2001 New England Patriots season
Encyclopedia
The 2001
New England Patriots
season was the 32nd season for the team in the National Football League
and 42nd season overall. They finished with an 11–5 record and a division title before advancing to and winning Super Bowl XXXVI
.
Coming off a fifth-place finish in head coach Bill Belichick
's first season in 2000
, the Patriots were not expected to fare much better in 2001. In the second game of the season, nine-year starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe
, who received a 10-year contract extension in March 2001, was injured on a hit by New York Jets
linebacker Mo Lewis
, causing backup Tom Brady
, a sixth-round draft pick in 2000
, to enter the game. The Patriots lost the game to fall to 0–2, but Brady started the final 14 games of the season for the Patriots, who ended the regular season with six straight wins to complete an 11–5 record.
With the second seed in the AFC
playoffs, the Patriots faced the Oakland Raiders
at home following a first-round bye in the final game at Foxboro Stadium
; in a snowstorm, a Patriots drive late in the fourth quarter was kept alive in an application of the now-famous tuck rule
that was used in overturning a Brady fumble into an incomplete pass. Shortly after, a 45-yard Adam Vinatieri
field goal through the snow, considered one of the most clutch field goals in NFL history, sent the game into overtime, when another Vinatieri field goal won it. After defeating the top-seeded Pittsburgh Steelers
in the AFC Championship Game, the Patriots faced the heavily favored St. Louis Rams
, known as "The Greatest Show on Turf
," in Super Bowl XXXVI
. Once again, Vinatieri kicked a game-winning field goal; the 48-yard kick sailed through the uprights as time expired, and gave the Patriots their first ever Super Bowl victory in what has been considered by many to be a "cinderella
" season.
on July 26, they had the NFL maximum of 80 players signed to their roster. The Patriots received seven roster exemptions for the NFL Europe allocations of Michael Bishop, Brad Costello, Tony George
, Sean Morey, Josh Rawlings, Kato Serwanga
, and Tony Simmons. Additionally, the Patriots allocated wide receiver Tony Hamler and linebackers John Eskridge and Marc Megna
to NFL Europe and received roster exemptions for them, but those players were waived before the start of training camp. Finally, injured draft pick Brock Williams
had not yet signed a contract at the start of camp and did not count against the roster limit.
During the fourth quarter of a 10-3 loss to the Jets Drew Bledsoe
was hammered while running to the sidelines by Jets linebacker Mo Lewis
. The injury to his chest, which filled with blood, left Bledsoe hospitalized. Tom Brady
finished the game, completing five of ten passes for 46 yards, and was elevated to starter.
The 2-0 Colts were crushed 44-13 following a brutal hit on receiver Jerome Pathon
by Patriots linebacker Bryan Cox
in the first quarter. From there Colts receivers shied away from contact with Patriot defenders and Peyton Manning
's interception at the Patriots 22-yard line late in the first half was returned by Otis Smith for a touchdown. The Patriots led 23-0 late in the third quarter before Manning ran in a ten-yard score, then in the fourth the Colts collapsed entirely, surrendering 21 points (including a 23-yard Ty Law
interception return touchdown) while managing just a touchdown to future Patriot Marcus Pollard
. Tom Brady
threw for 168 yards in his first start.
The game that decisively turned the 1-3 Patriots season around came against former and future Patriot Doug Flutie
along with the 3-1 Chargers' vaunted rookie LaDainian Tomlinson
. Unruly receiver Terry Glenn
, making his first start of the season after being benched for the opening four games, caught a 21-yard score from Tom Brady
and had seven catches for 110 yards total. The Patriots led 16-13 but were struggling on special teams (Bill Belichick
called their performance "the worst in a year and a half" afterward); Adam Vinatieri
had missed a field goal try and the extra point off Glenn's touchdown, but the real special teams breakdown occurred with less than seven minutes remaining; forced to punt with his team trailing 19-16, Patriots punter Lee Johnson botched the kick and running back Derrick Harris
ran in a six-yard score (the miscue cost Johnson his punting job as he was replaced by Ken Walter
). But despite being down 26-16, Brady took over, directing a field goal drive, then throwing the game-tying touchdown in the final minute to Jermaine Wiggins
. A last-second Wade Richey
field goal try fell short, and in overtime Brady picked up a Chargers blitz and led a drive that ended in Vinatieri's 44-yard gield goal and a 29-26 Patriots final.
In what turned out to be their last trip to the RCA Dome
until the post-realignment 2003 season, the Patriots followed up their September rout of the Colts with a 38-17 thrashing highlighted by the one-man scoring explosion of David Patten
, who ran in a 29-yard touchdown, caught a 91-yard bomb from Tom Brady
, then on a flea-flick play threw a 60-yard strike to Troy Brown
, all in the first half. The Colts lost two fumbles and Peyton Manning
was sacked four times as the Colts' season began spiraling into collapse.
Former Patriot Shawn Jefferson
caught a 19-yard touchdown from Chris Chandler
, but Chandler was sacked six times and knocked out of the game; rookie Michael Vick
threw for 56 yards and rushed for 50 more but was sacked three times. The most bizarre score of the game came in the third as a Tom Brady
pass for David Patten
was deflected off a body and caught at the 30-yard line by Troy Brown
for a 44-yard touchdown. The Patriots won 24–10.
The Patriots squandered a goalline opportunity when they fumbled to the Rams late in the second quarter; the Rams drove downfield and scored. The Patriots' defense was unable to stop Kurt Warner
and get the ball back late in the game, as the Rams salted away a 24–17 win. The win proved costly, as five Rams starters were knocked out of the game, and coach Mike Martz
said afterward that the Patriots were a Super Bowl-caliber team.
Drew Bledsoe
was medically cleared to return to the field, but Bill Belichick
ruled that Brady would remain the starter. Brady responded with four touchdowns in a 34–17 triumph. Ricky Williams
, soon to leave the Saints for the Miami Dolphins
, rushed for 56 yards and a touchdown in his first encounter with the Patriots.
The Jets bullied the Patriots en route to a 13–0 halftime lead, but the Patriots stormed back, scoring 14 third-quarter points en route to a 17–16 win. During the game the Jets appeared to lose a fumble to the Patriots, but the fumble was reversed based on a rule that would become controversial in the subsequent playoffs - the Tuck Rule
.
Field goals ruled the day as Shayne Graham
and Adam Vinatieri
kicked seven combined in a 12-9 overtime Patriots win. The most controversial play came in overtime when David Patten
caught a pass and was knocked out of bounds; the ball bounced off his feet and was recovered by the Bills, but the play went to review and it was determined that Patten, momentarily unconscious, had his head out of bounds when the ball touched his feet; by rule the ball was dead. The Patriots thus retained possession enough for the game-winning 23-yard field goal.
The Patriots defeated the Dolphins (20–13) for the first time since November 23, 1998
in the final regular season game for Foxboro Stadium
. During halftime Patriot greats of the past and present were paraded with each commemorating a season of the stadium's 31-season existence – John Hannah represented 1973 (the year he was drafted by New England), Steve Grogan
represented 1976
(the year of the infamous "Ben Dreith game" against Oakland
), Drew Bledsoe
represented 1996
(the Super Bowl XXXI
season), and so forth. During the game itself Tom Brady
caught a 23-yard pass from Kevin Faulk
and threw for 109 yards himself, as the Patriots raced out to an early lead and held off a late Dolphins rally to earn sole 1st place in the AFC East.
, played in a heavy snowfall, will be remembered for a call near the end of the game, in which the referees initially ruled that New England quarterback Tom Brady had fumbled on a pass attempt, with Oakland protecting a three-point lead. Invoking the "tuck rule
", where a ball is ruled an incomplete pass after the quarterback starts any forward motion, the referee overturned the decision after reviewing the instant replay
, calling the drop an incomplete pass rather than a fumble.
Both teams struggled in the heavy snow storm during the first half, combining for the same number of punts as first downs (11) and converting only one of 13 third downs. However, Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon
was efficient, completing 10 of 14 passes for 87 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown pass to James Jett
early in the second quarter.
In the second half, things began to open up, especially for New England, who almost completely abandoned their running game and relied on Brady. He ended up completing 26 of 39 passes for 238 yards in the second half. On the opening drive of the third quarter, he led the Patriots 62 yards in 12 plays to the Raiders' 5-yard line, where Adam Vinatieri
made a 23-yard field goal to cut the score, 7-3. Oakland responded with a 10-play, 43 yard drive, and scored a 38-yard field goal from Sebastian Janikowski
. Then after forcing a punt, a 22-yard reception by receiver Jerry Rice
set up Janikowski's second field goal, giving the Raiders a 13-3 lead with 2 minutes left in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Brady led the Patriots on a 10-play, 67-yard drive, completing 9 consecutive passes for 61 yards and finishing it with a 6-yard touchdown run. Later in the quarter, the infamous "tuck" incident occurred. As Brady dropped back to pass, he lost the ball while being tackled by former college teammate Charles Woodson
, and Oakland linebacker Greg Biekert
recovered it with 1:47 left. However, an instant replay challenge caused referee Walt Coleman to overturn the fumble, ruling Brady's arm had been moving forward while being tackled and making the play an incomplete pass. Taking advantage of his second chance, Brady led the Patriots inside the Raiders' 30-yard line where Vinatieri made a 45-yard field goal with 27 seconds left, a dramatic kick through heavy snowfall that barely cleared the crossbar, sending the game into overtime.
