By Brendon Rosenau, Patriots Daily Staff

It has often been said, give a good coach three years and he can turn around any team. In New England that was certainly true.

In 1996, in his third year on the sidelines, The Tuna led New England to its second ever Super Bowl appearance. Led by one of the teams most balanced offensive attacks in recent memory, the Patriots rebounded from an 0-2 start to win their third AFC East title. All Pro Drew Bledsoe found himself atop several passing categories with a slew of receivers including rookie Terry Glenn and all-world tight end Ben Coates. At running back was Curtis Martin who gained 1152 yards and scored 14 touchdowns.

There were several key wins during the year, including an overtime win over Jacksonville when a rookie kicker by the name of Adam Vinatieri booted his first ever game-winning field goal. There was also the memorable final game of the regular season when New England found themselves down 22-0 to the Giants. A Vinatieri field goal cut the score to 22-3 with just one quarter to play. Then the Pats went on a remarkable stretch. Drew Bledsoe hit rookie Terry Glenn for a 26-yard score and Dave Meggett returned a punt 60 yards to cut the deficit to 22-17. Ben Coates’ 13-yard TD put New England provided the game-winner and the teams 11^th win.

The Patriots drew Pittsburgh, the defending AFC Champions in the divisional round. Playing in a fog so thick it was hard to see the numbers on the field. The weather though, was just as effective as the Steelers defense. The Pats wasted little time as a screen pass to Glenn set up a 2-yard run from Martin and a 7-0 lead. Keith Byars scored on a screen pass and Martin ripped off a 78-yard run to put the game out of reach by the half.

In the Championship game the Pats got Jacksonville, who had upset the top-seeded Broncos. With the unexpected home game, the Pats defense rose to the challenge and picked off Mark Brunell twice and recovered three fumbles in a 20-3 win. Leading 13-6 in the fourth Otis “My Main Man” Smith snared a 47-yard pick-six to ice the game.

What were your favorite memories of that year? Was it Shannon Sharpe calling the President in a Pats loss? How about the draft day drama with Parcells? Or the draft that produced Glenn, Lawyer Milloy and Tedy Bruschi? How about the Parcells drama at the end of the year?

LEADERS

• Drew Bledsoe 373 (1^st NFL)-623 (1^st), 4086 (3^rd), 27 (T-3^rd)-15
• Curtis Martin 316 (7^th)-1152 (9^th), 14 (2^nd), 46-333, 3, 17 total TD (2^nd)
• Terry Glenn (Rookie) 90 (T-7^th)-1132, 6
• Ben Coates 62-682, 9 (T-9^th)
• Shawn Jefferson 50-771, 4
• Adam Vinatieri 27-35, 39-42
• Ted Johnson 87-28
• Willie Clay 4 INT
• Willie McGinest 9.5 sacks

All Pro
Drew Bledsoe (QB), Curtis Marin (RB), Terry Glenn (WR), Ben Coats (TE), Bruce Armstrong (LT), Dave Meggett (KR)

Pro Bowl
Bledsoe, Martin, Coates, Armstrong, Willie McGinest (RDE), Meggett

by Brendon Rosenau, Patriots Daily Staff

If 1993 was the preface in New England’s rise to glory, then 1994 was the Chapter One. Bob Kraft was the new owner and the pieces were in place for a special happening in New England. In 1994 the Patriots returned to a place that seemed light years away a year ago. After eight long, arduous, and trying years, the Pats were finally returned to the playoffs.

1994 was a heck of a year for many Pats fans. It was Drew Bledsoe’s second year in the league and head coach Bill Parcells made no bones that this would be a team that relied heavily on the passing game. Bledsoe dropped back and let the pigskin fly a NFL record 691 times and became just the second quarterback to complete 400 passes. Drew’s favorite target was All Pro tight end Ben Coates (96 catches), but he wasn’t afraid to spread the ball around. Five different Patriots caught at least 50 balls. Included in that total were Coates, wide receivers Michael Timpson (74) and Vincent Brisby (58), running back Leroy Thompson (65) and fullback Kevin Turner (52).

