Today in Patriots History

[jmt57]

Four Patriots born on June 4:

Geneo Grissom, 25 (June 4, 1992)
Patriot DE, 2015 - present
Uniform #92
Pats 3rd round (97th overall) selection of the 2015 draft, from Oklahoma.
Grissom appeared in all but one game his rookie season, with 130 snaps (11.9%) as a backup on defense, and 142 snaps (28.9%) on special teams. In 2016 he was cut at the end of training camp and signed to the practice squad. Grissom was re-signed on October 15 when Jonathan Freeney went on IR. He played in 11 games in 2016, plus all three playoff games. He appeared in just 11 snaps on defense for the season, but had the sixth-most special teams appearances (250 snaps, 55.9%). Grissom was one of ten players with over 15 snaps in Super Bowl 51, with 17.

Teddy Garcia, 53 (June 4, 1964)
Patriot K, 1988
Uniform #7
Pats 4th round (100th overall) selection in the 1988 draft, from NE Louisiana (now University of Louisiana at Monroe).
For every successful special teams draft pick such as Stephen Gostkowski, there are a couple like this one. In 1986 Tony Franklin made the Pro Bowl, leading the league in field goals made on 32/41 attempts. In '87 he started to regress, making 15 of 26 - and only 10 out of 21 attempts from the 30 yard line or beyond.

The 32-year old Franklin was let go and the Patriots drafted Garcia, with hopes that he would be as productive as punter Rich Camarillo. Garcia was awful, making only six of 13 field goal attempts (46%) - and managed to connect on just 11 of 16 point afters. He filled in for a few games with the Vikings and Oilers over the next two years, and then spent two seasons in NFL Europe.

Pat Studstill, 79 (June 4, 1938)
Patriot P, 1972
Uniform #2
The Patriots signed Studstill for the final season of his NFL career at the age of 34. He played in all 14 games with 75 punts, averaging a career low 38.1 yards. With Detroit in 1962 he led the NFL with 29 punt returns for 457 yards, averaging 15.8 yards per return. In '65 he led the league for the first of three times in number of punts, with 78. The following season he made the Pro Bowl for the second time, leading the league with 1,266 yards receiving. Beside the fact that he had versatility (punt, punt return, kick return and flanker) that would make Bill Belichick drool, Studstill is also known for being the last NFL player to not wear a face mask.

Ronnie Harris, 47 (June 4, 1970)
Patriot PR/KR/WR, 1993-1994
Uniform #84
Harris appeared in six games for the Patriots, with 26 punt returns (8.7 ypr), six kick returns (15.0 ypr) and one reception for 11 yards. He ended up playing in 69 games over 7 NFL seasons, mostly with Seattle and also some with Atlanta. Harris is now a pastor in Washington.


Bernie Finn (6/4/07-9/26/93); went to Holy Cross and was a wing back in the thirties.

Len Watters (6/4/98-12/10/86); end was one of six players from Springfield College to play in the NFL.

Johnny McQuade (6/4/95-12/24/80); from Manchester NH, was a back on the 1922 Canton Bulldogs.

Tom Kennedy (6/4/20-11/19/06); born in Pittsfield, played tackle briefly for the Detroit Lions.

Deck Shelley (6/4/06-12/17/68); back from the thirties played for the Providence Steamrollers.


- Jim Lachey, 54 (6/4/63); after Doug Williams led Washington to a superbowl victory, Jay Schroeder asked to be traded. Joe Gibbs obliged, sending the QB to the Raiders for Lachey in one of the more lopsided trades in NFL history. Lachey went on to be a first team All Pro selection in each of the next three seasons and win a superbowl ring, while Shroeder went on to have one good season before fading away.

- Bryan Hinkle, 58 (6/4/59); starting OLB with the Steelers for most of the 80s.

- Ed Newman, 66 (6/4/51); four-time Pro Bowl guard for the Dolphins is now a judge in Miami.