New England won the coin toss and drove for the winning field goal on a possession that featured a risky fourth down and 4 conversion attempt from Brady, who threw a 6-yard pass to David Patten
at the Raiders' 22-yard line to keep the drive alive. Following five runs from Antowain Smith
and one from Brady, Vinatieri made a 23-yard field goal to win the game.
came into the game in the second quarter in place of an injured Tom Brady
- who replaced Bledsoe himself early in the season when he suffered a sheared blood vessel.
Patriots receiver Troy Brown
opened up the scoring with a 55-yard punt return touchdown with 3:42 left in the first quarter. Pittsburgh responded by driving 65 yards in 10 plays and scoring with a 30-yard field goal from Kris Brown
. Later in the quarter, Brady completed a 28-yard pass to Brown at the Steelers 40-yard line, but was knocked out of the game on the play. Bledsoe took over without missing a beat, rushing for four yards and completing three passes to David Patten
for 37 yards, the last one an 11-yard touchdown to give the Patriots a 14-3 lead.
On the first drive of the second half, New England linebacker Tedy Bruschi
recovered a fumbled snap on the Steelers 35-yard line. But the Patriots gained only two yards on their next 4 plays and ended up turning the ball over on downs. Pittsburgh subsequently drove 52 yards to the 16-yard line to set up Brown's second field goal attempt, but this time his kick was blocked by defensive tackle Brandon Mitchell
and Troy Brown recovered the ball. After returning it 11 yards, Brown threw a lateral pass
to Antwan Harris
, who took the ball the remaining 45 yards for a touchdown to increase New England's lead to 21-3.
The Steelers struck back with quarterback Kordell Stewart
completing a 24-yard pass to Hines Ward
and a 19-yard screen pass
to Amos Zereoue
on an 8-play, 79-yard drive. Jerome Bettis
finished it off with a 1-yard touchdown run, cutting the score to 21–10 with 5:11 left in the third quarter. New England was forced to punt after linebacker Jason Gildon
sacked Bledsoe on third down, and Troy Edwards
returned the punt 28 yards to the Patriots 32-yard line. Five plays later, Zereoue scored with an 11-yard touchdown run, making the score 21–17.
Early in the fourth quarter, Adam Vinatieri
's 44-yard field goal increased New England's lead to 24–17. Later in the period, the Patriots made two key stops to clinch the victory. First, safety Tebucky Jones
intercepted a pass from Stewart and returned it 19 yards to the Steelers 34-yard line. Pittsburgh's defense managed to prevent a first down and Vinatieri missed a 50-yard field goal attempt that would have sealed the game, giving the Steelers the ball back on their own 40-yard line, but a few plays later, Lawyer Milloy
intercepted a pass from Stewart with 2:02 left to seal the game, and the Patriots were able to run out the rest of the clock.
. At the time, the field goal was the third longest in Super Bowl history. The rest of the quarter was scoreless.
Early in the second quarter, the Rams drove to New England's 34-yard line, but quarterback Kurt Warner
threw an incompletion on third down, and Wilkins' subsequent 52-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left.
With 8:49 left in the second quarter, New England defensive back Ty Law
intercepted a pass intended for receiver Isaac Bruce
and scored on a 47-yard return to give the Patriots a 7-3 lead. With less than two minutes left in the first half, Warner completed a pass to receiver Ricky Proehl
at the Patriots 40-yard line, but New England defensive back Antwan Harris
forced a fumble while tackling him, which was recovered by Patriots defensive back Terrell Buckley
. New England quarterback Tom Brady
would lead a drive that culminated with an 8-yard touchdown pass to receiver David Patten
with 31 seconds left in the half to give New England a 14-3 halftime lead. This was the first time in the 2001 season that St. Louis fell behind in a game by more than eight points.
The Patriots took the opening kickoff of the second half, but could only reach the St. Louis 43-yard line before being forced to punt. Aided by a 20-yard reception by wide receiver Az-Zahir Hakim
, a 22-yard reception by Bruce, and a defensive pass interference penalty on Patriots defensive back Otis Smith, the Rams advanced to the New England 41-yard line. However, on the next play, linebacker Mike Vrabel
and defensive lineman Richard Seymour
sacked Warner for a 9-yard loss. Warner then threw 2 consecutive incomplete passes, which resulted in the Rams punting.
Later in the third quarter, Otis Smith intercepted a pass intended for Rams wide receiver Torry Holt
after Holt slipped while coming off the line of scrimmage, and returned the ball 30 yards to the Rams 33-yard line. Though St. Louis' defense did not give up a touchdown to the Patriots, kicker Adam Vinatieri
made a 37-yard field goal to increase New England's lead to 17-3.
The Rams responded by driving to the Patriots' 3-yard line on their ensuing drive. On fourth-and-goal, the Rams attempted to score a touchdown, calling for a quarterback sneak by Warner. Warner fumbled the ball while being tackled by linebacker Roman Phifer
, which was recovered by defensive back Tebucky Jones
who returned it 97 yards for a touchdown that would have increased the Patriots lead to 23-3. However, the play was nullified by a holding penalty on linebacker Willie McGinest
, which in turn gave the Rams a first down on the 1-yard line instead. On second down, Warner scored on a 2-yard touchdown run to make the score 17-10, Patriots.
After Warner's touchdown, the Rams defense forced the Patriots to a three-and-out. St. Louis then drove from their own 7-yard line to the New England 36-yard line, aided by a 30-yard reception by Proehl. However, McGinest sacked Warner for a 16-yard loss on second down, pushing the Rams back to their 46-yard line. St. Louis ended up punting after Warner's third down pass was incomplete.
The Rams forced New England to another three-and-out, and got the ball back on their own 45-yard line with 1:51 left in the game. Warner threw three consecutive completions: an 18-yard pass to Hakim, an 11-yard one to receiver Yo Murphy
, and finally a 26-yard touchdown completion to Proehl that tied the game 17-17 with 1:30 left in the fourth quarter.
The Patriots had no timeouts left for their ensuing drive, which resulted in color commentator
John Madden initially suggesting that the Patriots should run out the clock and attempt to win to overtime. Instead, New England attempted to get the winning score in regulation on the final drive. Brady opened the drive with three completions to running back J.R. Redmond
, which moved the ball to their 41-yard line with 33 seconds left. After an incomplete pass, Brady completed a 23-yard pass to wide receiver Troy Brown
, and followed it up with a 6-yard completion to tight end Jermaine Wiggins
to advance to the Rams' 30-yard line. Brady then spiked the ball with seven seconds left, which set up Vinatieri's 48-yard field goal attempt. Vinatieri's game-winning kick was successful, marking the first (and so far, only) time in Super Bowl history that a game was won by a score on the final play.
2001 NFL season
The 2001 NFL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Football League.Following a pattern set in 1999, the first week of the season was permanently moved to the weekend following Labor Day...
New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
season was the 32nd season for the team in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
and 42nd season overall. They finished with an 11–5 record and a division title before advancing to and winning Super Bowl XXXVI
Super Bowl XXXVI
Super Bowl XXXVI was an American football game played on February 3, 2002 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 2001 regular season. The American Football Conference champion New England Patriots won their first Super...
.
Coming off a fifth-place finish in head coach Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick
William Stephen "Bill" Belichick is an American football head coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. After spending his first 15 seasons in the league as an assistant coach, Belichick got his first head coaching job with the Cleveland Browns in 1991...
's first season in 2000
2000 New England Patriots season
The 2000 New England Patriots season was the 31st season for the team in the National Football League and 41st season overall. They finished with a 5–11 record and in last place in the division....
, the Patriots were not expected to fare much better in 2001. In the second game of the season, nine-year starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe
Drew Bledsoe
Drew McQueen Bledsoe is a former football quarterback in the National Football League, best known as the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots from 1993-2001. During the 1990s, he was considered the face of the Patriots franchise...
, who received a 10-year contract extension in March 2001, was injured on a hit by New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
linebacker Mo Lewis
Mo Lewis
Morris "Mo" C. Lewis is a former American football player who played linebacker for the New York Jets from 1991 until 2003.-Career:...
, causing backup Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
, a sixth-round draft pick in 2000
2000 NFL Draft
The 2000 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur U.S. college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 15–16, 2000...
, to enter the game. The Patriots lost the game to fall to 0–2, but Brady started the final 14 games of the season for the Patriots, who ended the regular season with six straight wins to complete an 11–5 record.
With the second seed in the AFC
American Football Conference
The American Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the National Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL....
playoffs, the Patriots faced the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
at home following a first-round bye in the final game at Foxboro Stadium
Foxboro Stadium
Foxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts...
; in a snowstorm, a Patriots drive late in the fourth quarter was kept alive in an application of the now-famous tuck rule
Tuck rule
The tuck rule is a rule in American football, currently used only by the National Football League .Introduced in 1999, it reads:NFL Rule 3, Section 22, Article 2, Note 2. When [an offensive] player is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional forward movement of his arm starts a forward...
that was used in overturning a Brady fumble into an incomplete pass. Shortly after, a 45-yard Adam Vinatieri
Adam Vinatieri
Adam Matthew Vinatieri is an American football placekicker currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in six Super Bowls, four with the New England Patriots and two with the Colts, winning four. Vinatieri won a Super Bowl in 2006 with Indianapolis and won Super Bowls in 2001,...
field goal through the snow, considered one of the most clutch field goals in NFL history, sent the game into overtime, when another Vinatieri field goal won it. After defeating the top-seeded Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
in the AFC Championship Game, the Patriots faced the heavily favored St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
, known as "The Greatest Show on Turf
The Greatest Show on Turf
"The Greatest Show on Turf" was the nickname for the St. Louis Rams' considerably talented and famous record-breaking offense during the 1999, 2000, and 2001 National Football League seasons. The offense was designed by attack oriented offensive coordinator Mike Martz who advocated an unrelenting...
