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Patriots Online - Lots Of Interesting Inside News & Notes • Quarterback Drew Bledsoe and Tight End Ben Coates connected for 8 touchdowns in the 1997 season which is the most by any quarterback-tight end combination. Both have combined for 37 career touchdowns. They are ranked 4th on
• In 1994, the Patriots established a new NFL record for the fastest time of signing their draft picks. It only took the Pats 37 days to sign all of their 10 picks. One of those draft picks was WR Kevin Lee, which is now playing in the NFL Europe League for the Frankfurt Galaxy. •
This issue is a big concern because of all the miscalls, which the playoff game versus the Steelers last year was an example. In that game, calls were missed for both teams. One particular call that seemed to be missed was on Kordell Stewart's touchdown run, which was the only score for the Steelers. Patriots Linebacker Todd Collins said that he thought Kordell stepped out of bounds. That may explain the lack of effort on that play. Who knows what the outcome would have been if there was replay at that time? Still, the Patriots are ready and look for a rewarding finish this season. • The Patriots already have started signing the rookie draft picks. Yesterday, they signed second-round pick Rod Rutledge, a tight end from Alabama, to a four-year deal worth around $2 million and a signing bonus in the $700,000 range. The Patriots primarily picked him as a blocking tight end, but hope he can develop into an excellent receiver like great Ben Coates. The most notable comment about Rod cam from vice president of player personnel Bobby Grier. Grier commented about Rod that he has "soft hands", which is a very valuable asset to make easy catches. This is a great start, especially since he will eventually be a valuable receiving tight end. Since Rutledge is taking part in the team's rookie conditioning program, it will help him prepare for the season and learn more for a rewarding long-run. Coates is a phenominal and a one-in-a-million player! He'll be around for a long time and Rod will add to that to make it a sensational one-two punch! He was asked to loss just a few pounds, but that won't stop him from flattening unsuspecting linebackers! Ben Coates backup, Lovett Purnell, is also a great player and a champion in my eyes. He didn't block as well as the Patriots wanted, but Rod will be able to help him out. With Ben's injuries last season from overwork, Purnell and Rutledge can carry the load to give Ben a breather. This could be the start of an awesome group of tight ends! • With the signing of Rod Rutledge, more signings are expected in the very near future. WR Tony Simmons, DB Tebucky Jones, and RB Robert Edwards are among the rookies that still haven't signed. Edwards agent said he would like a short term contract, which isn't good for the Patriots. If Edwards develops into an awesome back like Curtis Martin WAS, the Pats will have to pay big money. The bottom line is the more money we pay a particular player, the less we have to sign other players. If a team has players that get paid a lot of money, it will bring down the overall potential of the team to sign more quality players. In this case, the Patriots have been lucky not having greedy players. But, this year they have their hands full with signing linebacker Ted Johnson. We also must plan ahead for resigning Ty Law and other players in the near future. The Patriots Front Office is the best in the league with Bobby Grier leading the way so we should be in great shape. Vice president of business operations Andy Wasynczuk has already started discussions with Edwards and Jones. He expects a signing soon. • The Patriots are still very interested in a veteran running back. We know we may need some backup help on blocking.
A team that needs to be properly blocked is the Denver Broncos, which the Patriots play in the first week of the season on Monday Night Football (Nationally televised on ABC television.) The Bronco blitzes were the problem for the Green Bay Packers in the Superbowl and must be contained by the Patriots. It is NOT Mission Impossible. With the great Patriots coaching staff and great players, the Pats will find a way to exploit the blitzes and make havoc for the Broncos. The veteran running backs that are the main candidates include Terry Kirby, Raymont Harris, Greg Hill, and Erric Pegram. These running backs have also received offers from other teams, mostly in the AFC. Terry Kirby has received an offer from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Erric Pegram has received interest from the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Patriots have not made an offer to any veteran running back. • A few weeks ago, Patriots WR Brian Stablein got married. Also, just last week
Vice president of business operations Andy Wasynczuk just recently became a proud parent of a baby boy, too. • Andy Wasynczuk says that eventhough negotiations with linebacker Ted Johnson are in the early stages, it has been a smooth and pressureless process. Ted really wants to stay with the Patriots and is excited to play. He is ready to play and be a big part of our championship run. |
