Boston Sports Then and Now

Coming of their successful 1994 campaign, optimism for the Patriots was at an all time high.

Patriots running back, Curtis Martin gained at least 1,000 yards from 1995-1997.

They had the owner in Kraft, the coach in Parcells, and the franchise quarterback in Drew Bledsoe. Bledsoe was able to lead the New England Patriots to the playoffs for the first time since the 1980’s.

What did 1995 have in store for this up and coming franchise?

The Patriots drafted University of Pittsburgh running back, Curtis Martin in the 3^rd round of the NFL draft.

Martin proved to be far more than just a third rounder.

The 1995 season did not start how the Patriots wanted. They started to repeat the team’s inconsistent ways.

Overachieving one year and underachieving the next.

The team started off 1-5 and never was able to emulate the magic from the previous playoff season. New England finished a very disappointing 1995 campaign with a 6-10 record.

However, not all was lost in 1995.

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Bill Parcells breathed life back into a bumbling Patriots Franchise.

To say the 1990’s were a turbulent time for the New England Patriots would be a vast understatement. The franchise was on a downward slope and just a shell of the competitive team that went to the playoffs in the mid 1980’s. The opening of the decade would be one of the team’s darkest times.

The Patriots started the 1990 season with a 1-1 record. They beat the Colts in Indianapolis 16-14 to mark their first win of the season. A victory should be positive energy to a team and hopefully build momentum for the next game.

Not for these Patriots.

Boston Globe reporter, Lisa Olsen, was in the Patriots locker room the following day. Tight end Zeke Mowatt and two other players exposed themselves and they sexually harassed the female reporter. The story became a black eye for the franchise and a total embarrassment.

The team would use three quarterbacks in 1990. Former Raider Marc Wilson, rookie Tommy Hodson, and old standby Steve Grogan combined for only 14 touchdown passes. The defense was terrible as well, yielding 446 points which was second worst in the NFL.

The Patriots finished 1-15 and was the laughing stock of the league.

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It was October 14, 2001.  Three weeks have passed since Drew Bledsoe was injured by Mo Lewis of the NY Jets. Tom Brady, the lanky 6th rounder out of Michigan, was making his third start versus the San Diego Chargers. I was in attendance that day and was yet again a witness to Boston Sports History.

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Watching games on TV is great. You can get food and beer anytime you want. You can switch the channel when you team is getting pummeled. You don’t have to wait in post game traffic. However, you miss out on the smells, sights, and sounds of being a true witness to Boston Sports History.

Pulling into Gillette stadium at 9am for a 1pm game. You are with your “tailgate” buddies eating burgers and wings at 10am when other people are feasting on French toast and omelets. You trade stories of your past week while imbibing on a few tasty micro-brewed beverages.
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