Today in Patriots History

[captain stone]

Ah, the Good Old Days...I miss them already...

 

[jmt57]

More January 1 Pats History:

Today in Patriots History: January 1​

January 1, 1995:
Cleveland Browns 20, New England Patriots 13
Wild Card Playoff Game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium

Bill Parcells met Bill Belichick in the first round of the 1994 playoffs. The protégé had crafted a superior defense and came out on top, thanks in part to forcing three turnovers.

Both clubs were culminating a rebuilding process. The Browns had gone through four straight losing seasons in the aftermath of The Drive and The Fumble playoff losses to Denver. The Patriots had five gone through five consecutive losing seasons, relocation rumors and embarrassing off field distractions.

Vinny Testaverde had replaced fan favorite Bernie Kosar at quarterback for the Browns. Leroy Hoard and Eric Metcalf were Pro Bowlers in the backfield. The defense was ferocious, with four more Pro Bowl players. The Cleveland defense led the NFL with a mere 12.8 points allowed per game. Cleveland was favored by three on a relatively mild day (40 degrees, 10 mph wind) in what was expected to be a low scoring game (over/under of just 35½).

This was the second season for Parcells as head coach in New England. 22-year old Drew Bledsoe was named to the Pro Bowl after passing for 4,555 yards and 25 touchdowns. All Pro TE Ben Coates was clutch all season, catching 96 passes for 1,174 yards. Michael Timpson and Vincent Brisby both had over 900 yards receiving as well.

The 1994 Patriots had a deficient running game though. Marion Butts rushed for 703 yards and eight touchdowns, but averaged only 2.9 yards per carry. Parcells inexplicably decided to bench Butts and insert practice squad RB Corey Croom into the starting lineup for this game. Croom had the same problems Butts did: no running lanes and being hit in the backfield behind a mediocre offensive line.

The Patriot defense led the NFL with 40 takeaways, driving the team to a seven-game winning streak after a 3-6 start.

Early in the second quarter Willie McGinest sacked Testaverde for a 10-yard loss. That forced a punt which gave the pats the ball at the 40. 18-yard pass completions to Brisby and Coates put the ball in the red zone. Bledsoe completed a 13-yard TD pass to Leroy Thompson, and the Pats were up 7-3.

Pat O'Neill's ensuing kickoff was short and returned to midfield. Testaverde scrambled twice for 14 yards and eventually threw a 5-yard TD to give Cleveland a 10-7 lead. Matt Bahr kicked a short field goal with 34 seconds left in the half to tie the score, but on first down Testaverde completed a 36-yard pass to Michael Jackson. Mike Pitts blocked Cleveland's last second field goal attempt, and it was 10-10 at halftime.

The Browns took the opening drive deep into New England territory, but the Patriot defense held. Harold Barnett forced an Eric Metcalf fumble and Pitts recovered to prevent any scoring. However the Pats went 3-and-out, and Cleveland then scored on a six-minute drive to take a 17-10 lead.

Early in the game a Bledsoe pass for Coates was intercepted by Louis Riddick. After an exchange of punts, Bledsoe was picked off on the first play from scrimmage, this time by Pepper Johnson. In both instances the Patriot defense responded to the challenge, with the Browns missing a 49-yard field goal this time.

Two plays later though Bledsoe threw his third interception of the game. Cleveland then ran the ball on all but one play, with Ernest Byner rushing for most of the yardage. Matt Stover kicked a 21-yard field goal and the Browns were up by two scores with only 3:36 to play, 20-10.

Bledsoe connected on three straight passes to give the Pats a first down at the Cleveland 43. The drive stalled at the 15 yard line, and Bahr's field goal made it 20-13.

The first onside kick attempt went out of bounds for a five-yard penalty. The Patriots were able to recover the second attempt though, as New England fans rejoiced. Bledsoe completed passes to Coates and Thompson, and the Pats had a first down at 48-yard line. Belichick's defense was up to the task though, forcing four straight incomplete passes to hang on for the victory.


The Browns lost the next game at Pittsburgh to end their season. Belichick and Parcells met again in week one the following season, with Parcells and the Patriots winning 17-14 in Foxboro. Cleveland won their next three games and at that time were considered to be one of, if not the best team in the NFL. Art Modell then announced the Browns were moving to Baltimore, and they won just two more games the rest of the year. Parcells' Patriots dropped to 6-10 in '95, but did make it the Super Bowl a year later.

 

[captain stone]

My dad passed away less than one week after this loss...I flew up from Dallas TX on Tuesday to spend the night at the hospital with him before he died the following morning, and while there we went over the details of the game, as fathers & sons tend to do when trying to not discuss the obvious ... Sports is nice that way...IIRC, didn't Brisby drop a pass in the EZ which made them settle for that end-of-half FG? Those 4-point plays make all the difference sometimes...