At the outset, the Pats didn’t keep the momentum they gained at the end of ‘93. New England stumbled out of the game and they were 3-6 more than halfway through the season. Then Parcells took the leash off his signal caller.

In one of the my personal favorite games of all-time, Bledsoe threw the ball 70 times as the Patriots stormed back from a 20-3 deficit to stun the Warren Moon led Minnesota Vikings 26-20 in OT. Bledsoe completed 45 passes for 426 yards, 3TD and 0 picks in a game that ignited a seven-game win streak.

The next week the Pats got 88 rushing yard from Marion Butts (remember him?) in a 23-17 win over eventual AFC Conference winners San Diego. New England would then end the season by smoking Buffalo, a team that played in the last four Super Bowls and taking a hard fought 13-3 win over playoff bound Chicago that helped them clinch the AFC East.

New England’s streak and season would end the next week when they lost to the Bill Belichick led Cleveland Browns. Playing in his first playoff game, Bledsoe completed just 21-50 passes and threw three picks. While the Pats lost 20-13, it was a remarkable season.

What are your memories of that year?

Leaders

• Drew Bledsoe 400 (1st NFL)-691 (1st, NFL record), 4555 (1st), 25 (4th)-27 (1st)
• Marion Butts 243 carries 703 yards, 8 TD(T-6)
• Leroy Thompson 65 receptions, 465 yards , 5TD
• Kevin Turner 52 receptions, 471 yards, 2 TD
• Michael Timpson 74 receptions, 941yards, 3TD
• Ben Coates 96 receptions (4th), 1174 yards (T-10th), 7TD
• Vincent Brisby 58receptions, 904 yards, 5 TD
• Chris Slade 9.5 sacks
• Maurice Hurst 7 INT (T-4th)
• Vincent Brown 118 tackles

Pro Bowl
Bledsoe, Coates, Bruce Armstrong (LT),

All Pro
Bledsoe, Coates, Armstrong, Bob Kratch (LG),

by Brendon Rosenau, Patriots Daily Staff

It was clear early on in 1986 that the Patriots run to the Super Bowl was indeed something to savor. After the Pats were eaten alive by the Bears many New England fans thought it was the start of good things to come. The team had an enviable mix of rising young stars and wily veterans who still had plenty in the tank. However, immediately after the 1985 season officially ended things started to take a turn for the worse for New England.

On the Monday after Super Bowl XX head coach Raymond Berry made this astounding statement in the Boston Globe regarding a team-wide drug issue.

“I would say we may be 28th in the league as far as this problem goes,” he said. “But there are at least five players we know who have a serious problem and five to seven more whom we suspect very strongly. We have a situation that exists here that we feel is intolerable. It has been going on for a year…”

The six players that failed drug tests were notable players; Irving Fryar, Ken Simms, Raymond Clayborn, Tony Collins, Roland James and Stephen Starring. This issue, though, would be just the start of a tumultuous offseason for New England. Future Hall of Famer John Hannah retired as did defensive stalwart Julius Adams. Then in the summer Tony Eason, fresh off a 0-6 game in the Super Bowl was named the starter over Steve Grogan. Grogan said all the right things, but was privately ticked off at being passed over once again. The decision also caused a divide in the locker room. With all these issues, the Patriots still had talent and they did perform.

After starting the year 3-3 they went on a seven game win streak and finished the year 11-5, winning the AFC East and reaching the playoffs for a second consecutive year for the first time in franchise history. During that win streak it was old-reliable that stepped in and gave the Pats a huge boast. Grogan stated his second game of the year in Week 7 against Pittsburgh and led the Patriots to a 34-0 win behind 243 yards and three touchdowns. The win started the Patriots streak that saw them turn into a Super Bowl contender. The streak was snapped with a loss to Cincy and San Fran, but a win in the regular season finale in Miami had the Pats feeling good.

With a first place finish, N.E. had a bye into the divisional round where they had to travel to Mile High Stadium to take on the Broncos. The Pats led 7-3 in the first quarter when Stanley Morgan (3 catches, 100 yards) scored on a 19-yard pass from Eason. Denver took a 13-10 lead in the third, before Morgan put the Pats ahead 17-3 with a 45-ard score. New England though would become an early victim of the legend of John Elway. Wide receiver Vance Johnson caught the Pats secondary sleeping on a free play and hauled in a 48-yard score that put the Broncos ahead for good 20-17. A safety made the final 22-17. It would be eight long years before the Patriots reached the playoffs again.

