Today in Patriots History

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Eric Alexander​

Happy 37th birthday to Eric Alexander
Born February 8, 1982 in Tyler, Texas
Patriot LB, 2004-2009; uniform #49 ('04-'05) & #51 ('06-'09)

• Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent out of LSU in 2004
• Spent most of 2004 and 2005 on the practice squad (4 regular season games)
• Spent most of 2008 on injured reserve
• Saw plenty of playing time in 2006, 2007 and 2009
• Played in 45 regular season games and 7 playoff games for the Patriots
• Earned a Super Bowl ring for SB XXXIX

Alexander is unfortunately most remembered for being the goat (not GOAT) in the one and only start of his pro football career. He was the player who was beaten by Colt WR Bradley Fletcher for a 32-yard gain on Indy's game winning drive in the 38-34 2006 AFCCG. The forgotten part of that event is that because of the Patriot defensive philosophy of taking away an opponent's top offensive threats - in this case Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. The tactic worked - those two were limited to a combined nine receptions on twenty passes thrown their way, plus three coverage sacks. However it left a 240 pound linebacker covering a speedy #3 receiver down the sideline with no safety help.

In that AFCCG Alexander had 10 solo tackles, a forced fumble, one tackle for a loss, a pass deflection and one quarterback hit.

Eric Alexander - Patriots Alumni

10/9/05 - Pats Sign LB Eric Alexander from Practice Squad; Release C Gene Mruczkowski

11/23/09 - Extension for Eric Alexander | Mike Reiss

LinkedIn - Eric Alexander





Happy 30th birthday to Justin Francis
Born February 8, 1989 in Opa-Locka FL
Patriot DE, 2012; uniform #94
Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 4, 2012, from Rutgers

11/4/2012 - Football journey: Justin Francis | Mike Reiss

• 10 games played
• 3 sacks
• 9 tackles (6) solo
• 4 tackles for a loss
• 7 quarterback hits

Released on August 31, 2013 in a surprise move; later agreed to an injury settlement (high ankle sprain).

Francis has since been with the Portland Thunder and Portland Steel of the Arena Football League, and the Nebraska Danger of the Indoor Football League.



Happy 47th birthday to Marcus Pollard
Born Feb 8, 1972 in Valley, Alabama
Patriot TE, 2008 (offseason only); uniform #87

• Signed as a veteran free agent on April 23, 2008
• Released on August 19, 2008
• NFL career stats: 192 games, 349 receptions, 40TD, 4280 yards

7/26/08 - Marcus Pollard thrilled to be with the Patriots | Boston Herald

8/19/08 - Patriots release TE Marcus Pollard; Sign Tyson DeVree | Patriots.com

8/19/08 - Patriots cut Marcus Pollard | AP/ESPN

The New England Patriots released 13-year veteran tight end Marcus Pollard on Tuesday.

They also signed rookie tight end Tyson DeVree, who joins Benjamin Watson, David Thomas and Stephen Spach at that position.

Pollard signed with the Patriots on April 23 after being released by Seattle, where he spent one season. He played his first 10 seasons with Indianapolis and two with Detroit.

"It wasn't really going to work out here the way that we had hoped and he had hoped," coach Bill Belichick said. "At the same time, there are still a couple preseason games left and time before the season opener and I think there are some other teams that are looking for tight ends and maybe there is a better opportunity for him somewhere else."

In 191 games, including 133 starts, Pollard caught 349 passes for 4,280 yards and 40 touchdowns. Last season, he had 28 catches for 273 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games.

DeVree originally signed with the Patriots on May 5 as a rookie free agent and was released on June 11. He played two seasons at Western Michigan and two at Colorado.


​

February 8, 1960:
The Patriots appoint Lou Saban as the franchise's first head coach.

Lou Saban, 87, first coach of Patriots - The Boston Globe

But it was the winter of 1960 when Mr. Saban, who had played football in college and then with the Cleveland Browns under the great Paul Brown, was picked by Ed McKeever and team owner Billy Sullivan to build the first Patriots team.

In a 1994 interview with Globe sportswriter Michael Madden, Mr. Saban recalled the obstacles he faced.

"The thing is, we started so late," he said. "We were the last team. All the good players were gone. . . . We had to take what was left over.

"We had tryouts in the city of Boston from one end to the other. We had bricklayers, we had carpenters, we had stoker men . . . you name it, we had it."

In time a team was formed, a hardworking one. But the Patriots went 5-9 for the season.

"We just never wanted to look bad," Mr. Saban recalled. "We wanted to show we could play so the NFL wouldn't make fun of us."

As his second season began, Mr. Saban was shoring up his defensive line, bringing in some talented young players, and just as "we were starting to have a team," he was fired, he told Madden. Sullivan replaced him with Mike Holovak, who went on to win seven games. "No hard feelings," Mr. Saban said. "Mr. Sullivan owned the team. He could do what he wants. I've always felt that way."

Mr. Saban, who was 95-99-7 in 16 seasons of pro football, was also president of the New York Yankees from 1981 to '82.

"He has been my friend and mentor for over 50 years, and one of the people who helped shape my life," Steinbrenner said yesterday in a statement.

Patriots chairman Robert Kraft also honored Mr. Saban yesterday.

"A part of his football legacy will forever be linked to many of the firsts in our franchise's history," Kraft said in a statement. "This season, we will be celebrating the Patriots' 50th anniversary and reflecting back on that inaugural season. It should give us all cause to appreciate Lou's many contributions during the Patriots' formative years."​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Logan Ryan​

Happy 28th birthday to Logan Ryan
Born February 9, 1991 in Berlin, New Jersey
Patriot CB, 2013-2016; uniform #26
Pats 3rd round (83rd overall) selection of the 2013 draft, from Rutgers

• Never missed a game with the Patriots
• 64 regular season games played, with 40 starts
• 13 interceptions, one for a touchdown
• 259 tackles (202 solo) with 2½ sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 5 TFL and 6 QB hits

​

• Appeared in ten playoff games for New England, with Pats going 8-2
• Earned two Super Bowl rings for victories over Seattle and Atlanta
• Ryan was on the field for 976 defensive snaps in 2015 (89%) and 897 in 2016 (86%)
• In the 2016-17 divisional game versus Houston, Ryan had an interception returned 23 yards, three pass deflections, 7 tackles, a tackle for a loss and a quarterback hit

Happy 48th birthday to Pat O'Neill
Born February 9, 1971 at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois
Patriot punter, 1994-1995; uniform #5
Pats 5th round (135th overall) selection of the 1994 draft, from Syracuse

PRO FOOTBALL; The Big, Slow Guy Wins the Race for the Football

Late in the third quarter, with the Jets leading, 13-10, the Patriots faced fourth down and 7 yards to go from New York's 31-yard line. It seemed time for a 49-yard field goal attempt, but the Patriots' kicker, Matt Bahr, while making 23 of 28 this year, had not kicked one beyond 48 yards.

The Patriots sent out their field-goal team, but with Pat O'Neill, the punter and long-distance field-goal kicker, rather than Bahr. Everyone expected a field-goal attempt -- everyone except Scott Zolak, the holder. On the sideline, he was told to call the fake.

The Jets lined up for a field goal, but Zolak called the signal that said it would be a fake. Zolak put his hands out to take the supposed snap. Instead, it went directly to O'Neill, who kicked a soft punt instead.

