PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

The great (?), retired jersey number debate

by Leave a Comment

With Devin McCourty taking to social media and giving a bit of a boost to the discussion of jersey numbers, and with all rookies officially having their numbers assigned now, it really opened the opportunity to look into the opinions of the fans in regards to player numbers and those that are retired. 

So, with the new running back TreVeyon Henderson giving some “speed” to number 32…

I took to the socials to see what fans think…

Whilst the whole of the NFL have 163 players jersey numbers retired, the Chicago Bears and New York Giants top the list with the most at 14. The Patriots have 8. 

Moreover, there has been a recent news topic of how the University of Colorado has retired numbers 2 and 12 just as QB Shedeur Sanders and the blue chip talent of Travis Hunter were drafted. 

This throws the narrative wide open, considering the amount of available numbers (without any being retired) and the size of football rosters. 

The retired numbers for the Patriots are: 

20 Gino Cappelletti

40 Mike Haynes

57 Steve Nelson

73 John Hannah

78 Bruce Armstrong

79 Jim Lee Hunt

89 Rob Dee

And of course… 

12 Tom Brady

So, as I mentioned above, I took to the socials to establish the fan perspective, and I must admit I was surprised that the outcome was as close as it was. A whopping 45% voted that the retired numbers should stay as they are.

There were multiple comments along similar lines, of which I agree, that the Patriots Hall of Fame is there to honour the great players, so retiring jersey numbers should be for the truly exceptional. 

Now, this isn’t meant to throw shade on those guys with retired numbers. Not one bit. It’s just that maybe it would be fun to see the favoured numbers such as 89 on the back of a new star. Grow the greatness of the number. 

See it not as taking away from the talents of the likes of Rob Dee or number 40 Mike Haynes (who were rather before my time), but more the fun of the potential to increase the legacy. 

Just an opinion though. 

It’s easy to see why fans would want to hold on to the greatness that those numbers held. Nostalgia is a strong mistress. And whilst I appreciate I appear to be saying that’s wrong, I’m not. I’m just saying my view point is different as is 55% of the fan base that voted. 

So whilst the great Julian Edelman is inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame, his number is reported to be assigned to Joshua Dobbs this season. Now Jules is one of my favourite all-time players, but I’m happy to see 11 still out there ready for its new dynasty. 

It wouldn’t surprise you lovely lot to know that 87 is my “needs to be retired number” as I believe Gronk is the GOAT of TEs and a pivotal part of a certain quarterback’s epic success, but I respect the fact not all agree. 

However. There’s always the exception. The lightning in a bottle, and I think the one thing 99.9% of Pats fans agree on (a number I totally fudged) it’s that Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Junior’s number 12 shouldn’t be placed on the back of anyone else… ever.

Pats Procrastination Youtube show – Episode 62 – Patriots rookie mini camp and more!

by Leave a Comment

Join Chudders and Clazzy Clare as they discuss the first few looks at the Patriots rookies, discuss who they have their eye on, what the structure of the roster could begin to look like and wish a speedy recovery to DC Terrell Williams. 

Clazzy Clare and Chudders bring you a little Patriots chat, in a casual and light hearted show that (hopefully) has you feeling like you’re sitting back and having a laugh with some fellow Patriots buddies!

Don’t forget to kit yourself out for the upcoming summer with the exclusive designs at the Pats Prop Shop! Nab yourself the iconic 28 – 3 tee or how about you like those tight ends and you can not lie…?

I Like Tight Ends Short Sleeve Unisex T-Shirt

Pats Procrastination – YouTube show Episode 61 – the 2025 Draft – a conclusion!

by Leave a Comment

Catch up with Clazzy Clare and Chudders as they percolate (and debate!) all the additions to their beloved NEP following the 2025 NFL draft. 

Clazzy Clare and Chudders bring you a little Patriots chat, in a casual and light hearted show that (hopefully) has you feeling like you’re sitting back and having a laugh with some fellow Patriots buddies!

Pats Procrastination – YouTube show Episode 60 – the final countdown… to the Draft!

by Leave a Comment

Join Chudders and Clazzy Clare as they mull over their emotional prepared-ness for who the Patriots may select at four overall in this 2025 NFL draft, and much more!

Clazzy Clare and Chudders bring you a little Patriots chat, in a casual and light hearted show that (hopefully) has you feeling like you’re sitting back and having a laugh with some fellow Patriots buddies!

Pats Procrastination – YouTube show Episode 59 – countdown to the Draft!

by

Join Chudders and Clazzy Clare as they have their pre draft arguments and Clare presents her tight endage homework!

Clazzy Clare and Chudders bring you a little Patriots chat, in a casual and light hearted show that (hopefully) has you feeling like you’re sitting back and having a laugh with some fellow Patriots buddies!

Tight Endage!! Unisex T-Shirt

Pats Procrastination – YouTube show Episode 58 – ‘that’ signing and all the rest!

by

Join Chudders and Clazzy Clare as they discuss the latest addition to the NEP, their favourite quotes from the Coaches breakfast, and get argumentative about the draft that is swiftly approaching!

