PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

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Gray was selected in the third round of the 1973 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. However, due to their depth at offensive line, he never played for the team. He was cut before the start of the 1973 NFL season and claimed on waivers by the New England Patriots. Gray was recommended to Chuck Fairbanks, who had just taken over as head coach of the Patriots, by an Eastern Airlines pilot named Bruce Kostamo who had played for Fairbanks in high school.[5] Gray played in the final nine games of the ‘73 season, starting eight at left tackle. He continued to develop during the 1974 and 1975 seasons and by 1976 he was viewed as one of the best left tackles in the game. Gray was not only strong at run-blocking, but in pass-protection, as well. He was a major factor in quarterback Steve Grogan being sacked only 14 times in 1977.[6] Along with guard John Hannah, the two formed what was generally considered the best guard/tackle tandem in the NFL.[7] Gray and Hannah also combined with tight end Russ Francis to form one of the strongest left-side trios in the league. At the end of the 1976 NFL season, Gray was selected to play in the Pro Bowl for the first time. Due in no small part to the efforts of Gray and Hannah, the Patriots enjoyed one of the finest seasons in franchise history in ’76, finishing with an 11-3 record. This earned them the AFC Wild card spot and a rematch with the Oakland Raiders. The two teams had met at Schaefer Stadium in week four of the regular season and the Patriots had handed the Raiders their only loss, a 48-17 drubbing. The rematch in Oakland would not go as well and the team’s hopes of winning it all were ended by a close and controversial loss to the eventual Super Bowl champions in the 1976 AFC Divisional playoff round.

Leon Gray – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

https://www.patspropaganda.com/gray-was-selected-in-the-third-round-of-the-1973/

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The Patriots announced Monday that three players have been selected as finalists for this year’s induction into the team’s hall of fame. This year’s finalists (listed in alphabetical order) are linebacker Tedy Bruschi, head coach Chuck Fairbanks and offensive tackle Leon Gray.

It Is What It Is » Tedy Bruschi, Leon Gray and Chuck Fairbanks finalists for Patriots Hall of Fame

https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-patriots-announced-monday-that-three-players/

How disappointed are you that the Pats aren’t able to get Emmanuel Sanders? And now that he’s staying with the steelers do you think the Pats will take a receiver in the first round?

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I certainly would’ve liked to add some explosive speed like Sanders would’ve brought, but really I’m excited to see what the Pats do in the draft now. It’s pretty rare that they enter a draft needing to add a potential starter at a position, especially one that is as high-profile as a wide receiver. Ultimately if Gronk/Hernandez are healthy and there at the end it doesn’t really matter that much who the other receiver is outside of Amendola, the Pats will still be pretty good and tough to defend. But the opportunity is still there to add an exciting playmaker on the outside. I’d be giddy to see a first-round pick starting on the outside.

2013 NFL Mock Draft: Draft Day Creeping Near | NEPatriotsDraft.com – 2013 NFL Draft

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2013 NFL Mock Draft: Draft Day Creeping Near | NEPatriotsDraft.com – 2013 NFL Draft

We’ll try to get as many Pats-centric mocks from those we trust up over the next 10 days. Now that the real need board is set, it’s time to zero in on the prospects.

Here’s the first from James Christensen at NEPatriotsDraft.com..

29. New England Patriots Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee Adding Hunter to Amendola, Jones and Edelman is just what the Patriots need after losing Emmanuel Sanders back to the Steelers. At 6’4″ and running a 4.44 forty, Hunter is the deep threat that the Patriots need, but he is quite raw. I’d like this pick a lot better if the Patriots traded down into the low 30′s – think Philadelphia – and landed a 4th or 5th round pick as well. There are a host of defensive backs available here as well, but I truly think the Patriots might be set at the position as Alfonzo Dennard is good to go. Defensive and offensive line are also in play here.

Steelers match Patriots offer to Emmanuel Sanders

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Per Sanders’ agent, the Steelers have matched the Patriots offer and will retain the wide receiver. This certainly puts the pressure back on the Pats to draft at least one impact wide receiver in the draft, and they should probably take a swing at two just to be safe. There’s no much left on the free agency market, and at this point, it certainly seems possible that Brandon Lloyd could make a return appearance.

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Look, even if the [Rob] Gronkowski arm stuff goes poorly, he’s still going to be there when it matters,” said an NFC executive. “So is [Aaron] Hernandez. Yeah, the injuries are a concern, but they are for all of us. As long as you have the tight ends and Brady down the stretch, I don’t care who else is playing on the perimeter — they’ll win that division and a playoff game. Beyond that, they have to hope the changes put them over the top. But they’ll be there at the end, which is all you want. The rest comes down to luck and health.

Patriots get favorable review – Sports – The Boston Globe

Must read on Sunday as always from Greg Bedard, and sadly this will be one of his final Sunday reads, though hopefully he’ll continue them in some capacity for SI.com, though probably not Patriots-centric.

Good scouting reports on all the Pats free agent acquisitions.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/look-even-if-the-rob-gronkowski-arm-stuff-goes/