New England Patriots
| New England Patriots | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| Established 1960 Play in Foxborough, Massachusetts | |||
| League / conference affiliations | |||
American Football League (1960–69)
National Football League (1970–present)
| |||
| Uniforms | |||
| Team colors | Blue, Red, Silver, and White | ||
| Mascot | Pat Patriot | ||
| Personnel | |||
| Owner(s) | Robert Kraft | ||
| General manager | Scott Pioli | ||
| Head coach | Bill Belichick | ||
| Team history | |||
| |||
| Team nicknames | |||
| The Pats | |||
| Championships | |||
| League championships (3) | |||
| Conference championships (5) | |||
| Division championships (9) | |||
| Home fields | |||
| |||
The New England Patriots, or "Pats" as frequently referred to by sports writers and fans,[1] are a professional American football team based in Foxborough, Massachusetts. They currently belong to the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). Originally called the Boston Patriots, the ownership changed location name after relocating the team to Foxborough in 1971.
After forming in 1960, the Patriots advanced to the playoffs four times before their first Super Bowl appearance: Super Bowl XX in 1986. The team also lost Super Bowl XXXI in 1997. However, between 2001 and 2005, the Patriots became the second team in NFL history (after the Dallas Cowboys) to win 3 Super Bowls in 4 years (Super Bowl XXXVI, XXXVIII, and XXXIX). Additionally, the Patriots are the seventh team in NFL history to win back to back Super Bowls (XXXVIII and XXXIX respectively).
Franchise history
1959–1991
On November 16 1959, Boston executive William "Billy" Sullivan was awarded the eighth and final franchise of the developing American Football League (AFL). The following winter, locals were allowed to submit ideas for the Boston football team's official name. The most popular choice—and the one that Sullivan selected—was "Boston Patriots", which derived from the historical Patriots of the American Revolution. Afterward, Phil Bisell developed the "Pat Patriot" logo (see section). Immediately thereafter, Lou Saban was selected as Patriots' first head coach.
The franchise's first training camp started on July 4, 1960, two months prior to their first official game.[2] On September 9, 1960, the Boston Patriots played the Denver Broncos in the first-ever AFL regular season game. The Broncos defeated the Patriots by a score of 13–10. In their first three seasons, the Patriots posted a cumulative record of 23–17, though they failed to reach the playoffs in all three years. However, in 1963 the Patriots reached the AFL Championship for the first time, which resulted in a loss to the San Diego Chargers 51–10. Although the franchise lost the championship, it was honored when eleven Patriots made the AFL All-star team, including Gino Cappelletti, Nick Buoniconti, and Babe Parilli.
The Patriots were unsuccessful in reaching the AFL playoffs for the remainder of the decade. Nevertheless, fullback Jim Nance developed into an offensive weapon for the Patriots, gaining 1,458 yards in 1966, when he was the American Football League's MVP.[3][4] Moreover, Tom Addison, the first Patriot All-star, founded the AFL Players Association in the mid 1960's.
In 1970, the Patriots' franchise joined the NFL pursuant to the merger of the AFL and NFL that had been agreed to three years earlier. The Patriots were merged into the American Football Conference (AFC), where they remain to the present day. However, the Patriots' first season as part of the NFL resulted in a record of 2–12, sole possession of the newly merged league's worst record.
In 1971, after shifting between four different Boston-area stadiums in their first 11 seasons, the Patriots moved into a new stadium in Foxborough (also known as Foxboro). The stadium, to be known as Schaefer Stadium, would become Sullivan Stadium in 1983 and, ultimately, Foxboro Stadium in 1990. In March 1971 the team was renamed the "New England Patriots" in order to reflect the fact that the team was now located outside of the Boston city limits.
The Patriots' series of losing seasons continued into the 1970s. Players during the early 1970s included Heisman Trophy[5] winner Jim Plunkett[6] and offensive lineman John Hannah, who would become the first career Patriot to make the Hall of Fame in 1991.[7]
Chuck Fairbanks was hired as head coach in 1973. The Patriots finished 7–7 in 1974 and 3–11 in 1975, which resulted in offensive changes. Plunkett was traded to the San Francisco 49ers and replaced by second year player Steve Grogan. Grogan and Fairbanks found success in 1976 when the Patriots finished 11–3—the best record in team history to that point—and advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 1963. Despite the successful season, the Patriots lost to the Oakland Raiders 24–21 in the first round of the playoffs. The following year, Fairbanks was fired as head coach and replaced by Ron Erhardt, who, in turn, was followed by Ron Meyer in 1981. From 1977 to 1984, the Patriots missed the playoffs six times; the 1978 and 1982 seasons both resulted in first round playoff losses. Looking to improve leadership, the Sullivans replaced head coach Ron Meyer with former wide receiver Raymond Berry in 1984.