The ball landed on the 10-yard line and bounced toward the end zone. A team expecting a punt would have had someone back there to block anyone trying to down the ball short of the end zone. But the Jets were expecting a field-goal attempt and had no one stationed deep, so Todd Rucci, a 291-pound starting offensive guard for the Patriots, had clear sailing past Ronnie Lott. He downed the football on the 1, and the Jets had their backs to the goal.
https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/05/...-race-for-the-football.html#story-continues-2
Three plays later, on third-and-6, Boomer Esiason passed for Ryan Yarborough. But Ricky Reynolds intercepted and ran 11 yards for a touchdown, and the Patriots led, 17-13.​

NFL punter becomes a surgeon

The trick play sparked the Patriots to their fourth straight win after a miserable start. They kept it up through their last game, tying Miami’s record at 10-6 and winning a wild-card playoff berth.

The Patriots drew the Cleveland Browns in the first round, and O’Neill pulled off another trick play, throwing a pass for a first down. Percentage-wise, he had a better day than quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who threw three interceptions in a 20-13 loss.

. . . . .​

That first year, he averaged 41 yards per punt, good for playing half his games at open, wind-swept Foxboro. It placed him 10th in the 14-team league, but less than a yard off the average punter. He also hit the fourth-longest punt of any kicker that year.

The numbers, though, masked a challenging season. Punting looks simple on television, but November brings cold and trials invisible to the cameras.

“The ball’s a piece of stone, the wind blows, you have no footing because the grass won’t grow and the field doesn’t absorb moisture,” he said.

In the end, despite the highlight-reel moments, despite the trip to the playoffs, it was disappointing.​

“There were games where I was as good as anyone I’d seen. Then there were games I didn’t do well,” he said recently, at the end of a day of seeing patients. “At some point, I said, ‘I like this, but is it worth it?’”

So that off-season, while his teammates rested, he tackled something in some ways more arduous than training camp: He took the MCAT, the medical school admission test.​

Dr. Patrick J. O'Neill | Patrick J. O'Neill, MD

Dr. O'Neill is an orthopaedic surgeon with advanced fellowship training in the treatment of the foot and ankle. This is the highest level of training possible and Dr. O'Neill is the only one in Sarasota County who can make this claim. His medical school, training, and fellowship in Foot and Ankle were completed at the Johns Hopkins/Union Memorial Hospital program in Baltimore, MD, where he studied with nationally and internationally renowned surgeons. He received his undergraduate degree in Bioengineering from Syracuse University.

Dr. O'Neill is highly trained in the latest non-surgical and surgical treatments for a wide range of disorders of the foot and ankle. He treats sports-related injuries, tendon disorders, foot and ankle trauma, diabetes, nerve disorders, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, heel pain, bunions, hammer toes, and amputations. Any area of the foot and ankle may be involved, including the forefoot, midfoot, hindfoot, or ankle. Patients may have either simple common problems, or more complex problems which could require complicated reconstructive procedures.

During his training, Dr. O'Neill enjoyed research activities, and he received numerous awards for his work from the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, Maryland Orthopaedic Association, and the Johnson & Johnson/Roger H. Michael foundation. His research has been published in peer-reviewed orthopaedic journals, including Foot and Ankle International and the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, the most prestigious orthopaedic journal.

While at Syracuse University, Dr. O'Neill excelled both on and off the playing field. Some of his academic accomplishments include Academic All-American and University Scholar, Syracuse's highest honor. Dr. O'Neill was also a member of the Syracuse Orangemen football team as a Punter and Kicker, and was ultimately named to the All-20th Century Football Team. Upon leaving Syracuse, Dr. O'Neill was drafted in the 5th round of the NFL draft by the New England Patriots, and in his first year he was named the NFL All-rookie Punter.



​

Happy 44th birthday to Terry Billups
Born February 9, 1975 in Wiesbaden, Germany
Patriot CB, 1999; uniform #23

Los Angeles Xtreme Roster: Terry Billups

Pro Career: Billups has outstanding speed and excellent coverage skills… Has two years of pro football experience in both NFL Europe (1999) and the NFL (1998)… 1999: Played for Rhein Fire in NFL Europe… Played major roll for top-ranked defense in the league… Played alongside the Xtreme’s Dell McGee and Reggie Lowe… Saw action in two games for New England Patriots… 1998: Played in first NFL game Thanksgiving Day (11/26) for Dallas in loss to Minnesota …

College: Played four years for UNC… Had three career interceptions… 1997: Senior year stepped up as reserve corner for Tar Heels’ second ranked defense… Racked up ten tackles and forced a fumble for the season… 1996: Overcame shoulder surgery as a junior to become one of top reserves with seven tackles and one interception… 1994: As a red shirt freshman played in Sun Bowl in loss to Texas despite a broken thumb…​

Other pro football players with New England connections:

Dan Ross would have been 49 today
Born Feb 9, 1957 in Malden
Went to Everett High School and Northeastern

Ex-Bengal Ross, Super Bowl record holder, dies at 49

Ross was the Bengals' second-round choice in the 1979 draft, the 30th player selected overall that year. He earned a starting berth as a rookie and notched 41 catches for 516 yards and one touchdown. In his first five seasons with the Bengals, Ross posted more than 40 receptions every year, and he averaged 51.4 catches and 628.2 yards and scored 16 touchdowns.

His best season was in 1981, when Ross had 71 receptions for 910 yards and five touchdowns. Following that season, in a Super Bowl XVI loss to the San Francisco 49ers, he had 11 catches for 104 yards and two touchdowns. The 11 receptions remain a Super Bowl record shared by Jerry Rice of the 49ers and Deion Branch of the New England Patriots.

Ross left the Bengals following the 1983 season to sign with the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL. He returned to Cincinnati in 1985 and split that season between the Bengals and Seattle Seahawks. His final season in the NFL was in 1986 with the Green Bay Packers.

In 104 regular-season games, Ross had 290 receptions for 3,419 yards and 19 touchdowns. He appeared in the 1983 Pro Bowl game.​

Dom Principe
Born Feb 9, 1917 in Brockton
Sandwiched around time in the war, the Brockton HS alum was a fullback for the NFL's New York Giants and AAFC's Brooklyn Dodgers.

Tommy Myers
Born Feb 9, 1901 in New Britain
Was a blocking back for a couple seasons in the twenties.

**** King
Born February 9, 1895 in Boston
Richard Stewart Cutter King went to Boston Latin High School and Harvard University. He was a fullback-wingback-tailback in the NFL's infancy, for teams like the Hammond Pros, Milwaukee Badgers, Rochester Jeffersons and St. Louis All-Stars.

Check out his Wikipedia page for a lot more.

 

[jmt57]

Today In Patriots History
Ty Law​

Happy 45th birthday to Ty Law
Born February 10, 1974 in Aliquippa, PA
Patriot CB 1974-2004; uniform #24
Patriots 1st round (23rd overall) selection of the 1995 draft, from Michigan

• Pro Football Hall of Fame - 2019
• Patriots Hall of Fame - 2014
• Patriots All-Decade Team - 1990s, 2000s
• NFL All-Decade Team, 2000s
• Super Bowl Champion - 36, 38, 39
• First Team All Pro - 1998, 2003
• Pro Bowl - 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005

• 36 career interceptions ranks 1st in Pats history (tied with Raymond Clayborn)
• 583 career interception return yards ranks 1st in team history
• Six career pick-sixes ranks 1st in franchise history
• 539 career solo tackles ranks 4th
• Four-time team season leader in interceptions - 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003
• Only player in team history to record three interceptions in a single playoff game (January 18, 2004 off Peyton Manning vs the Indianapolis Colts)

Playoff Stats with Patriots:
12 games played (Pats went 9-3)
4 interceptions, one touchdown, eight pass deflections; 34 tackles (31 solo)

Regular Season Stats with Patriots:
141 games played
36 interceptions, returned for 583 yards and six touchdowns
65 passes defensed, 3 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries
635 tackles (539 solo), 12 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks
Led NFL in pass deflections (23) in 1993
Led NFL in interceptions (9) in 1994
Led NFL in interceptions returned for a touchdown (2) in 2001


Best of Ty Law | Patriot Hall of Famer | Career Highlights


Ty Law Career Highlights (from old PatsFans contributor Jsn:

 

[italian pat patriot]

Today in Patriots History
Super Bowl LII​

January 4, 2018
Super Bowl LII at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis
Philadelphia Eagles 41, Philadelphia Eagles 33

​

great...we have not lost...Eagles against Eagles ​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
More Birthdays​

Besides Ty Law there are a few other (less well known) Patriots born today.

