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Today in Patriots History
November 16 Birthdays
November 16 Birthdays
Happy 41st birthday to Daniel Graham
Born Nov 16, 1978 in Torrance, California
Patriot TE, 2002-2006; uniform #82
Pats 1st round (21st overall) selection of the 2002 draft, from Colorado
On April 20, 2002 the Patriots made a relatively rare maneuver, trading up rather than down in the draft. The Pats packaged their first round (32nd overall) pick with a 3rd (#96) and 7th to Washington, for the Skins #21 draft pick. New England chose Graham, who had 51 receptions for 753 yards and six touchdowns with the Buffalos - and received the John Mackey Award as college football's best tight end in 2001.
Graham surpassed Christian Fauria as the top tight end in his second season in Foxborough, catching 38 passes for 409 yards, four touchdowns and 21 first downs. Graham had four receptions for 46 yards in the 32-29 Super Bowl victory over Carolina. The following season he had 30 receptions for 364 yards, a career-high seven touchdowns and 20 first downs, and earned his second Super Bowl ring.
The Patriots drafted Ben Watson in 2004, and by 2005 Watson had surpassed both Graham and Fauria as Tom Brady's favorite tight end. Graham was an excellent blocking tight end but his receiving numbers dropped to 235 yards in both '05 and '06.
On March 6, 2007 Graham scored a nice payday for his five years of work in New England. The Denver Broncos signed Graham to a five year contract worth $30 million, with $15 million guaranteed - a significant amount for a tight end considering what the salary cap was at that time. In five seasons with the Patriots Graham played in 63 regular season games, averaging 11.6 yards on 120 receptions. Seventeen of those catches went for touchdowns, and 69 were good for a first down. The Patriots went 9-2 in his eleven playoff games with the team, with Graham contributing 13 receptions for 143 yards and one touchdown.
Graham spent four seasons in Denver, one in Tennessee and one with New Orleans before retiring. He played in 148 NFL games (plus the 11 playoff games) with 224 receptions and 25 touchdowns.
Nov 21, 2006: Behind the Scenes with TE Daniel Graham | Patriots.com
On a side note, it is interesting in hindsight to read the immediate 2002 post-draft grades. Most of the national writers loved the trade and draft pick for Graham, but did not care at all for the Deion Branch selection in the second round.
April 22, 2002: Grading out the draft | Patriots.com
Happy 30th birthday to Akiem Hicks
Born Nov 16, 1989 in Elk Grove, California
Patriot DL, 2015; uniform #72
Acquired from New Orleans in trade for TE Michael Hoomanawanui on Sept 30, 2015
Although he played in New England for just one season, this trade was a win for the Patriots. Hicks registered three sacks, four QB hits and 11 hurries in 13 regular season games, plus four more hurries in two playoff games.
Hicks hit free agency the following season and the Pats couldn't/wouldn't top a two-year $10 million deal with Chicago. His decision may have been as much about his role and playing time rather than money; he was only averaging 23 snaps per game for the Pats. Hicks played very well in '16 and the Bears signed him to a four-year, $48 million extension in 2017, with 430 million guaranteed.
Happy 46th birthday to Sedrick Shaw
Born Nov 16, 1973 in Austin, Texas
Patriot RB, 1997-1998; uniform #23
Pats 3rd round (61st overall) selection of the 1997 draft, from Iowa
Sedrick Shaw had a redshirt rookie season, then totaled 266 yards from scrimmage as a backup to Robert Edwards in 1998. He was traded to the Browns the following year, and later spent two seasons in the CFL.
Sedrick Shaw is Honorary Captain | University of Iowa Athletics
Shaw was a four-year letterman for the Hawkeyes from 1993-96. The native of Austin, Texas rushed for 4,156 yards and 33 touchdowns on 837 attempts. His career totals also include 438 receiving yards, 380 yards on kickoff returns and 35 total touchdowns.
At the completion of his final season in 1996, Shaw held Iowa records for rushing attempts, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns, and was tied for third in career scoring. At the time, he ranked eighth in the Big Ten Conference in both rushing attempts and yards.
