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Patriots team of the 70s

Email|Link|Comments (9) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff March 30, 2009 07:15 PM

A group of writers, broadcasters and team officials gathered today at Gillette Stadium and selected Patriots All-Decade Teams for the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

The All-Decade Team for the 1960s was voted on in 1971.

Selecting All-Decade Teams will be a tradition moving forward, with the 2000s All-Decade Team being selected next year.

The All-Decade Teams that were selected today formed the basis for the 50th Anniversary Team, along with current star players. The 50th Anniversary Team was voted on today and will be announced later this year as part of the ongoing 50th Anniversary celebrations.

Here is the 1970s All-Decade Team:

OFFENSE
OTs: Leon Gray, Tom Neville
Gs: John Hannah, Sam Adams
C: Bill Lenkaitis
TE: Russ Francis
WRs: Stanley Morgan, Randy Vataha
QB: Steve Grogan
RBs: Sam Cunningham, Andy Johnson

DEFENSE
DEs: Julius Adams, Tony McGee
NT: Ray Hamilton
OLBs: Steve Zabel, Steve King
ILBs: Steve Nelson, Sam Hunt
CBs: Raymond Clayborn, Mike Haynes
S: Tim Fox, Prentice McCray

SPECIAL TEAMS/COACHING
K: John Smith
P: Mike Patrick
Returner: Mack Herron
Special teams: Most Tatupu
Head coach: Chuck Fairbanks

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9 comments so far...

"Most" as in most capable of running in snow, mud or snud NE weather...yeah boss, he belongs on the list!

Posted by KMK March 30, 09 08:48 PM

What about Steve Kiner as best entertainer? :)

Posted by FanSinceThe60s March 30, 09 10:31 PM

God, to have a pair like Haynes and Clayborn now.

Posted by Vic Mackey March 31, 09 01:59 AM

Wish we had cornerbacks like that today!

Posted by FXHiggins March 31, 09 02:58 AM

Funny Thats When I Became A Pats Fan In 1976 One Of Grogan's Heroes Here In NY I Was A Tarkenton Vikes Fan As Well If It Wasn't For That Phantom Call VS Raiders It Would Have Been Pats VS Vikes 1976 Superbowl. Sentimental Props To D Stingley
Da Bronx Rocks, GO PATS!

Posted by DaBronxPats14 March 31, 09 01:02 PM

Love the pick of Mack Herron as returner. He was not only a great returner but he was an exciting half-back behind Sam Bam for a while before falling off the face of the earth. Anyone know what happened to him?

Posted by Gregg March 31, 09 04:34 PM

My only problem is Mosi Tatupu is on the list as Special teams. Don't get me wrong, he was a GREAT Patriot and still is very active in the community over at Curry College in Milton, Mass. But how can a guy make an all decade team when he was a rookie is '78 and only had 2 seasons for a sample size. Mosi should definitely be on the all 80s team. But putting him on this team would be like having Jim Bowman on the all 80s team for special teams because he recovered a couple fumbles in '85.
'Mosies Mooses' #30 was the man!

Posted by Craig March 31, 09 08:13 PM

great teams the Pats had in the '70; expecially in the 1976-1978

pity that they were unable to win a Super Bowl but great great players

Posted by sairus April 1, 09 06:01 AM

Its about time we had some more talk about the phantom ruffing the passer to give those no good #$^%$# raiders a 5th down.I now live in Cincinnati and have to listen to people talk about the in the cluch rule.Well what comes around goes around

Posted by dave evans April 1, 09 01:08 PM

DO NOT HIT THE SUBMIT BUTTON MORE THAN ONCE!

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Mike Reiss, Christopher L. Gasper and the rest of the Globe team provide regular updates –and a behind-the-scenes look– on the daily happenings of the Patriots.

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