In 1985, the Patriots went 11-5 in the regular season and obtained a wild card berth under Raymond Berry. They became the first team to win three road games en route to the Super Bowl.[8] Although the team enjoyed a 3–0 lead in the first quarter, the Patriots lost against the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XX. The following season, New England won the AFC East with another 11–5 record, but lost to the Denver Broncos in the first round. Local resident Doug Flutie played several games with the Patriots during the 1987–88 seasons, in which the Patriots finished with records of 8–7 and 9–7, respectively.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Patriots' lack of playoff appearances was underscored by coaching changes and controversy within the organization, namely, the Sullivan ownership.[9] The Sullivan family lost millions of dollars on expensive investments, including The Jacksons 1984 Victory tour. Furthermore, up to the mid-1980s, the ownership spent nearly 100 million dollars on the franchise.[10] Consequently, the Sullivans were forced to sell the team to Remington shaver magnate Victor Kiam in 1988 for $84 million.[11] However, Billy Sullivan and his son, Pat Sullivan, remained franchise president and General Manager respectively.[12] Meanwhile, entrepreneur Robert Kraft began his involvement with the Patriots by purchasing Sullivan Stadium (previously Schaefer Stadium) on November 23, 1988.[13] During this leadership change, head coach Berry was replaced by Rod Rust.
The Patriots' worst season in franchise history came under Rod Rust in 1990, when the team finished 1–15. Rust was fired after the 1990 season and replaced by Dick MacPherson. In September 1990, the Patriots were thrown in the middle of a sexual harassment scandal when Boston Herald reporter Lisa Olson was sexually harassed and verbally assaulted by several Patriots players in the team's locker room. The NFL investigated the incident and following the report NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue fined the team $50,000, as well as players Zeke Mowatt, Michael Timpson and Robert Perryman who were fined $12,500, $5,000 and $5,000 respectively for the Lisa Olson incident. This is cited as one of the several reasons why Rod Rust was quickly fired from his post as Head Coach. [14]
1992–present
In 1992, St. Louis businessman James Orthwein became sole owner of the Patriots franchise. Throughout New England, sports writers and fans discussed the possibility that Orthwein would relocate the franchise to St. Louis. However, no move was scheduled for the 1992 season.[15]
The Patriots shifted gears by firing MacPherson and hiring coach Bill Parcells in 1993. The highlight draft pick during the 1993 season included Drew Bledsoe, who would quarterback the team until 2001. Despite these acquisitions, the 1993 season resulted in a losing record, and rumors about relocation to St. Louis continued during the offseason. In order to save the team from relocation, Robert Kraft outbid an intense field of competition and obtained full ownership of the Patriots in 1994.[16] Kraft developed changes in organization and leadership, several of which culminated in a ten-season stadium sell-out streak from 1996 to the present.
The Patriots entered the 1994 season after drafting first round and fourth overall pick Willie McGinest, who would later play linebacker on all three Super Bowl winning teams. Although the team lost in the first round of the 1994 playoffs and finished the 1995 season with a 6–10 record, Kraft decided to keep Parcells. In 1996, the Patriots finished with an 11–5 record and an AFC East division championship. The team eventually advanced to Super Bowl XXXI, where they lost to the Green Bay Packers 35–21.
Due to tensions rising between Parcells and Kraft, the former was replaced by Pete Carroll in 1997. Meanwhile, the Patriots and the New York Jets began switching players and coaches, including current Jets head coach Eric Mangini, the aforementioned Parcells, and running back Curtis Martin. Nevertheless, New England finished 1997 with a 10–6 record—good enough for first place in the AFC East. The Patriots defeated the Miami Dolphins 17–3 at home in the opening round, before losing against the Pittsburgh Steelers by a score of 7–6. In the 1998 season, the Patriots finished 9–7, and lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the playoffs. However, a subpar 1999 season resulted in Carroll's firing.
After Carroll was fired, Bill Belichick, hand-picked to be Parcells' successor with the Jets, quit after one day to join New England.[17] In 2000, Belichick's first season resulted in a 5–11 record. In 2001 Patriot quarterback Drew Bledsoe was injured early in the season. He was replaced by Tom Brady, who led the team into the playoffs with an 11–5 record. The Patriots defeated the Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers and advanced to Super Bowl XXXVI, where they defeated the St. Louis Rams on a last-second Adam Vinatieri field goal. In New England's first Super Bowl victory, Brady was selected Super Bowl MVP. Bledsoe was traded to the Buffalo Bills in the 2002 off-season.