Happy 73rd birthday to Hubie Bryant
Born Feb 10, 1946 in Pittsburgh
Patriot PR/KR/WR 1971 (uniform #45) and 1972 (uniform #84)

In a 1971 28-20 victory versus Houston Bryant had five receptions for 79 yards - including a 10 yard TD catch from Jim Plunkett that gave the Pats a lead they never relinquished. That was the season that gave Pats fans of that era a glimmer of hope. After winning just two games the previous season the Pats finished 6-8 with the rookie Plunkett under center.

Happy 69th birthday to Rodrigo Barnes
Born Feb 10, 1950 in Waco TX
Patriot LB 1974 (uniform #59) and 1975 (#55)
Played in six games for the Pats, credited with one fumble recovery.

Long before Colin Kaepernick took a knee, Rodrigo Barnes raised hell and lost a career | Dallas News


Happy 70th birthday to Irvin Mallory
Born Feb 10, 1949 in Glen Allen VA
Patriot safety 1971 (uniform #43)
Appeared in two games, with one kick return for 19 yards.
Virginia Union University - Irvin Mallory - Class of 1971 - Hall of Fame - Virginia Union University


Other pro football players with New England connections:

Happy 62nd birthday to Jim Rourke
Born Feb 10, 1957 at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth
Went to BC High and Boston College
NFL OT from 1980-88, primarily with Chiefs

Jim Rourke filled in for the Bengals - The Boston Globe

Jim Rourke (1999) - Varsity Club Hall of Fame - Boston College Athletics

A standout at Boston College High School, Jim Rourke continued his distinguished playing career at Boston College. A three-year starter at offensive guard/tackle, he was noted for his incredible blocking techniques. He started every game in his junior and senior seasons and was selected to play in both the Blue-Gray Game and the Senior Bowl. He enjoyed a six-year NFL career, playing six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and one each with the New Orleans Saints and the Cincinnati Bengals.​

Happy 24th birthday to Elijah Wilkinson
Born Feb 10, 1995
The Denver Bronco offensive lineman played his college football at UMass.

Elijah Wilkinson - Football - University of Massachusetts Athletics


Roy Monaco (Feb 10, 1918 - Dec 7, 2002)
Born and raised in Providence, went to Central HS in Providence and Holy Cross.
Was an NFL offensive lineman in the mid forties.


Don Deeks was born in Portland Oregon on this date
Feb 10, 1923 - September 4, 1995
Played LT for the Boston Yanks from 1945-1947

 

[italian pat patriot]

Happy 52nd Birthday to Tommy Hodson
Born January 28, 1967 in LaFourche Parish, LA
Patriot QB 1990-1992; uniform #13
Pats 3rd round (59th overall) selection of the 1990 draft, from LSU

Living in SEC country at that time, I was very excited when the Patriots drafted Hodson. He never lived up to those hopes as a pro quarterback - though to be fair, he was in a no-win situation with the Victor Kiam era Pats.

Hodson appeared in 32 games for the Patriots with 12 starts; the Pats went 1-11 in those games. To get an idea of how bad the team was, Hodson was sacked 41 times for -300 yards - despite only having 315 pass attempts.

Tommy Hodson Bio - LSU Tigers Athletics

Arguably the best quarterback in LSU history ... One of the most prolific passers in the history of the Southeastern Conference ... Chosen All-SEC for four years in a row by at least one of the major wire services ... Passed for 9,115 yards in his career, becoming the first 9,000-yard passer in SEC history ... Holds the LSU record for total yards with 8,938 (-117 yards rushing, 9,115 yards passing) ... Maintains the LSU record for touchdown passes in a career with 69 ... Averaged the most yards per game passing over a career in LSU history with 203.1 yards per game over 44 contests ... First player in SEC history to throw for over 2,000 yards in four straight seasons ... Threw for over 200 or more yards 26 times ... Started all but one game over his four year career ... Leads all LSU quarterbacks with 31 career victories ...​

Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inductee Tom Hodson still king of LSU QBs | NOLA.com

A Mathews, La. native, his numbers in the aforementioned categories were also the best in the SEC when he finished in 1989. In his first start, he guided the Tigers to a 35-17 upset victory against No. 7-ranked Texas A&M, and later etched his name into LSU lore permanently with the game-winning touchdown pass with 1:47 left in the "Earthquake Game" victory against No. 4 Auburn in 1988.

Hodson was also a two-sport star at Central Lafourche High School, guiding the Trojans to a 13-1 record and passing for 4,361 yards and 36 TDs as a senior. As a basketball player, he averaged 27.4 points a game his senior and had serious recruiting offers in that sport.​

(From February 2005):
Catching Up With Tommy Hodson | Boston.com

Hodson showed signs of what made him legendary at LSU with the Patriots, but never had a consistent opportunity to play an entire season. During his time with New England, Hodson played under Rod Rust in 1990 and **** MacPherson in 1991 and 1992. The team struggled, going 1-15 under Rust and 6-10 and 2-14 under MacPherson, but despite the struggles Hodson enjoyed his time here.

“I loved it there and Boston is a great city,” said Hodson “I grew up in the south and love the south, but it was a great experience to be in the northeast because it’s a different culture, different climate and there is a lot of history. “I had some great teammates and had a great experience. I met a lot of nice people and unfortunately we didn’t have a lot of success when I was there.”

After being released by the Patriots, Hodson was picked up by the Miami Dolphins, where he spent half of the 1993 season and one week in 1994. Hodson then played one more year in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints (1995). “Although I didn’t have great success as a professional I played six years and it was a great honor to play in the NFL,” said Hodson. “I am grateful I was able to play six years.”

As far as the current Patriots, Hodson has enjoyed watching them win two of the last three Super Bowls and feels they are the pick to win the Super Bowl once again this year over the Philadelphia Eagles. “Certainly it would be great if I could be on some of these Patriots teams now,” said Hodson. “I enjoy watching them and pull for them every week. I am a Patriots fan.”​

seems he still love the NE Patriots...great find...that period was one of the few periods i was unable to follows so well the Patriots...

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Bethel Johnson​

Happy 40th birthday to Bethel Johnson
Born February 11, 1979 in Dallas
Patriot WR/KR, 2003-2006; uniform #81
Pats 2nd round (45th overall) selection of the 2003 draft, from Texas A&M

• Two-time Super Bowl Champion (SB38, SB39)
• 39 regular season games played over three seasons
• 30 receptions for 450 yards and four touchdowns
• 25.1 yard average on 102 kickoff returns, with two touchdowns
• 6 playoff games (Pats went 6-0)
• 4 receptions for 70 yards and one TD
• 20.7 yard average on 11 kickoff returns

Unlikely Hero: Bethel Johnson | Patriots.com video
Highlighting Bethel Johnson’s unlikely playoff performance in the AFC divisional playoff game against the Tennessee Titans.