 

[DropKickFlutie]

Boston Globe celebrates 15th anniversary of Doug Flutie’s dropkick

Doug Flutie's dropkick happened 15 years ago on Jan. 1, 2006

sports.yahoo.com

Saw this and felt I had to share

Was certainly fun to see Flutie's Drop Kick when it happened. I happened to be able to chat with him at a charity event on the west coast many years ago, it was fun to hear his experiences at BC and this kick.

 

[jmt57]

My dad passed away less than one week after this loss...I flew up from Dallas TX on Tuesday to spend the night at the hospital with him before he died the following morning, and while there we went over the details of the game, as fathers & sons tend to do when trying to not discuss the obvious ... Sports is nice that way...IIRC, didn't Brisby drop a pass in the EZ which made them settle for that end-of-half FG? Those 4-point plays make all the difference sometimes...

My father and I had a similar last time discussion, except it was about his favorite team - the Red Sox.
Completely agree that sports is that incredibly fantastic unifier.

At some point I'll have to go back about that Brisby drop; it sounds vaguely familiar, but oh so long ago.

 

[Kontradiction]

I’m in complete shock that it was 15 years ago. Seems like yesterday.

 

[captain stone]

There's a thread about this game (& other things) right below this one, but before it is merged I just wanted to add a little personal p.s.:

My wife couldn't make the trip to Boston for Christmas with us that year (her Resident's schedule during the holidays just didn't line-up), so the kids & I stayed with my sister's family in Milton instead of with my wife's in Marshfield...Big gathering to watch the game and send us off, but it ran a little longer than usual, especially the last few minutes while Cassel & the offense were driving...So immediately after the 2-point "attempt" (cough cough) failed, I said my good-byes, grabbed the kids and took off around 4:30pm...Went through Connecticut on I-84 in case of game-day traffic on I-95...When we arrived at our Hershey exit it was barely after 10:30, which anyone who's ever made that particular trip will tell you is damn good time, if not a personal record-time...Helps to have 5- and 6-year olds asleep for practically the Entire ride, so we didn't have to make any stops anywhere...

Similar thing happened in 2011, except this time the game at Denver vs Tebow (regular season) didn't even start until 4:15 and ended close to 7:30, so we didn't arrive home until almost 2:30 am! Hey man if there's any chance at all that I can watch the entire game, I'm taking it...

 

[patriotsdynasty12189]

I’m in complete shock that it was 15 years ago. Seems like yesterday.

Cant believe that 2005 season was 15 years ago honestly. I remember that season more than most for some reason. Went to that Jags playoff game and saw Willie have 4.5 sacks. Great experience

 

[1960Pats]

I’m in complete shock that it was 15 years ago. Seems like yesterday.

Wait until you get to be my age. My wife and I were just talking this morning about our son getting a little tipsy at age 5 because he ate too much rum soaked cake. I can still picture her calling me into the bathroom and seeing his red eyes as he sat in the tub. That was 37 years ago.

 

[1960Pats]

Screw the globe. I will never even glance at that rag again after they put a doctored photo from a porn site on the front page and claimed it was our GI's raping an Iraqi woman.

As for Flutie, one of my favorite memories of him was from BC. They were playing Clemson and this huge DLineman (I think it might have been William Perry) came in a little late and was going to give Flutie a shot after he threw the ball. Flutie being as quick as a cat saw it coming and stepped off to the side, grabbed the DL by the front of his shirt and used the DLs momentum to spin him around and throw him into the ground like a rag doll. I remember the announcers whining a little about it but I was too busy laughing to hear what they said exactly.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History: January 2


Happy Birthday to Raymond Clayborn, Fred Marion, Craig James, Bob Gladieux and Harlon Barnett​

Raymond Clayborn, 67 (born January 2, 1955); from Katy, Texas
Patriot CB, 1977-1989
Pats 1st round (16th overall) selection in the 1977 draft, from Texas
Uniform #26

2017: Raymond Clayborn elected into Patriots Hall of Fame (finally)

Clayborn was a three-time Pro Bowl player (1983, 1985, 1986) during his 13-year Patriots career that extended from 1977 through 1989. He was drafted by the Patriots in the first round (16th overall) out of Texas in 1977 and quickly established himself as one of the game's best cornerbacks, as well as a superb kickoff returner. He set a franchise record with 36 career interceptions, a record which Ty Law tied in 2004 and remains today, 28 years after Clayborn finished his Patriots career. His 555 interception return yards rank second in franchise history to Law's 583 return yards. Clayborn also returned 57 kickoffs for 1,538 yards and three touchdowns. As a rookie in 1977, he returned 28 kickoffs for 869 yards and led the NFL with a 31.0-yard return average and returned three kicks for touchdowns, both of which remain franchise records. He is one of just 20 NFL players since the 1970 merger to finish a season with a better than 30.0-yard average on kickoff returns (min. 20 returns) and is the only Patriots player to accomplish the feat.​

