Ted Johnson had no clue how bad Patriots were before he arrived

The New England Patriots recent dynasty years overshadow the more humble beginnings of the organization. The team went through many bad years before eventually winning their first Super Bowl Championship in 2001. Then, of course, five more titles followed.

On Friday's Toucher & Rich program, Jon Wallach asks Ted Johnson if he knew about the Patriots' history before being drafted to the team in 1995.

Parts of conversation abbreviated for clarity.

Wallach: The thing that I found amazing before we came on the air today is that Ted had no knowledge of how bad this Patriots franchise was before he got here. Here we are all these years later. He had no idea what a tailspin this franchise was before he got drafted and arrived here with Bill Parcells. 

Ted, when I tell you, it was the laughingstock of the league. I'm not underselling this. James Orthwein owned the team for literally three years. He's the guy that hired Parcells. 

But this team was on the verge of moving to either Connecticut or Saint Louis, who just lost the Rams at the time. Saint Louis even had the facilities and stadium to make a move possible. And there was, you know, Zeke Mowatt and Lisa Olsen in the early nineties. 

And, you know, then there was Dick MacPherson, a real rah-rah guy. He won six games with Hugh Millen at quarterback, and we were so happy that we went 6-10. Before that, we had Rod Rust going 1-15. 

And you had no knowledge of any of this? 

Ted Johnson: Growing up in San Diego, I'll be honest, you just never saw Patriots games on television-- 

Wallach: --Well, there was a reason for that! 

By the way, we never saw them either because back then, the rule was that you had to sell out a game to watch it locally on TV. The only games that we saw on TV were Patriots road games. And we had the Z-team television broadcasters because the Patriots were the lowest guys on the totem pole. 

The home games never sold out. So, every time the team played at home, we couldn't watch them on TV. That's how bad it was here. 

Ted Johnson: I'll be honest, that's incredible. I knew the team was bad but maybe not to what degree. 

Wallach: By the way, Sam Jankovic, the former athletic director at the University of Miami, somehow got the job as general manager of the Patriots. And he had no business being a GM. 

Ted Johnson: With Orthwein, can you imagine an NFL owner buying a team, then selling it three years later? In today's market, that would be crazy. 

Wallach: I think he realized that he wouldn't be able to get the deal to move the team to Saint Louis. At the time, that was the rumor--that he wanted to move the team. 

When he realized he couldn't move the team to Saint Louis, he hired Parcells to make the franchise more attractive to prospective buyers. 

Then Robert Kraft came along, and he was the season ticket holder. He stepped up and said, okay, I'll buy the franchise. And away we went! 

Ted Johnson: I'm just surprised. Owners that threaten to relocate their teams rarely end up doing so. If they don't move the team, they just end up selling. Like, usually, it's just a way to get leverage. Orthwein really did want to get rid of the team. And when it seemed like nobody else wanted the team, he sold it to Robert Kraft. 

Wallach: Orthwein made sure that he had one really attractive guy attached to the product in Parcells. And that jacked up the price to the point where Orthwein could make a significant profit. I'm sure I'm missing a few historical details. Again, this is going way back to 1994, '95-ish, right before you got here. 

Ted Johnson: Yup, I got here right in 1995. 

Wallach: The Patriots had gone to a Super Bowl five years before. It's not like we didn't know what success was. We weren't dumb. 

But, Ted, when you guys all showed up, everything changed. And thank God, because it could've been a whole lot worse for years to come. 

Ryan Beaton is a producer for 985thesportshub.com. You can follow Ryan at @ry_beaton on Twitter.

Follow @Toucherandrich on Twitter, @Toucherandrichofficial and @fredtoucher on Instagram to keep up with the show!

The New England Patriots, a team steeped in history and celebrated for its consistent success, have left an enduring mark on football. Since its inception in 1959, the team has been a source of immense pride and passion for its devoted fanbase. With wealth of Super Bowl appearances and championships, the Patriots' legacy is deeply entrenched in the annals of the sport.

In the course of their illustrious history, the Patriots have been graced by a parade of exceptional players who proudly sported the iconic blue, red, and white jerseys. Among these legends, a select few shine brightly as paragons of excellence, their contributions etching their names into the very essence of the team's identity.

In the 1960s, Gino Cappelletti, known as "Mr. Patriot," showcased the team's spirit with his standout career as a wide receiver, including 5 all-star selections, 5 AFL scoring titles, 4 second-team All-AFL selections, and the 1964 league MVP award. He became a symbol of that era when inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 1992. Mike Haynes, a defensive cornerstone, earned 9 Pro Bowl selections, 6 second-team All-Pro honors, and 2 first-team All-Pro honors as a cornerback, going on to be part of the NFL's 100th-anniversary team and entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997. Andre Tippett, a formidable linebacker, marked his 12-year Patriots tenure with 100 career sacks, a two-year sack record of 35, and the 1985 Defensive Player of the Year title. His impact endures as the Executive Director of Community Affairs and a local youth football team coach, solidifying his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

These revered players, among a constellation of others, have collectively molded the Patriots into a formidable force, forging a legacy that continues to captivate and inspire football enthusiasts across the globe. As the Patriots retired their jersey numbers, they not only honored these players' extraordinary accomplishments but also celebrated the unwavering spirit that defines the essence of this storied franchise.

Known as "Mr. Patriot," Gino Cappelletti was a prominent wide receiver in the 1960s, earning 5 all-star selections, 5 AFL scoring titles, 4 second-team All-AFL selections, and the league MVP award in 1964. He was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 1992.

With a remarkable career, Mike Haynes achieved 9 Pro Bowl selections, 6 second-team All-Pro honors, and 2 first-team All-Pro honors as a Patriots cornerback. Part of the NFL's 100th-anniversary team, he entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997.

Outstanding linebacker Andre Tippett enjoyed a remarkable 12-year NFL career with the Patriots, garnering 100 career sacks and holding a two-year sack record of 35. He earned accolades including the 1985 Defensive Player of the Year and currently serves as the Executive Director of Community Affairs for the Patriots. He's also a Pro Football Hall of Famer and coaches a local youth football team.

Recognized as a top tackler for the Patriots, Steve Nelson led the team in tackles for 8 of his 14 seasons and earned 3 Pro Bowl selections, one first-team All-Pro selection, and one second-team All-Pro selection. He entered the Patriots Hall of Fame in 1993.

Considered among the greatest guards in NFL history, John Hannah amassed an illustrious career with 7 first-team All-Pro selections, 3 second-team All-Pro selections, and 9 Pro Bowl selections. He entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991 and was also chosen for the NFL's 100th-anniversary team.

Throughout his 13-year career, Bruce Armstrong proved to be a dependable offensive tackle with 3 second-team All-Pro selections and 6 Pro Bowl selections. Remaining loyal to the Patriots, he was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2001.

Known as "Earthquake," Jim Lee Hunt was a disruptive defensive tackle in the 1960s, securing 4 AFL All-Star selections and 4 second-team All-Pro selections during his 10-year career with the Patriots. He joined the Patriots Hall of Fame in 1993.

Achieving 4 AFL All-Star selections and 4 second-team All-Pro selections, Bob Dee notably scored the AFL's first points by recovering a fumble for a touchdown in 1960. Despite being a 19th-round pick in 1955, he defied expectations and entered the Patriots Hall of Fame in 1993.