In 2002 Robert Kraft opened the new Gillette Stadium. Robert Kraft funded the construction of the stadium through his own private finances, without calling on money from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The stadium was built with state-of-the-art technology, and is widely considered to be one of the premier stadiums in NFL Football. [18][19] That season, the Patriots missed the playoffs after finishing with a record of 9–7. In 2003 the Patriots started 2–2 but finished with a 14–2 record and fourteen straight wins on their way to Super Bowl XXXVIII against the Carolina Panthers. The Patriots won by a score of 32–29; the final three points came from another Adam Vinatieri field goal. Brady was named Super Bowl MVP for the second time.
In 2004 the Patriots broke the all-time winning streak record of 18 wins following a victory against the Miami Dolphins. Later in the season, the Patriots lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, which halted their winning streak at 21 games.[20] After finishing the season with a 14–2 record, the Patriots defeated the Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers en route to Super Bowl XXXIX. The Patriots went on to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles by a score of 24–21, thus becoming the first team in six years (and the eighth in history) to repeat as NFL Super Bowl champions, and only the second team ever to win three Super Bowls in four years (the Dallas Cowboys did it in the years 1992-95).
After the 2004 season, Belichick's top two coordinators—Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel—left the team to pursue head coaching jobs. Significant players moved on as well, including longtime Patriot cornerback Ty Law. Linebacker Tedy Bruschi missed half of the 2005 season while recovering from a mild stroke.[21] During the 2005 season, the team lost several starters to injuries, including safety Rodney Harrison and offensive tackle Matt Light. In the final game of the season, Doug Flutie performed the first successful dropkick extra point since 1941.[22] At the end of the season, the Patriots won the AFC East with a 10–6 record. The Patriots defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 28–3 in the first round of the playoffs before losing to the Denver Broncos 27-13. The New England Patriots became the seventh team in NFL history to fail on a chance to win the Super Bowl in three consecutive seasons—the last team to do so being the Broncos.
During the 2006 off-season, defensive coordinator Eric Mangini was hired by the New York Jets to be their head coach. His spot would later be taken over by Dean Pees, who had been linebacker coach for the club the past two years.[23] QB coach Josh McDaniels was promoted to offensive coordinator after New England went one season without replacing Charlie Weis.[24] Notable Patriots such as David Givens and Willie McGinest left New England for the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns respectively. In March, kicker Adam Vinatieri left the team to join the Indianapolis Colts.
The Kraft years have provided a major turnaround for the fan base of the Patriots. Prior to Kraft’s arrival, the Patriots rarely played at Foxboro Stadium’s maximum capacity (with the only exception being the highly successful 1986 season). The attendance was particularly low during the early 1990s, when poor performance and the aforementioned rumors of franchise relocation to St. Louis loomed; the average home attendance was below 60% of maximum capacity. However, the improvements made during Bill Parcells' coaching tenure (both on and off the field) resulted in a rejuvenation of the fan base. From the 1996 season onward, every Patriots home game sold out, both at Foxboro and Gillette stadiums.[25][26]
Logo and uniforms
The original Patriot logo was developed in 1960 by artist Phil Bissell.[27] The logo featured a New England-originated Revolutionary War minuteman snapping a football while not dressed in football gear. Initial Patriots owner William Sullivan coined the logo's nickname: "Pat Patriot".[28] Meanwhile, the team's original uniforms were red with white and blue stripes on their sleeves, and white pants and helmets. Initially, the helmets featured pilgrim hats; however, this design was replaced with the Pat Patriot logo in 1961.[29]
In 1993, changes to the Patriots' uniforms and logo were rolled out by brief Patriots owner James B. Orthwein.[30] The old "Pat Patriot" logo was retired and replaced with a stylized Patriot head in silhouette wearing a red-white-and-blue tricorn hat, designed in tandem with NFL Properties that fans and sports officials would eventually nickname the "Flying Elvis".[31] The team's uniforms were changed from red to "Patriot" (dark) blue, and both the helmets and pants from white to silver.[32]
In 2000, the team developed additional changes to their logo and uniform. Although the "Flying Elvis" logo remained, a darker blue color was introduced.[33]
Season-by-season records
| Season | W | L | T | Finish | Playoff results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Patriots | |||||
| 1960 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 4th AFL East | -- |
| 1961 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 2nd AFL East | -- |
| 1962 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 2nd AFL East | -- |
| 1963 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 1st AFL East | Won Divisional Playoff (Bills) Lost AFL Championship (Chargers) |