​

Clayborn played a vital role in bringing the Patriots to respectability in the late 1970s and early ‘80s. During his 13 seasons in New England, he helped lead the Patriots to 10 winning seasons, including four postseason berths. In a 31-14 AFC Championship victory that propelled the Patriots to their first Super Bowl appearance, Clayborn's performance helped end an 18-game losing streak to the Miami Dolphins in the Orange Bowl. Clayborn was a member of the Patriots' 1970s and 1980s all-decade teams. He also set a franchise record by playing in 161 consecutive games.​

1991 University of Texas Sports Hall of Fame

Fred Marion, 62 (born January 2, 1959); from Gainesville, Florida
Patriot FS, 1982-1989
Pats 5th round (112th overall) selection in the 1982 draft, from Miami
Uniform #31
Fred Marion was one of the most productive late round draft picks in Patriot franchise history. After two years as a backup and special teamer, Marion was a standout starting safety for the next eight seasons. He was a defensive leader on the teams of that era, starting in 101 consecutive games. Marion's 29 career interceptions still ranks as third most in club history, and the 457 yards returned ranked third at that time (fifth now). In his first full year as a starter Don Shula named him to the Pro Bowl after leading the NFL with 189 return yards on seven picks.

Marion is a member of the Pats All-1980s Team, the 35th Anniversary Team, the 50th Anniversary Team, and the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame. In 2012 he was a finalist for the Patriots Hall of Fame, losing to Troy Brown.

Marion was prepared to tackle life after football

Craig James, 60 (born January 2, 1961); from Houston, Texas
Patriot RB, 1984-88
Pats 7th round (187th overall) selection of the 1983 draft, from SMU
Uniform #32
James had already signed with Washington of the USFL when his college coach, Ron Meyer took a flyer on him with a late draft pick. James joined Raymond Berry and the Patriots the following year after the Federals released him due to financial difficulties. In '85 he made the Pro Bowl as part of the first Patriot team to play in the Super Bowl. That year he totaled 1,587 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns while averaging 4.7 yards per carry. James was never the same after that though due to multiple shoulder injuries, and retired after the 1988 season. In 52 games with the Pats he averaged 4.2 yards per carry, with 13 touchdowns and 3,288 yards from scrimmage. At that point in time his 2,469 yards rushing ranked sixth in franchise history (13th now).

Bob Gladieux, 74 (born January 2, 1947); from Louisville, Ohio
Patriot RB/ST, 1969-1972
Pats 8th round (188th overall) selection in the 1969 draft, from Notre Dame
Uniform #24
Nicknamed 'Harpo' because his hair reminded some of Harpo Marx. He didn't get the ball much in college until his senior year, when he scored 14 touchdowns for the Irish. As a sophomore he scored on a 34-yard TD catch in the 10-10 "Game of the Century" against Michigan State in 1966.

Gladieux didn't see much playing time at running back with the Pats either (491 yards from scrimmage over four seasons), but he was a fan favorite for his all out style on special teams. Harpo is most well known for one of the most iconic moments in Patriots history. He and a friend were in the stands at a season opening game at Harvard Stadium, just after being cut at the end of training camp. While his buddy went to get a couple beers for them his name was announced over the loudspeakers, to report to the dressing room. Billy Sullivan had a contract dispute with another player (imagine that!), and Gladieux was quickly signed to a contract in the locker room to take his place. His friend came back and was in disbelief when he heard over the PA system that Gladieux made the tackle on the kickoff.

In his post-football career he and his wife formed their own travel agency, and a company that makes licensed promotional items for over 40 universities.

Catching Up With… Bob Gladieux

und.com

A Team’s Ragtag Roots (Published 2012)

The Boston Patriots bounced from stadium to stadium and played “home” games as far away as San Diego. Bizarre occurrences seemed to follow them wherever they went.

www.nytimes.com

Harlon Barnett, 54 (born January 2, 1967)
Patriot S, 1993-94
Uniform #42
Barnett signed with the Pats in '93 for Bill Parcells' first year as head coach in New England. He played in 30 games with 28 starts, as well as in the playoff loss to Bill Belichick's Browns in the 94-95 post-season. While with the Pats Barnett had four interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He is perhaps most well known for being the foil on a famous Barry Sanders highlight play while with the Pats.



Barnett played in 99 regular season games and two playoff games over seven NFL seasons with Cleveland, New England and Minnesota. Since then he has coached high school and college football, at LSU, Cincinnati, Florida State and Michigan State - where he is now the Spartans CB coach.


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Others born today with New England connections include:

Frank Chamberlain (1/2/1978-11/17/2013)
After playing at Boston College, the linebacker was drafted by Tennessee in the fifth round of the 2000 draft. He played in 57 NFL games from 2000-05, then sadly succumbed to brain cancer in 2013 at the age of 35.

Lake Dawson (1/2/1972)
Born in Boston, Dawson played wide receiver for the Chiefs from 1994 to1997. Lake was the VP of Football Operations for the Titans from 2011 to 2015; since 2017 he has been the Assistant Director of College Scouting for the Buffalo Bills.

