I was asked recently how many players were still on the Pats from the 2001 Champs that beat the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. The answer: A mere 8 of the 54 players on the SB roster (53 actives and the emergency QB) still remain. The “Elite 8”: Brady, Bruschi, Faulk, Izzo, Light, Neal, Seymour and Vrabel. Since 7 years have past, an eternity by NFL standards, the Pats 85% roster turnover is not altogether shocking. What I found significantly more surprising were the results when I looked at the most recent Pats team to win a Super Bowl, the 2004 Champs: Only 16 of those 54 players remain in New England. Most shocking of all is that while some former Pats are currently playing for other NFL teams, a whopping 26 of the 54 players are out of the NFL altogether. This means there are 62.5% more players from the Super Bowl XXXIX Champs out of the NFL than still on the team. The breakdown of those 26 former players: 15 were waived/released and are no longer playing; 6 voluntarily retired; 2 play in the AFL; 1 plays in the CFL, 1 plays in the AAFL and Marquis Hill passed away in 2007. So pick your favorite players and replica jerseys carefully because, win or lose, the vast majority of these guys will be gone before you (or they) know it.Thursday, September 18, 2008
Where are They Now? 2004 Pats
I was asked recently how many players were still on the Pats from the 2001 Champs that beat the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. The answer: A mere 8 of the 54 players on the SB roster (53 actives and the emergency QB) still remain. The “Elite 8”: Brady, Bruschi, Faulk, Izzo, Light, Neal, Seymour and Vrabel. Since 7 years have past, an eternity by NFL standards, the Pats 85% roster turnover is not altogether shocking. What I found significantly more surprising were the results when I looked at the most recent Pats team to win a Super Bowl, the 2004 Champs: Only 16 of those 54 players remain in New England. Most shocking of all is that while some former Pats are currently playing for other NFL teams, a whopping 26 of the 54 players are out of the NFL altogether. This means there are 62.5% more players from the Super Bowl XXXIX Champs out of the NFL than still on the team. The breakdown of those 26 former players: 15 were waived/released and are no longer playing; 6 voluntarily retired; 2 play in the AFL; 1 plays in the CFL, 1 plays in the AAFL and Marquis Hill passed away in 2007. So pick your favorite players and replica jerseys carefully because, win or lose, the vast majority of these guys will be gone before you (or they) know it.
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THE UPDATES....
4-VINATIERI; Plays for IND
6-DAVEY; Signed by Cleveland in AFL
8-JOSH MILLER; Waived by TEN in '08
10-KASPER; Plays for CLE
12-BRADY; On Pats
13-JIM MILLER; Waived by NYG in '05
21-GAY; Playing for NO
22-SAMUEL; Plays for PHI
26-WILSON; Plays for HOU
27-ABULLAH; Out of league since '04
28-DILLON; Retired after '06 season
29-MORELAND; Playing in AAFL
30-CHERRY; Out of league since '04
31-POTEAT; Plays for NYJ
33-FAULK; On Pats
34-COBBS; Plays in AFL
35-PASS; Waived by HOU in '07
37-HARRISON; On Pats
42-REID; Waived by IND in '07
48-BANTA-CAIN; Plays for 49ers
50-VRABEL; On Pats
51-DAVIS; Retired after '06 season
52-JOHNSON; Retired after '04
53-IZZO; On Pats
54-BRUSCHI; On Pats
55-McGINEST; Plays for Browns
58-CHATHAM; Waived by NYJ in '08
59-COLVIN; Waived by HOU in '08
61-NEAL; On Pats
63-ANDRUZZI; Wavied by CLE in '07
64-MRUCZKOWSKI; Retired in '08
66-PAXTON; On Pats
67-KOPPEN; On Pats
68-ASHWORTH; Waived by SEA in '07
71-HOCHSTEIN; On Pats
72-LIGHT; On Pats
74-YATES: On Pats
75-WILFORK; On Pats
76-GORIN; On Rams
80-BROWN; Retired after '07 season
81-JOHNSON: Plays for TOR in CFL
82-GRAHAM; Plays for Broncos
83-BRANCH; Plays for SEA
87-GIVENS; Waived by TEN in '07
88-FAURIA; Out of league since '07
91-HILL; Died on 5/28/07
93-SEYMOUR; On Pats
94-WARREN; On Pats
95-PHIFER; Retired in 2005
97-GREEN; On Pats
98-TRAYLOR; Waived by MIA in '08
99-KELLEY; Waived by CLE in '08
Random notes....
Jim Miller is host on Sirius NFL Radio
Dexter Reid pleaded guilty in January 2008 to drug charges
Don Davis coached for Pats in '07 before leaving to join the Christian Ministry
Ted Johnson has been a mess
I would like to see them get colvin back for league minimum - but not going to happen.
On a side note, this is also why I will never buy another Jersey in my life. Here is what I own:
1. John Lynch - Broncos
2. Eugene Wilson - I bought it after his rookie year
3. Rosevelt Colvin - I bought it once he was signed
4. Tom Brady - I got it as a birthday present.
So is the moral of this story wait a few years before buying a jersey. If a player is a starter after 3 seasons he'll be here for a few more.
#29-His first name was Earthwind.
The only 2 Pats jerseys I've ever owned were both bought for me....
#11 Bledsoe
#54 Bruschi
I can't bring myself to get a new one with Bruschi still on the team. I do like the idea of getting a jersey of a player who only plays for your team and will (likely) be around for a while.
My potential next Pats jersey...
#51 - Mayo, #70 - Mankins or #93 - Seymour
...though I must say I think Vrabel is my current favorite player, but he wont be around for long enough to make it worth it.
Seeing this really makes you appreciate the talent, loyalty and ability to stay healthy by guys like Bruschi even more.
Are you just saying that because I have complained about Bruschi's lack of production this year? Despite me not being thrilled with his play I do love have him (and lifelong one-team guys like him) VERY much.
Speaking of which, glad Troy Brown has officially retired a Patriot for life. The Pats Hall of Fame is perfect for guys like him who will never be in Canton but deserve to never be forgotten.
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