," in Super Bowl XXXVI
Super Bowl XXXVI
Super Bowl XXXVI was an American football game played on February 3, 2002 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 2001 regular season. The American Football Conference champion New England Patriots won their first Super...
. Once again, Vinatieri kicked a game-winning field goal; the 48-yard kick sailed through the uprights as time expired, and gave the Patriots their first ever Super Bowl victory in what has been considered by many to be a "cinderella
Cinderella (sports)
In American and Canadian sports, a Cinderella or "Cinderella Story" refers to a team or player who advances much further in a tournament or career than originally anticipated. Cinderellas tend to gain much media and fan attention as they move closer to the championship game at the end of the...
" season.
2001 NFL Draft
| Round | Overall | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | Richard Seymour Richard Seymour Richard Vershaun Seymour is an American football defensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots sixth overall in the 2001 NFL Draft... |
Defensive tackle | Georgia Georgia Bulldogs football The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54... |
| 2 | 48 | Matt Light Matt Light Matthew Charles Light is an American football offensive tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.-Early years:Light was born in Greenville, Ohio... |
Offensive tackle | Purdue Purdue Boilermakers football The Purdue Boilermakers football team is the intercollegiate football program of the Purdue University Boilermakers. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big Ten Conference. The Boilermakers have an all-time record of... |
| 3 | 86 | Brock Williams Brock Williams Brock Williams is a former professional American football cornerback. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.... |
Cornerback Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position... |
Notre Dame Notre Dame Fighting Irish football Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an... |
| 4 | 96 | Kenyatta Jones Kenyatta Jones Kenyatta Lapoleon Jones is an American football offensive tackle for the New York Sentinels of the United Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft... |
Offensive tackle | South Florida South Florida Bulls football The South Florida Bulls are a Division I FBS college football program that plays its home games in Tampa, Florida. The team began playing in 1997, holding its first team meeting under a shade tree as the school had no proper football facilities on campus... |
| 4 | 119 | Jabari Holloway Jabari Holloway Jabari Jelani Holloway is a former American football tight end in the National Football League for the New England Patriots and Houston Texans. He was drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft after playing college football at the University of Notre Dame... |
Tight end Tight end The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be... |
Notre Dame |
| 5 | 163 | Hakim Akbar Hakim Akbar Akmal Hakim Akbar is a former American football Linebacker of the National Football League and Canadian Football League. He was originally drafted by the New England Patriots in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL Draft... |
Safety | Washington Washington Huskies football College football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by... |
| 6 | 180 | Arther Love Arther Love Arther Lee Love is a former professional American football tight end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League.... |
Tight end | South Carolina State South Carolina State University South Carolina State University is a historically black university located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, United States. It is the only state funded, historically black land-grant institution in South Carolina and is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund.- Colleges, departments,... |
| 6 | 200 | Leonard Myers Leonard Myers (American football) Leonard Bernard Myers, Jr. is a former professional American football cornerback drafted in the sixth round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots of the National Football League... |
Cornerback | Miami (FL) Miami Hurricanes football The Miami Hurricanes football program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the University of Miami. The program began in 1926 and has won five AP national championships... |
| 7 | 216 | Owen Pochman Owen Pochman Owen Pochman is a former National Football League punter and placekicker who played in the National Football League for the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers . Pochman is an alumnus of Brigham Young University.-References:... |
Kicker Placekicker Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points... |
BYU Brigham Young University Cougars football The Brigham Young Cougars football team is a college football program representing Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. The Cougars won the national championship in 1984 and have a Heisman Trophy winner in Ty Detmer. Since 1965, BYU has claimed 23 conference championships and played in 29 bowl... |
| 7 | 239 | T. J. Turner | Linebacker Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen... |
Michigan State Michigan State Spartans football The Michigan State Spartans football program represents Michigan State University in college football as members of the Big Ten Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level... |
| compensatory selection |
Staff
| New England Patriots 2001 staff | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Front Office
Head Coaches
Offensive Coaches
|
Defensive Coaches
Special Teams Coaches
Strength and Conditioning
* Rehbein died on August 6. |
|||||
Opening training camp roster
At the time of the first public training camp practice at Bryant CollegeBryant University
Bryant University is a private university located in Smithfield, Rhode Island, U.S., that grants the degrees of bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, and master's degrees in business, taxation and accounting. Until August 2004, it was known as Bryant College...
on July 26, they had the NFL maximum of 80 players signed to their roster. The Patriots received seven roster exemptions for the NFL Europe allocations of Michael Bishop, Brad Costello, Tony George
Tony George (American football)
Houston Antonio George, Jr. is a former American football defensive back in the National Football League . He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida....
, Sean Morey, Josh Rawlings, Kato Serwanga
Kato Serwanga
Kato E. Serwanga is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League. He attended the University of California at Berkeley, Sacramento State University and the University of the Pacific. His hometown is Sacramento, California, where he and his brother were standout defensive...
, and Tony Simmons. Additionally, the Patriots allocated wide receiver Tony Hamler and linebackers John Eskridge and Marc Megna
Marc Megna
Marc Megna is a former professional American and Canadian football linebacker and defensive end in the National Football League, NFL Europe League and Canadian Football League...
to NFL Europe and received roster exemptions for them, but those players were waived before the start of training camp. Finally, injured draft pick Brock Williams
Brock Williams
Brock Williams is a former professional American football cornerback. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish....
had not yet signed a contract at the start of camp and did not count against the roster limit.
| New England Patriots 2001 opening training camp roster | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
|
Offensive Linemen
Joe Andruzzi Joseph Dominick Andruzzi is a former American football offensive guard. In May 2007 he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.-College career:... G Kenyatta Jones Kenyatta Lapoleon Jones is an American football offensive tackle for the New York Sentinels of the United Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft... T/G R Adrian Klemm Adrian William Klemm is a former National Football League offensive lineman, who played for the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers. He is perhaps best known for being drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft, the same draft in which they selected Tom... T Matt Light Matthew Charles Light is an American football offensive tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.-Early years:Light was born in Greenville, Ohio... T R Stephen Neal Stephen Matthew Neal is a former American football guard who played his entire career for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He is a former national champion amateur and collegiate wrestler at Cal State-Bakersfield... T/G Joe Panos Joe Panos is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills. After Brookfield East High School, he played college football at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he was captain of the 1994 Rose Bowl team... G Greg Robinson-Randall Greg Wayne Robinson-Randall is an arena football offensive lineman / defensive lineman for the New York Dragons of the Arena Football League. He was originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots... T Grey Ruegamer Christopher Grey Ruegamer [ROO-gah-mer] is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft... C/G Grant Williams (American football) Grant James Williams is a former American football offensive tackle who played nine seasons in the National Football League. He was a member of the Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots in 2002. He is not to be mixed up with Brock Williams who is the player who pawned his super bowl ring for... T Damien Woody Damien Michael Woody is a former American football offensive lineman who played for the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions and New York Jets of the National Football League... C Defensive Linemen
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Linebackers
Tedy Bruschi Tedy Lacap Bruschi is a former professional American football linebacker. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft... ILB Matt Chatham Matt Chatham is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He played college football at South Dakota.-High school years:... OLB Antico Dalton Antico Dalton is a former professional American and Canadian football linebacker and defensive lineman. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 1999 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings... ILB Rob Holmberg Robert Anthony Holmberg is a former American football linebacker who played eight seasons in the National Football League. He played college football at Penn State University and was selected in the seventh round of the 1994 NFL Draft. He currently owns several Subway restaurants around the... ILB Larry Izzo Lawrence Alexander Izzo is a retired American football Linebacker and special teamer and current assistant special teams coach for the New York Giants. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 1996... ILB Ted Johnson Ted Curtis Johnson is a former American football player in the National Football League. He grew up in Carlsbad, California where he graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1991. From there he attended the University of Colorado and was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 1995 NFL... ILB Andy Katzenmoyer Andrew Warren Katzenmoyer is a former professional American football player and the first Butkus Award-winning middle linebacker to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes... ILB Greg Spires Gregory Tyrone Spires is an American football who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.... OLB/DE Maugaula Tuitele Maugaula "Ula" Tuitele is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New England Patriots in 2000. He played college football at Colorado State.... ILB Mike Vrabel Michael George "Mike" Vrabel is an assistant coach at Ohio State. He is a retired American football linebacker in the National Football League. Vrabel spent 14 seasons in the NFL, having played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and most recently, the Kansas City Chiefs... OLB Defensive Backs