Clazzy Clare and Chudders bring you a little Patriots chat, in a casual and light hearted show that (hopefully) has you feeling like you’re sitting back and having a laugh with some fellow Patriots buddies!

A Bill? But can we Digg it?

by

Picture this if you will, a passionate Patriots fan who whilst is an advocate for the o-line and definitely a tight end kind of girl, she knows the need for wide receiver cannot be ignored.

And so, during the early days of free agency the Patriots picked up a guy, decent, WR3-4-5 perhaps? Can play on special teams, is said to be a great locker room presence and has a quirky personality. But… He was previously a Buffalo Bill. 

For this die hard Pats fan it was a tough pill to swallow. But it’s something we have to get used to as players are traded, selected, cut and picked up. But seriously a Bill…?!?

Perks were sought out, nerves were tempered and former Patriot Devin McCourty told the wonderful Karen Guregian of Mass Live, that he loved the signing and that Mack Hollins has an attitude that he believes will be really good for the team, so I can get on board. 

A veteran of 8 NFL seasons with several teams including Miami, and most recently Buffalo, the 6-foot-4, 221-pound wide receiver was a Philadelphia fourth round draft pick in 2017, and remained with the team until 2019. 

Hollins has a resume of 112 regular season games, playing his last in Buffalo with 13 starts, 31 receptions and 5 touchdowns. And can apparently, and let me quote the lovely McCourty twin here, “block the hell out of you in the run game.” Hmm, nice!

So they you go, he was a Bill and now he’s a Patriot. Okay I can cope, let’s go!

But wait… 

The wide receiver position is still an area of need, Hollins is a good piece, and whilst probably more productive last season than any Patriots WR, he isn’t that top pass catcher fans are pounding the table for. 

Okay so perhaps the draft? Let’s get Drake Maye that rookie wide out that can grow in the fold. We shan’t dwell on the fact that Chris Godwin stayed in Tampa Bay, or that DK Metcalf would rather freeze in Pittsburgh than Massachusetts and whilst Brandon Aiyuk may still be a possibility, his injury situation means he may not be a starter for 2025…

Hold up you lovely lot. 

Not content with challenging my venom for the Bills, the Patriots (rather inconveniently for this England resident as it was kind of late at night!) announced they were signing Stefon Diggs.

The former Houston Texan (and before that, Buffalo Bill!) had been to New England and spent time with Mike Vrabel. Not only that folks, Diggs had suddenly followed Drake Maye on Instagram! (If you can’t hear the sarcasm dripping in my tone there, there is no hope for you and I.)

But alas, the wide receiver headed home last week with no deal, and possibly with the hope of some Patriots fans fading in his wake. 

And yet! Those delicious Patriots decided to test me once more and here we have a new dawn and a new day with, gulp, another ex Bills player. 

Now before I get my butt kicked, I do know that Diggs had the majority of success and start of his career, in Minnesota as a Viking and was kinda Justin Jefferson before they drafted Justin Jefferson, but this Pats fan knows Diggs mostly as the Buffalo Bill spending four seasons from 2020 beating their defense!

2025 will be Diggs’ eleventh season in the NFL and he is 31 years old coming off a right knee ACL tear but, according to ESPN this six foot, 182 pound wide receiver is ranked 7th in the NFL since 2020 for touchdowns, so theres that. 

I’m guessing many fans are happy with these signings as ultimately the wide receiver room has potential for 2025 to be vastly improved, and I don’t disagree it’s just, Bills? Really? 

But I know how it is folks, we have to move on with what’s best for the team, and I wholeheartedly believe that and am excited to have some potential pizazz on this offense! So I can confidently say when these guys, and other free agency signings, suit up in Patriots colours I shall be all good, excited, passionate and positive, and I hope you will be too!

Even so, I may never forgive Coach Bill for trading away Ryan Izzo for a seventh round pick… sometimes folks, emotions just gotta win out. 

Go Pats!

This article is dedicated to John (aka CatManDude) who is heroically fighting cancer once again but is still a ray of sunshine in many people’s days. You’ve got this John! 

If you wish to delve into the list of free agents the Patriots have signed a little further, full list below, why not check out the latest episodes of Pats Procrastination on the Pats Propaganda Youtube channel! Episodes 56 and 57 are available now and should give you a good laugh in the process! (Links below). 

ED Harold Landry III: Signed (3 years, $43.5M)

LB Robert Spillane: Signed (3 years, $33M)

CB Carlton Davis III: Signed (3 years, $54M) 

OT Morgan Moses: Signed (3 years, $24M)

DL Milton Williams: Signed (4 years, $104M)

DT Khyiris Tonga: Signed (1 year, $2.1M) 

QB Joshua Dobbs: Signed (2 years, $8M) 

WR Mack Hollins: Signed (2 years, $8.4M) 

ED K’Lavon Chaisson: Signed (1 year ($TBA)

OL Wes Schweitzer: Signed (1 year ($TBA)

S Marcus Epps: Signed (1 year, $2.025M)

C Garrett Bradbury: Signed (2 years, $12M max)

LB Jack Gibbens: Signed (1 year, $TBA)

WR Stefon Diggs: Signed (3 years, $69M max)