| 1964 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 2nd AFL East | -- |
| 1965 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 3rd AFL East | -- |
| 1966 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2nd AFL East | -- |
| 1967 | 3 | 10 | 1 | 5th AFL East | -- |
| 1968 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 4th AFL East | -- |
| 1969 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 3rd AFL East | -- |
| Merged into NFL | |||||
| 1970 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 5th AFC East | -- |
| New England Patriots | |||||
| 1971 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 3rd AFC East | -- |
| 1972 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 5th AFC East | -- |
| 1973 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 3rd AFC East | -- |
| 1974 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3rd AFC East | -- |
| 1975 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 4th AFC East | -- |
| 1976 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 2nd AFC East | Lost Divisional Playoffs (Raiders) |
| 1977 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 3rd AFC East | -- |
| 1978 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 1st AFC East | Lost Divisional Playoffs (Oilers) |
| 1979 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2nd AFC East | -- |
| 1980 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 2nd AFC East | -- |
| 1981 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 5th AFC East | -- |
| 1982 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 7th AFC Conf. | Lost First Round (Dolphins) |
| 1983 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 2nd AFC East | -- |
| 1984 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2nd AFC East | -- |
| 1985 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 3rd AFC East | Won Wild Card Playoffs (Jets) Won Divisional Playoffs (Raiders) Won Conference Championship (Dolphins) Lost Super Bowl XX (Bears) |
| 1986 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 1st AFC East | Lost Divisional Playoffs (Broncos) |
| 1987 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 2nd AFC East | -- |
| 1988 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 3rd AFC East | -- |
| 1989 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 4th AFC East | -- |
| 1990 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 5th AFC East | -- |
| 1991 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 4th AFC East | -- |
| 1992 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 5th AFC East | -- |
| 1993 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 4th AFC East | -- |
| 1994 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 2nd AFC East | Lost Wild Card Playoffs (Browns) |
| 1995 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 4th AFC East | -- |
| 1996 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 1st AFC East | Won Divisional Playoffs (Steelers) Won Conference Championship (Jaguars) Lost Super Bowl XXXI (Packers) |
| 1997 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 1st AFC East | Won Wild Card Playoffs (Dolphins) Lost Divisional Playoffs (Steelers) |
| 1998 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 4th AFC East | Lost Wild Card Playoffs (Jaguars) |
| 1999 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 5th AFC East | -- |
| 2000 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 5th AFC East | -- |
| 2001 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 1st AFC East | Won Divisional Playoffs (Raiders) Won Conference Championship (Steelers) Won Super Bowl XXXVI (Rams) |
| 2002 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2nd AFC East | -- |
| 2003 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 1st AFC East | Won Divisional Playoffs (Titans) Won Conference Championship (Colts) Won Super Bowl XXXVIII (Panthers) |
| 2004 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 1st AFC East | Won Divisional Playoffs (Colts) Won Conference Championship (Steelers) Won Super Bowl XXXIX (Eagles) |
| 2005 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 1st AFC East | Won Wild Card Playoffs (Jaguars) Lost Divisional Playoffs (Broncos) |
^At the end of the 2005 NFL season, the Patriots All-Time Record is 355-355-9 (including AFL & NFL playoffs).[34]
Players and coaches of note
Current roster
The following is accurate as of March 25, 2006.[35]
- Nick Buoniconti LB
- John Hannah G
- Mike Haynes CB
Retired numbers
- 20 Gino Cappelletti K/WR
- 40 Mike Haynes CB
- 57 Steve Nelson LB
- 73 John Hannah G
- 78 Bruce Armstrong T
- 79 Jim Lee Hunt DL
- 89 Bob Dee DL
In addition to the seven players above, QB Steve Grogan (14), QB Babe Parilli (15), LB Andre Tippett (56) and LB Nick Buoniconti (85) have been honored with induction into the Patriots' Hall of Fame. Although their numbers have not been officially retired, none were worn by Patriots players in the 2005 season.[36]
Other notable alumni
|
|
|
Head coaches
- Lou Saban (1960–61)
- Mike Holovak (1961–68)
- Clive Rush (1969–70)
- John Mazur (1970–72)
- Phil Bengtson (interim) (1972)
- Chuck Fairbanks (1973–78)
- Ron Erhardt (1979–81)
- Ron Meyer (1982–84)
- Raymond Berry (1984–89)
- Rod Rust (1990)
- Dick MacPherson (1991–92)
- Bill Parcells (1993–96)
- Pete Carroll (1997–99)
- Bill Belichick (2000–present)
Notes and references
- ^ ESPN.com An example of the "Pats" nickname being used within sports reports. Accessed 26 January 2006.