Bethel Johnson Highlights


Financial adviser Bethel Johnson flattered to 'return' to Pats' headlines

Charlie Weis says Bethel Johnson was a Patriot who 'didn't get it'

 

[jmt57]

Today In Patriots History
Patriots trade for (and then release) a veteran WR​

Happy 39th birthday to Greg Lewis
Born February 12, 1980 in Chicago
Patriot WR, 2009 (offseason); uniform #17
Acquired March 5, 2009 along with a 2010 7th round (#231) draft pick, in exchange for the Patriots 2009 5th round (#159) draft pick.

Belichick happy Patriots added WR Lewis

Bill Belichick found a way to stop receiver Greg Lewis from tormenting his New England Patriots -- trade for him.

Lewis made the first touchdown catch of his career while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles against the Patriots in the Super Bowl in 2005. He had two touchdown catches in a 2007 game against the Pats, nearly derailing their undefeated regular season.

Belichick obtained Lewis from Philadelphia in March for two draft picks.

"Greg has always killed us," Belichick said recently. "Every time we've played him, he's killed us. We haven't been able to cover him very well so that kind of catches your attention."

On Thursday, Lewis will face his former teammates in a preseason game when the Patriots play the Eagles in Philadelphia.

Lewis caught Belichick's eye as a college receiver at Illinois. After Lewis joined the Eagles, Belichick said he had a number of conversations with Philadelphia coach Andy Reid about obtaining him. But Belichick said he thought Reid found it hard to part with Lewis.

"He's a guy that we've had a lot of interest in and I think he's a good fit in our system," Belichick said.​

Patriots acquire WR Greg Lewis from Eagles

Lewis had his best season in 2005, when he caught 48 passes for 561 yards and one touchdown while making 16 starts. He joins a receiving corps that includes Randy Moss and Wes Welker but lost wideout Jabar Gaffney to Denver in free agency.

Lewis spent six seasons with the Eagles after signing as a rookie free agent out of Illinois in 2003. He had 19 catches for 247 yards and one touchdown last season, contributing mostly on special teams.

The 29-year-old Lewis has 127 receptions for 1,699 yards and seven TDs in 90 career games. He also has nine catches for 180 yards and a touchdown in nine playoff games. His lone score came in a loss to New England in the 2005 Super Bowl.​

Patriots acquire WR Greg Lewis from Eagles

Lewis was originally signed by the Eagles as an undrafted rookie free agent from of the University of Illinois in the Spring of 2003. As a rookie, he played in 11 games and made 11 special teams tackles in addition to six receptions for 95 yards. In 2004, he played in all 16 regular-season games and recorded a career-high 15 special teams tackles while catching 17 passes for 183 yards.

He emerged as a key contributor in the 2004 playoffs as the Eagles advanced to Super Bowl XXXIX against the Patriots, leading the team with 182 playoff receiving yards while catching eight passes. In the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XXXIX, he scored his first career touchdown, a 30-yard scoring pass from Donovan McNabb to cut the Patriots’ lead to 24-21.

In 2005, he started every game for the Eagles and set career highs in receptions (48) and receiving yards (561). His 48 catches ranked third on the team in 2005. In 2006, he played in all 16 regular-season games with three starts and grabbed 24 passes for 348 yards and two touchdowns. He had a career high three touchdown receptions in 2007 while catching 13 passes for 265 yards. On Nov. 25, 2007 against the Patriots, Lewis caught a career-high two touchdown passes while recording a then-career best 88 receiving yards on four catches (all third-down conversions).

Last season, Lewis played in every game for Philadelphia and caught 19 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown. He had his first career 100-yard receiving game (five catches for 104 yards) in the 2008 regular-season opener against St. Louis.​

The Pats released Lewis on September 7, 2009 - two days after final roster cuts but a week before the season opener - to make room for waiver claim Bret Lockett.

Patriots claim DB Bret Lockett; Release WR Greg Lewis

The New England Patriots claimed and were awarded rookie DB Bret Lockett off waivers from the Cleveland Browns today. To make room on the 53-man roster for Lockett, the Patriots released WR Greg Lewis.

Lockett, 6-1, 211 pounds, originally joined the Cleveland Brown s as a rookie free agent out of UCLA on May 4, 2009. During his collegiate career, he played in 48 of a possible 50 games. Lockett started all 11 games as a senior and totaled 61 tackles.​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Happy Birthday to Randy Moss​

Happy 42nd birthday to Randy Moss
Born Feb 13, 1977 in Rand WV
Patriot WR, 2007-2010; uniform #81

Acquired April 29, 2007 from the Oakland Raiders in exchange for the Pats '07 fourth round draft pick (#110 overall). That turned out to be John Bowie, who played in a total of five games in his NFL career.​

Regular season stats and franchise rankings:

• 50 touchdown receptions (in just 52 games!) ranks 3rd in team history
• 3,904 receiving yards ranks 12th
• 259 receptions ranks 14th
• 75.1 yards receiving per game ranks 2nd
• 15.1 yards per catch ranks 16th (minimum 100 receptions)
• Patriots record with Randy Moss: 40-12 (.769)
• Named to Patriots All-Decade Team of the 2000s

Awards and NFL season rankings while with Patriots:

• 2007 Comeback Player of the Year
• 2007 First Team All Pro
• 2007 Pro Bowl
• 2007 Offensive Player of the Week for Week 9
• 2007 Offensive Player of the Week for Week 11
• 2007 Offensive Player of the Month for November
• Set NFL record for TD receptions in single season with 23 in 2007
• Also in 2007: ranked 1st in total touchdowns (23); ranked 2nd in points scored (138); ranked 2nd in yards receiving (1,493); ranked 8th in total yards from scrimmage (1,493)
• 2009: led NFL in touchdown receptions (13); 5th in receiving yards (1,264)

Pro Football Hall of Fame, 2018
Randy Moss | Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Site


Randy Moss 2007 Patriots vs. Jets (First Game as Patriot)


Randy Moss Patriots Highlights | 2007-2010





Also born today:
Happy 33rd birthday to Aqib Talib
Patriot CB, 2012-2013; uniform #31

• 5 interceptions in 19 games with the Pats, including one pick-six
• 16 pass deflections, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries
• 65 tackles (51 solo) with one tackle for a loss
• Pats went 15-4 while Talib was a Patriot, and 2-2 in the playoffs

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Drew Bledsoe​

Happy Birthday to Drew Bledsoe, Rich Ohrnberger and Clive Rush
All born on February 14

Drew Bledsoe | The Patriots Hall of Fame










"If you seen your butthole you can't say it was an accident, there are just to many steps involved for it to happen by accident."
- Rich Ohrnberger

The offensive lineman was also known for doing handstands in the shower room, because it was 'the best way to get the under carriage completely clean'.

Fifty years ago, a Patriots coach was nearly killed at a news conference | Boston.com

The Patriots have come a long way from where the team was half a century ago. The current Super Bowl champions were in a very different place in early 1969.

Nothing epitomized that more than a bizarre press conference on Feb. 12 of that year, when newly installed coach Clive Rush had to receive medical attention after gripping an electrified microphone.

It was supposed to be a moment for welcoming another new hire: General manager George Sauer. But very quickly, it was clear that something was wrong.

As soon as he touched the microphone, Rush was unable to let go and began screaming. According to the Boston Globe’s Will McDonough, only the quick actions of Patriots board member Dan Marr Jr. saved him.

“While Rush was screaming in anguish and staggering into a corner, unable to free himself from the microphone which could have electrocuted him,” wrote McDonough, “Marr jumped from his seat and ripped all the wiring running along the floor out of the wall sockets, shutting off the current.”​

Boston Patriots’ Clive Rush | Tales from the AFL

There is a great retrospective about Rush on the link below:

Rush was part of Patriots’ decades of ineptitude

... Clive Rush, a brilliant assistant who plotted one of the greatest upsets in Super Bowl history but was ill fitted for the big chair. ...

He was tossed a lifeline by Weeb Ewbank, a fellow Miami alumnus and the coach of the New York Jets. Rush spent the next six years in New York, where as the offensive coordinator he became a confidant of quarterback Joe Namath and helped the star deliver on his guarantee in Super Bowl III.

The then-Boston Patriots took notice.

Leading up to that bout between the Jets and the prohibitively favored Colts, they were reportedly down to two finalists: Rush and Baltimore’s defensive coordinator. Some guy named Chuck Noll.

Figuring it was easier to sell fans on a winner, New York’s stunning 16-7 victory sealed the deal. Rush was Boston’s man. The Pittsburgh Steelers got the leftovers, settling for Noll days later.

“We have a real plum here,” Patriots owner Billy Sullivan told reporters. “I don’t know where we would go to get a more qualified man.”​

 

[RobertWeathers]

Today in Patriots History
Drew Bledsoe​

Happy Birthday to Drew Bledsoe, Rich Ohrnberger and Clive Rush
All born on February 14

Drew Bledsoe | The Patriots Hall of Fame










"If you seen your butthole you can't say it was an accident, there are just to many steps involved for it to happen by accident."
- Rich Ohrnberger

The offensive lineman was also known for doing handstands in the shower room, because it was 'the best way to get the under carriage completely clean'.

Fifty years ago, a Patriots coach was nearly killed at a news conference | Boston.com

The Patriots have come a long way from where the team was half a century ago. The current Super Bowl champions were in a very different place in early 1969.

Nothing epitomized that more than a bizarre press conference on Feb. 12 of that year, when newly installed coach Clive Rush had to receive medical attention after gripping an electrified microphone.

It was supposed to be a moment for welcoming another new hire: General manager George Sauer. But very quickly, it was clear that something was wrong.

As soon as he touched the microphone, Rush was unable to let go and began screaming. According to the Boston Globe’s Will McDonough, only the quick actions of Patriots board member Dan Marr Jr. saved him.

“While Rush was screaming in anguish and staggering into a corner, unable to free himself from the microphone which could have electrocuted him,” wrote McDonough, “Marr jumped from his seat and ripped all the wiring running along the floor out of the wall sockets, shutting off the current.”​

Boston Patriots’ Clive Rush | Tales from the AFL

There is a great retrospective about Rush on the link below:

Rush was part of Patriots’ decades of ineptitude

... Clive Rush, a brilliant assistant who plotted one of the greatest upsets in Super Bowl history but was ill fitted for the big chair. ...

He was tossed a lifeline by Weeb Ewbank, a fellow Miami alumnus and the coach of the New York Jets. Rush spent the next six years in New York, where as the offensive coordinator he became a confidant of quarterback Joe Namath and helped the star deliver on his guarantee in Super Bowl III.

The then-Boston Patriots took notice.

Leading up to that bout between the Jets and the prohibitively favored Colts, they were reportedly down to two finalists: Rush and Baltimore’s defensive coordinator. Some guy named Chuck Noll.

Figuring it was easier to sell fans on a winner, New York’s stunning 16-7 victory sealed the deal. Rush was Boston’s man. The Pittsburgh Steelers got the leftovers, settling for Noll days later.

“We have a real plum here,” Patriots owner Billy Sullivan told reporters. “I don’t know where we would go to get a more qualified man.”​

The Bledsoe youtube highlights were more like the Troy Brown highlights- which were great!

 

[italian pat patriot]

Fifty years ago, a Patriots coach was nearly killed at a news conference | Boston.com

The Patriots have come a long way from where the team was half a century ago. The current Super Bowl champions were in a very different place in early 1969.

Nothing epitomized that more than a bizarre press conference on Feb. 12 of that year, when newly installed coach Clive Rush had to receive medical attention after gripping an electrified microphone.

It was supposed to be a moment for welcoming another new hire: General manager George Sauer. But very quickly, it was clear that something was wrong.

As soon as he touched the microphone, Rush was unable to let go and began screaming. According to the Boston Globe’s Will McDonough, only the quick actions of Patriots board member Dan Marr Jr. saved him.

“While Rush was screaming in anguish and staggering into a corner, unable to free himself from the microphone which could have electrocuted him,” wrote McDonough, “Marr jumped from his seat and ripped all the wiring running along the floor out of the wall sockets, shutting off the current.”
​

how can happens something like that...a well known epidose but i wonder how can happens...poor Clive...what a beginning it was...

It seems so more far from today's times ...​

 

[italian pat patriot]

Today in Patriots History
Happy Birthday to Randy Moss​

Happy 42nd birthday to Randy Moss
Born Feb 13, 1977 in Rand WV
Patriot WR, 2007-2010; uniform #81

he made an autograph on my red throwback # 73 jersey

very polite...great Randy...

saw him also this year in ATL...he looks always the same...like Tedy...

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Art Modell fires Bill Belichick​

On this day 23 years ago, the Browns/Ravens fired Bill Belichick

It was on February 15, 1996, that Belichick was fired by Art Modell, the owner of the franchise that Belichick had coached as the Cleveland Browns but was about to become the Baltimore Ravens. Belichick had just gone 5-11 in 1995, his final year in Cleveland, but Modell had initially indicated that he was going to bring Belichick with him to Baltimore. However, in a surprise announcement 23 years ago today, Modell announced that he was firing Belichick and hiring Ted Marchibroda, the former head coach of the Baltimore Colts, to become the head coach of the Baltimore franchise that hadn’t yet chosen “Ravens” as a team name.

As noted by SI.com, when he was coach of the Browns, Belichick was treated as a punching bag, often portrayed as a grumpy jerk who didn’t have a clue what he was doing — a far cry from the way he’s now portrayed, as a grumpy jerk who is the greatest coach of all-time.

That Belichick, now recognized by many as the best coach in the history of football, was ever fired shows just how fickle football coaching can be.​

Conventional wisdom - repeated on Friday by ESPN - is that the Browns fired Belichick. As noted by some Cleveland media outlets that is not factually correct. Six days prior the NFL owners approve the franchise's move to Baltimore. Also, the NFL announced an agreement with Cleveland that would keep the Browns' name and history in the city for a new team to begin play by 1999. Technically Belichick was fired by a Baltimore franchise that had yet to be named the Ravens.

Regardless of the timeline, Cleveland never embraced BB - and the Browns seem to have suffered from the Curse of Belichick ever since. While it is true (and often repeated) that the Browns had a losing record under Belichick, fans and sports writers should dig a bit deeper before jumping to conclusions.

Belichick inherited an aging 3-win team with bad contracts, placing it in a very poor salary cap position. Two years later QB Bernie Kosar had become insubordinate, freelancing and changing plays to the detriment of the team and contrary to the game plan. Modell and all the coaches were unanimous in the decision to cut Kosar, but publicly the owner hung Belichick out to dry for releasing the local fan favorite.

All of those changes led to three mediocre seasons: 6-10, 7-9, 7-9. A year later the Browns went 11-5, and defeated Bill Parcells and the Patriots in the playoffs. Year Five began with a 3-point loss at Foxboro, followed by three solid victories - by a cumulative score of 71-30. At that one-quarter point of the 1995 season the Browns were considered to be one of the top two or three teams in the NFL.