Warren McGuirk (1/2/1906-/19/1981)
Born and raised in Boston, Warren went to Dorchester High School, St. Anselm's and Boston College. He was a tackle for the 1929-1930 Providence Steamroller. McGuirk was the Athletic Director and Dean of the School of Physical Education at UMass-Amherst from 1948 to 1971; the stadium there was named in his honor.

Cy Wentworth (1/2/1904-1/19/1986)
Salem native went to Salem High School, then Thayer Academy and UNH. He was a tailback in the early days of pro football, from 1925-29 with the Providence Steamroller and Boston Bulldogs. Cy is one of only two alumni from Thayer to play in the NFL. He scored a career total of 166 points at UNH, and 48 in the NFL. Wentworth still holds UNH's single game record for points scored with 37, in 1923.

 

[DropKickFlutie]

Screw the globe. I will never even glance at that rag again after they put a doctored photo from a porn site on the front page and claimed it was our GI's raping an Iraqi woman.

As for Flutie, one of my favorite memories of him was from BC. They were playing Clemson and this huge DLineman (I think it might have been William Perry) came in a little late and was going to give Flutie a shot after he threw the ball. Flutie being as quick as a cat saw it coming and stepped off to the side, grabbed the DL by the front of his shirt and used the DLs momentum to spin him around and throw him into the ground like a rag doll. I remember the announcers whining a little about it but I was too busy laughing to hear what they said exactly.

Sounds like the move Pedro Martinez gave to Dom Zimmer

 

[signbabybrady]

I’m in complete shock that it was 15 years ago. Seems like yesterday.

Last night one of the announcers in the college playoffs referred to Eddie George playing at Ohio a quarter of a century ago and I was shocked to hear it put like that. Deny deny deny.

 

[Patjew]

It seems like yesterday and a lifetime ago for me. Life seems so much different now. And for me it is. I’ve aged in dog years since then Emotionally, and I’m also healthier than ever.

The Pats have made my relationship with my dad so much more meaningful than it might have been. That may sound bad but having something that we both care about so much has been awesome, even in the bad times.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Patriots upset by Miami; drop to #2 seed​

Sunday January 3, 2016 at 1:00
2015 Week 17 at Sun Life Stadium in Opa-Locka, Florida
Miami Dolphins 20, New England Patriots 10
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Dan Campbell
Quarterbacks: Tom Brady, Ryan Tannehill
Odds: New England favored by 9
Patriots finish 12-4, with an AFC-best plus-150 point differential
Dolphins finish fourth, 6-10; 5-7 after Campbell replaced Joe Philbin

For the second week in a row the Patriots needed either a win or a Denver loss to clinch the number one seed in the AFC playoffs, but got neither. After a 10-0 start to the 2015 campaign the Pats limped home to the finish line with four losses in their final six regular season games. Due to injuries LeGarrette Blount, Dion Lewis, Julian Edelman and Sebastian Vollmer were sidelined on offense, replaced by Steven Jackson, Brandon Bolden, Keshawn Martin and Cameron Fleming. In addition Ryan Wendell - who had been named captain in 2015 - missed nearly the entire season, replaced by Josh Kline. Defense was more of the same with Dont'a Hightower inactive, and Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung playing through injuries.

The offensive game plan was to run the ball against a Miami run defense that ranked 30th in the NFL. The problem was that without Blount and Lewis and with a makeshift offensive line, the Pats were unable to do anything on the ground. It's not that they didn't try, running the ball 21 times in the first half versus just five passes. Unfortunately the Pats averaged just 2.7 yards per carry.

Miami scored just before the end of the half to take a 10-3 lead. The Pats threw the ball more in the second half, but the running game constantly put the offense in poor down and distance situations. The Patriot offense had a net of just 32 yards in the second half, on 20 plays.

The Dolphins weren't doing anything on offense either, with their first four second half drives ending with three punts and a turnover on downs. They finally put together a fourth quarter scoring drive, highlighted by a Tannehill 46 yard jump ball completion to DeVante Parker (five catches for 106 yards). On the ensuing drive Brady was sacked twice, and then Miami kicked a field goal to make it a two score game with two minutes to play. In the first half Brady limped off after having his leg rolled up on by Ndamukong Suh, and had been knocked down several times in the second half. Rather than risk further injury both he and Gronk sat on the sideline for the final drive.

Two weeks later the Patriots defeated Andy Reid's Kansas City Chiefs 27-20, but the loss to Miami meant the Pats played the AFCCG in Denver rather than in Foxboro. The Broncos won that game 20-18, and Denver proceeded to defeat Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50. Miami opted to go with Adam Gase rather than interim head coach Dan Campbell for the 2016 season. Gase is reportedly about to be fired by the Jets; Campbell has worked with the Saints as the assistant head coach and tight ends coach since this game.

Geneo Grissom registered his first sack in this game; it would also turn out to be the last of his 37-game NFL career. Steven Jackson scored on a 2-yard third quarter run, for his first as a Patriot. He would score one more time for the Pats, in the AFCCG against Denver - his first and only postseason score. Including those two TDs Jackson finished his NFL career with 79 touchdowns. The five first half passes thrown by Brady were the fewest attempts at halftime in any game he started in his career.