- Alex Brown, 38 (6/4/79); Bears DE played in 143 games, with 45.5 sacks.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Geneo Grissom, 25 (June 4, 1992)
Patriot DE, 2015 - present
Uniform #92

Please tell me his teammates call him Gus

Pat Studstill, 79 (June 4, 1938)
Patriot P, 1972
Uniform #2

I guess we do cheat, after all

Wear a mask? What am I, a wimp?

I like this one, Dad!

...It sucks

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Johnny McQuade (6/4/95-12/24/80); from Manchester NH, was a back on the 1922 Canton Bulldogs.

"Lone Wolf"?

- Bryan Hinkle, 58 (6/4/59); starting OLB with the Steelers for most of the 80s.

Is he Caillou's neighbor now?

 

[jmt57]

June 5 is highlighted by this guy:

Kevin Faulk, 41 (June 5, 1976)
Patriot RB/PR/KR, 1999-2011
Uniform #33
Pats 2nd round (46th overall) selection of the 1999 draft, from LSU.
The 3 time superbowl champion is a member of the Pats 50th Anniversary Team and the Patriots Hall of Fame. The defender of the wall ranks 5th in team history with 3607 rushing yards, 13th with 3701 receiving yards, 8th with 943 punt return yards and first with 4098 kick return yards. Faulk is 1st in franchise history with 12,340 all purpose yards, 1st with 5041 return yards, and 5th with 7308 yards from scrimmage. His 1577 touches is a close 2nd to Sam Cunningham (1595), and he also played in 19 playoff games.


Ryan Mallett, 29 (June 5, 1988)
Patriot QB, 2011-2013
Uniform #15
Pats 3rd round (74th overall) selection of the 2011 draft, from Arkansas.
Concerns about Mallett's drinking and motivation caused him to fall from the first round to third in the draft. He appeared in just four games over three seasons, going 1-4 for 17 yards and one interception. The Pats had enough faith in Mallett to retain him and waive Brian Hoyer in 2012. In a bit of trivia, Mallett was the QB who was retained when Tim Tebow was cut in 2013. Pats fans hoped he would fetch a bounty like Matt Cassel did when he was traded, but were disappointed when in August of 2014 all the Patriots received from Houston was a 6th round pick. Since screwing up with the Texans, Mallett is now a backup for the Ravens.


James Ferentz, 28 (June 5, 1989)
Patriot OL, 2017
Uniform #59
The Iowa grad spent the last two seasons in Denver, appearing in 20 games. His father Kirk worked with Bill Belichick in Cleveland and New England, and his brother Brian was formerly the Pats tight end coach.


Torry Holt, 41 (June 5, 1976)
Patriots WR, 2010 (off season)
Uniform #84
The Pats brought in the 34 year old veteran to compete with David Patten, Brandon Tate, roolie Taylor Price and a young Julian Edelman as a receiver to play opposite Randy Moss. He was signed to a one-year, $1.7 million contract but a knee injury ended his season (and career) in mid August. Holt was named to 7 Pro Bowls and twice led the league in receiving yards, finishing his NFL career with 920 receptions (20th), 13,382 receiving yards (16th) and 74 receiving touchdowns (34th).


Megs Apsit (6/5/09-12/22/08); TB/LB/DB/K/KR/P/PR spent a few years in the NFL, including 1933 for the Boston Redskins.



Also born June 5:

- Saints WR Marques Colston, 34; 711 receptions for 9759 yards and 72 TD.
- Colts HoF DT Art Donovan (6/5/25), who also went to BC.
- Browns HoF FB/KR/LB Marion Motley (6/5/20), twice led the league in rushing.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

June 5 is highlighted by this guy:

Kevin Faulk, 41 (June 5, 1976)
Patriot RB/PR/KR, 1999-2011
Uniform #33

 

[Ring 6]

Russ Francis has a better birthday.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Russ Francis has a better birthday.

It was a Friday

 

[jmt57]

For June 6 we have five former Patriots and five other players born or raised in New England.

