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Boston Sports Then and Now


Fifty Years Of Patriots Football:1995-1999 0

Posted on November 08, 2009 by Joe Gill

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.

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 3rd 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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Tags:
Category Football, New England Patriots, Sports History

Cup of Joe: A Witness to Boston Sports History, Part II 2

Posted on August 18, 2009 by Joe Gill

Cup of JoeDynasty Developers

The 1996 New England Patriots team was very special. They could be considered the ones that started a football revolution here in New England. They added another brick to the foundation of a future football dynasty that Bob Kraft, Bill Parcells, and Drew Bledsoe were working on since 1994.

This ensemble included future dynasty members such as Tedy Bruschi, Adam Vinatieri, Ted Johnson, Ty Law, Willie McGinest, and Troy Brown.  Being a season ticket holder since 1994, I grew up with these players.  I saw their careers develop right before my eyes at my bench seats in Foxboro stadium and the future Gillette Stadium. How many people can say they saw the birth and maturation of a Dynasty?
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Tags:
Category Cup of Joe, Football, New England Patriots

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    • Steve Grogan
      August 18, 2010 | 7:27 pm

      Steve Grogan

      We honor Steve Grogan as the Boston Sports Then and Now Athlete of the Month. The former Patriots quarterback left it all on the field during his 16 year career. Grogan was playing the “Patriots Way” before Bill Belichick introduced it in 2000.  He led by example and his teammates were always behind him.

      Steve Grogan was drafted by Patriots coach Chuck Fairbanks in the fifth round of the 1975 draft out of Kansas State. He was one of the school’s all time passing and total offense leaders. Grogan not only beat you with his arm but he was exceptionally quick for a man standing at 6’4”.

      The Patriots already had their franchise quarterback in place when he was drafted. Former Heisman Trophy winner, Jim Plunkett had been the Patriots starter for his first four years in the league. However, Coach Fairbanks was not afraid to make a move if a player was under-performing.  It didn’t matter who he was.

      Midway through the 1975 season, Grogan was given the reigns of the Patriots offense.  He started the last seven games with only one victory to his credit. As a rookie, Grogan posted respectable numbers with 1976 yards with 11 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.

      He also added 110 yards on the ground with three rushing scores.

      This would just be a sneak preview for things to come from the lanky quarterback out of K-State.

      Read more »

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