Pats miss chance to clinch No. 1 seed, losing to Miami 20-10

For the second week in a row, the Patriots (12-4) missed a chance to earn the top playoff seed by winning.

www.patriots.com

5 takeaways from Patriots’ 20-10 loss to Dolphins

COMMENTARY Sunday put a disappointing cap on a disappointing six-game stretch for the New England Patriots. The Patriots finished the regular season with a 20-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins, […]

www.boston.com

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fancy-stats/wp/2016/01/03/playoffs-looming-a-big-cause-for-concern-for-tom-brady-new-england-patriots/

Patriots weren’t competitive from the start - The Boston Globe

Did the shorthanded Patriots think the Dolphins stood a chance Sunday? It didn’t appear that way.

www.bostonglobe.com

Bill Belichick: Steven Jackson 'Ran Hard' For Patriots In Loss To Dolphins - NESN.com

There weren’t many positive to glean from the New England Patriots’ loss to the Miami Dolphins, but one was the play of veteran running back Steven Jackson. Jackson, who officially signed with the Patriots on Dec. 22, didn’t light the field on fire, but the 32-year-old showed the ability to drag...

nesn.com

New England Patriots Fall To Miami Dolphins 20-10

That was possibly the worst football game I have ever watched. The Patriots didn't really seem to care much about this game, as their gameplan on both side...

musketfire.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History: January 3​

Happy January 3rd Birthdays!

Charles Johnson: January 3, 1972
Patriot WR, 2001
Uniform #81
Johnson was a first round pick by the Steelers in 1994. He started for five seasons in Pittsburgh and two in Philadelphia before signing with the Patriots. Johnson played 14 games with two starts for the Pats in '01. He had 14 receptions for 111 yards, and two receptions in the AFCCG against the Steelers that post-season. Johnson was the eighth player to catch an NFL touchdown pass from Tom Brady. It came in the second quarter of a November 25 game against the Saints that put the Pats up 20-0; it was Brady's 15th TD pass of the season. Over nine NFL seasons Johnson caught 354 passes for 4,606 yards and 24 touchdowns.


Darryl Usher: January 3, 1965 - February 24, 1990
Patriot WR/KR, 1988 off-season
Pats 7th round (181st overall) selection of the 1988 draft, from Illinois.
Usher did not make the team out of training camp. He signed with the Browns, then played with the Chargers and Phoenix Cardinals in 1989. Following that season Usher began dating a girl in Phoenix. Chiquita Burt was at Usher's apartment and called 911 due to concerns about her former boyfriend, Craig Gardner, who had threatened to kill her. Gardner found Usher's apartment and climbed in through a window. He shot and killed both Burt and Usher, and then turned the weapon on himself.



Other pro football players born today with New England connections:

Mackenzy Bernadeau: January 3, 1986
Born and raised in Waltham, he stayed local and went to Bentley College. The guard was drafted by the Panthers in the 7th round of the 2008 draft. Bernadeau played in 64 games over seven NFL seasons for Carolina and Dallas.

Dan Sileo: January 3, 1964
Sileo was born in Stamford and went to Stamford Catholic High School. The Bucs selected him in the 1987 supplemental draft, and he played 10 games for Tampa Bay that year. For the last twenty years he has worked as a highly opinionated sports talk radio host in various local markets, most recently in San Diego.

Gerry Zawadzkas: January 3, 1946 - September 3, 2008
Zawadzkas was born and raised in Torrington CT, and then went to Columbia Uinversity. He was a 16th round draft pick by the Lions in 1967, appearing in two games. While there he also had a bit part in the film Paper Lion. The tight end then put his Ivy League education to use, and got a master's degree in physics from City College of New York. Zawadzkas worked with lasers at the Exxon Research Center in New Jersey. He moved to Albuquerque in 1978 to work in nuclear and radiation research for Sandia National Laboratories before retiring in 2003.

Tom Whelan: January 3, 1894 - June 26, 1957
Whelan was born and raised in Lynn, and went to Lynn English High School and Worcester Academy. He played end, center and guard for the 1919-1920 Canton Bulldogs and 1921 Cleveland Tigers in the APFA (before it became known as the NFL). Whelan also played pro baseball, as a first baseman for the 1920 Boston Braves. Whelan returned to Lynn where he became a coach, athletic director and principal of Lynn English High School.

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Others born today include both Eli Manning and David Tyree (!), quarterbacks Jim Everett and DeShone Kizer.... and my brother: Happy Birthday!

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January 3, 2000:
Bill Belichick was named head coach of the New York Jets, replacing Bill Parcells.


January 3, 1963:
The article below mentions that **** Klein becomes the eighth member of the Boston Patriots to be named to the second annual American Football League All Star game, joining teammates Babe Parilli, Jim Colclough, Charlie Long, Tom Addison, **** Felt, Larry Eisenhauer and Fred Bruny.