Michael Timpson, 50 (June 6, 1967)
Patriot WR, 1989-1994
Uniform #45 and #83
Pats 4th round (100th overall) pick in the 1989 draft, from Penn State
Timpson played in 70 games over six seasons with the Pats, catching 172 passes for 2472 yards and eight touchdowns. His final year with the Pats was his best, catching 74 passes for 941 yards. Timpson was also one of the players fined in the Lisa Olson incident. He played three more NFL seasons, and now coaches high school football.


Jamie Morris, 52 (June 6, 1965)
Patriot KR/RB, 1990
Uniform #24
The brother of Giants RB Joe Morris grew up in Ayer MA, and was a 4th round pick by Washington in '89. He played in five games for the Pats, with 11 kick returns and two rushes for four yards.


Gene Mruczkowski, 37 (June 6, 1980)
Patriot G/C, 2003-2006, 2008
Uniform #64
The Purdue alum was undrafted and spent 2003 on IR. He appeared in 18 games for the Patriots, then spent 2007 with the Dolphins. The Pats re-signed him in June of 2008 but he then retired at the start of training camp.


Tom Dimitroff (6/6/1935-1/20/1996)
Patriot QB, 1960
Uniform #15
The senior Dimitroff is the father of the namesake former Patriot director of college scouting and current Atlanta Falcon general manager. Dimitroff played for the Ottawa Rough Riders in the CFL for two seasons and came out of retirement to play in the AFL, appearing in a few games with the Patriots. He later spent 18 seasons as a coach, executive and scout.


Rico Clark, 43 (June 6, 1974)
Patriot CB, 1999
Uniform #1999
Clark appeared in only one game with the Patriots. Over three NFL seasons he played in 29 games, and later played in NFL Europe and the XFL.



Mike Croel, 48 (June 6, 1969); Lincoln-Sudbury High School
Linebacker was the 4th overall pick in the 1991 draft by Denver, and played in 102 games over seven seasons in the NFL.

Stu Clancy (June 6, 1965); Branford CT native and Holy Cross alum. Tailback spent six seasons in the NFL in the thirties.

Mark Carlson, 54 (June 6, 1963); born in Milford CT, went to the Morgan School in Clinton CT, Boston University and then Southern Connecticut State. Was an OT for Washington during the 1987 replacement games.

Jack Peavey, 54 (June 6, 1963); born in Attleboro, grew up in Foxboro, went to Springfield College and then Troy State. Was on the Pats practice squad in '85 and played in the three replacement games for Denver in '87. Spent over 20 years at various levels coaching high school and college football.

Les Murdock, 71 (June 6, 1941); born in Boston, the kicker played four games with the Giants in 1967 and also played semi pro football with New Bedford.



NFL players born June 6 include:
- Bobby Michell, 82; Hall of Fame WR/HB/KR for Cleveland and Washington.
- Dave Grayson, 78; great AFL CB for Chiefs and Raiders had 48 interceptions.
- Olindo Mare, 44; Dolphins kicker.

 

[jmt57]

Not much at all for June 7.


Terrell Buckley, 46 (June 7, 1971)
Patriot CB, 2001-2002
Uniform #27 and #22
T-Buck was a standout at Florida State and the 5th overall pick by Green Bay in the 1992 draft. Although he was considered to be a draft bust, he did play in 209 games (plus 16 playoff games), and earn a superbowl ring in New England. Buckley played 31 games for the Pats with 7 interceptions and one touchdown. He also played in all three 2001 post-season games, with a crucial interception in the AFCCG at Pittsburgh. In his post-NFL career Buckley first went back to FSU as an assistant coach, and now coaches safeties at Mississippi State.



Richard Gordon, 30 (June 7, 1987); the TE went to Milford Academy in CT and played in 35 games for four teams from 2011-15.

