Today in Patriots History: January 6
January 6, 2002 at Ericsson Stadium:
2001 Season Week 17 Game
New England Patriots 38, Carolina Panthers 6
The Patriots completed a worst-to-first turnaround with an easy blowout victory on a drizzly day in Charlotte. With the victory the Pats clinched the AFC East title for the first time since the 1997 season. A few hours later the Jets defeated the Raiders, elevating New England to the number two seed.
On Carolina's first drive
Ty Law intercepted a pass intended for
Steve Smith 46 yards for a touchdown to give the Pats a 10-0 lead. On the first play from scrimmage on the ensuing drive
Otis Smith picked off a
Chris Weinke pass and it looked like a rout early. However that drive stalled with a fumble on the one-yard line.
Footing was less than perfect on the field, and neither team was able to generate much offense on the next several possessions. After New England's first drive of the second half stalled,
Ken Walter's punt pinned Carolina on their own one yard line.
The Panthers went three and out, then
Todd Sauerbrun out-kicked the coverage with a 61-yard punt to the Patriot 32.
Troy Brown caught the ball and raced up the middle of the field 68 yards for a touchdown, and the Patriots led 17-3. On their next drive
Tom Brady hit Brown on completions of 9 and 17 yards, then
Antowain Smith ran for a 32-yard score to make it 24-6.
Brown had six receptions to give him 101 catches on the season. At the time it was the most in franchise history, eclipsing
Ben Coates' mark of 96 set in 1994. For Smith it was his 12th rushing touchdown of the season, and 13th TD overall. At that time it was the third most in club history, tying
Steve Grogan (12 in '76) and bested only by
Curtis Martin (14 in '95 and '96).
The fourth quarter was anti-climatic but plenty of fun for a less than half-filled stadium that was primarily Patriot fans. Backup
Riddick Parker recovered a Weinke fumble deep in Carolina territory. Three plays later
Jermaine Wiggins, who earlier had a 31-yard reception, caught a 5-yard touchdown pass.
Five minutes later 36 year old Otis Smith, the oldest starting NFL corner that season, picked off Weinke again and took it 76 yards to the house for the final score. For the day the Patriot defense forced six turnovers, held Carolina without a touchdown, and limited the Panthers to a combined 4-15 on third and fourth down.
Patriots clinch AFC East with blowout in Carolina - The Boston Globe
Patriots vs. Panthers - Game Recap - January 6, 2002 - ESPN
Panthers fire Seifert
Today's Birthdays
Pierre Woods, January 6, 1982
Patriot LB, 2006-2010
Uniform #58 & #49
The Pats signed the 6'5 Woods as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan following the 2006 draft. He was primarily a special teams standout, appearing in 54 games, with eight starts.
Asante Samuel, January 6, 1981
Patriot CB, 2003-2007
Uniform #22
Pats 4th round (120th overall) selection in the 2003 draft, from Central Florida.
Samuel had ten interceptions for the Patriots in 2006, and was an All Pro corner in 2007. After five seasons in New England he played for Philadelphia for four years, and Atlanta for two. Samuel had 22 interceptions and three touchdowns for the Pats, but he is most well known for a play he didn't make. On the play right before the Eli to Tyree pass in Super Bowl 42, an off target Manning pass should have been a game ending pick. Instead it went through Samuel's hands, and the rest is bitter history.
Bo Scaife, January 6, 1981
Patriot TE, 2012 off season.
Scaife spent seven years with Tennessee, catching 251 passes and 12 touchdowns. After playing under the franchise tag in 2009 and 2010, he signed with the Bengals as a free agent. The 6th round pick of the 2005 draft suffered a preseason shoulder injury soon after, spent the year on injured reserve, and was released. The Patriots signed Scaife on June 7, 2012 but released him 11 days later, ending his NFL career.
Fred Sturt, January 6, 1951
Patriot G, 1976-1978
Uniform #63
Sturt played in 29 games over three seasons with the Patriots. His best years came after that, when he started with the Saints. Sturt played in 95 NFL games between 1974 and 1981. The Bowling Green grad was a backup and special teamer in two playoff games: with George Allen's 1974 Redskins, and with the 1976 Patriots. He was going to rejoin Chuck Fairbanks and block for Herschel Walker in the USFL, but blew out his knee in a practice. After retiring Sturt returned to his hometown of Toledo as a salesman for Yark Automotive Group.
Harold Jackson, January 6, 1946
Patriot WR, 1978-1981
Uniform #29
Jackson was 32 years old when Chuck Fairbanks traded for the receiver from the Los Angeles Rams. He had been named to five pro bowls, twice led the NFL in receiving yards, once in receptions, and once in touchdown receptions. In a 1973 game against Dallas he caught seven passes for 238 yards and four touchdowns.
Jackson teamed with Stanley Morgan and Russ Francis to form a potent receiving corps to perfectly complement the Patriots record setting rushing attack. In each of his first three seasons Jackson averaged over 20 yards per reception, catching 18 touchdown passes during that span. He never missed a game with the Patriots, and at the time his 3162 receiving yards with the Pats ranked fourth in team history. Jackson finished his NFL career with 579 receptions for 10,372 yards and 76 touchdowns, despite playing in an era that was not nearly as conducive to the passing game as today.
After retiring Jackson called Raymond Berry to congratulate him on getting the job as the Pats new head coach. One thing led to another, and Berry ended up making Jackson the team's wide receiver coach. He has remained in coaching since, most recently as head coach at Jackson State.
Roger LaLonde, January 6, 1942
Pats 8th round (61st overall) selection of the 1964 draft, from Muskingum University.
The defensive tackle from Ohio's Division 3 Fighting Muskies never played for the Patriots, signing instead with Detroit. LaLonde spent one season each with the Lions and Giants before playing two years in the CFL. In his final year of pro football LaLonde went out as a champion, part of the Grey Cup winning Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Others pro football players with New England area connections:
Willie Clark, January 6, 1972
Clark was born in New Haven, but moved often as a child of parents in the military. He was a running back at Notre Dame, then converted to defensive back in the NFL. Clark spent five years in the NFL with the Chargers and Eagles; playing in 63 regular and postseason games. He is now the
Director of Student Services for the School District of Manatee County Florida, after previously serving as the Principal of Palmetto High School.
Howie Long, January 6, 1960
The Hall of Fame defensive end for the Raiders was born on this day in Somerville. Long grew up in Charlestown, and went to Milford High School. The longtime NFL television studio analyst was also in the middle of this epic 1978 fracas instigated by Patrick Sullivan.
Bill Anderson, January 6, 1921
Bob Masterson, January 6, 1915
Both played for the 1945 Boston Yanks.
Aside from Howie Long, there are several other notable current and former NFL players born today.
Jameis Winston (1994), Buccaneers/Saints QB.
Derrick Morgan (1991), Tennessee Titans DE.
Ndamukong Suh (1987), Lions/Dolphins/Rams/Bucs DT.
James Farrior (1975); LB played 15 seasons with Jets and Steelers.
Keenan McCardell (1970); WR caught 63 touchdown passes, mostly with Jaguars/Bucs.
Donnell Woolford (1966); CB had 36 interceptions, primarily with Chicago.
Charles Haley (1964); Hall of Fame OLB/DE won five Super Bowl rings with the 49ers and Cowboys.
Sean Landeta (1962); punter won two SB rings and appeared in 18 playoff games over 21 NFL seasons.
Sonny Randle (1936-2017); split end was named to four Pro Bowls with the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixties.