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Revision as of 19:06, 28 January 2006 by Zzyzx11 (talk | contribs) (→External links)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)| New England Patriots | |||
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| Established 1960 Play in Foxborough, Massachusetts | |||
| League / conference affiliations | |||
American Football League (1960-1969)
National Football League (1970–present)
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| Uniforms | |||
| Team colors | Blue, Red, Silver, and White | ||
| Mascot | Pat Patriot | ||
| Personnel | |||
| Owner(s) | Robert Kraft | ||
| Head coach | Bill Belichick | ||
| Team history | |||
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| Championships | |||
| League championships (3) | |||
| Conference championships (5) | |||
| Division championships (9) | |||
| Home fields | |||
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The New England Patriots, or "Pats" as frequently referred to by sports writers and fans, is 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 titles after relocating the team 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, 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
Main article: History of the New England Patriots1959-1992
On November 16 1959, Boston executive William 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". Immediately thereafter, Phil Bisell developed the "Pat Patriot" logo (see section).
Training camp started on July 4, 1960, two months prior to franchise's first game. On September 9, 1960, the Boston Patriots played the Denver Broncos in the first-ever AFC regular season game. The Patriots were defeated by a score of 13-10. Although the team made only two AFL playoff appearances, it had numerous stars. In 1963, the Patriots reached the AFL Championship for the first time; however, they lost to the San Diego Chargers 51-10. The Patriots failed to make it to the AFL playoffs for the rest of the decade. During this period, fullback Jim Nance developed into an offensive weapon for the Patriots, gaining 1,458 yards in 1966 and 1,216 in 1967, when he was the American Football League's MVP.
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. 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. Player highlights during the early 1970s include Heisman Trophy winner Jim Plunkett and offensive lineman John Hannah, who would become the first career Patriot to make the Hall of Fame in 1991.
Chuck Fairbanks was fired as head coach in 1973. The Patriots finished 7-7 in 1974 and 3-11 in 1975; however, Fairbanks would find success in 1976, when the Patriots finished 11-3 - their best record in team history to that point - and advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 1963. In the first round, the Patriots lost to the Oakland Raiders 24-21. 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 1977-1984, the Patriots missed the playoffs six times; the 1978 and 1982 seasons both resulted in first round playoff losses. However, in 1984, former wide receiver Raymond Berry replaced Ron Meyer as head coach. Berry would ultimately coach the Patriots to their first Super Bowl appearance in 1985.
In 1985, the Patriots obtained a wild card slot under new head coach Raymond Berry. The Patriots became the first team to win three road games en route to the Super Bowl. Although the team enjoyed a 3-0 lead in the first quarter, they 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 product Doug Flutie played several games with the Patriots during the 1987-1988 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. Their worst season in franchise history came under new head coach Rod Rust in 1990, when the team finished 1-15. Rust was fired after the 1990 season and replaced by Dick MacPherson.
1993-2006
After several changes in ownership and coaching, the Patriots shifted gears by firing MacPherson and hiring coach Bill Parcells in 1993. Highlight draft picks during the 1993 season included Drew Bledsoe, who would quarterback the team until 2001; and Willie McGinest, who remains on the team to this day. The 1993 season did not result in a playoff run. However, Robert Kraft took ownership of the Patriots in 1993-1994, which led to changes in organization and leadership. Although the Patriots 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, Patriots finished with an 11-5 record and an AFC East division championship. The team eventually advanced to Super Bowl XXXI, where they lost against the Green Bay Packers 35-21.
Due to tensions rising between the 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 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. Despite the previous winning seasons, a sub par 1999 season resulted in Carroll being fired by Kraft.
Just after Carroll was fired, Bill Belichick, hand-picked to be Parcells' successor with the Jets, quit after one day to join New England. 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. 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 the consecutive winning streak at 21 games. 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 (Dallas Cowboys).
