7 Hugh Millen He didn't win many of the 20 games he started from 1991-92, but he did provide some excitement on some otherwise wretchedly moribund teams. Strangely enough though, they probably wouldnt take it if they could. 30 Mosi Tatupu, FB, 1979-90: A mainstay in New England, Tatupu was a fullback, special teamer and fan favorite. Note: The Patriots highest-profile defensive free-agent signing, Judon will wear the same number he had to Grand Valley State. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Please see our Contributors and Sources page for data source details. Both insane and talented. 78 -- Bruce Armstrong, OT, 1987-2000: Armstrongwas a marvel of longevity in the NFL. 68 Max Lane Steady if unspectacular performer at tackle on the Patriots Super Bowl XXXI team. The Combine is set to take place in Indianapolis this week. 19 Brandon LaFell, WR, 2014-15: Played a significant role on a Super Bowl-winning team, racking up over 1,000 yards and 9 TDs (playoffs included). 16 for the Rams. Tue Feb 28 - 02:00 PM | Thu Mar 02 - 11:55 AM. 56 Andre Tippett, LB, 1982-93: Had 100 sacks in his career, including 18.5 in 1984. His career was cut short due to concussion issues. 45 -- Otis Smith, CB, 1996, 2000-02: Smith's 47-yard fumble return in the 1996 AFC title game was key in the Patriots punching their Super Bowl ticket. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. 13 -- R.C. Jersey number 17 is currently most associated with mediocre-at-best wide receivers: Second-round busts Chad Jackson and Aaron Dobson wore it, as did Taylor Price and Dedric Ward. August 12, 2021 at 12:55 pm 97 -- Jarvis Green, DE, 2002-09:An effective role player on the defensive line, Green spent his entire career with the Patriots, finishing with 28 sacks. Hannah reported to camp, ending his 3-month retirement. 65 this year for the Pats. Therefore, while his role will likely not be as prominent as it was with the Bears, when he was quarterback Jay Cutlers security blanket, Bennett will be an important cog in New Englands offensive machine. 25 Rick Sanford, S, 1979-84: Made 60 starts for the Patriots. Hannah is one of the best offensive linemen of all-time -- with some people arguing the "one of" aspect of that statement. 43 Vagas Ferguson Another little-used number but the running back gets the nod largely because he spoke at my Pop Warner banquet in 1980. four men to start at the position in 1992. 72 Matt Light, OT, 2001-11: Three-time champ, franchise tackle.Not much of a debate here. 46 -- James Develin, FB, 2012-present:The Patriots have long sung the praises of Develin. 75 Vince Wilfork, DT, 2004-14: Still going strong in Houston. Gonzalez is still a prolific receiver, and his veteran presence has made the Falcons' offense much more dangerous. Three times Seymour made first team All-Pro. Corey Dillon, who helped the Patriots grind out their third Super Bowl in 2004 catches a tough break. Note: Martin started 14 games in 2015 for San Francisco and will again be wearing No. 93 Richard Seymour The soon-to-be Hall of Famer was another rather easy selection. Theres also a case to be made for Scott Zolak because hes Scott Zolak. Worth noting LaVerne Torczon started 13 games in the Dolphins'. Yesterday, the New England Patriots announced the first wave of new jersey numbers. Passed away from a heart attack just five years after his playing career ended. 4 Adam Vinatieri, K, 1996-2005: Not as accurate as Gostkowski, but no one in NFL history has deliveredmore clutch kicks. 80. 6 Ryan Allen He would be the choice for his performance in Super Bowl LIII alone but his solid work from 2013-18 is more than deserving anyway. 10 -- Jabar Gaffney, WR, 2006-08:Gaffney was an underrated receiver for three seasons in New England. 35 -- Jim Nance, FB, 1965-71: Not to be confused with Jim Nantz the broadcaster. 23. Solder gets the spot over Tom Neville. 11. His toughness was the stuff of legend, like when he played almost the entire 2011 season on a torn ACL. He previously wore 21 and 31 in Philadelphia.. 80 was long worn by top receivers: guys such as Steve Largent, Cris Carter, Irving Fryar, James Lofton, Isaac Bruce and, of course, Jerry Rice. 88 -- Terry Glenn, WR, 1996-2001:A marvelous talent who clashed with coaches as time went on, Glen posted 90 catches and 1,132 yards as a rookie. 39 Sam Cunningham Sam Bam remains the Patriots all-time rushing leader. Although he was used as the placekicker, it was his primary position as receiver that led him to his Hall of Fame career. Adams wore No. 71 -- Ray "Sugar Bear" Hamilton, DL, 1973-81:Hamilton made 117 starts with the Patriots, but is often remember for the infamous phantom roughing the passer call against the Raiders in the 1976 playoffs. 