Alf Cobb (June 7, 1893); born in Athol, grew up in Waltham and died in West Hartford. Played in 21 games in the twenties as an offensive lineman for the Akron Pros and Cleveland Bulldogs.

George Mulligan (June 7, 1914); the Waterbury CT native was an end that played nine games for the Eagles in 1936.

Mike 'Lefty' Sebastian (June 7, 1910); wingback for the 1935 Boston Redskins.



- Goose Gonsoulin (6/7/38-9/8-14); six time AFL all star safety for the Broncos is the all time AFL interception leader with 43 picks, and had 11 interceptions in 1960.

 

[jmt57]

One current and two former Patriots born today.


Brandon King, 24 (June 8, 1993)
Patriot ST/S, 2015 - present
Uniform #36
Signed by the Patriots as an undrafted rookie out of Auburn (even though he did not start there) after a tryout at minicamp in 2015. Did not survive final cuts but was immediately signed to the practice squad. Promoted to the 53-man roster on 10/10/15 after Bradley Fletcher was released. Appeared in 13 games, strictly on special teams. Was on the field for 267 ST snaps (54%), third on the team behind only Nate Ebner and Matt Skater; his 12 ST tackles ranked second on the Pats. In 2016 King played in every game, again strictly on special teams. He ranked fourth with 299 ST snaps (67%). In 29 regular season and five playoff games, King has been on the field for 668 plays, all on special teams. He re-signed with the Pats in April as an exclusive rights free agent.


Rommie Loudd (6/8/1933-5/9/1998)
Patriot LB, 1961-1962; Patriot LB coach 1966-67
Director of Player Personnel, 1968-1971
Director of Pro Scouting, 1971-1973
Uniform #60
Loudd had been a late draft pick out of UCLA by the Niners in '56 but never played for them; the following year he and two others were arrested, and Loudd was convicted of sexual misconduct. He played in 27 games over two seasons for the Patriots and then became a defensive coach for the Boston Sweepers of the old Atlantic Coast Football League for two seasons. Loudd then rejoined the Pats in 1966 as their linebackers coach; he was the first African American to hold a coaching position in the AFL. Loudd then moved to the front office for six years.

Despite the lack of success of the Pats while he was an executive with the team, Loudd moved to become part owner and general manager of the Florida Blazers of the WFL in 1974. While there he was arrested for embezzling sales tax money, and then attempted to land an NFL franchise in Orlando. He was arrested by a federal agent posing as a potential financial backer for his football team and served three years in prison before being paroled.


Allan Clark, 60 (June 8, 1957)
Patriot KR/RB, 1979-1980
Uniform #35
Pats 10th round (271st overall) pick of the 1979 draft, out of Northern Arizona.
Played in all 16 games his rookie season, returning 37 kicks for 816 yards, averaging 22.1 yards per return. Missed the first six games of 1980 with a broken thumb, but still led the team with ten kickoff coverage tackles. Over two years had 28 carries for 140 yards (5.0 ypc) and three touchdowns.


Others with New England connections:

- Vince Promuto, 79 (6/8/1938); Holy Cross
Two-time Pro Bowl RG played in 130 games for Washington from 1960-1970.

- Vic Radzievitch (6/8/1903); Torrington CT native went to UConn and played eight games for the 1926 Hartford Blues.

- Win Pederson (6/8/1915); tackle played for the 1946 Boston Yanks after serving three years in the military in WWII.


Other NFL players born today:

- Herb Adderly, 78 (6/8/1939); Hall of Fame CB for the Packers won five championships and was named to five Pro Bowls.
- Stan Brock, 59 (6/8/1959); tackle played in 234 games over 16 seasons, mostly with the Saints, and is the brother of Patriot OL Pete Brock.
- Whizzer White (6/8/1917); tailback led the NFL in rushing in 1938 and 1940, and went on to become a Supreme Court justice.
- Dave Jennings (6/8/1952); four time Pro Bowl punter, and only NFL player to come out of St Lawrence University since the thirties.
- Troy Vincent, 46 (6/8/1971); sold his soul to Roger Goodell.
- Buck Gavin (6/8/1891); makes the list since it's such a great football name, sounding like something out of a bad Hollywood script.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Compliments for the correct spelling of "Mruczkowski"!