Rather than waiting until the season was finished, that is when Modell inexplicably announced the team would relocate for the 1996 season. It was unchartered territory for any head coach to navigate. With an unprecedented amount of distractions the Browns won just two more games.

The Browns are now on their 11th head coach since Belichick. In that time they have made it to the playoffs once, losing in the wild card round. Since resuming operations in 1999 the Browns have a record of 96-224-1. Their last playoff victory was in 1994, before many adult NFL fans were born.

Baker Mayfield will be the Browns’ 30th starting quarterback since 1999

Officially, the Browns have not named Baker Mayfield their new starting quarterback. Realistically, everyone knows Mayfield will start next week after taking over for an injured Tyrod Taylor on Thursday night and leading Cleveland to its first win since 2016.

When Mayfield does become the starter officially, he’ll be the 30th starting quarterback for the Browns since they re-entered the league in 1999.

Here’s the full list of Browns quarterbacks since they re-entered the NFL in 1999: Tim Couch, Ty Detmer, Doug Pederson, Spergon Wynn, Kelly Holcomb, Jeff Garcia, Luke McCown, Trent Dilfer, Charlie Frye, Derek Anderson, Ken Dorsey, Brady Quinn, Bruce Gradkowski, Colt McCoy, Jake Delhomme, Seneca Wallace, Brandon Weeden, Thaddeus Lewis, Jason Campbell, Brian Hoyer, Johnny Manziel, Connor Shaw, Josh McCown, Austin Davis, Robert Griffin III, Cody Kessler, DeShone Kizer, Kevin Hogan, Tyrod Taylor.

Over the same period of time, the Patriots have had only five starting quarterbacks: Drew Bledsoe and Tom Brady, as well as Matt Cassel in the year Brady missed with a knee injury, and Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett during Brady’s four-game Deflategate suspension. Time will tell if the 23-year-old Mayfield can hold the starting job long enough that he’s still Cleveland’s starter when the 41-year-old Brady is done in New England.​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Ross "Rocky" O'Hanley​

• Ross O'Hanley was born on February 16, 1939 in Everett
• An original Patriot, he was a starting safety for the Pats from 1960-1965
• Uniform #25
• In 77 regular season games he had 15 interceptions and one touchdown
• O'Hanley was named to the 1960 first team All-AFL (All-Pro) team

In 1963 the Patriots played their first playoff game. This was in the days before tiebreakers; the Pats and Bills finished with identical records, and would compete a week after the regular season ended to determine the AFL East champion. Though it doesn't sound like much now it was a big deal then; the winner would play the following week for the league championship.

O'Hanley was part of a suffocating defense that led the way to victory that day. The safety intercepted Daryle Lamonica twice, one coming on Buffalo's best drive of the first half. Although the Pats offense kept getting bogged down and settling for field goals, the defense more than did its part, with the Patriots up 16-0 at halftime. By the time the game was over the Pats forced six Buffalo turnovers and won 26-8. It was the first division title in franchise history.

From the Patriots 1965 Media Guide:

An original Patriot, Ross has been regular safety for the Patriots since their inception in 1960 save for a service hitch which required Ross to do duty during the Berlin crisis … He was All-League as a rookie in 1960 … A quarterback at Everett’s Christopher Columbus High, Ross was shifted to defensive back at Boston College where he played under Pat’s Coach, Mike Holovak … At B.C. he won the 1960 Tom Scanlon trophy for combining topnotch football ability with qualities of loyalty and sportsmanship … Ross worked as an account executive for the Commonwealth National Bank … Ross and his wife, Louise, lived near B.C. in Brookline. ​

Boston College Varsity Club Hall of Fame: Ross O'Hanley

From BC's newspaper, The Heights, on January 15, 1960:
O'Hanley Perfect Choice For Tom Scanlon Memorial Award

"For Merit In Character, Scholarship, Football"

The Tom Scanlon Memorial Trophy award was presented to Ross O'Hanley at the Varsity Club banquet Sunday night by John B. Morris, president of the club.

Everyone who has enough interest in football to be reading this article knows that Ross typifies the good football player. This is no small statement to make about a defensive standout, who usually escapes the ordinary sports fan's notice. The Holy Cross Stadium this year echoed cheers of "Stop 'em Ross" and applause resounding the enthusiastic support usually reserved for colorful offensive players was heaped on Ross.

Not everyone knows the amazing academic schedule Ross kept besides playing football. Yet these are the reasons he was chosen.

He is on the Dean's List in the College of Business Administration with an 85 average. He is a member of the Executive Seminar, the Marketing Club, the Robert Bellarmine Government Academy, and is chairman of senior academic convocations. He also serves as assistant coach for a Pop Warner football team in Everett.

O'Hanley who played freshman football without the inspiration of financial assistance, hails from Christopher Columbus High School Everett. He is one of the few football players who commute.

In his speech, Ross emphasized the "mistaken notion that a student should not play a college sport unless he is receiving financial aid." His reason for playing merely, "I like the game." He attributed to parents, coaches, teachers, and friends a share in the award for inspiring him with a desire to play football and study.

Coach Hefferle said, "Ross is the type of student-athlete I like to coach."​

O'Hanley sadly died on April 2, 1972 from a brain tumor at the young age of 33 after he displayed CTE symptoms, his wife, Louise, said in an interview.

February 16, 2016:

New England Patriots LB Jerod Mayo Retires | SI.com

Patriots' Jerod Mayo announces his retirement | The Boston Globe

Mayo was only 29 years old when he retired.






Happy 58th birthday to Darryl Haley
Born Feb 16, 1961 in Gardena CA
Patriot RT, 1982-1986; uniform #68
Pats 2nd round (55th overall) selection of the 1982 draft, from Utah

From the 1987 Patriots Media Guide:

Played in all 16 games over the seasonand started in six -vs. Miami, on 10-5 (Steve Moore had knee problems), at Indianapolis on 11-9, and the final four regular season contests (vs. Buffalo, on 11-23, stepped in for the injured Steve Moore at the right tackle position for rest of the season)...in start vs. Miami, on 10-5, it was his first start since final game of 1984...missed entire 1985 season due to colitis...was placed on Non-Football injury list 8-26...lost considerable weight during early days of training camp, and had to leave the team's 1st preseason game vs. New Orleans on 8-10, when had to leave game due to heat exhaustion...in 1984 became the starter at the right tackle position when the Patriots traded Bob Cryder to Seattle on July 31, 1984...started in all 16 games...came of age at Jets (9-30-84) when he blanked the league's sack-leader, Mark Gastineau from getting to QB Eason...Darryl recorded his first pro starts in '83 when he filled in for the injured Bob Cryder at right OT at Atlanta (10-30-83) and vs. Buffalo (11-16-83)...he played in all 16 games in '83 seeing spot duty at OT and as a regular on special teams...saw considerable action on the Patriots' offensive line during 1982 and played in all nine regular season games as a regular on special teams...Darryl was the third of three Patriots second round draft choices in 1982...he was the 55th player selected overall and was taken with one of two second round picks acquired from San Francisco in exchange for the Patriots' second round choice in '82.

Darryl was the first player from the University of Utah ever drafted by the Patriots...was the third youngest player selected in the '82 draft...became a starting OG as a senior...played both football and basketball during his senior year...played in the Olympia Gold Bowl and received Honorable Mention All-WAC recognition as a senior.
Graduated with a degree in Commercial Physical Education and a minor in Marketing. ​

Haley is (or was) the world's largest triathlon participant.

GULLIVER'S TRAVELS FORMER NFL TACKLE DARRYL HALEY MAKES MOST TRIATHLETES LOOK LIKE MIDGETS

In 1989 he retired from football and founded Club 100, a fitness company based in Mitchellville, Md., that implements wellness programs for individuals and corporations around the country. But the sports Haley took up in retirement, racquetball and golf, left him with an adrenaline deficit.