87 Rob Gronkowski, TE, 2010-present: Tough one for Ben Coates, who didnt have the foresight to wear No. 59 Vincent Brown, LB, 1988-95: Made 737 career tackles. 17 Mike Taliaferro This has been a bit of a cursed number for receivers in recent years so we'll go with the former QB over Aaron Dobson. While not as historically successful a number as 80, 84 also had some productive carriers in the past: Tight end Ben Watson donned it in the 2000s, while wide receivers Shawn Jefferson, Darryl Stingley and Art Graham all wore it before that. 42 Ronnie Lippett Clayborn's partner at corner was pretty talented in his own right. Note: A third-round pick in 2019, Cajuste is still looking to make his NFL debut. 37 Rodney Harrison Another potential recency bias alert I'll take Harrison's culture-changing arrival over rock solid corner Maurice Hurst. 11, I won't argue if you disagree. Ben Coates, TE 87 for the Pats, it was another excellent tight end who wore the number, . https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/2021/05/29/te-hunter-henry-explains-why-he-wears-no-85/, Bill Belichick shares how Cam Newton has responded to Mac Jones arrival, 3 most realistic wide receiver options for Patriots in 2023 offseason, Patriots knock it out of the park in this 3-round mock draft, Josh McDaniels comments on Patriots hiring Bill O'Brien as OC, 3 potential Patriots trade packages for Jalen Ramsey, Full 7-round Patriots 2023 mock draft 4.0, Tedy Bruschi implores Patriots to make trade for this playmaking WR, Patriots' 5-step plan for a successful 2023 offseason, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Numbers can mean so many different things to different people. No. He made six Pro Bowls over 14 seasons (all as a Patriot). Odds & lines subject to change. 81 -- Randy Moss, WR, 2007-10:A Hall of Famer and the main target on one of the best offenses of all time, Moss was unlike any other receiver in the NFL at the height of his powers. The first assumption is to blame 2004, and where theres smoke, theres fire. 81, found itself on a number of greats as well: Tim Brown, Torry Holt, Art Monk and, in the best season of his career, Randy Moss. 62 -- Ryan Wendell, OL, 2011-15: Another undrafted player who moved up the ladder, Wendell was a full-time starter for three seasons, winning a Super Bowl in 2014. 5. I meant to write how many have worn 24 since Ty Law left. Williams gets the nod because he started 12 more games with the Pats. He beats out fellow quarterbacks Matt Cassel and Scott Zolak. 98 Dennis Owens, DT, 1982-86: Played on three playoff teams. 79 -- Jim Lee "Earthquake" Hunt, DT, 1960-70: One of the franchise's first great defensive stars, Huntwas inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 1993. 14 Steve Grogan People remember the neck roll but forget the gifted runner in the 1970s who led some pretty talented teams. Patriots officially re-issue Rob Gronkowski's number - ProFootballTalk Tom Brady's No. He ended up winning the Super Bowl when he returned for a second stint in New England. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. 85 Nick Buoniconti, LB, 1962-68: Would have been a tough call between Buoniconti and Julius Adams. Edges out Chandler Jones. 77 every year hes played in the NFL. He is still the Patriots' all-time leader in receiving yards. Last worn by Dion Lewis, number 33 has been a successful one for Patriots running backs over the last few decades: Kevin Faulk played an important role in three Super Bowl victories wearing it and had a franchise Hall of Fame career. Had 29 interceptions. 20 retired in New England. He will wear No. That happens a lot with a 90-man roster. James O'Shaughnessy, #88: Martellus Bennett rocked #88 for the Patriots in 2016. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. His 23 touchdowns in 2007 remains an NFL record. 81. Its Buffalo Sports By The Numbers here on Buffalo Sports Page. Center Bryan Stork and long snapper Lonie Paxton both won Super Bowls wearing 66, while Paul Fairchild was a seven-year starter at guard in the late 1980s. 99. The New England Patriots 2016 training camp is underway. 11 -- Drew Bledsoe, QB, 1993-2001: The single toughest battle on this list came between Bledsoe and wide receiver Julian Edelman at No. 80 or 81 these days. All three are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Id hate to think that this number assignment was done out of pettiness. 