Leaders

• Tony Eason – 61.6%, 3328 yards (10th NFL), 19 TD (T-9th), 89.2 rating (4th)

• Tony Collins 412 rushing yards-3 TD; 77 catches (8th), 684 yards 5 TD

• Craig James – 427 rushing yards, 4 TD

• Morgan 84 catches (4th), 1491 yards (2nd) – 10 TD (T-5th)

• Tony Franklin 140 points (1st), 44 Extra Points (3rd), 32-41 Field Goals (1st)

• Garin Veris 11 sacks

• Andre Tippet 9.5 sacks

• Ronnie Lippett 8INT (T-5th)

• Brent Williams 4 FR (T-7th)

All Pro
Mosi Tatupu, Stanley Morgan (WR), Brian Holloway (LT), Andre Tippett (LOLB), Don Blackmon (ROLB), Ronnie Lippett (LCB), Raymond Clayborn (RCB), Ton Franklin (K)

Pro Bowl
Tatupu, Morgan, Tippett, Clayborn, Franklin

by Brendon Rosenau, Patriots Daily Staff
October 14, 2009

1986 was a magical year on the Boston sports scene. Three of its four professional sports teams reached the championship round in their respective sports. The Patriots got Beantown off to its historic calendar year with an incredible magic carpet ride through the regular season and an unprecedented run through the playoffs.

Playing in their 25th season of professional football, the New England/Boston Patriots started the season with a 26-20 win over Green Bay. Then the team met Chicago, a team they would see again, and went on a skid that saw them lost three of their next four. In the process, supposed rising-star QB Tony Eason looked horrid behind center. In Eason’s first six games he threw 11 interceptions before suffering a shoulder injury in Week Six against Buffalo.

The old gun slinger, Pats hero (remember ‘76 and ‘78), Steve Grogan, took over and the Pats ship took off. After a 14-3 win over Buffalo to go 3-3, Grogan, a player many in the media and in the stands felt was over the hill, led the Pats on a six game win streak. That run included a 20-13 win over the division leading Jets. In that game, Grogan scored the winning TD on a naked bootleg. The Pats also went on to beat Miami 17-13 with the Pats scoring on a memorable flea flicker to get within a touchdown. Grogan then led the Patriots on a 10-play, 80-yard game winning drive.

However. three weeks later, the win streak came to a screeching halt. Not only did the Pats lose to the Jets, but they also lost Grogan to a broken leg.

Eason, playing much better than at the start, was back under center as New England went 2-2 over their next four games. They entered the final week of the season needing a win over Cincinnati to clinch a Wild Card berth. The game was blacked out on local TV, but the Pats ensured their fans would see them again with a 34-23 win.

That, friends, would just be the beginning. New England would start the playoffs in the Meadowlands with a 26 – 14 thrashing of the Jets. The most memorable play of that game was Johnny Remebert’s 15-yard fumble return to put N.E. ahead 23-7.

The next week the Pats exacted revenge on an old-time nemesis with a 27-20 win over the Raiders in L.A. The Pats “D” forced six turnovers and Jim Bowman scored the winning TD when he recovered a Raiders fumble in the end zone. The game will always be remembered for the thuggish antics of Raiders Matt Millen and Howie Long. Millen swung his helmet at N.E. owner Billy Sullivan after the game and opened a gash over Sullivan’s face.

The bloody win led the Pats to another place that had caused them several sleepless nights, Miami, Florida. N.E. hadn’t won in their last 18 trips to South Beach, but with their first Super Bowl appearance hanging in the balance, the Pats put in their finest effort of the season. New England forced six turnovers, bringing their playoff total to 14, and Eason threw three TD’s in a 31-14 win.

What was your favorite memory of that year? What do you remember most about the playoff run?