Friends talked him into trying a duathalon: a 15-mile bike ride bookended by 1.5-mile runs. "A half mile into the first run, I was ready to pass out," Haley says. "I finished, but I was hurting real bad. I didn't like that and I thought, I've found out what's going to fill my void."

He quickly became bored with duathalons. After catching the 1993 Ironman on TV, he decided triathlons were more his cup of tea. But could he swim? "If you had a pool party," he says, "I could make it from one end to the other. But that was about it."

So he worked on his swimming​

Looks like he is doing some very good things now:

Darryl Haley - A Former NFL Player Gives Back To Veterans

Former NFL player Darryl Haley is using his passion for music to help veterans and children



Happy 27th birthday to Marquis Flowers
Born February 16, 1992 in Independence, MO
Patriot LB, 2017; uniform #59

• Acquired on August 29, 2017: traded by Cincinnati in exchange for New England's 2018 7th round (249th overall) draft pick.
• Re-signed to a one-year contract on March 23, 2018
• Cut on September 1, 2018 as part of 53-man roster cutdowns
• Signed two day later by Detroit
• Now with Washington

Stats:

16 games, two starts; one pass defensed, one forced fumble.
30 tackles (23 solo) with 3½ sacks, 5 tackles for a loss, and 4 quarterback hits.
283 snap counts on defense, 209 on special teams.
Also appeared in all three 2017 postseason games.
In the 35-14 division round victory versus Tennessee, Flowers had four solo tackles, a sack, a tackle for a loss and one QB hit.​

Happy 54th birthday to Todd Whitten
Born February 16, 1965 in Dallas
Patriot QB, 1987; uniform #15

Whitten was a 22-year old who got on the field for the final replacement player game in the '87 strike season. He had two carries, for a loss of two and a loss of four yards. He has been coaching football at various levels for 29 years. Whitten is currently the head coach at Tarleton State, a division 2 school in Texas.



Other pro football players born today include:

Ralph Marston - born and raised in Malden, he went to Boston University and briefly played QB for the 1929 Boston Bulldogs, in the NFL's 8th year of existence.

Defensive linemen George Martin and **** Modzelewski

Running backs Jerome Bettis and Ahman Green

Centers Todd McClure and Buzz Nutter

(No, I did not make that last name up)

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Stanley Morgan​

Happy 64th birthday to Stanley Morgan
Born February 17, 1955 in Easley, South Carolina
Patriot WR, 1977-1989; uniform #86
Pats 1st round (25th overall) selection of the 1977 draft, from Tennessee





Happy 24th birthday to Sony Michel
Born February 17, 1995 in Orlando
Patriot RB, 2018-present; uniform #26
Pats 1st round (31st overall) selection of the 2018 draft, from Georgia










Happy 51st birthday to Bryan Cox
Born February 17, 1968 in St Louis
Patriot ILB, 2001; uniform #51

Celebrating 2001: Brady's 1st Start


Happy Birthday to Tiquan Underwood
Born February 17, 1987 in New Brunswick, NJ
Patriot WR, 2011; uniform #10
Signed as a free agent on August 29, 2011 after two years in Jacksonville

Most well known for his high top haircut, and being released the night before Super Bowl 46 (in a move to add DE/TE Alex Silvestro).

 

[italian pat patriot]

Today in Patriots History
Stanley Morgan​

Happy 64th birthday to Stanley Morgan
Born February 17, 1955 in Easley, South Carolina
Patriot WR, 1977-1989; uniform #86
Pats 1st round (25th overall) selection of the 1977 draft, from Tennessee

it was nice to see him in ATL at Patriots Fan Rally saturday 02.02

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Brian Waters​

Happy 42nd birthday to Brian Waters
Born February 18, 1977 in Waxahachie, Texas
Patriot RG, 2011; uniform #54



New England Patriots sign guard Brian Waters | Schefty

Perennial Pro Bowl guard Brian Waters and the Patriots reached an agreement that will give New England the help it has been seeking at right guard.

Waters, who worked out for the Patriots on Saturday, reached an agreement Sunday, the team announced. He signed a two-year deal that could be worth up to $5.5 million, according to sources.

New England continued making some of the biggest moves around the league on cutdown weekend. It cut safety Brandon Meriweather and running back Sammy Morris, and now has reached a deal with Waters, a long time standout in Kansas City.

Any veteran on an opening-day roster has his salary guaranteed for the season.

The fact that New England did a deal now with Waters rather than waiting until after the regular season begins indicates they have big plans for him this season.

New England has spent this summer stockpiling veterans who have made their mark around the league. Waters joins Chad Ochocinco, Albert Haynesworth and Shaun Ellis among others.


​

Happy 61st birthday to Roland James
Born February 18, 1958 in Xenia, Ohio
Patriot SS, 1980-1990; uniform #38
Pats 1st round (14th overall) selection of the 1980 draft, from Tennessee




Happy 74th birthday to Preston Johnson
Born February 18, 1945
Patriot RB, 1968; uniform #48




Happy 28th birthday to Robert Thomas
Born February 18, 1991
Patriot DT, 2015 (practice squad)

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Bill the GM is killing Bill the HC!​

Happy 50th birthday to Tommy Vardell
Born February 20, 1969 in El Cajon, CA
1st round (9th overall) selection by the Browns in the 1992 draft, from Stanford

His Faith Is His Medicine : Browns' Vardell Makes Hard Religious Choice Because of Knee Injury

When he broke his collarbone in the final game of his college career in the Aloha Bowl, his refusal to medicate it, and perhaps hasten his recovery, was considered draft suicide by many.

His special workout for scouts later that spring, however, was impressive enough to move him among the top 10 picks.​

Cleveland Browns Touchdown-less Tommy Vardell

Despite having a college nickname that indicated he knew how to find pay dirt, Vardell could not live up to the billing in the Cleveland, where he was plagued by knee injuries. During four seasons with the Browns, he found the end zone three times. During his eight-year NFL career that included stints with the San Francisco 49ers in 1996 and 1999 and the Detroit Lions from 1997-98, Vardell totaled 18 scores.​

When Belichick cut fan favorite Bernie Kosar - despite the fact that Vinny Testaverde was injured, which meant the Browns were forced to use third stringer Todd Philcox. Cleveland turned the ball over seven times the following week, and fans and the media were outraged. Everything from the clothes he wore to draft hindsight (ie, Vardell) was brought up to support the stadium chants of "Bill must go".

It was the beginning of the end for Belichick in Cleveland - and the beginning of a new path that eventually led him to Foxboro.

For more on that bit of history check out this piece: Bill and Bernie's 1993 Power Struggle




February 20, 1960:
Happy 59th Anniversary to the naming of the Boston "Patriots"

The Boston Football Team of the American Football League held a public contest and selected "Patriots" as their new team name. Various suggestions were made and 19 year old Penny Smith, from Lynn, wrote the best essay regarding the virtues of the Patriots Team Name.

Some of the names suggested for the Professional Team of Boston were Pilgrims, Braves, Bulls, Minutemen and Patriots.

The Patriots also announce that the team colors will be red, white and blue.​

Happy 52nd birthday to Chris Singleton
Born February 20, 1967 in Omaha
Patriot OLB, 1990-1993; uniform #55
Pats 1st round (8th overall) selection of the 1990 draft, from Arizona

Singleton was part of a very infamous Patriot draft trade, this one happening on April 22, 1990. With the first two picks the Colts took QB Jeff George, and the Jets selected RB Blair Thomas. Next up was the Patriots, with the third overall pick.