 

[jmt57]

Happy 44th to the legendary number 54.


Tedy Bruschi, 44 (June 9, 1973)
Patriot LB, 1996-2008
Uniform #54
Pats 3rd round (86th overall) pick of the 1996 draft, from Arizona.
- 2013 Patriots Hall of Fame inductee.
- Played in 189 regular season games and 22 playoff games over 13 seasons.
- With Bruschi the Patriots went to the playoffs nine times, won eight division titles, five conference titles and three super bowl championships.
- All Pro second team (2003, 2004), Pro Bowl (2004), NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2005), Super Bowl champion (2001, 2003, 2004).
- 22 playoff games was at the time most in Pats history (since surpassed by Tom Brady), and is tied for 20th most in NFL history.
- Arguably one of the top three Patriots in the Belichick era.
- First player in NFL history to return four consecutive interceptions for touchdowns.
- Was part of eight defensive touchdowns: four pick-sixes, two forced fumbles that were returned for TDs, a blocked punt returned for a TD, and a tipped pass that was intercepted and returned for a TD.
- Made countless iconic critical plays, such as ripping the ball from Dominic Rhodes in the 2004 AFCCG, stonewalling Charlie Garner in the 2001 playoff game against Oakland, or the 2003 pick-six in the snow against Miami to win the division.
- Trivia: the Patriots traded down ten spots in the '96, getting draft picks which turned out to be Bruschi, Chris Sullivan and Marrio Grier from Detroit. The Lions used that pick on safety Ryan Stewart, who started two NFL games with one career interception.
- Described by Bill Belichick as "the perfect player".


Matt Gutierrez, 33 (June 9, 1984)
Patriot QB, 2007
Uniform #7
The undrafted rookie appeared in five games during garbage time, completing his only pass for 15 yards. He was cut the following August when the Patriots signed veteran Andrew Walter. Over the next five years he bounced between the Arena League, the United Football League, and the Chiefs, Bears, Skins and Rams, mostly on practice squads and in training camps.


Emanuel McNeil, 50 (June 9, 1967)
Patriot NT, 1989
Uniform #92
Pats 10th round (267th overall) pick of the 1989 draft, from Tennessee-Martin.
McNeil appeared in just one game with the Pats. When **** Steinberg left Foxboro to become GM of the Jets in 1990, he signed McNeil as a Plan B free agent. Plan B free agency was something the owners grudgingly put in to place for legal purposes. They were able to protect any 37 players they desired, which when you think about it is all your starters on offense and defense, all your third down players, and all your core special teamers. In Jet fashion, McNeil only played in two more NFL games.



Julian Talley, 28 (June 9, 1989); UMass alum had 60 catches for 759 yards his senior year. Has played in the CFL, Arena Football League and NFL. Was with the Giants from 2012-15, but mostly only in off season or on the practice squad; the WR appeared in two games in 2013 and two more in 2014.

Bernie Digris (June 9, 1919); Connecticut native was born in Union City, raised in Ansonia, went to St John's Prep after Ansonia High School, and graduated from Holy Cross, captain of their football team. Played tackle and guard for the Bronco Nagurski-led 1943 champions Chicago Bears and then joined the Navy in WWII.



Other pro football players born June 9 include:
- Olin Kreutz, 40; 6-time Pro Bowl C for the Bears.
- Josh Cribbs, 34; 3-time Pro Bowl KR/WR for the Browns.
- Woodrow Lowe, 63; 11-season starting LB for the Chargers.