Shaw rushed for more than 200 yards twice, including a career best 42 attempts for 250 yards and one touchdown in a 21-7 win at Michigan State in 1995. Later that season, he rushed 41 times for 214 yards and three touchdowns in a 33-20 win at Wisconsin. Iowa posted a 17-7 record in his final two seasons. Shaw rushed for more than 100 yards in 19 games.
At the completion of his final season in 1996, Shaw held Iowa records for rushing attempts, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns, and was tied for third in career scoring. At the time, he ranked eighth in the Big Ten Conference in both rushing attempts and yards.
Shaw rushed for more than 200 yards twice, including a career best 42 attempts for 250 yards and one touchdown in a 21-7 win at Michigan State in 1995. Later that season, he rushed 41 times for 214 yards and three touchdowns in a 33-20 win at Wisconsin. Iowa posted a 17-7 record in his final two seasons. Shaw rushed for more than 100 yards in 19 games.
25 Sedrick Shaw | Saskatchewan Roughrider Fan Page
2002 Preseason: Riders wanted more power in their running game and think Shaw fits the bill. He may not. Even though he is big, he is more of a track star than power back. Played under the legendary Hayden Frye at Iowa and was considered one of the best running backs to play at Iowa. That's quite a feat considering the great Ronnie Harmon played there.
Originally a surprise third round draft pick of the New England Patriots in 1997, Shaw was a projected first-rounder and was considered the second best runningback in the draft behind Warrick Dunn. In 1998, after losing RB Curtis Martin through free agency to the New York Jets, Shaw was the projected starting running back for the Patriots but was a disappointment and relegated to a backup role. In 1999, the Patriots traded Shaw to the Cleveland Browns where he only played two games and had three carries for two yards before being released and playing one game with Cincinnati Bengals in 2000.
Because of injuries to both knees that hindered the latter part of his NFL career, Shaw took himself out of football in 2001 before trying a comeback with Saskatchewan in 2002. Has played very little football over the last three years, so at 27 years old, still has a very fresh body but lots of rust. His knee injuries have slowed down his 4.3 speed.
Originally a surprise third round draft pick of the New England Patriots in 1997, Shaw was a projected first-rounder and was considered the second best runningback in the draft behind Warrick Dunn. In 1998, after losing RB Curtis Martin through free agency to the New York Jets, Shaw was the projected starting running back for the Patriots but was a disappointment and relegated to a backup role. In 1999, the Patriots traded Shaw to the Cleveland Browns where he only played two games and had three carries for two yards before being released and playing one game with Cincinnati Bengals in 2000.
Because of injuries to both knees that hindered the latter part of his NFL career, Shaw took himself out of football in 2001 before trying a comeback with Saskatchewan in 2002. Has played very little football over the last three years, so at 27 years old, still has a very fresh body but lots of rust. His knee injuries have slowed down his 4.3 speed.
Happy 53rd birthday to Ivy Joe Hunter
Born Nov 16, 1966 in Gainesville, Florida
Patriot FB, 1991; uniform #45
Signed April 1, 1991 as a Plan B free agent from the Indianapolis Colts
Hunter was not recruited by his hometown Florida Gators, and instead went to the University of Kentucky. His college highlight game was rushing for 238 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Wildcats to a 34-22 victory. In 13 games with the Patriots he had 150 yards from scrimmage on 18 carries and 11 receptions.
Happy 71st birthday to Art May
Born Nov 16, 1948 in Bessemer, Alabama
Patriot DE, 1971; uniform #71
Waiver claim from Cincinnati on Sept 15, 1971
The Bengals originally drafted Art May out of Tuskegee in the 1971 draft. Cincy placed him on waivers as part of final roster cuts before Week One on September 13. May played in 11 games with five starts for the Clive Rush and John Mazur in 1971. He spent 1972 on IR and was cut by the Pats on July 9, 1973. May later spent time with the Houston Texans and Chicago Winds of the WFL.
Happy 83rd birthday to Jack Atchason
Born Nov 16, 1936 in Springfield, Illinois
Patriot end, 1960; uniform #85
Jack Atchason played in one game with the Pats. In week three of the 1960 season he had two receptions for 22 yards in a 13-0 loss to Buffalo. The Western Illinois alum later played sparingly with the 1960 AFL champion Houston Oilers, where he had his only AFL touchdown - a six yard reception from George Blanda in a 27-21 victory over the New York Titans.