Forgotten Patriots: Players You Won't Believe Played In New England

\Alright, Patriots fans, let's take a trip down memory lane – a slightly hazy, slightly embarrassing memory lane. We're talking about those players who donned the flying Elvis logo but whose tenures were so brief, so unremarkable, or so downright weird that they've been largely forgotten. We're not talking about your Tom Bradys or your Randy Mosses here; we're diving deep into the roster depths to unearth some truly obscure Patriots. Get ready to say, "Wait, he played for us?!"

Quarterbacks You (Probably) Don't Remember

Speaking of quarterbacks, beyond the legendary Tom Brady era and even the brief Mac Jones interlude, there's a whole graveyard of forgotten signal-callers who briefly held the reins in New England. Let’s start with Matt Gutierrez. Gutierrez was an undrafted free agent who spent a couple of seasons as a backup in New England. He didn't see much playing time, but he did earn a Super Bowl ring as a member of the 2007 team. Then there's Kliff Kingsbury, yes, that Kliff Kingsbury, the offensive guru and former head coach. Before his coaching days, Kingsbury was a sixth-round pick by the Patriots in 2003. He was inactive for the entire season and was eventually released. Did you know that Zac Robinson also had a cup of coffee with the Patriots? He was signed to the practice squad in 2010 and later released. These quarterbacks, while not household names, represent the constant churn and competition that exists on every NFL roster. They're a reminder that even behind the stars, there are countless players working tirelessly for a chance to contribute. Think about the intense pressure these guys faced, stepping onto the same practice field as a legend like Brady. It's easy to forget these fleeting appearances, but each player had their own story, their own dreams of NFL glory. While they may not have achieved the same level of success as Brady, their contributions, however small, helped shape the team and contribute to the Patriots' overall success. And who knows, maybe one of these guys had a crucial insight during a film session or a practice that helped the team win a game. So next time you're reminiscing about the Patriots' quarterback history, take a moment to remember the forgotten ones, the guys who briefly wore the uniform and chased the same dream as the legends. They deserve our recognition, too. They are the unsung heroes of the Patriots' quarterback saga, the names that may not be etched in the record books but are forever part of the team's rich history. You see, these quarterback stories are really about the pursuit of a dream, the relentless effort to make it in the NFL, even if it's just for a fleeting moment. They’re about the countless hours spent practicing, studying film, and pushing their bodies to the limit. And while they may not have reached the pinnacle of success, they still achieved something remarkable: they made it to the NFL, a feat that millions of aspiring football players only dream of. 76ers Vs Kings: Epic Matchups & Timeline History

Running Backs Who Briefly Carried the Load

Beyond the core of every football team, you'll find running backs. The Patriots have had their share of star running backs, but what about the guys who had a cup of coffee in the backfield? Remember Tony Baker? He had a brief stint with the Patriots in the late 90s. He was primarily a special teams player and didn't get many carries. Then there's J.R. Redmond, a third-round pick who never quite lived up to expectations. He had a few decent games but was ultimately a disappointment. How about LaMont Jordan? While he had some success later in his career with other teams, his time in New England was mostly as a backup. These running backs, while not stars, played a role in the Patriots' success. They provided depth and competition at the position, pushing the starters to be better. They were also valuable contributors on special teams. Think about the challenges these guys faced, trying to make a name for themselves in a crowded backfield. They had to work hard every day in practice to prove themselves to the coaches. They also had to be ready to step in at any moment if the starter got injured. It's easy to overlook these players, but they're an important part of the team. They're the guys who do the dirty work, the guys who are always ready to contribute. They may not get the glory, but they're essential to the team's success. So next time you're thinking about the Patriots' running back history, don't forget about the guys who briefly carried the load. They may not be household names, but they played a role in the team's journey. They are the unsung heroes of the Patriots' running back corps, the names that may not be in the headlines but are forever part of the team's story. And that’s a very important role for these team players.

