Comments on: 50th Anniversary Minute – the 1978 Patriots

By: Don

Don — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 17:24:04 +0000

I remember Bill Arnsburger (Don Shula’s Defensive Coordinator) doing this in ’71 or ’72 when he lost 2 defensive linemen and had a mobile LB named Bob Matheson (acquired that off season from Cleveland for a 2nd round draft choice) that he moved in to a position as a cover LB or rush DE. By the way, it was called the 53 back then. Bob Matheson’s jersey number – 53,

By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:43:01 +0000

Thanks for this Scott. I first got into the Patriots in 1978 when my dad took me to my first game which happened to be the playoff game against the Oilers. I remember everyone singing during the loss “Goodbye Chuck, Goodbye Chuckie, Goodbye Chuck, we’re glad to see you go…..” Believe it or not it seemed like the entire stadium was singing that to me at my age. But perhaps it was just my section. I don’t remember.

I do remember the Patriots being expected to win and Earl Campbell running all over them. I think I first learned to love football that day, despite the loss. I started going to the game regularly with my dad in ’79….another year thought got off to a good start but ended in disappointing fashion.

By: PatsFan

PatsFan — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:01:32 +0000

Oh, memories. I was 10 that year. I was actually at the division-clinching win against Buffalo. The crowd went totally berserk when the game ended. Awesomeness.

By: J.R.

J.R. — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:45:21 +0000

Loved those mid-to-late ’70s Fairbanks-coached teams. Because of the way his tenure ended, I don’t believe he gets as much credit as he should around here for righting the team and putting the franchise on a successful track. For really the first time in the Patriots history (up to that point), they actually had a strategy regarding how they approached the draft, the types of players they wanted, etc.

Fairbanks also was one of the first NFL coaches to employ a 3-4 defense due to the fact the Pats had some very capable and smart linebackers (Steve Zabel, Steve King, Steve Nelson, Sam Hunt, Rod Shoate).

If I remember correctly, in that regular season Oakland game in ’78, on a run to the outside Grogan lowered his shoulder and knocked the Raiders DB who came up and tried to make the tackle about five yards back on his a**. Great stuff.

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:54:01 +0000

You’re correct.

The Pats had a big lead on Houston in the regular season game at Foxboro, but blew it and lost by 3. They also played Dallas on Thanksgiving and hung in there, but ended up losing by a touchdown. I distinctly remember Randy White being manhandled by John Hannah that day, which didn’t happen very often in White’s career.

I was young back then as well, so I didn’t really understand the Fairbanks thing. I remember him coaching the playoff game and I remember just being shocked at how badly they were beaten that day.

In the end, Houston probably was a better team since they beat the Pats twice.

The Pats’ defense was good, especially the secondary, but not great that season, and they really had no answer for Earl Campbell either time they faced Houston.

By: Lebron

Lebron — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:00:09 +0000

Loved the ’78 team. I was 9 years old, and remember having my Dad explain the Fairbanks situation as I didn’t understand what was going on. Those yards per catch from Jackson and Stanley Morgan are ridiculous.

The other thing I remember is the Oilers beating them twice, once in the regular season and again in that playoff thumping, in Foxboro. Earl Campbell punished them in that regular season game.

I think they played on Thanksgiving in Dallas that year too?