Two more playoff games are scheduled for today -- Baltimore/Miami and Philadelphia/Minnesota -- and here is a look at players with Patriots ties:
Baltimore
Corey Ivy -- Veteran cornerback was with the Patriots as a rookie in 1999 but did not appear in a game. He plays in sub packages and on special teams.
Miami
Patrick Cobbs -- Running back flashed potential in 2006 training camp, but with a crowd ahead of him, he was traded to the Steelers before the season began. He's a third option behind Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.
Philadelphia
Kyle Eckel -- Fullback appeared in 12 games for the Patriots in the 2007 season, mostly on special teams, and was with the club in 2008 training camp. In five games this season, he's totaled 24 carries.
Dan Klecko -- Defensive lineman, a fourth-round draft choice of the Patriots in 2003, played in 29 games with three starts from 2003-2005. He's played in all 16 games this season for the first time in his career (3 starts), and has totaled four tackles and two sacks.
Asante Samuel -- Cornerback, one of two Patriots fourth-round draft choices in 2003, played in 75 games with 53 starts from 2003-2007. Signed as a marquee free agent by the Eagles this past offseason, he's totaled four interceptions this season and has been a shutdown presence.
Minnesota
David Herron -- Linebacker was claimed off waivers prior to the 2007 season opener, which came at the same time that the Vikings claimed former Patriots tight end Garrett Mills off waivers and was viewed by some as retaliation (Herron didn't appear in a game with New England). He is a backup on defense for the Vikings and plays on special teams.
Garrett Mills -- Tight end was originally selected by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2006 draft, and while he flashed promise in the preseason, he never appeared in a game after being waived prior to the start of the regular 2007 season opener. He's played in eight games this season (0 starts) and has five catches.
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mills was on ir for 06 and was released sept 07, and klecko's been converted to fullback on a full-time basis.
Peyton Manning blows another platoff. game.An MVP does not lose a wildcard game at home. Manning is no Tom Brady. Watching the Colts get beat by a midget was fun to watch.
Garrett Mills was one of 2 draft picks (3rd and 4th round) they wasted on tight ends in the 2006 draft when they already had 2 first round tight ends on the roster (Dan Graham and Ben Watson). They should have been drafting LBs and DBs. So what happened in the 2006, 2007, 2008 seasons? Defense gives up 32 points in the 2nd half of the AFC championship against the Colts. Defense gives up 14 points in the 4th quarter of the Superbowl against the Giants. Defense is ranked near dead last in red zone, 3rd down, and is the reason they miss the playoffs in 2008. Who the h*ll is responsible for this tight end fetish!???
John, I'm pretty sure the game was in San Diego, so I don't know what the hell you were watching. . .
wheelsareoff,
Drafting TEs wasn't the problem. It was drafting *good* TEs that was the problem. Graham was a great blocking TE and decent in the red zone, but probably not worth a 1st round pick. Watson isn't very good -- he's an average blocker at best and has hands of stone. And we saw what Belichick thought of David Thomas by leaving him on the bench so often this year, so there's another apparent failure at TE. And they like using the TE position too. Look at how many snaps Watson was on the field for this year. Personally, I think it's a position they need to upgrade. I just don't trust that they're going to be able to draft one.
John Marshall, wildcard team doesn't play at home...
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