 

[Tony2046]

Cullen Bryant (May 20, 1951 – October 13, 2009) played 13 seasons with the Rams and Seahawks. At the behest of Rams owner Carroll Rosenbloom, Bryant went to court in 1975 to challenge his transfer to the Detroit Lions under the Pete Rozelle Rule. This came after Rozelle ordered Bryant off the Rams and sent to Detroit as compensation for the Rams signing free agent wide receiver Ron Jessie. After the judge appeared sympathetic to Bryant's case, the NFL backed off and the Rozelle Rule was subsequently modified.

Cullen's namesake:

Besides making it to four Super Bowls, Bud Grant (born May 20, 1927), won four Grey Cups, and an NBA title as a player for the Lakers.

Rick Upchurch (born May 20, 1952) lit it up back when the Broncos didn't suck.

Wow. Bud Grant has a hell of a career. NBA Championship, 4 Grey Cups and 4 SB appearances. Wow.

 

[Tony2046]

Not much for May 24, other than excuse to re-watch the Patriots comeback from a 24-0 deficit to beat the Broncos.


Tony Carter, 31 (May 24, 1986)
Patriot CB, 2010
Uniform #29
After being waived-injured by Denver, the Pats signed Carter to their practice squad in early September of 2010. After Jonathan Wilhite was placed on IR with a hip injury, Carter was promoted to the 53-man roster in mid-December. He appeared in two of those three final regular season games, with a final stat line consisting of one tackle.

The Pats released Carter just prior to the start of the 2011 training camp. He later re-signed with Denver and is most well known for an unfortunate gaffe in November of 2013. The Patriots rallied from a 24-0 deficit in week 12 against the Broncos to force overtime, and then the Pats were forced to punt. Wes Welker - at this point a Denver Bronco - was the return man. Carter was also on Denver's return unit, and Welker made a late call that he would not catch the punt, alerting the return team to clear away from the ball. By that time Carter was too close, the ball bounced and hit him, and Nate Ebner recovered. The play set up a 34-31 game-winning field goal by Stephen Gostkowski to cap the comeback. Carter is now a free agent, having last been with New Orleans during the 2016 off season.



Classic Manning face at 4:02 and 4:48.


Troy Barnett, 46 (May 24, 1971)
Patriot DE, 1994-1996
Uniform #98
Barnett was a walk-on at UNC and also made an NFL (Pats) roster as an undrafted rookie. He was the Pats starting DE in '95 and overall appeared in 31 games for New England, with 15 starts. Bill Parcells called him 'technology' for his prowess in that area, which served him well in his post-NFL career.



Others born May 24 with New England area connections:

Zak DeOssie, 33 (5/24/84)
Went to Phillips Andover and Brown, this DeOssie was a player many NE fans thought would end up being a Patriot rather than a Giant.

Tom Lynch, 62 (5/24/55)
Lynch grew up on the south shore, attending Whitman-Hanson High School and Boston College. He was a 2nd round pick by Seattle in '77 and played guard for the Seahawks and Bills from 1977-84.

Al Cannava, 93 (5/24/24)
Grew up in Medford and went to BC; the HB/DB got in to one game for the Packers in 1950.

Swede Youngstrom (5/24/1897)
Grew up in Waltham and went to Dartmouth; was an offensive lineman for several teams in the twenties, playing in 96 games.

May 24 is also the birth date of Derrick Gaffney, Jabbar's father.

A few Del Rio faces in that game as well.

And this Edelman TD should be a poster. The FLying Squirrel.

 

[Tony2046]

Nice Bruschi highlight video.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Happy birthday, Tedy! Here are a few more of my favourites.




(I miss Mrs B -- hope you're well wherever you are.)

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Happy 44th to the legendary number 54.


Tedy Bruschi, 44 (June 9, 1973)
Patriot LB, 1996-2008
Uniform #54

Tedy is the defensive complement to Tom. Pretty much the stuff that makes us most proud to root for the team, the hell with wins or losses. Bruschi's imprint and influence is still all over the place here today, years after his retirement.

...and we thank God every day, that he's still with us.