During the 2005 offseason, 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. During the 2005 season, the team lost several starters to injuries, including safety Rodney Harrison and offensive tackle Matt Light. Nevertheless, the Patriots won the AFC East with a 10-6 record. During the season, Doug Flutie performed the first successful drop-kick extra point since 1941. In the first round of the playoffs, the Patriots defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 28-3. However, on January 14, the Patriots' season was halted in a 27-13 loss to the Denver Broncos. 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 offseason, defensive coordinator Eric Mangini was hired for the head coaching position for the New York Jets. His spot would later be taken over by Dean Pees, who had been linebacker coach for the club the past 2 years. QB coach Josh McDaniels was promoted to offensive coordinator after New England went one season without replacing Charlie Weis.
Logo and uniforms
The original Patriot logo was developed in 1960 by artist Phil Bissell. 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". 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.
In 1993, changes to the Patriots' uniforms and logo were rolled out by brief Patriots owner James B. Orthwein. 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". The team's uniforms were changed from red to "Patriot" (dark) blue, and both the helmets and pants from white to silver.
In 2000, the team developed additional changes to their logo and uniform. Although the "Flying Elvis" logo remained, a darker blue color was introduced. The team also started to wear blue pants with their white jerseys.
Season-by-season
| Season | W | L | T | Finish | Playoff results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Patriots | |||||
| 1960 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 4th East (AFL) | -- |
| 1961 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 2nd East (AFL) | -- |
| 1962 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 2nd East (AFL) | -- |
| 1963 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 1st East (AFL) | Lost AFL Championship (Chargers) |
| 1964 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 2nd East (AFL) | -- |
| 1965 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 3rd East (AFL) | -- |
| 1966 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2nd East (AFL) | -- |
| 1967 | 3 | 10 | 1 | 5th East (AFL) | -- |
| 1968 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 4th East (AFL) | -- |
| 1969 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 3rd East (AFL) | -- |
| 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 | 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 | Lost Super Bowl XXXI (Packers) |
| 1997 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 1st AFC East | 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 Super Bowl XXXVI |
| 2002 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2nd AFC East | -- |
| 2003 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 1st AFC East | Won Super Bowl XXXVIII |
| 2004 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 1st AFC East | Won Super Bowl XXXIX |
| 2005 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 1st AFC East | 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).
Players and coaches of note
Current roster
The following is accurate as of January 23, 2006.
Pro Football Hall of Famers
- Nick Buoniconti LB
- John Hannah G
- Mike Haynes CB
Retired numbers
- 20 Gino Cappelletti K/WR
- 40 Mike Haynes CB
- 56 Andre Tippett LB
- 57 Steve Nelson LB
- 73 John Hannah G
- 78 Bruce Armstrong T
- 79 Jim Lee Hunt DL
- 89 Bob Dee DL
In addition, QB Steve Grogan (14), QB Babe Parilli (15) and LB Nick Buoniconti (85) have been honored with induction into the Patriots' Hall of Fame. Although their numbers have not been retired, none were worn by a Patriots player in the 2005 season.
Notable alumni
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Head coaches
- Lou Saban (1960-1961)
- Mike Holovak (1961-1968)
- Clive Rush (1969-1970)
- John Mazur (1970-1972)
- Phil Bengtson (interim) (1972)
- Chuck Fairbanks (1973-1978)
- Ron Erhardt (1979-1981)
- Ron Meyer (1982-1984)
- Raymond Berry (1984-1989)
- Rod Rust (1990)
- Dick MacPherson (1991-1992)
- Bill Parcells (1993-1996)
- Pete Carroll (1997-1999)
- Bill Belichick (2000-present)
Notes
- ESBN.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.
- CBS4 Boston. Story on Eric Mangini with historical information about Belichick's one-day head coaching run with the Jets. Accessed 26 January 2006.
- NFL's Longest Winning Streaks. From the Pro Football Hall of Fame website. Information on the Patriots winning streak. Accessed 28 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.
- 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.
- History of NFL Uniforms. Accessed 26 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.
References
- Jim Nance Statistics
- Award for Jim Nance
- Jim Plunkett Heisman Winner
- 1971 NFL Draft
- 1970 NFL Results
- Jack Tatum tackle Controversy
- Patriots History
- Boston Herald
- ESBN.com
- Patriots Statistics Since 1960
- History of NFL Uniforms: New England Patriots
See also
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
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