Leaders

• Tony Eason 10 starts 2156, 11-17,
• Steve Grogan 6 starts (5-1), 1311, 7-5,
• Craig James -1227 yards (9th NFL), 5 TD, 27-360-2
• Irving Fryar 39-670-7; 2 Punt Return TD (14.1 average) (1st)
• Stanley Morgan 39-760-5, 19.5 (6th NFL)
• Tony Franklin 112 points (8th NFL)
• Andre Tippet 16.5 sacks (2nd)
• Fred Marion 7 INT (T-4th)

All Pro

Irving Fryar (WR), Brian Holloway (LT), John Hannah (LG), Andre Tippet (LOLB), Steve Nelson (LILB), Raymond Clayborn (RCB), Fred Marion (FS)

Pro Bowl

Craig James (FB), Fryar, Holloway, Hannah, Tippet, Nelson, Clayborn, Marion

by Brendon Rosenau, Patriots Daily Staff
October 7, 2009

It had been almost a full year and half after they had been robbed in the 1976 playoffs when the New England Patriots returned to the scene of the crime of the century; the Oakland Coliseum. It was only a preseason game, but it was a night that changed the course of New England football history.

In a video clip that is still hard to watch today, 26-year old wideout Darryl Stingley, coming off a career year and on the verge of signing a brand new contract, met the helmet and forearm of Oakland’s Jack Tatum. Stingley, who was in a defenseless position, was an open target and Tatum didn’t hold back. The result left Stingley with two cracked vertebrae and paralyzed him for the rest of his life.

It was an inauspicious beginning. And when the Pats began the season 1-2, 1978 looked like a lost campaign.

As fate would have it, though, the team’s fortunes would turn again in, of all places, Oakland. The New England defense forced Raiders QB Kenny Stabler into three interceptions and Sam Cunningham’s fourth quarter score gave New England a 21-14 win. The win would be the first in a string of seven straight that saw the Pats wrest control of the AFC East. Led by the highest gaining rushing attack in league history, the Patriots where able to score when needed and had the defense to back up their hard running offense.

The Patriots wrapped up the division title in the 15th game (this was the first year the NFL expanded to a 16 game schedule) with a come-from-behind 26-24 win over Buffalo. Trailing 24-21 the Pats defense forced Buffalo to punt from their own end zone. Rather than risk a strong return and give up prime field position, Buffalo opted for the safety which cut the N.E. deficit to a point. Steve Grogan then drove the Pats down to the 4-yard line where David Posey, in his only NFL season taking the place of an injured John Smith, was true from 21 yards for the win.

The Pats train was rolling and they had locked up a bye into the divisional round. Then suddenly, everything changed.

Head coach Chuck Fairbanks, who had been with the team for six years, was unexpectedly suspended for the regular season finale against Miami on a Monday night game. According to an AP article from December 20, 1978, Fairbanks had told Pats owner Billy Sullivan that he would be leaving the professional ranks to accept the head coaching gig at the University of Colorado, though he had four years remaining on his contract. When Fairbanks informed the team of his decision they asked him to reconsider, but before the Monday night game Fairbanks told his assistants and players he was leaving after the year ended. Sullivan responded by suspending Fairbanks and giving the coaching reigns to Ron Erhardt and Hank Bullough. The Pats got smoked in Miami, leading to Fairbanks being reinstated for the playoffs. However, the damage was done and New England lost to Houston 31-14.

What are your recollections of this memorable year?

Leaders

• Steve Grogan 2824 yards, 15 TD, 23INT (T-3rd NFL), 15.6 per completion (2nd NFL);5 rushing TD
• Sam Cunningham 199-768 (9th)-8
• Horace Ivory 147-693, 11 (3rd)
• Rudd Francis 39-543-4
• Harold Jackson 37-743 6
• Stanley Morgan 34-820-5
• Mike Haynes 6 INT (T-10th)

All Pro

Sam Cunningham (FB), Russ Francis (TE), Leon Gray (LT), John Hannah (LG), Steve Nelson (LILB), Mike Haynes (RCB),

Pro Bowl

Cunningham, Francis, Gray, Hannah, Haynes

by Brandon Rosenau, Patriots Daily Staff
September 30, 2009

One name can sum up the 1976 season; Ben Dreith.

