New England Patriots: Moments in History
by MaPatsFan
on Jun 12, 2008 11:39 PM EDT
Now that OTAs (Organized Team Activities) are over, there's not much going on other than the occasional free agent acquisition packing his bags. Sad, but new rules regarding how many players can be carried into training camp limit NFL teams to an 80 man roster.
Post some links? Naahhh. Write another story about Wes? That moves from man crush to...well, let's not go there. Ok, let's make another red snapper and think about it.
On November 16, 1959 Boston businessman Billy Sullivan created the eigth and final AFL franchise, the Boston Patriots. Playing in one AFL championship game in 1963, they wouldn't make the playoffs for another 13 years. In 1970, the AFL and NFL merged and the Patriots were placed in the AFC East, where they remain today. In 1971, they moved to a new stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts and changed their name to the New England Patriots.
A Superbowl XX visit in 1986 turned into a 46-10 loss to the Chicago Bears. They wouldn't make the playoffs for 8 more years. A number of ownership changes ensued when the team was sold to Victor Kiam in 1988, James Orthwein in 1992, and finally Robert Kraft in 1994.
In 1993, Head Coach Bill Parcells was hired and the red and white uniform was retired, favoring today's blue and silver. Parcells would bring them to Superbowl XXXI which they lost to the Green Bay Packers, 35-21. Pete Carroll would follow as coach and take the Patriots to two playoffs, but the true foundation of the Patriots's dynasty was built in 2000 when Bill Belichick arrived in New England as Head Coach of the New England Patriots.
That year, Drew Bledsoe suffered a serious injury inflicted by NY Jets linebacker Mo Lewis. This gave then backup quarterback Tom Brady a shot at the starting job which he embraced, leading the Patriots to a Superbowl XXXVI win against the greatest show on turf, the St. Louis Rams. Let's not forget Drew taking over for an injured Brady in the AFC Championship against the Steelers. The Patriots beat the Steelers 24-17, paving the way to the Superbowl - thanks Drew!
My favorite moment in Patriots history is not sitting in Mosi's Endzone during a freezing New England winter. Nor an impossible catch by Moss. My favorite Patriots moment is watching Tedi Bruschi enjoy the spoils of years of hardwork and dedication by wrestling with his sons on the field before Superbowl XXXIX on Feb 6, 2005.
What's your favorite moment?
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The 2001 AFC Championship game
So hard to pick one moment, but the 2001 AFC Championship game against the favored Steelers in Pittsburgh has to be up there with the best.
This game had it all: the underdog Pats, Brady leaving the game with his injured leg, Bledsoe’s redemption with him coming in cold and being given the reigns for the rest of the game, Troy Brown having a monster game (picking up a blocked field goal attempt and lateraling it to Antawan Harris who took it in for a touchdown; returning that punt 55 yards for a touchdown), Jerome Bettis being held to only 8 yards, picking off Kordell Stewart, touchdown by one of my favorite players David Patten.
This game served notice that the old Patsies were dead, and launched the new New England Patriots era of dominance, legitimizing of them as true contenders as well as the team to beat.
I can still remember pretty much everything about this game—the family and friends that came, the stress of watching Brady go down and seeing Bledsoe warming up and coming in, the fact that I had made so much food but everyone was too nervous to eat and the food sat there relatively untouched for most of the game, the excitement of winning and watching a dejected Kordell Stewart walking off the field and realizing that we were going to the Super Bowl. The ironic, hand-of-fate, fitting end of Bledsoe’s career as a Patriot. Just an awesome, stand-out game.
Keep the faith!
by Marima on Jun 13, 2008 9:40 AM EDT 0 recs
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