There are also two other interesting articles. The first is a column about moving the NFL championship game to the Orange Bowl in Miami due to the benefits of warmer weather. The other talks about the NFL adding the two point conversion, and college football moving the goal posts from the back of the end zone up to the goal line in order to add more scoring.

The Telegraph - Búsqueda en el archivo de Google News

news.google.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History​

January 4, 2000:

Remember When: Bill Belichick quit as 'HC of the NYJ' after one day

Marking the anniversary of Bill Belichick quitting the Jets after a single day | Boston.com



January 4, 1991:
New CEO Sam Jankovich fires head coach Rod Rust. The Pats finished 1990 with a 1-15 record and a negative 265 point differential - distracted all season by the Lisa Olson incident as well as Irving Fryar's felony arrest for carrying unlicensed firearms, then Fryar and Hart Lee Dykes getting beat up outside a Providence bar.



Sunday January 4, 1987 at 4:00
1986 AFC Divisional Round Game at Mile High
Denver Broncos 22, New England Patriots 17
Head Coaches: Raymond Berry, Dan Reeves
Quarterbacks: Tony Eason, John Elway
Odds: Denver favored by 4
Patriots finish 11-6
Broncos improve to 12-5; advance to AFCCG at Cleveland

The Broncos scored on a long pass that could have been called for offensive pass interference to come from behind in the second half to win. Tony Eason was sacked in the end zone with less than two minutes to play, killing any last hope for a Patriot comeback of their own.

John Elway is hit by Patriot linebacker Andre Tippett, which forced an interception and injured the Bronco QBs ankle at the end of the first half in the AFC playoff game against New England on Jan. 5, 1987.​

Stanley Morgan caught three passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Patriot offense. Mosi Tatupu tossed the football back to Eason, who threw a 45-yard touchdown to Morgan with 2:50 to play in the third quarter. That gave the Pats a 17-13, but Denver came right back with a long touchdown pass of their own.

Don Blackmon was flagged for being offsides, giving Denver a free play with no whistles blown. With nothing to lose John Elway threw a deep ball on a post pattern, which was slightly underthrown. Bronco receiver Vance Johnson came back for the ball and in doing so pushed off on cornerback Ernest Gibson, catching the pass and falling into the end zone for the score - and a 20-17 Denver lead.

Denver was able to rush better than they had all season despite missing their starting running back, racking up 188 yards on the ground. That led to a 23-12 disparity in first downs as the Patriot offense spent most of the game watching from the sideline. The Broncos ran 21 more offensive plays than the Patriots, controlling the ball for 35:29. In the second half the Patriot offense was on the field for less than ten minutes (20:20 to 9:40).

The Patriots were able to keep the score close thanks in part to two interceptions off Elway, by Rod McSwain and Johnny Rembert. But too many Patriot drives were extinguished due to Tony Eason taking six sacks.

One week later Elway - who was just 13-32 in this game - would engineer The Drive in the historical overtime victory against Cleveland in the AFC Championship Game.

Highlights:
​

Full Game:
​

Broncos Oust Pats | The Harvard Crimson

Late safety secured the Broncos' playoff win over Patriots in 1986 | Denver Post

Broncos Defeat Patriots | The New York Times




Saturday January 4, 2020 at 8:15
2019 AFC Wild Card Game at Gillette
Tennessee Titans 20, New England Patriots 13
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Mike Vrabel
Quarterbacks: Tom Brady, Ryan Tannehill
Odds: New England favored by 4½
Pats finish 12-5
Titans improve to 10-7




January 4, 1973: Lamont Warren was born in Indianapolis
Patriot RB for 16 games in 1999; uniform #27

January 4, 1973: Ray Mickens was born in Frankfurt, Germany
Patriot CB for four games in 2006; uniform #38

January 4, 1973: Todd Sauerbrun was born in Setaucket, NY
Patriot Punter for two games in 2006, filling in for Josh Miller
Patriots sign Sauerbrun - The Boston Globe


One other New England Birthday:
January 4, 1949: Vince Clements was born in Southington CT
Grew up in Southington and went to UConn
Was a RB with the Giants in 1972-73
Clear Field Ahead for Clements

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History: January 5
Pats crush Steelers in The Fog Bowl​

January 5, 1997 at Foxboro Stadium
Division Round Playoff Game
New England Patriots 28, Pittsburgh Steelers 3
With Steelers in a Fog, Patriots Roll Along | Washington Post
A Souper Sunday: The Steelers were in a fog against the Patriots, who beat them at their own game | Sports Illustrated
A real-life horror Story: The Fog Bowl | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette




January 5, 1986 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Division Round Playoff Game
New England Patriots 27, Los Angeles Raiders 20
Raiders Give the Game to the Patriots, 27-20; 3 Interceptions and 3 Fumbles Result in Loss | LA Times
Ah Yes, The '85 Pats: They Were Never Dull | Hartford Courant
History Lesson: The Time Matt Millen Punched The Patriots' General Manager In The Head | Deadspin

January 5, 1964 at Balboa Stadium
1963 AFL Championship Game
San Diego Chargers 51, Boston Patriots 10
Remembering the 1963 Championship Game | The San Diego Union-Tribune
1963 Boston Patriots | Fenway Park Diaries
The World Champion Chargers and the 1963 AFL Season | Remember the AFL
After his team routed the Patriots, San Diego head coach Sid Gillman challenged the NFL Champion Chicago Bears to a game. When the Bears refused, Gillman had the Chargers’ championship rings engraved “World Champions.”