Special Teams
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Reserve Lists
Jabari Holloway Jabari Jelani Holloway is a former American football tight end in the National Football League for the New England Patriots and Houston Texans. He was drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft after playing college football at the University of Notre Dame... TE (Active/PUP) R  Arther Love Arther Lee Love is a former professional American football tight end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League.... TE (Active/PUP) R Willie McGinest William Lee "Willie" McGinest, Jr. is a retired American football linebacker in the National Football League.-Early life and career:... OLB/DE (Active/PUP) Brandon Mitchell (defensive end) Brandon Mitchell is a former American football defensive lineman who played eight seasons in the National Football League. He started in Super Bowl XXXVI for the New England Patriots.... DE (Active/PUP) Antowain Smith Antowain Drurell Smith is a former American Football running back in the National Football League who played nine NFL seasons, most notably with the New England Patriots. At 6'2", , Smith's powerful running style made him an effective runner between the tackles... RB (Active/PUP) Unsigned Draft Picks
Notations
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Schedule
| Week | Kickoff | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | TV | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1:00 PM EDT North American Eastern Time Zone The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time... |
September 9, 2001 | Cincinnati Bengals 2001 Cincinnati Bengals season The 2001 Cincinnati Bengals season was the team's 34th year in professional football and its 32nd with the National Football League.-NFL Draft: -Staff:-Roster:-Schedule:-Standings:-References:* * *... |
L 17-23 | 0-1 | Paul Brown Stadium Paul Brown Stadium Paul Brown Stadium is an American sports stadium located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the home venue of the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. It opened on August 19, 2000. The stadium was named after Bengals' founder Paul Brown. The stadium is located on approximately of land and... |
CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
|
| 2 | 4:05 PM EDT | September 23, 2001 | New York Jets 2001 New York Jets season The 2001 New York Jets season was the 42nd season for the team, and the 32nd in the National Football League. The team tried to improve upon its 9–7 record from 2000. Under new head coach Herman Edwards, the team finished 10–6 and qualified for the final Wild Card position in the American Football... |
L 3-10 | 0-2 | Foxboro Stadium Foxboro Stadium Foxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts... |
CBS | |
| 3 | 1:00 PM EDT | September 30, 2001 | Indianapolis Colts 2001 Indianapolis Colts season The 2001 Indianapolis Colts season was the 49th season for the team in the National Football League and 18th in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts finished the National Football League's 2001 season with a record of 6 wins and 10 losses, and finished fourth in the AFC East division... |
W 44-13 | 1-2 | Foxboro Stadium | CBS | |
| 4 | 1:00 PM EDT | October 7, 2001 | Miami Dolphins 2001 Miami Dolphins season -NFL Draft:-Staff:-Schedule:-References:... |
L 10-30 | 1-3 | Pro Player Stadium | CBS | |
| 5 | 1:00 PM EDT | October 14, 2001 | San Diego Chargers 2001 San Diego Chargers season -Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
W 29-26 (OT) | 2-3 | Foxboro Stadium | CBS | |
| 6 | 1:00 PM EDT | October 21, 2001 | Indianapolis Colts 2001 Indianapolis Colts season The 2001 Indianapolis Colts season was the 49th season for the team in the National Football League and 18th in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts finished the National Football League's 2001 season with a record of 6 wins and 10 losses, and finished fourth in the AFC East division... |
W 38-17 | 3-3 | RCA Dome RCA Dome RCA Dome was a domed stadium, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL franchise for 24 seasons .... |
CBS | |
| 7 | 4:15 PM EST | October 28, 2001 | Denver Broncos 2001 Denver Broncos season The 2001 Denver Broncos season was the team's 42nd year in professional football and its 32nd with the National Football League. This was the Broncos' first year at the new stadium Invesco Field at Mile High, replacing the old Mile High Stadium.-Staff:... |
L 20-31 | 3-4 | Invesco Field at Mile High INVESCO Field at Mile High Sports Authority Field at Mile High, previously known as Invesco Field at Mile High, and commonly known as Mile High, is a multi-purpose stadium, in Denver, Colorado. It replaced the identically sized, but commercially obsolete Mile High Stadium in 2001... |
CBS | |
| 8 | 1:00 PM EST | November 4, 2001 | Atlanta Falcons 2001 Atlanta Falcons season The 2001 Atlanta Falcons season was the Falcons 36th season. The Falcons obtained the first pick overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. With the pick, the Falcons drafted Michael Vick.-Offseason:... |
W 24-10 | 4-4 | Georgia Dome Georgia Dome The Georgia Dome is a domed stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, between downtown to the east and Vine City to the west. It is primarily the home stadium for the NFL Atlanta Falcons and the NCAA Division I FCS Georgia State Panthers football team. It is owned and operated by the... |
CBS | |
| 9 | 1:00 PM EST | November 11, 2001 | Buffalo Bills 2001 Buffalo Bills season The 2001 Buffalo Bills season was the team’s forty-second season. Previous head coach Wade Phillips was relieved of his duties as coach and replaced by Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.... |
W 21-11 | 5-4 | Foxboro Stadium | CBS | |
| 10 | 8:30 PM EST | November 18, 2001 | St. Louis Rams 2001 St. Louis Rams season The 2001 St. Louis Rams season was the 64th season for the team in the National Football League and seventh season in St. Louis. The Rams set a franchise record for wins in a season , while also going a perfect 8-0 on the road. Quarterback Kurt Warner would go on to win his second league M.V.P.... |
L 17-24 | 5-5 | Foxboro Stadium | ESPN ESPN Sunday Night Football ESPN Sunday Night Football is the ESPN cable network's weekly television broadcasts of Sunday evening National Football League games. The first ESPN Sunday night broadcast occurred on November 8, 1987, while the last one aired on January 1, 2006.... |
|
| 11 | 4:05 PM EST | November 25, 2001 | New Orleans Saints 2001 New Orleans Saints season The 2001 New Orleans Saints season saw the Saints not qualify for the postseason and marked the 17th consecutive time that the team hosting the Super Bowl would not be playing in it.-Staff:-Schedule:-References:**... |
W 34-17 | 6-5 | Foxboro Stadium | FOX NFL on FOX NFL on Fox is the brand name of the Fox Broadcasting Company's coverage of the National Football League's National Football Conference games, produced by Fox Sports... |
|
| 12 | 1:00 PM EST | December 2, 2001 | New York Jets 2001 New York Jets season The 2001 New York Jets season was the 42nd season for the team, and the 32nd in the National Football League. The team tried to improve upon its 9–7 record from 2000. Under new head coach Herman Edwards, the team finished 10–6 and qualified for the final Wild Card position in the American Football... |
W 17-16 | 7-5 | Giants Stadium Giants Stadium Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to... |
CBS | |
| 13 | 1:00 PM EST | December 9, 2001 | Cleveland Browns 2001 Cleveland Browns season The 2001 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 49th season with the National Football League.-Regular season:The most notabale game from the 2001 Cleveland Browns season came on a December 16 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Browns were driving toward the east end zone for what would... |
W 27-16 | 8-5 | Foxboro Stadium | CBS | |
| 14 | 1:00 PM EST | December 16, 2001 | Buffalo Bills 2001 Buffalo Bills season The 2001 Buffalo Bills season was the team’s forty-second season. Previous head coach Wade Phillips was relieved of his duties as coach and replaced by Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.... |
W 12-9 (OT) | 9-5 | Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium is a football stadium, located in the town of Orchard Park, a suburb of Buffalo, New York. It is the home for the Buffalo Bills, of the NFL... |
CBS | |
| 15 | 1:30 PM EST | December 22, 2001 | Miami Dolphins 2001 Miami Dolphins season -NFL Draft:-Staff:-Schedule:-References:... |
W 20-13 | 10-5 | Foxboro Stadium | CBS | |
| 16 | Bye Bye (sports) A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing... |
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| 17 | 1:00 PM EST | January 6, 2002 | Carolina Panthers 2001 Carolina Panthers season -Regular season:-References:... |
W 38-6 | 11-5 | Ericsson Stadium Bank of America Stadium Bank of America Stadium is a 73,778-seat football stadium located on of land in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. It is the home facility of the Carolina Panthers NFL franchise. It also hosts the annual Belk Bowl which features teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big East... |
CBS | |
| Playoffs | ||||||||
| Bye Bye (sports) A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing... |
||||||||
| DIV | 8:00 PM EST | January 19, 2002 | Oakland Raiders 2001 Oakland Raiders season -AFC Divisional Playoff:-References:... |
W 16-13 | 12-5 | Foxboro Stadium Foxboro Stadium Foxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts... |
CBS | |
| AFCCG | 12:30 PM EST | January 27, 2002 | Pittsburgh Steelers 2001 Pittsburgh Steelers season In 2001, after 3 mediocre seasons in which they had a combined regular-season record of 22-26, the Steelers returned to the top seed in the AFC, rolling to a 13-3 record in their first season playing at Heinz Field... |
W 24-17 | 13-5 | Heinz Field Heinz Field Heinz Field is a stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It primarily serves as the home to the Pittsburgh Steelers and University of Pittsburgh Panthers American football teams, members of the National Football League and National Collegiate Athletic Association respectively... |
CBS | |
| SB XXXVI | 5:40 PM CST | February 3, 2002 | St. Louis Rams 2001 St. Louis Rams season The 2001 St. Louis Rams season was the 64th season for the team in the National Football League and seventh season in St. Louis. The Rams set a franchise record for wins in a season , while also going a perfect 8-0 on the road. Quarterback Kurt Warner would go on to win his second league M.V.P.... |
W 20-17 | 14-5 | Louisiana Superdome Louisiana Superdome The Mercedes-Benz Superdome, previously known as the Louisiana Superdome and colloquially known as the Superdome, is a sports and exhibition arena located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA... |
FOX | |
Notable games
- September 23 vs. New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
:
During the fourth quarter of a 10-3 loss to the Jets Drew Bledsoe
Drew Bledsoe
Drew McQueen Bledsoe is a former football quarterback in the National Football League, best known as the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots from 1993-2001. During the 1990s, he was considered the face of the Patriots franchise...
was hammered while running to the sidelines by Jets linebacker Mo Lewis
Mo Lewis
Morris "Mo" C. Lewis is a former American football player who played linebacker for the New York Jets from 1991 until 2003.-Career:...
. The injury to his chest, which filled with blood, left Bledsoe hospitalized. Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
finished the game, completing five of ten passes for 46 yards, and was elevated to starter.