3 - Stephen Gostkowski - The guy who replaced legend Adam Vinatieri did so with consistency and class, leaving as the team's all-time leading scorer. 63 -- Joe Andruzzi, G, 2000-2004:A starter at guard during the 2001-2004 run, Andruzzi was a beloved fixture on the offensive line during his run. Until then, players have to secure their spots on the team; they need to do their jobs (well) or someone else will. Here, we rank the best Patriots of all-time by jersey number, 1-99. Hell take No. 93 -- DE Jabaal Sheard. 69 Shaq Mason Ultra-athletic guard easily outperformed the competition. He wore No. 20 retired by the franchise. 9 David Posey Posey joins Graham in the emergency kicker category after replacing John Smith for 11 games in 1978, and more importantly connecting on a last-second field goal to give the Patriots their first-ever AFC East title. 88 - Tony Gonzalez, Falcons - T-Gon is another of the classic tight ends of this era, and like Gates he had a basketball background. Derrius Thompson didn't produce as hoped, though he did have that memorable game-winning touchdown in 2004 when the 2-11 Dolphins upset the 11-2 Patriots in a Monday night game. 87.The Patriots finally have revealed the numbers for the team's incoming class of rookies. 71 Ray Hamilton Undersized DL was a playmaker on the interior for the 1970s Patriots. Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (2015) Rod Shoate. 95 -- Chandler Jones, DE, 2012-2015: Roman Phifer (2001-2004) played a big role on three Super Bowl runs at the end of his career, but was a starter for only three seasons. Soon after the 1985 Super Bowl, Boston Globe sportswriter Ron Borges wrote a story alleging that six Patriots players, including Fryar, cornerback Raymond Clayborn, safety Roland James, and running back Tony Collins were marijuana users. Who wore it better? The uniform numbers for the. 80. He finished with 5.5 more sacks with the team than Patriots legend James Harrison (also No. 85 Nick Buoniconti Tough call here over Julius Adams, but the linebacker's Hall of Famer resume puts him over the top. 59 Vincent Brown The original Undertaker takes this one going away. Remember when Wilfork was miked that one game and told Hightower he looked like the black Tedy Bruschi? Note: Van Noy comes back to New England and takes back his old number. Terry Glenn. 16 -- Jim Plunkett, QB, 1971-75: Before Plunkett won two Super Bowls with the Oakland Raiders, he was a No. Jones, meanwhile, made a Pro Bowl and was arguably the Patriots' best defensive player by the end of his tenure (12.5 sacks in 2015). No. 26 Raymond Clayborn Pretty straight-forward pick here. So, these numbers are up for grabs when flashy players enter the league, yet they choose not to take them. The Patriots are bringing back McDermott after the veteran started the last six games for New England at right tackle last season. What I'm Hearing: Our NFL insider Jarrett Bell details the Patriots big free agency spending and why it means they're retooling and not rebuilding. 82 Daniel Graham Underrated blocker was a stalwart on a pair of title teams. 86 Stanley Morgan Take a look at Morgan's stats and tell me again why he's not in Canton? 1 draft pick, Caserio looking to build new foundation with Ryans, Carroll: Smith's self-belief was key to success, Patriots officially re-issue Rob Gronkowskis number, Aaron Rodgers has concluded his darkness retreat, Lamar Jacksons camp leaks some information to Stephen A. Smith, Report: Derek Carr wants $35 million per year, Darkness retreat over, decision time arrives for Aaron Rodgers, Michael Irvins lawyer is mad as hell that Marriott refuses to produce surveillance video, Former Chiefs teammates rip LeSean McCoy, defend Eric Bieniemy, Tua Tagovailoa turns to Judo to avoid head injuries when falling, XFL 3.0 debuts to significantly lower ratings than XFL 2.0. It's the. Dee was an inaugural Patriot and had his number retired. 90 -- Toby Williams, DL, 1983-88:Played a big role in the Patriots' 3-4 defense in the mid-80s. FOXBOROUGH, Mass. He then tore all four knee ligaments during the NFL Rookie Beach Bowl, an injury from which he could never bounce back. Theres smoke, theres fire 93 Richard Seymour the soon-to-be Hall of Fame in... Legend, like when he returned for a second stint in New England announced. More dangerous - ProFootballTalk Tom Brady & # x27 ; s No for the team #! 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