- ^ Patriots History Accessed 26 January 2006.
- ^ Jim Nance statistics Accessed 25 January 2006.
- ^ NFL MVP player of the year Accessed 25 January 2006.
- ^ Heisman trophy winners Accessed 25 January 2006.
- ^ 1971 NFL draft Accessed 25 January 2006.
- ^ Top 100 Players: 13 - John Hannah. Information on John Hannah's career, including a list of awards, which features the 1991 NFL Hall of Fame induction. Accessed 29 January 2006.
- ^ 1985 New England Patriots Statistics. Features information on the Patriots' wins during the 1985 season and playoffs. Accessed 26 January 2006.
- ^ Book discussing various aspects of the Patriots sports franchise Website accessed January 31, 2006.
- ^ Patriots Change Hands. Associated Press article, published on October 29, 1988. Website accessed February 1, 2006.
- ^ Sports Encyclopedia. Information relating to Kiam's purchasing of the Patriots in the late 1980s. Accessed January 31, 2006.
- ^ Patriots Change Hands. Associated Press article, published on October 29, 1988. Website accessed February 1, 2006.
- ^ Patriots History. Information relating to Kraft purchasing Sullivan Stadium and renaming it Foxboro stadium. Accessed January 31, 2006.
- ^ Lisa Olsen sexual harassment scandal Accessed 31 January 2006.
- ^ Patriots History. Orthwein takes over the franchise, which sparks controversy over a possible franchise relocation. Accessed 31 January 2006.
- ^ Patriots History. Kraft takes over in 1994, saving the team from a move. Accessed 31 January 2006.
- ^ CBS4 Boston. Story on Eric Mangini with historical information about Belichick's one-day head coaching run with the Jets. Accessed 26 January 2006.
- ^ Information about Gillette Stadium Accessed 31 January, 2006
- ^ Additional information about Gillette Stadium Accessed 31 January, 2006
- ^ NFL's Longest Winning Streaks. From the Pro Football Hall of Fame website. Information on the winning streak being stopped by the Steelers at 21 wins. Accessed 28 January 2006.
- ^ Return of Tedy Bruschi HBO column. Accessed 26 January 2006.
- ^ Patriots' Flutie converts first drop kick since 1941. ESPN column. Accessed 26 January 2006.
- ^ Add Vince to Dean's List Boston Herald newspaper article. Accessed 26 January 2006.
- ^ Pats coordinate efforts Boston Herald newspaper article. Accessed 26 January 2006.
- ^ Attendance information from 1980- Accessed 1 February 2006
- ^ Specific information on 2003- Sell-out streak Accessed 1 February 2006
- ^ Patriots History. Logo design information. Accessed 26 January 2006.
- ^ Patriots History. Logo naming information. Accessed 26 January 2006.
- ^ i-NFL Helmet Information relating to the evolution of the Patriots' helmets. Accessed 28 January 2006.
- ^ Patriots History. Changes. Accessed 26 January 2006.
- ^ NFLHistory.net Information on the Patriots' ownership, including the start of the "Flying Elvis" logo. Accessed 26 January 2006.
- ^ NFLHistory.net Color changes; one of the colors is called "Patriot" blue by this source. Accessed 28 January 2006.
- ^ i-NFL Helmet. Mention of helmet and uniform changes in 2000. Accessed 30 January 2006.
- ^ Patriots Statistics Since 1960. Accessed 26 January 2006.
- ^ Depth Chart Patriots' depth chart. Accessed 26 January 2006.
- ^ Hall of Fame Information on the Patriots' retired numbers and Hall of Famers. Accessed 26 January 2006.
See also
- Gil Santos
- List of American Football League players
- Patriots Video News
- History of the New England Patriots (Greater Depth)
External links
- New England Patriots official website
- PatsFans.com - fan-run team news and commentary
- Patriots Planet - fan-run discussion board and historical archive
- Patriots Weekly - Fansite run by Pats fans for Pats fans
- UK Patriots - British fan club and discussion forum
- Sport E-Cyclopedia.org