- September 30 vs. Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
:
The 2-0 Colts were crushed 44-13 following a brutal hit on receiver Jerome Pathon
Jerome Pathon
Jerome Pathon is an American football coach and former wide receiver who played eight seasons in the National Football League...
by Patriots linebacker Bryan Cox
Bryan Cox
Bryan Keith Cox is a former American football linebacker who played twelve seasons in the NFL from 1991 through 2002. He was a member of the New England Patriots club that won Super Bowl XXXVI...
in the first quarter. From there Colts receivers shied away from contact with Patriot defenders and Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
's interception at the Patriots 22-yard line late in the first half was returned by Otis Smith for a touchdown. The Patriots led 23-0 late in the third quarter before Manning ran in a ten-yard score, then in the fourth the Colts collapsed entirely, surrendering 21 points (including a 23-yard Ty Law
Ty Law
Tajuan "Ty" Law is a retired football cornerback of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots 23rd overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan....
interception return touchdown) while managing just a touchdown to future Patriot Marcus Pollard
Marcus Pollard
Marcus LaJuan Pollard is a former American football tight end.-College career:Pollard attended Bradley University, where he played basketball. Bradley did not have a football program at the time he matriculated there...
. Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
threw for 168 yards in his first start.
- October 14 vs. San Diego ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
:
The game that decisively turned the 1-3 Patriots season around came against former and future Patriot Doug Flutie
Doug Flutie
Douglas Richard "Doug" Flutie is a former American and Canadian football quarterback. Flutie played college football at Boston College, and played professionally in the National Football League, Canadian Football League, and United States Football League...
along with the 3-1 Chargers' vaunted rookie LaDainian Tomlinson
LaDainian Tomlinson
LaDainian Tramayne Tomlinson is an American football running back for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers fifth overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas Christian.Tomlinson, often referred to by his initials, L...
. Unruly receiver Terry Glenn
Terry Glenn
Terry Tyree Glenn is a retired American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the New England Patriots seventh overall in the 1996 NFL Draft...
, making his first start of the season after being benched for the opening four games, caught a 21-yard score from Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
and had seven catches for 110 yards total. The Patriots led 16-13 but were struggling on special teams (Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick
William Stephen "Bill" Belichick is an American football head coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. After spending his first 15 seasons in the league as an assistant coach, Belichick got his first head coaching job with the Cleveland Browns in 1991...
called their performance "the worst in a year and a half" afterward); Adam Vinatieri
Adam Vinatieri
Adam Matthew Vinatieri is an American football placekicker currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in six Super Bowls, four with the New England Patriots and two with the Colts, winning four. Vinatieri won a Super Bowl in 2006 with Indianapolis and won Super Bowls in 2001,...
had missed a field goal try and the extra point off Glenn's touchdown, but the real special teams breakdown occurred with less than seven minutes remaining; forced to punt with his team trailing 19-16, Patriots punter Lee Johnson botched the kick and running back Derrick Harris
Derrick Harris
Sidney Derrick Harris is a former professional American football player who played running back for four seasons for the St. Louis Rams and San Diego Chargers....
ran in a six-yard score (the miscue cost Johnson his punting job as he was replaced by Ken Walter
Ken Walter
Ken Walter is a former American football punter for the New England Patriots in the National Football League. From 1997 – 2000, he played for the Carolina Panthers, from 2001 – 2003 he played for the Patriots, and in 2004 played for the Seattle Seahawks...
). But despite being down 26-16, Brady took over, directing a field goal drive, then throwing the game-tying touchdown in the final minute to Jermaine Wiggins
Jermaine Wiggins
Jermaine Wiggins is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 1999. He played college football at Georgia....
. A last-second Wade Richey
Wade Richey
Wade Richey is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League.-Career:He played from 1998-2001 for the San Francisco 49ers and the San Diego Chargers, and attempted a comeback in 2003 for the Baltimore Ravens. He retired after the 2004 season. Wade began his career at...
field goal try fell short, and in overtime Brady picked up a Chargers blitz and led a drive that ended in Vinatieri's 44-yard gield goal and a 29-26 Patriots final.
- October 21 at Indianapolis Colts2001 Indianapolis Colts seasonThe 2001 Indianapolis Colts season was the 49th season for the team in the National Football League and 18th in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts finished the National Football League's 2001 season with a record of 6 wins and 10 losses, and finished fourth in the AFC East division...
:
In what turned out to be their last trip to the RCA Dome
RCA Dome
RCA Dome was a domed stadium, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL franchise for 24 seasons ....
until the post-realignment 2003 season, the Patriots followed up their September rout of the Colts with a 38-17 thrashing highlighted by the one-man scoring explosion of David Patten
David Patten
David Patten is a former American football wide receiver. He was signed by the Albany Firebirds as a street free agent in 1996. He played college football at Western Carolina....
, who ran in a 29-yard touchdown, caught a 91-yard bomb from Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
, then on a flea-flick play threw a 60-yard strike to Troy Brown
Troy Brown
Troy Fitzgerald Brown is a former NFL wide receiver, cornerback and punt returner in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Marshall...
, all in the first half. The Colts lost two fumbles and Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
was sacked four times as the Colts' season began spiraling into collapse.
- November 4 at Atlanta FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
:
Former Patriot Shawn Jefferson
Shawn Jefferson
Shawn Jefferson , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Houston Oilers in the 9th round of the 1991 NFL Draft...
caught a 19-yard touchdown from Chris Chandler
Chris Chandler
Christopher Mark Chandler is a retired American football player, who played as a quarterback in the National Football League for 17 seasons. He is known for leading the Atlanta Falcons to a 14-2 season in 1998, followed up with an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIII.-Early years:Chris Chandler was...
, but Chandler was sacked six times and knocked out of the game; rookie Michael Vick
Michael Vick
Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...
threw for 56 yards and rushed for 50 more but was sacked three times. The most bizarre score of the game came in the third as a Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
pass for David Patten
David Patten
David Patten is a former American football wide receiver. He was signed by the Albany Firebirds as a street free agent in 1996. He played college football at Western Carolina....
was deflected off a body and caught at the 30-yard line by Troy Brown
Troy Brown
Troy Fitzgerald Brown is a former NFL wide receiver, cornerback and punt returner in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Marshall...
for a 44-yard touchdown. The Patriots won 24–10.
- November 18 vs. St. Louis RamsSt. Louis RamsThe St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
:
The Patriots squandered a goalline opportunity when they fumbled to the Rams late in the second quarter; the Rams drove downfield and scored. The Patriots' defense was unable to stop Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
and get the ball back late in the game, as the Rams salted away a 24–17 win. The win proved costly, as five Rams starters were knocked out of the game, and coach Mike Martz
Mike Martz
Michael Martz is a former NFL head coach and currently the offensive coordinator for the National Football League's Chicago Bears....
said afterward that the Patriots were a Super Bowl-caliber team.
- November 25 vs. New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
:
Drew Bledsoe
Drew Bledsoe
Drew McQueen Bledsoe is a former football quarterback in the National Football League, best known as the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots from 1993-2001. During the 1990s, he was considered the face of the Patriots franchise...
was medically cleared to return to the field, but Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick
William Stephen "Bill" Belichick is an American football head coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. After spending his first 15 seasons in the league as an assistant coach, Belichick got his first head coaching job with the Cleveland Browns in 1991...
ruled that Brady would remain the starter. Brady responded with four touchdowns in a 34–17 triumph. Ricky Williams
Ricky Williams
Errick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
, soon to leave the Saints for the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, rushed for 56 yards and a touchdown in his first encounter with the Patriots.
- December 2 at New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
:
The Jets bullied the Patriots en route to a 13–0 halftime lead, but the Patriots stormed back, scoring 14 third-quarter points en route to a 17–16 win. During the game the Jets appeared to lose a fumble to the Patriots, but the fumble was reversed based on a rule that would become controversial in the subsequent playoffs - the Tuck Rule
Tuck rule
The tuck rule is a rule in American football, currently used only by the National Football League .Introduced in 1999, it reads:NFL Rule 3, Section 22, Article 2, Note 2. When [an offensive] player is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional forward movement of his arm starts a forward...
.
- December 16 at Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
:
Field goals ruled the day as Shayne Graham
Shayne Graham
Michael Shayne Graham is an American football placekicker. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2000, and most recently played with the New England Patriots...
and Adam Vinatieri
Adam Vinatieri
Adam Matthew Vinatieri is an American football placekicker currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in six Super Bowls, four with the New England Patriots and two with the Colts, winning four. Vinatieri won a Super Bowl in 2006 with Indianapolis and won Super Bowls in 2001,...
kicked seven combined in a 12-9 overtime Patriots win. The most controversial play came in overtime when David Patten
David Patten
David Patten is a former American football wide receiver. He was signed by the Albany Firebirds as a street free agent in 1996. He played college football at Western Carolina....
caught a pass and was knocked out of bounds; the ball bounced off his feet and was recovered by the Bills, but the play went to review and it was determined that Patten, momentarily unconscious, had his head out of bounds when the ball touched his feet; by rule the ball was dead. The Patriots thus retained possession enough for the game-winning 23-yard field goal.
- December 23 vs. Miami DolphinsMiami DolphinsThe Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
:
The Patriots defeated the Dolphins (20–13) for the first time since November 23, 1998
1998 New England Patriots season
The 1998 New England Patriots season was the 29th season for the team in the National Football League and 39th season overall. They finished with a 9–7 record, good for fourth place in the division but also a playoff berth; they lost in the first round to the Jacksonville Jaguars.In the offseason,...
in the final regular season game for Foxboro Stadium
Foxboro Stadium
Foxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts...
. During halftime Patriot greats of the past and present were paraded with each commemorating a season of the stadium's 31-season existence – John Hannah represented 1973 (the year he was drafted by New England), Steve Grogan
Steve Grogan
Steve James Grogan is a former American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. Grogan played for the Patriots for his entire NFL career, from 1975 to 1990.-High school and college:...
represented 1976
1976 New England Patriots season
The 1976 New England Patriots season was the seventh season for the team in the National Football League and 17th season overall. After a nine-year stretch in which they posted just one .500 season amid eight losing years, the Patriots turned around their fortunes, going 11–3 and rushing for 2,957...