 

[jmt57]

Happy posthumous birthday to Chuck Fairbanks, who would have been 84 today. The second best coach and general manger in the history of the Patriot franchise was born on June 10, 1933 and was hired by the Pats on January 26, 1973. After seven years of awful to average at best drafts had left the Patriot roster devoid of talent, in Fairbanks' first draft the team selected John Hannah, Sam Cunningham and Darryl Stingley, and a year later they drafted Steve Nelson, Andy Johnson and Sam Hunt. In '75 the Pats added Russ Francis, Rod Shoate and Steve Grogan, and then hit gold the following year. Grogan had performed well enough in relief of injured Jim Plunkett for Fairbanks to put Plunkett on the market. Three days before the '76 draft the trade was made, with the Pats receiving two '76 first round picks, a first and a second '77 pick, and a backup QB for good measure. Those four draft picks turned out to be center Pete Brock, safety Tim Fox, running back Horace Ivory, and corner Raymond Clayborn, who was just voted in to the Patriots Hall of Fame. That group went on to play 482 games for the Patriots.

In Fairbanks first season the Pats only went 5-9, but in scoring the offense improved from 24th to 16th, and the defense from 26th to 16th. The next year Fairbanks installed his 3-4 defense and the team started out at a league best 6-1 before injuries were too much to overcome. Still, the 7-7 finish was the first non-losing record since just missing out on a chance at the first superbowl in 1966, ending a streak of seven consecutive losing seasons.

1975 saw a player strike over the Sullivan's negotiating tactics lead to a canceled preseason game, and a distraction that could not be overcome. Unfortunately this was just a foreshadowing of events to follow a couple years later.

In '76 the Pats went 11-3, making the playoffs for the first time in 13 years. The team ranked second in scoring offense and third in turnover differential. The Pats led the league with 5.0 yards per rush, and hadn't lost a game since October. Then came the Ben Dreith game, arguably the most egregiously one-sided officiated game in the history of the NFL. With Pittsburgh decimated by injuries and the AFC vastly superior to the NFC that year, the Raider-Patriots game was the de facto league championship game. Yes, it still bothers me to this day.

Fairbanks worked out contract extensions for Hannah and Leon Gray, but the Sullivans screwed Fairbanks over, not approving the deals and forcing him to renege on the contracts. Hannah and Gray walked out on the team during preseason and did not return until week four. The Pats had lost two games to below average teams by that time and never recovered, going 9-5 but missing the playoffs.

In '78 Fairbanks worked out a contract extension with Stingley, just prior to his being hit and paralyzed by Jack Tatum in a preseason game. When the Sullivans refused to honor that verbal commitment, it was the final straw; Fairbanks started looking for another job. The team won the AFC East but then word leaked out that Fairbanks had been hired by the University of Colorado. Billy Sullivan suspended Fairbanks prior to the final game of the season, making the OC head coach when the Pats had the ball and the DC head coach when on defense. The ridiculous arrangement failed, and Fairbanks was allowed to coach the first home playoff game in franchise history. Under gloomy skies a lethargic distracted team was defeated by Earl Campbell, Dan Pastorini and Bum Phillips' Houston Oilers on new years eve of 1978. With that loss, the Patriots' Chuck Fairbanks era was over.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Happy posthumous birthday to Chuck Fairbanks, who would have been 84 today. The second best coach and general manger in the history of the Patriot franchise was born on June 10, 1933 and was hired by the Pats on January 26, 1973. After seven years of awful to average at best drafts had left the Patriot roster devoid of talent, in Fairbanks' first draft the team selected John Hannah, Sam Cunningham and Darryl Stingley, and a year later they drafted Steve Nelson, Andy Johnson and Sam Hunt. In '75 the Pats added Russ Francis, Rod Shoate and Steve Grogan, and then hit gold the following year. Grogan had performed well enough in relief of injured Jim Plunkett for Fairbanks to put Plunkett on the market. Three days before the '76 draft the trade was made, with the Pats receiving two '76 first round picks, a first and a second '77 pick, and a backup QB for good measure. Those four draft picks turned out to be center Pete Brock, safety Tim Fox, running back Horace Ivory, and corner Raymond Clayborn, who was just voted in to the Patriots Hall of Fame. That group went on to play 482 games for the Patriots.

