Summary
The New England Patriots are a professional football team that has enjoyed varying degrees of success throughout its checkered history. Under owner Robert Kraft and coach Bill Belichick, the Patriots won three Super Bowls during a four-year period (2001-04). The team originated when Boston businessman William H. "Billy" Sullivan Jr. was awarded the eighth and final franchise in the upstart American Football League on Nov. 16, 1959. Originally known as the Boston Patriots, the team played home games at several venues during the 1960s, including six years at Fenway Park. The Patriots were one of 10 AFL teams that joined the NFL when the two leagues merged on Feb. 1, 1970. The following year, the team was ren...
The New England Patriots are a professional football team that has enjoyed varying degrees of success throughout its checkered history. Under owner Robert Kraft and coach Bill Belichick, the Patriots won three Super Bowls during a four-year period (2001-04). The team originated when Boston businessman William H. "Billy" Sullivan Jr. was awarded the eighth and final franchise in the upstart American Football League on Nov. 16, 1959. Originally known as the Boston Patriots, the team played home games at several venues during the 1960s, including six years at Fenway Park. The Patriots were one of 10 AFL teams that joined the NFL when the two leagues merged on Feb. 1, 1970. The following year, the team was renamed the New England Patriots and started playing home games at newly built Schaefer Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. The venue would be renamed twice, first as Sullivan Stadium (1983-89) in honor of the man who founded the franchise and later as Foxboro Stadium (1990-2001) after Sullivan sold the team to Victor Kiam, owner and CEO of Remington Products in Bridgeport, Conn., in 1988. In 1992, Kiam sold the controlling interest of the team to James Orthwein. The ownership changed hands two years later when Kraft, who strategically purchased Sullivan Stadium in November 1988 with the hopes of buying the team some day, fulfilled a lifelong dream when he became the fourth owner in Patriots history on Feb. 25, 1994. The following day fans responded to the sale by purchasing nearly 6,000 season tickets, a single-day sales record at the time. The Patriots have come a long way. At his introductory press conference as head coach in 1969, Clive Rush was shocked, literally, when he grabbed a microphone that wasn't grounded and received a jolt. With the team headed to the postseason in 1978, fans were stunned to learn that coach Chuck Fairbanks had accepted a job to be the University of Colorado coach. The team suspended Fairbanks for the final game of the regular season but reinstated him for the playoffs and the Patriots played like a distracted team in a 34-14 loss to Houston. In 1985, the Patriots won three playoff games on the road for the team's first trip to the Super Bowl. Days after getting hammered by the Bears 46-10, six Patriots players were identified as drug users. The next time the Patriots played in the Super Bowl, there was more dysfunction. A power struggle between coach Bill Parcels and Kraft resulted in Parcells quitting shortly after a 35-21 loss to the Packers. He was replaced by Pete Carroll, who lasted three seasons. The Belichick era began in 2000 and coincided with the opening of Gillette Stadium two years later. In Belichick's first eight seasons, the team won the AFC East six times and three world championships with Tom Brady as quarterback.
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Brady Holds Court As Patriots Open Camp
Patriots veterans reported to camp today and quarterback Tom Brady held court. The transcript of Brady meeting the media was provided by the team: Q: How was the first day? TB: I think everybody is excited to be back. We realize that we have a pretty...Tags: Junior Seau, Jason Taylor, Lawyer Milloy, Randy Moss, Rosevelt Colvin
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Super Bowl Hero David Tyree Sidelined By Giants
The Associated PressSuper Bowl hero David Tyree was placed on the physically unable to perform list by the New York Giants today because of lingering problems recovering from surgery on his right knee. Tyree, whose one-handed catch of a pass against his helmet led to the...Tags: Amani Toomer, Plaxico Burress, Eli Manning, Multi-Sport Events, Mario
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Patriots Sign Jerod Mayo
The Hartford CourantThe New England Patriots signed first-round draft selection Jerod Mayo today. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The Patriots selected Mayo, a linebacker, with the 10th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. Mayo, 22, played in 32 games with 26...Tags: National Football League
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Mistrust now rules the day in sports
Sports must be at an all-time low of credibility now. No one believes what they see and hear is on the up-and-up, and those in charge of assuring they do believe instead give plenty of reasons for doubt. In basketball, crooked referee Tim Donaghy...Tags: Advanced Training, National Football League, Jason Giambi, National Basketball Association, Roger Goodell
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Bunched-up AFC North, schedule could be good news for Ravens
O, by the WayAn article on SportingNews.com should give heart to Ravens' fans about the Purple-and-Black's playoff chances this year. Columnist Mike Florio, who also operates the Web site Pro Football Talk, opines that the AFC North winner could finish with a record.....Tags: New York Giants, Super Bowl, Pittsburgh Steelers
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Patriots OL reaches plea to avoid drug charge
The Associated PressNew England Patriots offensive lineman Nick Kaczur pleaded guilty Tuesday to speeding in a deal with prosecutors that will put a misdemeanor drug possession charge on hold. The 28-year-old Kaczur was ordered to pay $355 in fines and fees by Whitestown...Tags: Prosecution, Drug Trafficking, Lawyers, Trials, Labor Legislation
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Sports & recreation calendar
Baseball Seeking players Ponce de Leon Baseball League is seeking players ages 30 and older at all skill levels. Games are played in Howard, Carroll and Anne Arundel counties. Tom LaGrave, 410-531-9434. Basketball Fall basketball Howard County...Tags: Softball, Middle Schools, Clubs and Associations, Field Hockey
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Manning expected to play in opener
From wire reportsIndianapolis coach Tony Dungy is certain Peyton Manning's left knee will be ready for the Colts' season opener. Yesterday, Dungy said he was optimistic the Colts' biggest question heading into training camp - Manning's knee - could be resolved quicker...Tags: Tom Moore, Peyton Manning, Chicago Bears, Baltimore Colts, National Football League
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McNabb reports to Eagles' camp, says shoulder is fine
Donovan McNabb zipped passes to rookies and undrafted no-names, clearly not bothered by a shoulder injury that forced him to miss a few off-season practices. The five-time Pro Bowl quarterback reported Tuesday as the Eagles kicked off training camp. "I...Tags: Peyton Manning, Baltimore Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, Donovan McNabb
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Patriots Sign 2nd-Round Pick Wheatley
The Patriots signed cornerback Terrence Wheatley, their second-round pick, Tuesday, leaving only first-round choice linebacker Jerod Mayo unsigned among their draftees two days before the start of training camp. Wheatley started 28 games in four...Tags: Jason Taylor, National Football League, Washington Redskins, Greg Wesley, Brett Favre
Jul 24, 2008
|Story| Hartford Courant
Jul 24, 2008
|Story| Associated Press
Jul 24, 2008
|Story| Hartford Courant
Jul 24, 2008
|Column| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Jul 21, 2008
|Blog| Baltimore Sun
Jul 22, 2008
|Story| Associated Press
Jul 23, 2008
|Story| Baltimore Sun
Jul 23, 2008
|Story| Baltimore Sun
Jul 23, 2008
|Story| Chicago Tribune
Jul 23, 2008
|Story| Hartford Courant
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