The name conjures up thoughts that evoke nightmarish memories to Patriots fans that were alive and witnessed his epic miscall first hand, as well as those who have had the legend passed down from their forefathers.

Yes sir, 1976 indeed was a special year in New England. Despite the painful memories of Mr. Dreith and those dastardly Oakland Raiders, 1976 is a year that is fondly remembered in New England.

A year after the team went a dismal 3-11, the ’76 season didn’t exactly start with a bang. In the opening week of the season the Pats were downed by the Baltimore Colts 27-13 in a game that saw starting quarterback Steve Grogan throw an unimpressive four picks. However, the next week the Pats stormed back to crush Miami and kick start one of the more impressive win streaks in franchise history.

New England followed up the win over the Phish with a comeback win at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. Trailing 20-9 heading into the fourth, Grogan threw a 38-yard TD pass to tight end Russ Francis and a 58-yard score to Darryl Stingley for a 23-20 lead. Grogan carried the mail from six yards out for the next score. The next week Grogan threw three more TD’s and ran in another in a 48-17 shellacking of the Raiders. New England would play tremendous football the rest of the way and would finish the season by winning their final six games.

The Patriots finished the season 11-3 and reserved a date with Oakland in the Divisional round in what would be turn into one of the most memorable and controversial playoff games in history. After Jess Phillips scored on a 3-yard run in the third quarter, N.E. led 21-10. Of course we all know what happened as the Raiders came back and stole the game late in the fourth. Along with a phantom roughing the passer called on Sugar Bear Hamilton, Russ Francis had his nose broken and there were several other questionable calls.

The fighting Patriots of ‘76 may not have made the Super Bowl, but they will always be one of the most beloved Patriots teams of all-time.

What are your memories of that fateful playoff game? How about the season in general?

Leaders

• Steve Grogan 1903 yards, 18TD (T-4th in NFL), 20 INT (2nd), 60.6 rating; 60-397, 12 rushing TD (4th); 13 total TD (3rd)
• Sam Cunningham 824 yards, 3TD
• Andy Johnson 699, 6 TD; 29-343 4 TD
• Darryl Stingley 17-370, 4
• Russ Francis 26-367, 3
• Mike Haynes 2 PR TD (2nd); 8INT (3rd)

All Pro

Russ Francis (TE), Leon Gray (LT), John Hannah (LG), Mike Haynes (RCB)

Pro Bowl

Francis, Gray, Hannah, Haynes

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Mike Haynes

by Brendon Rosenau, Patriots Daily Staff
September 23, 2009

As the 60’s gave way to the 70’s, the New England Patriots went from a perennial AFL contender to permanent residence in the NFL cellar. Things started to turn sour in 1967, and the Patriots went 11-30-1 in their final three AFL seasons. Their foray into the NFL wouldn’t go any better as they won just 16 games in their first four years. However, 1974 looked like it was going to be different.

Led by Jim Plunkett at quarterback and a running attack featuring Sam Cunningham (still the team’s all-time leading rusher) and an unknown Mark Herron, the Pats began the season 5-0 and looked like a contender. The team also featured a second year left guard named John Hannah and a rookie linebacker by the name of Steve Nelson.

The season opened with a 34-24 win over Miami that ended a four game losing streak to the Phins. The Pats running game was solid with Herron and Cunningham combing for 165 yards and two scores. Certainly the win was a good sign, right? The following week, the Pats beat the Giants at Yale. Maybe this year the team was for real. The Pats capped the five game winning streak with a 24-0 blanking of the Jets. Could the Patriots really be in first place 1/3 of the way through the season?

Though suffering their first loss of the season to Buffalo a week later, the Patriots rebounded in Minnesota and beat the vaunted 5-1 Vikings 17-14 to apparently get back in the winning groove. But the win would be costly. On the final play of the game, Plunkett found tight end Bob Windsor for a rough-and-tumble 10-yard TD for the victory. However, Windsor broke his leg on the play and was lost for the season.

Injuries would go on to devastate the Pats as only Plunkett, Herron and rookie Andy Johnson appeared in all 14 games at skill positions. The Patriots lost six of their final seven to end the season 7-7 and finish in third place. What was a promising start for Chuck Fairbanks’ crew quickly turned into another disappointment for New England.