Wide Receivers You've Erased From Your Memory

Let's be real, with all the legendary wide receivers that Tom Brady threw to, it's easy to forget some of the more forgettable pass-catchers who ran routes in Foxboro. We're talking about guys like Kassim Osgood, a special teams ace who had a brief stint as a receiver. Remember Reche Caldwell? He had one decent season with the Patriots but was otherwise unremarkable. Then there's Brandon Tate, a third-round pick who never lived up to his potential. These receivers, while not stars, filled a role on the team. They provided depth and competition at the position, and they contributed on special teams. Think about the pressure these guys faced, trying to catch passes from Tom Brady. They had to be precise in their routes and have sure hands. They also had to be able to block and contribute on special teams. It's easy to forget these players, but they were an important part of the team. They were the guys who did the dirty work, the guys who were always ready to contribute. They may not have gotten the glory, but they were essential to the team's success. So next time you're thinking about the Patriots' receiving corps, don't forget about the guys who you've erased from your memory. They may not be household names, but they played a role in the team's journey. They are the unsung heroes of the Patriots' receiving corps, the names that may not be in the record books but are forever part of the team's story. They helped the Patriots win games, even if their contributions were often overlooked. They are the wide receivers that you just forgot played for the New England Patriots.

Defensive Players Who Flew Under the Radar

The Patriots dynasty wasn't built on offense alone; they had some stellar defensive players too. But what about the guys who flew under the radar? Remember Shawn Crable? He was a second-round pick who never played a down for the Patriots due to injuries. Then there's Tyrone Poole, a veteran cornerback who had a brief but productive stint with the team. How about Adrian Clayborn? He had a few sacks in his one season with the Patriots but was otherwise unremarkable. These defensive players, while not stars, added depth and experience to the team. They were also valuable contributors on special teams. Think about the challenges these guys faced, trying to make a name for themselves on a defense full of stars. They had to work hard every day in practice to prove themselves to the coaches. They also had to be ready to step in at any moment if a starter got injured. It's easy to overlook these players, but they're an important part of the team. They're the guys who do the dirty work, the guys who are always ready to contribute. They may not get the glory, but they're essential to the team's success. So next time you're thinking about the Patriots' defense, don't forget about the guys who flew under the radar. They may not be household names, but they played a role in the team's journey. They are the unsung heroes of the Patriots' defense, the names that may not be in the headlines but are forever part of the team's story. They helped the Patriots win games, even if their contributions were often overlooked. Every team needs these kinds of players to bolster their roster and provide valuable depth. Without them, a team cannot have prolonged success in the NFL. Eli Vs. Peyton Manning: NFL Quarterback Legends Compared

The Kicker You Completely Forgot

Okay, this one's a deep cut. How many of you remember Shayne Graham kicking for the Patriots? He was brought in for a short period. Kickers often get overlooked, but they're crucial. Graham's time was brief, but he filled a need. Think about the pressure on a kicker, especially in crucial situations. Graham stepped in and did his job. So next time you're thinking about Patriots specialists, remember Shayne Graham. He may not be a household name, but he was part of the team's history. He may not have been Adam Vinatieri, but he contributed when he was needed. It's easy to forget about kickers, but they play a vital role in the game. Every point matters, and Graham helped the Patriots put points on the board. Even if you had forgotten about him, you now know that Shayne Graham played for the New England Patriots. And that is a fact that you can hold onto and impress your friends with.

So, there you have it, folks! A little trip down memory lane to revisit some of the forgotten Patriots. These players may not be enshrined in the Hall of Fame, but they all contributed to the team in their own way. They are a reminder that even the most successful teams have players who fly under the radar. So next time you're watching a Patriots game, take a moment to think about the guys who aren't household names but are still part of the team's story. You might be surprised at who you've forgotten! They all contributed to the overall success of the Patriots dynasty. They may not have been the stars, but they were still important. Each player has their own unique story, and they all deserve to be remembered. Marjorie Taylor Greene: Politics, Controversies, And Impact

Photo of Steve Wollaston

Steve Wollaston

Editor of iGB Affiliate at Clarion Gaming ·

I completed a week's worth of work experience at Closer Magazine in August 2016. My tasks included archiving, researching, transcribing and writing stories.