Patriots History: Happy Birthday Richard Bishop, Sammy Morris

[PatsFans.com Article]

Patriots History: Happy Birthday Richard Bishop, Sammy Morris

John Morgan

Today's installment of the history of the New England Patriot franchise includes seven birthdays. Most notable among this group for their play on the field are defensive lineman Richard Bishop and running back Sammy Morris. First though we begin with an original

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[jmt57]

Sammy Morris, 40 (3/23/1977)
Uniform #34
Patriot RB 2007-2010

Morris joined the Patriots in 2007 at age 30 after four years in Buffalo and three in Miami. The running back teamed with Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk in the Pats backfield but appeared in only six games, landing on IR with a chest injury. The following year he led the Pats in rushing yardage (727 yards) and rushing touchdowns (7), averaging a healthy 4.7 yards per carry. In 2009 Maroney received the most playing time and Morris’ playing time dwindled as he had only 92 touches, gaining 499 yards from scrimmage. The following season he saw even less playing time with the additions of BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead. Although he appeared in all 16 games Morris at 33 years of age had noticeably slowed down, and he had just 20 carries in his final year with the Patriots.

Sammy Morris finished with 1,486 career rushing yards for the Patriots, which ranks 22nd in team history. Morris also ran for 12 touchdowns, which ranks 23rd in New England history. Over his 12-year NFL career he totaled 4,311 yards from scrimmage and 27 touchdowns. Since hanging up his cleats he has worked as a comedy writer and joined the coaching staff at Attleboro High School as the Special Teams Coordinator and Running Backs Coach.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

 

[jmt57]

Richard Bishop (3/23/1950-9/2/2016)
Patriot DL, 1976-1981
Uniform #64

After high school Bishop spent two years in junior college before transferring to Louisville. He was selected in the 5th round of the 1974 draft by Cincinnati but never played for the Bengals. Bishop spent two seasons in the Canadian Football League with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Ottawa Rough Riders before finally signing with the Patriots as a free agent at the age of 26 in 1976.

Bishop was an impact player as a rookie, helping the Pats make the playoffs for the first time in thirteen years. He played a major role in one of the most famous (or more appropriately, infamous) plays in franchise history. That ’76 team was a juggernaut, finishing the season on a six-game winning streak. The offense averaged 27 points per game and 5.0 yards per carry and the defense was equally productive, forcing 50 turnovers. The Patriots made the playoffs as an 11-3 wild card team, and met Oakland in the playoffs; the Pats had pummeled the Raiders earlier in the year, 48-17.

The officiating in the game was a travesty. Oakland was permitted to get away with one non-call after another. All world tight end Russ Francis was the primary target for the Raiders. On one play George Atkinson broke Francis’ nose with no flag thrown, and on another key play he was so blatantly held by Phil Villapiano that he could not raise either arm – again with no penalty called.

The non-call led to a long missed field goal with the Patriots up by four with four minutes remaining. Oakland drove but after a Mel Lunsford sack and two incompletions the Raiders were faced with a 3rd-and-18. The defensive play call was for a stunt with Bishop drawing defenders and leaving an open lane for Ray Hamilton. Ken Stabler got the pass off just as he was about to be sacked, but Ben Dreith flagged Hamilton for roughing the passer even though replays showed that was the incorrect call.

Back to Richard Bishop. He was a very solid player for the Pats, appearing in 86 games with 50 starts from 1976-81. While he is not a member of the Patriots All-Decade Team of the 1970’s, to me he was good enough to earn at least an honorable mention.

In 2014 Bishop was one of fifteen players to file a federal lawsuit against the NFL for negligence and purposeful concealment of knowledge that a direct relationship existed between concussions and the development of brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia and ALS. Richard Bishop passed away six months ago at the age of 66.

 

[jmt57]

Here is one for @Patjew

Abe Cohen (3/23/1933-3/8/2001)
Patriot G, 1960
Uniform #62

Cohen attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, competing on the Mocs’ football and wrestling teams. In 1954 he won his conference’s weight class as a wrestler. A year later Cohen was drafted late (26th round, 306th overall) by the New York Giants, but never played for them. After two years of military service Cohen spent two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League.

In 1960 Cohen joined the fledgling American Football League with the Boston Patriots under head coach Lou Saban. Though not a starter Cohen appeared in all 14 games for the Pats that year, backing up Charley Leo and Jack Davis at guard. Cohen was inducted in to the UT-Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame in 1990 and to his native Luzerne County (PA) Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.

Chattanooga Football Media Guide

Bolling Air Base Wins 1957 Shrimp Bowl

Jews In Sports – Abe Cohen

Abe Cohen Obituary

Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame

 

[jmt57]

@PatsWickedPissah - Buben was probably at Tufts about the time you were there, no?


Mark Buben, 60 (3/23/1957)
Uniform #63
Patriot DE 1979-1981

After an outstanding collegiate career at Tufts, the Auburn MA native remained local and joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 1979. He made the roster his rookie season as a backup defensive end and special teams player, appearing in all sixteen games. After spending all of 1980 on Injured Reserve Buben again appeared in all 16 games, this time with four starts. His 49 yard interception return was a key play in New England’s week 5 victory over the Chiefs, one of the few bright spots of that disappointing season for the Patriots.