If you have any recollections of this team, we would love to hear them.

Leaders

• Jim Plunkett 2457 yards (6^th NFL), 19TD (4^th), 22INT (T-1^st)
• Mark Herron 824 yards (9^th), 7TD (T-8^th), 38-474, 5TD (T-3^rd, total TD); 2444 yards (1^st)
• Sam Cunningham 811 yards (10^th), 9 TD (T-3^rd) (2 rec) (6^th TD)
• Randy Vataha 22-561 yards – missed two games
• Reggie Rucker 27-436, 4 rec, TD – missed four games
• John Smith 90 points (16-22, 42-43)
• Ron Bolton 7 INT (T-6^th)

All Pro

• Sam Cunningham (FB)
• John Hannah (LG)

Pro Bowl

None

by Brendon Rosenau, Patriots Daily Staff
September 16, 2009

Any Patriots fan worth his Stanley Morgan throwback knows that the first time the Pats appeared in the Super Bowl was 1986. But, did you know the Pats came within shouting distance of making history and appearing in the first ever AFL-NFL championship game?

You may recall in 1963 (last week’s history minute) the Pats made the AFL title game. They followed that with a 10 win season. However, in 1965 injuries ravaged the Pats and they limped to just four wins. 1966 was a fresh start and the Patriots took the field with hands-down the AFL’s best running back and a shot at history.

Second year running back Jim Nance ran roughshod over the AFL and helped lead the Patriots to an 8-4-2 record. Nance gained 1458 yards, an unprecedented 657 yards more than anyone else, scored 11 touchdowns, four more than any other RB, and averaged twice as many yards per contest (104.1) as any other back on his way to Player of the Year honors.

Behind Nance the Patriots went on a roll from November 13 through December and did not suffer a defeat in that six game stretch. After a 38-14 drilling of Houston, a game that Nance ran for 146 yards, the Pats were 8-3-2 and needed a win over the Jets in the regular season finale to advance to the AFL title game.

The Jets limited Nance to 78 yards and produced two of their own 100 yard rushers, Matt Snell and Emerson Boozer, to knock the Patriots out of the title picture and fire a preliminary round in the border war. Buffalo, the team the Patriots knocked out of the AFL playoffs in ‘63, won the last game and got the chance to play Kansas City for the AFL crown. The Chiefs of course won and would represent the AFL in Super Bowl 1.

Pro Bowl

Parilli, Jim Nance (FB), Cappelletti, Jon Morris (Center), Len St. Jean (RG), Tom Neville (RT), Jim Hunt (LDT), Houston Antwine (RDT), Larry Eisenhauer (RDE), Nick Buoniconti (MLB), Chuck Shonta (S)

All Pro

Nance, Cappelletti, Morris, Hunt, Antwine, Eisenhauer, Buoniconti

Leaders

• Parilli – 2721 yards (3rd AFL), 20TD (4th), 20INT (3rd), 66.9 rating (4th)
• Nance – 299 (1st), 1458 yards (1st, second place had 801), 11TD (1st, second place 7); 104.1 game (1st, 57.2)
• Larry Garron – 319 yards, 4 TD; 30-416-5; 9 total TD
• Art Graham – 51 catches (7th), 673 yards
• Cappelletti – 43 catches, 676 yards (10th), 6 TD (6th); 16 FG, 35 XP (119 points) 1^st
• Ron Hall and Tom Hennessey 6 INT (6th)

If you have any distinct memories of this squad, we would love to hear from you in the comment box

by Brendon Rosenau, Patriots Daily Staff
September 9, 2009

It was just their fourth year in existence, but in 1963 the Boston Patriots showed they were not a typical expansion team. Led by five future Patriot Hall of Famers – Nick Buoniconti, Gino Cappelletti, Bob Dee, Jim Lee Hunt, and Vito “Babe” Parilli – and featuring a roster stacked with 10 Pro Bowlers, the Patriots finished the season 7-6-1 and won the AFL East conference.