(the year of the infamous "Ben Dreith game" against Oakland
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
), Drew Bledsoe
Drew Bledsoe
Drew McQueen Bledsoe is a former football quarterback in the National Football League, best known as the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots from 1993-2001. During the 1990s, he was considered the face of the Patriots franchise...
represented 1996
1996 New England Patriots season
The New England Patriots participated in the National Football League's 1996 season, the team's 37th in football. The Patriots finished with a record of eleven wins and five losses, and finished first in the AFC East division...
(the Super Bowl XXXI
Super Bowl XXXI
Super Bowl XXXI was an American football game played on January 26, 1997, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 1996 regular season. The National Football Conference champion Green Bay Packers defeated the American...
season), and so forth. During the game itself Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
caught a 23-yard pass from Kevin Faulk
Kevin Faulk
Kevin Troy Faulk is an American football running back for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at LSU.As of 2010, Faulk is the longest-tenured current member of the Patriots,...
and threw for 109 yards himself, as the Patriots raced out to an early lead and held off a late Dolphins rally to earn sole 1st place in the AFC East.
Week 1 roster
| New England Patriots 2001 Week 1 roster | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
|
Offensive Linemen
Joe Andruzzi Joseph Dominick Andruzzi is a former American football offensive guard. In May 2007 he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.-College career:... G Kenyatta Jones Kenyatta Lapoleon Jones is an American football offensive tackle for the New York Sentinels of the United Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft... T/G R Adrian Klemm Adrian William Klemm is a former National Football League offensive lineman, who played for the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers. He is perhaps best known for being drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft, the same draft in which they selected Tom... T Matt Light Matthew Charles Light is an American football offensive tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.-Early years:Light was born in Greenville, Ohio... T R Greg Robinson-Randall Greg Wayne Robinson-Randall is an arena football offensive lineman / defensive lineman for the New York Dragons of the Arena Football League. He was originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots... T Grey Ruegamer Christopher Grey Ruegamer [ROO-gah-mer] is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft... C/G Grant Williams (American football) Grant James Williams is a former American football offensive tackle who played nine seasons in the National Football League. He was a member of the Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots in 2002. He is not to be mixed up with Brock Williams who is the player who pawned his super bowl ring for... T Damien Woody Damien Michael Woody is a former American football offensive lineman who played for the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions and New York Jets of the National Football League... C Defensive Linemen
|
Linebackers
Tedy Bruschi Tedy Lacap Bruschi is a former professional American football linebacker. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft... ILB Bryan Cox Bryan Keith Cox is a former American football linebacker who played twelve seasons in the NFL from 1991 through 2002. He was a member of the New England Patriots club that won Super Bowl XXXVI... ILB Larry Izzo Lawrence Alexander Izzo is a retired American football Linebacker and special teamer and current assistant special teams coach for the New York Giants. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 1996... ILB Ted Johnson Ted Curtis Johnson is a former American football player in the National Football League. He grew up in Carlsbad, California where he graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1991. From there he attended the University of Colorado and was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 1995 NFL... ILB Willie McGinest William Lee "Willie" McGinest, Jr. is a retired American football linebacker in the National Football League.-Early life and career:... OLB/DE Marty Moore Marty Moore and raised in Fort Thomas, Kentucky is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for eight seasons for the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns. Moore also holds the distinction of being the first Mr. Irrelevant ever to play in a Super Bowl... ILB Roman Phifer Roman Zubinsky Phifer is a former American football linebacker of the National Football League. He is currently the assistant linebackers coach for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. Phifer's documentary film Blood Equity was released in November, 2009.Phifer played for the New... OLB Mike Vrabel Michael George "Mike" Vrabel is an assistant coach at Ohio State. He is a retired American football linebacker in the National Football League. Vrabel spent 14 seasons in the NFL, having played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and most recently, the Kansas City Chiefs... OLB Defensive Backs
Special Teams
|
Reserve Lists
Terry Glenn Terry Tyree Glenn is a retired American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the New England Patriots seventh overall in the 1996 NFL Draft... WR (Left Squad) Ray Hill (American football) Raymond Millous Hill is a former college and professional American football player. He was a defensive back at Michigan State, and played four seasons in the NFL, splitting three seasons between the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills... CB (IR) Jabari Holloway Jabari Jelani Holloway is a former American football tight end in the National Football League for the New England Patriots and Houston Texans. He was drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft after playing college football at the University of Notre Dame... TE (IR) R Andy Katzenmoyer Andrew Warren Katzenmoyer is a former professional American football player and the first Butkus Award-winning middle linebacker to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes... ILB (IR) Arther Love Arther Lee Love is a former professional American football tight end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League.... TE (PUP) R Brock Williams Brock Williams is a former professional American football cornerback. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.... CB (IR) R Practice Squad
Notations
|
|||||
Divisional Round vs. Oakland Raiders
The game, the final one in the history of Foxboro StadiumFoxboro Stadium
Foxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts...
, played in a heavy snowfall, will be remembered for a call near the end of the game, in which the referees initially ruled that New England quarterback Tom Brady had fumbled on a pass attempt, with Oakland protecting a three-point lead. Invoking the "tuck rule
Tuck rule
The tuck rule is a rule in American football, currently used only by the National Football League .Introduced in 1999, it reads:NFL Rule 3, Section 22, Article 2, Note 2. When [an offensive] player is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional forward movement of his arm starts a forward...
", where a ball is ruled an incomplete pass after the quarterback starts any forward motion, the referee overturned the decision after reviewing the instant replay
Instant replay
Instant replay is the replaying of video footage of an event or incident very soon after it has occurred. In television broadcasting of sports events, instant replay is often used during live broadcast, to show a passage of play which was important or remarkable, or which was unclear on first...
, calling the drop an incomplete pass rather than a fumble.
Both teams struggled in the heavy snow storm during the first half, combining for the same number of punts as first downs (11) and converting only one of 13 third downs. However, Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon
Rich Gannon
Richard Joseph Gannon is a former football quarterback, who achieved most of his success late in his career with the Oakland Raiders in the National Football League...
was efficient, completing 10 of 14 passes for 87 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown pass to James Jett
James Jett
James S. Jett , is a former American football wide receiver and Olympic sprinter who played nine seasons for the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders from 1993 to 2002, in the National Football League...
early in the second quarter.
In the second half, things began to open up, especially for New England, who almost completely abandoned their running game and relied on Brady. He ended up completing 26 of 39 passes for 238 yards in the second half. On the opening drive of the third quarter, he led the Patriots 62 yards in 12 plays to the Raiders' 5-yard line, where Adam Vinatieri
Adam Vinatieri
Adam Matthew Vinatieri is an American football placekicker currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in six Super Bowls, four with the New England Patriots and two with the Colts, winning four. Vinatieri won a Super Bowl in 2006 with Indianapolis and won Super Bowls in 2001,...
made a 23-yard field goal to cut the score, 7-3. Oakland responded with a 10-play, 43 yard drive, and scored a 38-yard field goal from Sebastian Janikowski
Sebastian Janikowski
Sebastian Janikowski is a left-footed Polish placekicker who plays for the National Football League's Oakland Raiders. He is nicknamed The Polish Cannon because he is considered to have one of the strongest kicking legs in the league, and leads the NFL in kickoffs for touchbacks. He lives in...
. Then after forcing a punt, a 22-yard reception by receiver Jerry Rice
Jerry Rice
Jerry Lee Rice is a retired American football wide receiver. He is generally regarded as the greatest wide receiver of all time and one of the greatest players in National Football League history...
set up Janikowski's second field goal, giving the Raiders a 13-3 lead with 2 minutes left in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Brady led the Patriots on a 10-play, 67-yard drive, completing 9 consecutive passes for 61 yards and finishing it with a 6-yard touchdown run. Later in the quarter, the infamous "tuck" incident occurred. As Brady dropped back to pass, he lost the ball while being tackled by former college teammate Charles Woodson
Charles Woodson
Charles C. Woodson is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He played college football at the University of Michigan for the Michigan Wolverines. In 1997, Woodson led the Wolverines to a national championship...
, and Oakland linebacker Greg Biekert
Greg Biekert
Greg Biekert is a former American football linebacker and current linebackers coach for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. Biekert attended Longs Peak Middle School and Longmont High School in Longmont, Colorado where he lettered in football. Biekert was a standout linebacker...
recovered it with 1:47 left. However, an instant replay challenge caused referee Walt Coleman to overturn the fumble, ruling Brady's arm had been moving forward while being tackled and making the play an incomplete pass. Taking advantage of his second chance, Brady led the Patriots inside the Raiders' 30-yard line where Vinatieri made a 45-yard field goal with 27 seconds left, a dramatic kick through heavy snowfall that barely cleared the crossbar, sending the game into overtime.
New England won the coin toss and drove for the winning field goal on a possession that featured a risky fourth down and 4 conversion attempt from Brady, who threw a 6-yard pass to David Patten
David Patten
David Patten is a former American football wide receiver. He was signed by the Albany Firebirds as a street free agent in 1996. He played college football at Western Carolina....
at the Raiders' 22-yard line to keep the drive alive. Following five runs from Antowain Smith
Antowain Smith
Antowain Drurell Smith is a former American Football running back in the National Football League who played nine NFL seasons, most notably with the New England Patriots. At 6'2", , Smith's powerful running style made him an effective runner between the tackles...
and one from Brady, Vinatieri made a 23-yard field goal to win the game.