The Pats traded away that number three overall pick as well as their 2nd round (29th overall) to Seattle. In return New England received the #8 and #10 first round picks, as well as a third round (#64) and fourth (#101).

At first glance it doesn't look bad, getting two top ten picks. Problem is that Seattle got Hall of Fame DT Cortez Kennedy at number three, while the Pats used their picks on Singleton, Ray Agnew, traded down the third rounder for Greg McMurtry, and used another pick on a guy who never played a down in the NFL.

Some interesting stories on Singleton below:

9/25/95 - Chris Singleton a study in Brotherly Love | SI

Chris, meanwhile, was drafted in the first round by the New England Patriots. When he made his first visit to Boston, just after the draft, no one from the Patriot organization met him at Logan Airport. He took a shuttle bus to his hotel, but there wasn't a reservation in his name.

On the field Singleton felt even less at home. In 3 1/2 seasons he played for three different coaches and never registered more than 60 tackles a year. Bill Parcells, who took over as Patriot coach in 1993, didn't feel Singleton fit into his defensive system and waived him before the year was out.​

This article below is fascinating not just for the Singleton piece, but for all the other players profiled:
4/29/15 - The Class of '90 - Where are they now ? | New York Times

But underneath the veneer of his seemingly normal life was a former N.F.L. player struggling to adapt to the loss of the big paychecks, the adulation of the fans and the camaraderie of his teammates, and the chance to play a game he loved.​

Unable to cope with that psychological loss — which was compounded by throbbing physical injuries, including four screws in his damaged ankle — he drank, cheated on his wife, divorced, spent his savings, declared bankruptcy, stopped exercising and gained a lot of weight. Then, last August, he tried to kill himself.

“No matter what level, when you come out of the N.F.L., we have all sorts of issues,” said Singleton. “I still hurt, and it takes a big-time toll. We’re taught to self-medicate because we’re supposed to be warriors. I put everything on my shoulders, and dealing with the pain can be real destructive. I was married once and divorced after I got out of the N.F.L., and I attribute that to being angry that my career was over, and I thought I was still able to play.”

Out of despair, hope arrived. His father, Sam, a former N.B.A. player who had been out of his life for years, returned and helped Chris receive medical attention. He worked with Gridiron Greats, a group that assists football players in need. Chris is now on the mend. He is eating better, has lost 30 pounds, is working at a new job and is talking more to his family.​

Singleton's stat line with the Patriots:
41 games, 26 starts; 152 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception

The INT was a 4th quarter 82-yard pick-six off Jeff George that pulled the Patriots to within three points; the Pats went on to win, 37-34 in OT. The win was New England's first of the season, ending a nine-game losing streak.

Zolak Passes First Patriot Test : AFC: New England beats Colts in overtime to break nine-game losing streak, 37-34.

Patriots 37, Colts 34




Happy 56th birthday to John Washington
Born February 20, 1963 in Houston
Patriot RDE, 1993; uniform #76

Washington spent most of his NFL career with the Giants. When Bill Parcells became the Pats head coach, he signed the 30 year old to play in Foxboro on March 6, 1993. Washington played in all 16 games, with 13 starts.




Happy 52nd birthday to Patrick Egu
Born February 20, 1967 in Owerri, Nigeria
Patriot RB, 1989; uniform #33

Egu was originally a 9th round pick by the Bucs. He played in 7 games for the Pats with two kickoff returns and 3 carries for 20 yards. His lone NFL touchdown came on a 15 yard run versus Buffalo on November 19, 1989, giving the Pats a 13-10 lead. The Patriots went on to upset Marv Levy's Bills that day 33-24.




Happy 54th birthday to Brian Hutson
Born February 20, 1965 in Jackson, Mississippi
Patriot safety, 1990; uniform #36

Played two games for the Pats in '90; now runs an office furniture company in Dallas.




Others with New England are connections include:

Tom Waddle, 52 (2/20/87)
Former BC Eagle was a WR for the Bears from '89-'94.

Isaac Yiadom, 23 (2/20/96)
CB for the Denver Broncos is also from Boston College.

Hec Garvey (2/20/1900)
Went to Holyoke HS and played OL in the NFL from 1922-1931, including stints with the Hartford Blues and Providence Steam Roller.

George Roman (2/20/1926)
The OT was the 98th pick in the 1948 draft by the Boston Yanks; others selected in that draft include Hall of Fame quarterbacks Bobby Layne and Y.A. Tittle.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Original Patriot Walt Cudzik​

Walt Cudzik
February 21, 1932 - December 11, 2005
Patriot center, 1960-1963; uniform #54
UPI 1st Team All-AFL, 1960

Walt Cudzik, original Boston Patriot, dies at 73 | Patriots.com

Cudzik joined the Patriots in 1960, their first season in the AFL. He played in all 56 games from 1960 to 1963, when the Patriots won their first division title and played in their first AFL Championship Game.

A Chicago native who played at Purdue, Cudzik began his pro career with the NFL's Washington Redskins in 1954. He also played on Buffalo's 1964 AFL championship team.

Cudzik later earned a law degree and practiced as an attorney until he retired in 2002.​

Happy 51st birthday to Terry Allen
Born Feb 21, 1968 in Commerce, Georgia
Patriot RB, 1999; uniform #22

At the age of 31 Allen led Pete Carroll's Patriot team in rushing (896 yards), rushing touchdowns (8), yards from scrimmage (1021) and touchdowns (9). Unfortunately for Pats fans he had lost a step from overuse by the time he landed in Foxboro. In '95-'96 Allen had 3,088 yards from scrimmage, and led the NFL with 21 TD in '96.



Happy 49th birthday to Will Moore
Born Feb 21, 1970 in Dallas
Patriot WR, 1995-1996; uniform #83

Bill Parcells signed Moore after spending three seasons with the CFL's Calgary Stampeders. In '95 he had 43 receptions for 502 yards and one touchdown.




Happy 30th birthday to Brian Tyms
Born Feb 21, 1989 in Kent, Washington
Patriot WR, 2014; uniform #84

Can't-Miss Play: Brian Tyms 43-yard touchdown

RFA Patriots WR Brian Tyms tweets good bye

After spending a few years in the CFL, Tyms is now with the Salt Lake Stallions of the AAF.



Happy 30th birthday to Jake Bequette
Born Feb 21, 1989 in Little Rock
Patriot DE, 2012-2014; uniform #92
Pats 3rd round (90th overall) selection of the 2012 draft, from Arkansas

Bequette spent more time on the practice squad than on the 53-man roster, appearing in only 8 games over three seasons. He was released with an injury settlement on September 4, 2015. Bequette then joined the Army and is now a 2nd Lieutenant in the infantry.

Catching up with Former Razorback Jake Bequette



Happy 58th birthday to Chuck McSwain
Born Feb 21, 1961 in Polk County, NC
Patriot RB/KR, 1987; uniform #32

McSwain was a replacement player for three games during the strike in '87. His brother Rod played safety for the Patriots from 1984-1990.



Happy 28th birthday to Cierre Wood
Born Feb 21, 1991 in Oxnard, California
Patriot RB, 2013; uniform #41

Source: Patriots Sign Former Texans, Notre Dame Running Back Cierre Wood

Patriots sign RB Sam McGuffie to practice squad; Release RB Cierre Wood



Others born today with New England connections:

Sandro Vitiello turns 61; the UMass product was a Bengal kicker in 1980.

Ken Huff turns 65; he spent 11 seasons at guard for Baltimore and Washington, and went to Deerfield Academy in western Mass.