots Saturday signed five free agents,... - UPI Archives

The New England Patriots Saturday signed five free agents, bringing the number of players on their roster to 94.

www.upi.com

FOXBORO, Mass. -- The New England Patriots Saturday signed five free agents, bringing the number of players on their roster to 94.​

John Ellis, a 267-pound offensive lineman from the University of Rhode Island, and wide receiver Richard Brown of Fitchburg State were among the group.​

Also signed after a tryout were Ricky Bynum, a cornerback from Colorado; Peter Corrigan, a running back from Purdue; and Roy Dean, a wide receiver from Alabama A&M.​

A total of 187 prospects attended the free-agent tryout camp.​

All Patriots rookies and free agents will report to a mini-camp Tuesday. Veterans will join them on Friday and a full squad mini-camp will be held Saturday and Sunday.​

None of the above ever even lasted to the start of training camp.




May 8, 1989:
The Patriots sign rookie free agent WR Glenn Antrum.
A native of Ansonia CT and graduate of UConn, Antrum spent most of 1989-90 on what was then known as the developmental squad. His only NFL playing time came in a November 19, 1989 33-24 victory over Buffalo when the two teams combined for ten turnovers.




May 8, 2006:
New England signs two veteran free agents and two undrafted rookies.
Barry Gardner was an inside linebacker and seven year NFL veteran with the Eagles, Browns and Jets. He suffered a leg injury in preseason and spent the 2006 season on IR, and retired the following year. LB Jeremy Loyd had been with the Browns and Rams, and was waived a couple weeks later. Rookie DT Remi Ayodele didn't stick with the Pats, but later became a starter for the Saints and Vikings.




May 8, 2007:
The Patriots sign six undrafted rookie free agents.

- UAB LB Kyle Bissinger was waived with an injury settlement in August, and was later signed to the practice squad.

- N Illinois TE Jake Nordin spent time on several other team's practice squads, and played briefly for Baltimore and Detroit.

- Rice RB Quinton Smith was also waived at the end of camp; he was later on the Giants, Saints and Raiders practice squads.

- Texas A&M OLB Justin Warren was waived just a week later; he played for various arena league teams from 2008-2014.

- UTEP DE Zach West spent 2007-2008 on the Pats and Cleveland Browns practice squads.

- Idaho State QB Matt Gutierrez made the roster as a rookie, and appeared in five games in 2007. He began 2008 on the practice squad, then was promoted after Tom Brady's injury, but was active on the game day roster just once. The Patriots released Matt when they signed QB Andrew Walter on August 3, 2009. Gutierrez was later with KC, Chicago, Washington and St Louis, as well as spending time in the United Football League and Arena Football League.




May 8, 2009:
Dom DiMaggio passes away at the age of 92
More well known for being Joe's brother, and Red Sox center fielder from 1940-1953, Dom does have a major connection to the early days of the Boston Patriots. In 1959 he and eight others put the money up to help Billy Sullivan create the Boston Patriots. It was Dom DiMaggio who used his contacts with the Red Sox to get Tom Yawkey to allow the Patriots to play at Fenway Park. DiMaggio and Sullivan did not always see eye-to-eye though (imagine that!), and he attempted to oust Sullivan as team president. Sullivan won that battle, and DiMaggio ended up selling his share of the team in August 1966 for $500,000 - earning DiMaggio a tidy profit of $400,000 from his initial investment of $100,000. 400% ROI in seven years? Not too shabby.




May 8, 2015:
New England signs seven undrafted rookie free agents.

- Vanderbilt DT Vince Taylor was placed on PUP at the beginning of training camp, and never played in the NFL.

- 6'3 UAB CB Jimmy Jean was waived at the end of camp, and never caught on with another team.

- Ball State CB Eric Patterson was waived just a month after being signed; he later played briefly for the Colts and Rams. He was shot and killed by an intruder in his Tampa home in 2019; the case remains unsolved.

- Michigan QB Devin Gardner's stay in Foxboro was even shorter: he was waived May 18. He and Jeremy Gallon later played in Japan.

- Cal WR Chris Harper was activated from the practice squad in November, but was quickly released after a costly muffed punt.

- Georgia C David Andrews won the starting job as a rookie, and proceeded to play in 124 games (plus 12 more in the postseason) from 2015-2024, while collecting two Super Bowl rings.

- Auburn ST Brandon King spent five seasons with the Pats, before a torn quad ended his NFL career. The ST ace played in 73 NFL games, all with the Pats; he too has a pair of rings.

May 8, 2019:
WR/PR/KR Bruce Ellington is released with an injury waiver, less than two months after being signed by the club.
The 2014 49ers fourth round pick had dealt with hamstring injuries throughout his career, totaling 769 yards receiving in four seasons.


May 8, 2019:
Pats sign 32-year old OT Jared Veldheer to a one-year, $3.5 million contract
Veldheer was penciled in to be the starting left tackle following the loss of Trent Brown in free agency - but after just one single offseason workout he retired - and then decided to unretire in midseason, so he could sign with Green Bay.

Perhaps it was just as well, because Veldheer was just a shell of his former self, playing in two games with the Packers in 2019 and one for the Colts in 2020 to finish his pro football career.

Patriots add depth to offensive line with deal for Jared Veldheer

Veldheer, 31, has started 113 games in nine seasons, and has experience on both sides of the line.

www.boston.com

What a car!!

 

[mnpatfan]

Belli...

 

[TheRainMaker]

Easily was such a weird pick. Jimmy G in the 2nd round was even more of a head scratcher.

I wanted Marquise Lee since I was familiar with him at USC. When he was gone I wanted Allen Robinson.

 

[Wozzy]

Yeah, I just don't understand why in this era, any team would use that early of a draft pick on a player with those major health issues. All of the medical information is readily available.

I can see taking a shot on him later on - but in the first round? No way.

By comparison Curtis Martin slid to the third round, and his health concerns were not nearly as big as Easley's were.

Even if completely healthy he wasn’t a first round pick, he didn’t post that kind of college production to warrant that.

 

[SteveKiner]

Unlike most people, I was psyched when the Pats drafted Easley. I thought he was the 2nd best DT in the draft with a great first step. I really loved Aaron Donald and when he dropped out of the top 10, I kept hoping for a Pats trade up for Donald. When that didn't happen, I kept hoping for Easley, Hageman, Stephon Tuitt, or Joel Bitonio, Wilfork was getting older and Tommy Kelly was injured so I wanted them to get a DT so I was in on Easley and Hageman. I liked Tuitt's game from watching him at ND and thought Bitonio was the best OL available when the Pats were drafting.
Shows what I know. Of the four, Easley and Hageman were busts. Tuitt was pretty good for awhile and Bitonio is still playing at a top level.