- Scoring
- OAK - Jett 13 pass from Gannon (Janikowski kick) OAK 7-0
- NE - field goal Vinatieri 23 OAK 7-3
- OAK - field goal Janikowski 38 OAK 10-3
- OAK - field goal Janikowski 45 OAK 13-3
- NE - Brady 6 run (Vinatieri kick) OAK 13-10
- NE - field goal Vinatieri 45 Tie 13-13
- NE - field goal Vinatieri 23 NE 16-13
AFC Championship Game at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Patriots' storybook season continued as Drew BledsoeDrew Bledsoe
Drew McQueen Bledsoe is a former football quarterback in the National Football League, best known as the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots from 1993-2001. During the 1990s, he was considered the face of the Patriots franchise...
came into the game in the second quarter in place of an injured Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
- who replaced Bledsoe himself early in the season when he suffered a sheared blood vessel.
Patriots receiver Troy Brown
Troy Brown
Troy Fitzgerald Brown is a former NFL wide receiver, cornerback and punt returner in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Marshall...
opened up the scoring with a 55-yard punt return touchdown with 3:42 left in the first quarter. Pittsburgh responded by driving 65 yards in 10 plays and scoring with a 30-yard field goal from Kris Brown
Kris Brown
Kristopher "Kris" Clayton Brown is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent.He was originally drafted in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the first six years of his NFL career, he has converted 132 of 173 field goals and scored 573 points...
. Later in the quarter, Brady completed a 28-yard pass to Brown at the Steelers 40-yard line, but was knocked out of the game on the play. Bledsoe took over without missing a beat, rushing for four yards and completing three passes to David Patten
David Patten
David Patten is a former American football wide receiver. He was signed by the Albany Firebirds as a street free agent in 1996. He played college football at Western Carolina....
for 37 yards, the last one an 11-yard touchdown to give the Patriots a 14-3 lead.
On the first drive of the second half, New England linebacker Tedy Bruschi
Tedy Bruschi
Tedy Lacap Bruschi is a former professional American football linebacker. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft...
recovered a fumbled snap on the Steelers 35-yard line. But the Patriots gained only two yards on their next 4 plays and ended up turning the ball over on downs. Pittsburgh subsequently drove 52 yards to the 16-yard line to set up Brown's second field goal attempt, but this time his kick was blocked by defensive tackle Brandon Mitchell
Brandon Mitchell (defensive end)
Brandon Mitchell is a former American football defensive lineman who played eight seasons in the National Football League. He started in Super Bowl XXXVI for the New England Patriots....
and Troy Brown recovered the ball. After returning it 11 yards, Brown threw a lateral pass
Lateral pass
In American football, a lateral pass or lateral, officially backward pass , occurs when the ball carrier throws the football to any teammate behind him or directly next to him...
to Antwan Harris
Antwan Harris
Melvin Antwan Harris is a former professional American football player who played defensive back for six seasons for the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He won two Super Bowls with the Patriots in 2002 and 2004...
, who took the ball the remaining 45 yards for a touchdown to increase New England's lead to 21-3.
The Steelers struck back with quarterback Kordell Stewart
Kordell Stewart
Kordell Stewart, nicknamed "Slash" , is a former American NFL quarterback. Stewart attended the University of Colorado and was drafted 60th in the 1995 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers...
completing a 24-yard pass to Hines Ward
Hines Ward
Hines E. Ward, Jr. is an American football player who currently plays the wide receiver position for the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers, where he is the longest-tenured current player on the team. He was voted MVP of Super Bowl XL. He played college football at the University of Georgia...
and a 19-yard screen pass
Screen pass
A screen pass is a type of play in American football. During a screen pass, a number of things happen concurrently in order to fool the defense into thinking a long pass is being thrown, when in fact the pass is merely a short one, just beyond the defensive linemen. Screens are usually deployed...
to Amos Zereoue
Amos Zereoue
Amos Zereoué is an African-born former American football player in the National Football League, who last played for the New England Patriots...
on an 8-play, 79-yard drive. Jerome Bettis
Jerome Bettis
Jerome Abram "The Bus" Bettis is a retired American football halfback who played for the NFL's Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers. Bettis is considered one of the best big backs ever because his footwork and power, and is currently fifth on the National Football League's all-time...
finished it off with a 1-yard touchdown run, cutting the score to 21–10 with 5:11 left in the third quarter. New England was forced to punt after linebacker Jason Gildon
Jason Gildon
Jason Larue Gildon is a former linebacker for the National Football League's Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars . He was selected to three Pro Bowl teams from 2000, 2001, and 2002, and is currently the Steelers all-time career sacks leader with 77.0 quarterback take-downs...
sacked Bledsoe on third down, and Troy Edwards
Troy Edwards
Troy Edwards , is a professional American football player who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1st round of the 1999 NFL Draft. A wide receiver from Louisiana Tech University, Edwards led the nation in receiving during his senior year in college with 140 receptions for 1,996 yards and...
returned the punt 28 yards to the Patriots 32-yard line. Five plays later, Zereoue scored with an 11-yard touchdown run, making the score 21–17.
Early in the fourth quarter, Adam Vinatieri
Adam Vinatieri
Adam Matthew Vinatieri is an American football placekicker currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in six Super Bowls, four with the New England Patriots and two with the Colts, winning four. Vinatieri won a Super Bowl in 2006 with Indianapolis and won Super Bowls in 2001,...
's 44-yard field goal increased New England's lead to 24–17. Later in the period, the Patriots made two key stops to clinch the victory. First, safety Tebucky Jones
Tebucky Jones
Tebucky Shermain Jones is a former American football safety in the National Football League. His career began when he was drafted out of Syracuse University in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He is best known for his role on the 2001 Patriots team that won...
intercepted a pass from Stewart and returned it 19 yards to the Steelers 34-yard line. Pittsburgh's defense managed to prevent a first down and Vinatieri missed a 50-yard field goal attempt that would have sealed the game, giving the Steelers the ball back on their own 40-yard line, but a few plays later, Lawyer Milloy
Lawyer Milloy
Lawyer Marzell Milloy is an American football safety. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Washington....
intercepted a pass from Stewart with 2:02 left to seal the game, and the Patriots were able to run out the rest of the clock.
- Scoring
- NE - Brown 55 punt return (Vinatieri kick) NE 7-0
- PIT - field goal Brown 30 NE 7-3
- NE - Patten 11 pass from Bledsoe (Vinatieri kick) NE 14-3
- NE - Harris 45 lateral from Brown (Vinatieri kick) NE 21-3
- PIT - Bettis 1 run (Brown kick) NE 21-10
- PIT - Zereoue 11 run (Brown kick) NE 21-17
- NE - field goal Vinatieri 44 NE 24-17
Super Bowl XXXVI vs. St. Louis Rams
The Rams scored first midway through the first quarter, driving 48 yards in 10 plays to set up a 50-yard field goal by kicker Jeff WilkinsJeff Wilkins
For the American basketball player, see Jeff Wilkins .Jeffrey Allen Wilkins nicknamed "Money" is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles and St Louis Rams. He played college football at Youngstown State University...
. At the time, the field goal was the third longest in Super Bowl history. The rest of the quarter was scoreless.
Early in the second quarter, the Rams drove to New England's 34-yard line, but quarterback Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
threw an incompletion on third down, and Wilkins' subsequent 52-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left.
With 8:49 left in the second quarter, New England defensive back Ty Law
Ty Law
Tajuan "Ty" Law is a retired football cornerback of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots 23rd overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan....
intercepted a pass intended for receiver Isaac Bruce
Isaac Bruce
Isaac Isidore Bruce is a retired American football wide receiver. He was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Memphis....
and scored on a 47-yard return to give the Patriots a 7-3 lead. With less than two minutes left in the first half, Warner completed a pass to receiver Ricky Proehl
Ricky Proehl
Richard Scott Proehl is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. Proehl played 17 seasons with the Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams, Carolina Panthers, and Indianapolis Colts...
at the Patriots 40-yard line, but New England defensive back Antwan Harris
Antwan Harris
Melvin Antwan Harris is a former professional American football player who played defensive back for six seasons for the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He won two Super Bowls with the Patriots in 2002 and 2004...
forced a fumble while tackling him, which was recovered by Patriots defensive back Terrell Buckley
Terrell Buckley
Douglas Terrell Buckley is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League....
. New England quarterback Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
would lead a drive that culminated with an 8-yard touchdown pass to receiver David Patten
David Patten
David Patten is a former American football wide receiver. He was signed by the Albany Firebirds as a street free agent in 1996. He played college football at Western Carolina....
with 31 seconds left in the half to give New England a 14-3 halftime lead. This was the first time in the 2001 season that St. Louis fell behind in a game by more than eight points.
The Patriots took the opening kickoff of the second half, but could only reach the St. Louis 43-yard line before being forced to punt. Aided by a 20-yard reception by wide receiver Az-Zahir Hakim
Az-Zahir Hakim
Az-Zahir Ali Hakim is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
, a 22-yard reception by Bruce, and a defensive pass interference penalty on Patriots defensive back Otis Smith, the Rams advanced to the New England 41-yard line. However, on the next play, linebacker Mike Vrabel
Mike Vrabel
Michael George "Mike" Vrabel is an assistant coach at Ohio State. He is a retired American football linebacker in the National Football League. Vrabel spent 14 seasons in the NFL, having played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and most recently, the Kansas City Chiefs...
and defensive lineman Richard Seymour
Richard Seymour
Richard Vershaun Seymour is an American football defensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots sixth overall in the 2001 NFL Draft...
sacked Warner for a 9-yard loss. Warner then threw 2 consecutive incomplete passes, which resulted in the Rams punting.