Boston finished the regular season tied atop the conference standings with Buffalo. The tie forced a playoff duel between the two teams at the old War Memorial Stadium. It would be the Patriots first playoff appearance and, more importantly, their first postseason win. The road to the playoffs wasn’t easy, but what did come easy to those early-day Pats?

On Nov. 10 the Pats lost a heartbreaking 7-6 decision to the San Diego Chargers, a team that would cause further damage later in the year, dropping to 5-5. After that, though, the Pats started to play their best football of the year. A tie with the Chiefs was followed by riveting victories over both Buffalo and Houston. The Patriots moved to 7-5-1 and in sole possession of first place.

All they needed to do was beat the Chiefs in the regular season finale to advance to their first AFL title game. However, the Pats were manhandled by an upstart Chiefs team 35-3. Meanwhile, Buffalo, who two weeks ago were occupying the cellar, rallied from a 10-3 halftime deficit to beat New York 19-10 and create a deadlock.

Two weeks after blowing their first chance, the Patriots took full advantage of their reprieve. Boston drew first blood on a 28-yard field goal from Cappelletti (3 F.G.’s, PAT, 109 receiving yards). Larry Garron then hauled in a 59-yard pass from Parilli to put the visitors ahead 10-0. Cappelletti added two more field goals for a 16-0 halftime lead. The Bills cut the lead to 16-8 in the third, but Garron (120 yards receiving) caught a 17-yard strike from Parilli in the fourth to put the Pats safely ahead. The Patriots stout defense limited the Bills to just seven yards rushing on 12 attempts.

The good feelings didn’t last too long as Mike Holovak’s team was waxed by San Diego 51-10 in the title game. Garron scored the lone touchdown on a 7-yard run.

1963 Boston Patriots Leaders

• Babe Parilli, 2345 yards (5th AFL), 13TD, 24INT (2nd), 52.1 rating., 5 rushing TD’s (4th).
• Larry Garron, 175 carries, 750 yards (5th), 2 TD; 26 receptions, 418 yards , 2 TD; 1168 total yards (6th).
• Harry Crump, 5 rushing TD (4th)
• Jim Colclough, 42 receptions, 693 yards , 3 TD
• Art Graham, 5 TD catches
• Gino Cappelletti ,34 receptions, 493 yards, 2 TD’s; 22-38 F.G.‘s, 35 XP 113 total points (1st)
• Bob Suci, 7 INT (4th); 277 yards led league (1st)2 TD (1st)
• All Pro: Cappelletti (SE), Charley Long (G), Billy Neighbors (G), Houston Antwine (DT), Larry Eisenhower (DE), Tom Addison (LB), Nick Buoniconti (MLB), Ron Hall (S)
• Pro Bowl: Parilli (QB), Garron (FB), Cappelletti, Long, Neighbors, Bob Dee (DE), Antwine, Eisenhauer, Addison, Buoniconti, Hall

Editor’s Note: We’re pleased to welcome Brendon Rosenau as our official Patriots Daily historian today. In celebration of the Pats’ silver anniversary this season, Brendon will spotlight the greatest teams in Patriots history with a weekly “50^th Anniversary Minute”. Welcome aboard, Brendon.

Two years ago today, on August 27th, 2007, the Patriots enshrined wide receiver Stanley Morgan into their Hall of Fame.

Morgan played 13 seasons in the NFL from 1977 to 1989 all for the Patriots. He retired as the franchise’s all time leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. He remains the team leader in the latter two categories.

He was also my all time favorite Patriot prior to the championship era.

Stanley Morgan on Pro-Football-Reference.com.

Today in Patriots History – August 18, 1993 – From Patriots.com:

Bob Dee, Jim Lee Hunt, Steve Nelson and Babe Parilli are inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame.

We talked about Babe Parilli a little back on the 13th of this month. Bob Dee, a defensive end from Holy Cross, played for the Patriots from 1960 to 1967. He recovered a fumble in the Patriots first ever preseason game for the first TD in the history of the AFL. Jim Lee Hunt played on the DL with Dee and for the Patriots from 1960 to 1970. Steve Nelson played for the Patriots from 1974 to 1987 and was named to the Patriots 50th Anniversary team at linebacker.