Today's Birthdays​

Happy 28th Birthday to Phillip Dorsett
Born January 5, 1993 in Fort Lauderdale
Patriot WR, 2017-present; uniform #13
Traded from Colts to Pats on Sept 2, 2017 for QB Jacoby Brissett
45 games, 73 receptions, 881 yards, 12.1 ypc, 8 TD


Happy 80th Birthday to Dave Watson
January 5, 1941 in Eufaula, Alabama
Patriot G, 1963-64; uniform #67 and #62
Pats 11th round (87th overall) selection of the 1963 AFL draft, from Georgia Tech


Happy 66th Birthday to Bill Currier
Born January 5, 1955 in Glen Burnie, MD
Patriot SS, 1980; uniform #28
Spent nine years in the NFL, mostly with the Giants


Happy 52nd Birthday to David Dixon
Born January 5, 1969 in New Zealand
Pats 9th round (232nd overall) selection of the 1992 draft, from Arizona State
Dixon was a training camp cut, and spent '92 and '93 on the practice squads for Minnesota and Dallas. He then went on to play 154 games at RG for the Vikings. Dixon was the second Maori (indigenous Polynesian people) to play in the NFL.


Others with New England Connections:
FB Casey Cramer (1/5/82) went to Dartmouth; played five seasons with Carolina, Tennessee and Miami.

DT Don Colo (1/5/25); born and raised in East Bridgewater MA, was named to three Pro Bowls and won two championships with the Browns.

QB/TB Paul Governali (1/5/21) played for the 1946-47 Boston Yanks.

Bob Priestly (1/5/20) played E for the Eagles in 1942. Born in Everett, went to Melrose High School.

Other notable football players born today:
Warrick Dunn (1/5/75); RB had 15,306 yards from scrimmage and 64 TD
Ray Crockett (1/5/67); CB won two SB rings and had 36 picks over 14 seasons
Rick Tuten (1/5/65); Punter for 11 seasons, won SB ring with Rams
Joe Cribbs (1/5/58); RB went to three Pro Bowls with Bills
Mercury Morris (1/5/47), Miami RB, drug dealer and Pats Hater
Sam Wyche (1/5/45); innovative HC introduced the hurry up offense as a mid-game strategy; nearly beat SF in SB 23
EJ Holub (1/53/38); 5-time Pro Bowl LB for Chiefs
Jim Otto (1/5/1938); Hall of Fame center for the Raiders
Chuck Noll (1/5/32-6/13/14); after playing seven season for coach Paul Brown in Cleveland, Noll went on to win four Super Bowls with the Steelers

Today in Pro Football History​

2002 Wild Card Game: Forty Niners 39, Giants 38
The Giants led 38-14 with just over 17 minutes left to play, but lost.
Today in Pro Football History: Jan 5, 2014

The special teams had been a cause of concern throughout the season, and 41-year-old long snapper Trey Junkin was signed out of retirement five days before the game when long snapper Dan O’Leary was injured – a seemingly minor personnel change that would have a significant impact on the game’s outcome.​

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It seemed as though the visitors would prevail when they lined up for a field goal attempt of 41 yards with six seconds left on the clock.​

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But Junkin snapped the ball too low and holder Matt Allen couldn’t handle it. The desperate Allen rolled out and threw toward G Rich Seubert, who was in the act of being pulled down by San Francisco LB Chike Okeafor. The ball fell to the ground with no time left, but the Giants were looking for a flag for pass interference. After the officials conferred, a flag was indeed thrown – against the Giants for having an ineligible receiver downfield.​

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San Francisco came away with an astonishing 39-38 win. Coming back from a 24-point deficit, it was the biggest comeback in NFC playoff history (and, at the time, the second-biggest in NFL history), and was punctuated in bizarre fashion.​

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The next day, the NFL acknowledged that the officials had blown the call on the game-ending broken field goal attempt. There should have been an offsetting pass interference penalty on the 49ers, which would have allowed the Giants another chance at kicking the field goal (while Seubert had reported in as an eligible receiver, another guard, Tam Hopkins, was illegally downfield on the play).​

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[jmt57]

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.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History: January 7
Patriots rout Jets 37-16 in Wild Card​

Sun Jan 7, 2007 at 1:00
2006 AFC Wild Card Game at Gillette
New England Patriots 37, New York Jets 16
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Eric Mangini
Quarterbacks: Tom Brady, Chad Pennington
Odds: New England favored by 9
Pats improve to 13-4; next game is at San Diego
Jets finish the 2006 season 10-7

Key Stats:
3rd Down: Patriots 11-16; Jets 3-11
Turnovers: Patriots 1; Jets 2

Richard Seymour slams Chad Pennington to the ground, a play that temporarily forced Pennington from the game with an injured elbow.