Buben signed with the Browns in 1982 and then played in the USFL for four years. He still holds school records at Tufts for sacks in a single season and career.

 

[Julius]

Sammy Morris?

Birthdays are for RB's who didn't miss a block and get their G.O.A.T. QB put on I.R.

 

[jah]

Sammy Morris?

Birthdays are for RB's who didn't miss a block and get their G.O.A.T. QB put on I.R.

You could always just not go for someone's knees.

 

[jmt57]

Sammy Morris?

Birthdays are for RB's who didn't miss a block and get their G.O.A.T. QB put on I.R.

I know Morris gets blamed for that injury but if I recall he made the block - well enough to put Pollard on all fours on the ground.

Problem was that rather than attempt to get up and then get after Brady, Pollard just got to his knees and dived for Brady's knees.

 

[jmt57]

Jason Staurovsky, 54 (3/23/1963)
Patriot Kicker, 1988-1991
Uniform #4

Staurovsky’s path to becoming a kicker was unique. At the University of Tulsa he went from team manager to kicker, and he eventually set a school record with 53 field goals. Like many kickers he was not drafted and had tryouts with multiple teams. In 1987 he was signed for two games with the Cardinals as a replacement player, and a year later he was in Boston to try out for the New England Steamrollers of the Arena Football League. While there he asked for, and received a workout for the Patriots. The Pats had drafted Teddy Garcia in the fourth round but up to that point he had been awful. Raymond Berry liked what he saw – Staurovsky made 22 of his 23 attempts – but was not yet ready to pull the plug. Soon after Berry could not take any more of Garcia (he finished the season making just six out of 13 field goal attempts) and signed Staurovsky.

Greg Davis replaced Staurovsky as the kicker in 1989 but when he came down with food poisoning Staurovsky was re-signed for the last half of the season, making 14 of 17 kicks. In 1990 he finally remained on the roster for the full season – remaining upbeat despite what was happening around him – and was the sole kicker in training camp in 1991. Late in the season he pulled his quad muscle and was placed on IR. New England signed Charlie Baumann and stuck with him the following year, and Staurovsky’s career with the Pats was over. In 40 games with the Patriots he kicked 50 field goals, which at that time was fourth most in team history. A 1990 50-yard field goal was the longest in franchise history at the time; that record stood for twelve years before Adam Vinatieri booted a 57-yarder in 2002.

 

[jmt57]

Scott Lockwood, 49 (3/23/1968)
Patriot RB/ST 1992-1993
Uniform #40

The running back was an 8th round pick (204th overall) in 1992, which was **** MacPherson’s final year as head coach. He was mostly used on special teams, but did have 35 rushes for 162 yards (4.6 yards per carry). He appeared in two games for Bill Parcells in ’93 and also spent time in NFL Europe.

For more on Lockwood, including his days at USC and his post-football career, check out this article. As is often the case with bottom of the roster players Lockwood bounced around quite a bit.

Where are they now – Scott Lockwood

“Drafted by New England in the eighth round (when they had eight rounds) after the 1991 season,” Lockwood answers, “then traded to Detroit, then they waived me, picked up again by New England, then moved on to Seattle before being injured and going on IR,” Lockwood says.

Wow, lots of back and forth over your career?

“That was the first eight weeks,” Lockwood says with a laugh. Yes, his NFL career was an interesting, and something of a whirlwind time for the 196-pound running back and special teams guy who could fly. His best times were a 10.54 100 meters and a 4.34 in the 40.

“We could all run on those USC teams.”​

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Sammy Morris was an underrated loss in 2007. He was the "hit the hole fast and hard" guy. Reminded me of Antawan Smith. Probably could have forced the Giants to respect the run more than Maroney did.

Regards,
Chris

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Lockwood finished one of those dark year seasons with a 100+ yard rushing performance. I remember thinking "Who the heck is this guy?" and then he was gone.

Regards,
Chris

 

[jmt57]

Lockwood finished one of those dark year seasons with a 100+ yard rushing performance. I remember thinking "Who the heck is this guy?" and then he was gone.

Regards,
Chris

That was the year that Dante Scarnecchia took over for **** MacPherson, who if I recall was in the hospital. Bill Parcells came in the following year.

It was the final game of 1992 and in typical fashion for that season the Patriots found a way to lose. Miami's win and Buffalo's loss meant the Dolphins won the division and the Bills were a wild card. Buffalo beat Miami in the AFCCG and then got demolished by Dallas in the game most remembered for Don Beebe knocking the ball out of a showboating Leon Lett's hand.

I think Lockwood got injured but am not positive. He may have just ended up in Parcells' doghouse and got shipped out, I'm not sure. He did rush for 123 yards in that game against Miami, plus returned four kickoffs for 89 yards. Never got the ball in his hands in a real game again after that.

Season Finale A Fitting End For Patriots

Should have had Lockwood run one more time rather than have the immortal Jeff Carlson drop back to pass. On the other hand it turned out well. One more win would have given Seattle the first pick in the draft rather than the Pats, and the Patriots probably would have been stuck with Rick Mirer rather than Drew Bledsoe.