In Fairbanks first season the Pats only went 5-9, but in scoring the offense improved from 24th to 16th, and the defense from 26th to 16th. The next year Fairbanks installed his 3-4 defense and the team started out at a league best 6-1 before injuries were too much to overcome. Still, the 7-7 finish was the first non-losing record since just missing out on a chance at the first superbowl in 1966, ending a streak of seven consecutive losing seasons.

1975 saw a player strike over the Sullivan's negotiating tactics lead to a canceled preseason game, and a distraction that could not be overcome. Unfortunately this was just a foreshadowing of events to follow a couple years later.

In '76 the Pats went 11-3, making the playoffs for the first time in 13 years. The team ranked second in scoring offense and third in turnover differential. The Pats led the league with 5.0 yards per rush, and hadn't lost a game since October. Then came the Ben Dreith game, arguably the most egregiously one-sided officiated game in the history of the NFL. With Pittsburgh decimated by injuries and the AFC vastly superior to the NFC that year, the Raider-Patriots game was the de facto league championship game. Yes, it still bothers me to this day.

Fairbanks worked out contract extensions for Hannah and Leon Gray, but the Sullivans screwed Fairbanks over, not approving the deals and forcing him to renege on the contracts. Hannah and Gray walked out on the team during preseason and did not return until week four. The Pats had lost two games to below average teams by that time and never recovered, going 9-5 but missing the playoffs.

In '78 Fairbanks worked out a contract extension with Stingley, just prior to his being hit and paralyzed by Jack Tatum in a preseason game. When the Sullivans refused to honor that verbal commitment, it was the final straw; Fairbanks started looking for another job. The team won the AFC East but then word leaked out that Fairbanks had been hired by the University of Colorado. Billy Sullivan suspended Fairbanks prior to the final game of the season, making the OC head coach when the Pats had the ball and the DC head coach when on defense. The ridiculous arrangement failed, and Fairbanks was allowed to coach the first home playoff game in franchise history. Under gloomy skies a lethargic distracted team was defeated by Earl Campbell, Dan Pastorini and Bum Phillips' Houston Oilers on new years eve of 1978. With that loss, the Patriots' Chuck Fairbanks era was over.

Chuck is right up there with his namesakes, Noll and Knox (not Pagano).

Here in Boston, it seems, we've been privileged to see and anticipate more world championship teams than anybody...and in 1976, the local pro football team was poised to join their three counterparts in the four major sports as title winners.

By comparison, the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers also spent the rest of the century with super players coming through, but some major poor decisions kept them from reaching the top. However, nothing can take away their 1977 title from them, when they deservedly put it all together for at least one, glorious time.

That honor was stolen from the Patriots in 1976, and to anyone even vaguely familiar with the team's history and fortunes - and public treatment - to that point, there is not anything on that level involving the city's other teams, even while each of them has their own profound history of near-misses and bitter losses to go along with their successes. Yes, the public disparagement would have continued unabated, including denigrating that season as "lucky" and a "fluke" (just like, 2001 was...and still is). But Charles Leo Fairbanks is and will always be considered a Super Bowl winner along with the rest of his team, by me and anyone else who was objectively paying attention at the time. Most importantly, he was a winner off the field, too.

As succesful as that 1978 season was, it's bookended by the tragedy of Darryl Stingley's injury, and a locker room full of crying players at the Orange Bowl after being informed right before taking the field that their leader and father figure of the previous six seasons was abruptly leaving.

 

[Mike the Brit]

@jmt57

Thank you.

Although that was before my time as a Pats Fan, it explains why I could never be a really wholehearted fan while the Sullivans called the shots on the team.