Pennington was under duress the whole game, as in this hit by Ty Warren.

Vince Wilfork with his impression of a running back on a 31 yard fumble recovery.​

Patriots beat Jets 37-16 in AFC Wild Card | Reuters

Patriots ground Jets 37-16

Patriots 37, Jets 16 - Boston.com

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Saturday January 7, 2006 at 8:00
2005 AFC Wild Card Game at Gillette
New England Patriots 28, Jacksonville Jaguars 3
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Jack Del Rio
Quarterbacks: Tom Brady, Byron Leftwich
Odds: New England favored by 8
Pats improve to 11-6; play at Denver the next week
Jacksonville finishes 12-5

Key Stats:
3rd Down: Patriots 7-14, Jaguars 1-4
Turnovers: Patriots 0, Jaguars 2
The Patriots fumbled the ball four times, but retained possession all four times.

The Patriots outscore Jacksonville 21-0 in the second half to advance to the divisional round. Tom Brady threw three touchdown passes, including 63 yarder to Ben Watson to make the score 21-3 late in the third quarter. Jacksonville was driving into New England territory when Asante Samuel intercepted a Byron Leftwich pass on the first play of the fourth quarter and raced down the sideline 73 yards to put the game out of reach.

Patriots Make It A Perfect 10; Brady Has 3 TD Passes for Two-Time Defending Champs: Patriots 28, Jaguars 3 | WaPo

Patriots still have it going on / Brady, McGinest make 10th straight playoff win look easy

Patriots too strong for Jaguars as playoff streak builds - The Boston Globe

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January 7, 1991:
**** MacPherson is hired as head coach.

MacPherson Is Hired By the Patriots (Published 1991)

www.nytimes.com

In a rush to put a happy face on a sad team, the New England Patriots today hired **** MacPherson, Syracuse's successful and spirited coach, as their third coach in three years.​

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"If you're going to come in and change the attitudes and your approach, you better do it immediately," said Sam Jankovich, the former University of Miami athletic director, who joined the Patriots as their chief executive officer on Dec. 20. "If you wait very long, people are going to fall into the same rut."​

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MacPherson, a Maine native who attended Springfield (Mass.) College, brings an outgoing personality to a team that struggled the last two seasons under two reserved coaches, Rust and Raymond Berry.​

Syracuse's MacPherson named new Patriots head coach - UPI Archives

**** MacPherson of Syracuse University, looking to take his coaching career to a 'higher level,' Monday accepted the job as head coach of the NFL's worst...

www.upi.com

The Patriots finished the 1990 season at 1-15, the worst mark in franchise history. The Patriots tied NFL season records for most losses and most consecutive defeats (14).​

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'Hiring **** MacPherson as head coach of the New England Patriots is a great way to start a new era for this organization,' Jankovich said. '**** as head football coach represents all the qualities that we believe are essential to winning in the NFL.'​

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'**** has a wealth of experience, character and knowledge that translates into exciting football,' said Jankovich, who expects MacPherson to establish 'a disciplined program' at New England.​

Today's Birthdays​

Bob Scarpitto was born Jan 7, 1939 in Rahway, New York
Patriot Punter and Flanker in 1968; uniform #46
Led the league in 1968 with the longest punt (87 yards) - but also punts blocked (2)

Al Marshall was born Jan 7, 1951 in Monroe, Louisiana
Patriot WR in 1974; uniform #88
Played last four games of '74 with one catch, a 17-yard TD vs the Raiders

Local Guy:
Ivan Caesar was born Jan 7, 1967
Went to Dorchester High School and Boston College
LB played 14 games for the Vikings in 1991.



Other NFL Birthdays
1/7/1997 - QB Lamar Jackson
1/7/1986 - Steeler LG Ramon Foster
1/7/1979 - SF RB Kevan Barlow
1/7/1973 - Chi/Sea WR Bobby Engram
1/7/1969 - PR/WR Todd Kinchen
1/7/1962 - LB & HC Ron Rivera
1/7/1960 - OL & NFL analyst Brian Baldinger
1/7/1958 - Atl/Hous CB-PR-KR Kenny Johnson
1/7/1948 - Cle/Phi/Was DE Joe 'Turkey' Jones


1/7/1946 - Atl LB Greg Brezina
1/7/1930 - QB Eddie LeBaron had 13 4th quarter comebacks with Washington and Dallas, and was named to four Pro Bowls - despite having a career record of 28-54-3.
Eddie LeBaron, the diminutive 'Little General' of 1950s Redskins, dies at 85 | WaPo
Obituary: Eddie LeBaron, 85, starred at UOP and in NFL