Later in the third quarter, Otis Smith intercepted a pass intended for Rams wide receiver Torry Holt
Torry Holt
After injuring his knee at the Senior Bowl, Holt, at 192 pounds, ran a 4.44 second 40-yard dash and had a vertical jump of 37 inches at the 1999 NFL Combine-St. Louis Rams:...
after Holt slipped while coming off the line of scrimmage, and returned the ball 30 yards to the Rams 33-yard line. Though St. Louis' defense did not give up a touchdown to the Patriots, kicker Adam Vinatieri
Adam Vinatieri
Adam Matthew Vinatieri is an American football placekicker currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in six Super Bowls, four with the New England Patriots and two with the Colts, winning four. Vinatieri won a Super Bowl in 2006 with Indianapolis and won Super Bowls in 2001,...
made a 37-yard field goal to increase New England's lead to 17-3.
The Rams responded by driving to the Patriots' 3-yard line on their ensuing drive. On fourth-and-goal, the Rams attempted to score a touchdown, calling for a quarterback sneak by Warner. Warner fumbled the ball while being tackled by linebacker Roman Phifer
Roman Phifer
Roman Zubinsky Phifer is a former American football linebacker of the National Football League. He is currently the assistant linebackers coach for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. Phifer's documentary film Blood Equity was released in November, 2009.Phifer played for the New...
, which was recovered by defensive back Tebucky Jones
Tebucky Jones
Tebucky Shermain Jones is a former American football safety in the National Football League. His career began when he was drafted out of Syracuse University in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He is best known for his role on the 2001 Patriots team that won...
who returned it 97 yards for a touchdown that would have increased the Patriots lead to 23-3. However, the play was nullified by a holding penalty on linebacker Willie McGinest
Willie McGinest
William Lee "Willie" McGinest, Jr. is a retired American football linebacker in the National Football League.-Early life and career:...
, which in turn gave the Rams a first down on the 1-yard line instead. On second down, Warner scored on a 2-yard touchdown run to make the score 17-10, Patriots.
After Warner's touchdown, the Rams defense forced the Patriots to a three-and-out. St. Louis then drove from their own 7-yard line to the New England 36-yard line, aided by a 30-yard reception by Proehl. However, McGinest sacked Warner for a 16-yard loss on second down, pushing the Rams back to their 46-yard line. St. Louis ended up punting after Warner's third down pass was incomplete.
The Rams forced New England to another three-and-out, and got the ball back on their own 45-yard line with 1:51 left in the game. Warner threw three consecutive completions: an 18-yard pass to Hakim, an 11-yard one to receiver Yo Murphy
Yo Murphy
Llewellyn "Yo" Murphy is a former Gridiron football player of multiple professional leagues. He is currently the head coach of the Tampa Breeze of the Lingerie Football League. He was originally signed by the BC Lions as an undrafted free agent in 1993...
, and finally a 26-yard touchdown completion to Proehl that tied the game 17-17 with 1:30 left in the fourth quarter.
The Patriots had no timeouts left for their ensuing drive, which resulted in color commentator
Color commentator
A color commentator is a sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer, often by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the play-by-play announcer is not describing the...
John Madden initially suggesting that the Patriots should run out the clock and attempt to win to overtime. Instead, New England attempted to get the winning score in regulation on the final drive. Brady opened the drive with three completions to running back J.R. Redmond
J.R. Redmond
Joseph Robert "J.R." Redmond is an American football running back who is a free agent in the National Football League...
, which moved the ball to their 41-yard line with 33 seconds left. After an incomplete pass, Brady completed a 23-yard pass to wide receiver Troy Brown
Troy Brown
Troy Fitzgerald Brown is a former NFL wide receiver, cornerback and punt returner in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Marshall...
, and followed it up with a 6-yard completion to tight end Jermaine Wiggins
Jermaine Wiggins
Jermaine Wiggins is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 1999. He played college football at Georgia....
to advance to the Rams' 30-yard line. Brady then spiked the ball with seven seconds left, which set up Vinatieri's 48-yard field goal attempt. Vinatieri's game-winning kick was successful, marking the first (and so far, only) time in Super Bowl history that a game was won by a score on the final play.
- Scoring
- STL - FG: Jeff Wilkins 50 yards 3-0 STL 3:10. Drive: 10 plays,48 yards in 5:05
- NE - TD: Ty Law 47 yard interception return (Adam Vinatieri kick) 7-3 NE 8:49
- NE - TD: David Patten 8 yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick) 14-3 NE 0:31. Drive: 5 plays, 40 yards in 0:49
- NE - FG: Adam Vinatieri 37 yards 17-3 NE 1:18. Drive: 5 plays, 14 yards in 2:07
- STL - TD: Kurt Warner 2 yard run (Jeff Wilkins kick) 17-10 NE 9:31. Drive:12 plays, 77 yards in 6:47
- STL - TD: Ricky Proehl 26 yard pass from Kurt Warner (Jeff Wilkins kick) 17-17 tie 1:30 Drive: 3 plays, 55 yards in 0:21
- NE - FG: Adam Vinatieri 48 yards 20-17 NE 0:00 Drive: 9 plays, 53 yards in 1:30
Final roster
| New England Patriots 2001 final roster | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
|
Offensive Linemen
Joe Andruzzi Joseph Dominick Andruzzi is a former American football offensive guard. In May 2007 he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.-College career:... G Kenyatta Jones Kenyatta Lapoleon Jones is an American football offensive tackle for the New York Sentinels of the United Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft... T/G R Matt Light Matthew Charles Light is an American football offensive tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.-Early years:Light was born in Greenville, Ohio... T R Stephen Neal Stephen Matthew Neal is a former American football guard who played his entire career for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He is a former national champion amateur and collegiate wrestler at Cal State-Bakersfield... T/G Greg Robinson-Randall Greg Wayne Robinson-Randall is an arena football offensive lineman / defensive lineman for the New York Dragons of the Arena Football League. He was originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots... T Grey Ruegamer Christopher Grey Ruegamer [ROO-gah-mer] is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft... C/G Grant Williams (American football) Grant James Williams is a former American football offensive tackle who played nine seasons in the National Football League. He was a member of the Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots in 2002. He is not to be mixed up with Brock Williams who is the player who pawned his super bowl ring for... T Damien Woody Damien Michael Woody is a former American football offensive lineman who played for the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions and New York Jets of the National Football League... C Defensive Linemen
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Linebackers
Tedy Bruschi Tedy Lacap Bruschi is a former professional American football linebacker. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft... ILB Matt Chatham Matt Chatham is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He played college football at South Dakota.-High school years:... OLB Bryan Cox Bryan Keith Cox is a former American football linebacker who played twelve seasons in the NFL from 1991 through 2002. He was a member of the New England Patriots club that won Super Bowl XXXVI... ILB Larry Izzo Lawrence Alexander Izzo is a retired American football Linebacker and special teamer and current assistant special teams coach for the New York Giants. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 1996... OLB Ted Johnson Ted Curtis Johnson is a former American football player in the National Football League. He grew up in Carlsbad, California where he graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1991. From there he attended the University of Colorado and was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 1995 NFL... ILB Roman Phifer Roman Zubinsky Phifer is a former American football linebacker of the National Football League. He is currently the assistant linebackers coach for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. Phifer's documentary film Blood Equity was released in November, 2009.Phifer played for the New... OLB Mike Vrabel Michael George "Mike" Vrabel is an assistant coach at Ohio State. He is a retired American football linebacker in the National Football League. Vrabel spent 14 seasons in the NFL, having played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and most recently, the Kansas City Chiefs... OLB Defensive Backs
Special Teams
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Reserve Lists
Hakim Akbar Akmal Hakim Akbar is a former American football Linebacker of the National Football League and Canadian Football League. He was originally drafted by the New England Patriots in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL Draft... SS (NF-Inj.) R Terry Glenn Terry Tyree Glenn is a retired American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the New England Patriots seventh overall in the 1996 NFL Draft... WR (Left Squad) Ray Hill (American football) Raymond Millous Hill is a former college and professional American football player. He was a defensive back at Michigan State, and played four seasons in the NFL, splitting three seasons between the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills... CB (IR) Jabari Holloway Jabari Jelani Holloway is a former American football tight end in the National Football League for the New England Patriots and Houston Texans. He was drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft after playing college football at the University of Notre Dame... TE (IR) R Curtis Jackson (American football) Curtis Jackson is a former American football player. He played with the New England Patriots in 2002, and was a part of their Super Bowl XXXVI championship season. He then joined the Kansas City Chiefs but did not see any action.-External links:*-References:... WR (IR) Andy Katzenmoyer Andrew Warren Katzenmoyer is a former professional American football player and the first Butkus Award-winning middle linebacker to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes... ILB (IR) Ben Kelly Benjamin Oliver Kelly is a former American football cornerback of the National Football League, Arena Football League and Canadian Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft... CB (IR) Adrian Klemm Adrian William Klemm is a former National Football League offensive lineman, who played for the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers. He is perhaps best known for being drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft, the same draft in which they selected Tom... OT (IR) Marty Moore Marty Moore and raised in Fort Thomas, Kentucky is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for eight seasons for the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns. Moore also holds the distinction of being the first Mr. Irrelevant ever to play in a Super Bowl... ILB (IR) Jace Sayler James M. "Jace" Sayler is a former professional American football defensive tackle. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2001... DT (IR) UR Brock Williams Brock Williams is a former professional American football cornerback. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.... CB (IR) R Practice Squad
Notations
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