Patriots address lack of defensive line depth with latest signing
On Tuesday, the New England Patriots opened up both a roster spot and practice squad spot with a pair of roster moves. One of those spots has now been filled, less than 24 hours later.
According to Doug Kyed of The Boston Herald, the Patriots are signing defensive tackle Manny Jones to their practice squad. Jones, 24, had been a free agent since getting waived by the Pittsburgh Steelers during final roster cuts.
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A 2022 UDFA out of Colorado State, Jones spent his first NFL season with the Arizona Cardinals. He was mainly on the practice squad, but did appear in four games. The Cardinals released him this past May and the Steelers picked him up. He spent all of training camp with Pittsburgh.
The addition of Jones comes after the Patriots saw two defensive tackles get hurt in Sunday’s win over the New York Jets. Daniel Ekaule and Davon Godchaux both left that game early. Ekuale has since been placed on IR, while there’s no update on Godchaux’s status yet.
At 6-foot-4, 290 pounds, Jones is an athletic interior rusher at the defensive tackle position. That makes him more stylistically similar to Ekuale than Godchaux, who is more of a run-stopping nose tackle.
If the Patriots need to add further depth, they still have the ability to do so. While Jones’ signing fills their last open practice squad spot, they still have a spot available on the active roster after placing Ekuale on IR.
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29 former Patriots named initial nominees for Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024
QB Doug Flutie
FOXBORO, MA – AUGUST 18: Quarterback Doug Flutie #2 of the New England Patriots looks to pass against the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium on August 18, 2005 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Saints won the game 37-27. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
We start with a local player in Doug Flutie, who attended Natick High School and then Boston College. He played professionally for 20 years between the NFL, CFL, and USFL. In that time he had two stints with his hometown team – one from 1987-1989 and then in his final professional year in 2005.
In his first stint with the Patriots he started 12 games over two seasons. When he returned as the backup in 2005 he appeared in five games, but that year is probably most known for him converting the first drop kick in the NFL since 1941.
Flutie is already a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Will he add Pro Football Hall of Fame to his resume?
QB Rich Gannon
19 Jan 2002: Quarterback Rich Gannon #12 of the Oakland Raiders delivers a pass against the defense of the New England Patriots during the AFC playoff game at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots came from behind to win 16-13 in overtime. Image Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Don’t remember Rich Gannon playing for the Patriots? That’s because he didn’t. However, the Patriots did draft him in the fourth round of the 1987 NFL Draft out of Delaware, where he was a dual-threat quarterback running the Wing-T. The Patriots wanted to turn him into a running back, wide receiver, or defensive back, but Gannon wasn’t on board with the idea and asked to be traded, which he was to the Minnesota Vikings.
It turns out Gannon was right to trust his abilities as a quarterback. He’d go on to play 18 seasons in the NFL, during which time he started 132 games going 76-56, made four Pro Bowls, two All-Pro teams, and was named league MVP in 2002.
Despite never having worn a Patriots uniform, Gannon still ended up with his own place in Patriots history. He was the starting quarterback for the then-Oakland Raiders when they lost to the Patriots in the 2001 Divisional Round, AKA The Snow Bowl.
RB Corey Dillon
Runningback Corey Dillon of the New England Patriots during the AFC Division playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts on January 16, 2005. The Patriots beat the Colts 20-3 to advance to the AFC Championship against the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Corey Dillon is back on the initial ballot for the 12th time in 2024. He ranks 20th all-time in career rushing yards with 11,241, and doesn’t project to lose that standing any time soon (the next closest active player behind him is Mark Ingram, with just under 8,000 yards). He was more career rushing yards than multiple Hall of Famers, including some who played in the same era. When it comes to touchdowns, Dillon is also among the all-time leaders, with his 82 scores ranking 18th.
A second-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 1997, Dillon recorded the bulk of his stats with Cincinnati. It wasn’t until the latter part of his career that the Patriots acquired him (for a second-round pick in 2004). He put up 3,180 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns in three seasons with the Pats.
RB Fred Taylor
FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 12: Fred Taylor #21 of the New England Patriots is tackled by Johnathan Joseph #22 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the NFL season opener on September 12, 2010 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Bengals 38-24. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Taylor’s Hall of Fame case is very similar to Dillon’s. In fact, he ranks ahead of him in all-time rushing yards, with his 11,695 yards ranking 17th. Also like Dillon, Taylor didn’t join the Patriots until late in his career. He’s best known for his 11 years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, which included seven 1,000-yard seasons. Taylor is entering his ninth year on the ballot.
RB Steven Jackson
DENVER, CO – JANUARY 24: Steven Jackson #39 of the New England Patriots runs with the ball in the first half against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 24, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Sticking with rushers that rank in the high-teens in all-time yardage, Jackson’s 11,438 yards have him at 18th all-time. Spending most of his career with the then-St. Louis Rams, he was a two-time All-Pro.
Unlike Dillon and Taylor, who had multiple successful seasons with the Patriots, Jackson joined the team late in the 2015 season when injuries depleted the running back depth that was in place. He struggled to make a difference, as the Patriots lost three of the four games he played in culminating with an AFC Championship defeat in Denver. This is his fourth year on the ballot.
RB Terry Allen
12 Dec 1999: Terry Allen #22 of the New England Patriots carries the ball during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts defeated the Patriots 20-15. Credit: Elsa Hasch/Allsport
Terry Allen has a few successful seasons in Minnesota and Washington in the mid-90s, before joining the Patriots for the 1999 season. In his lone season with New England he played in 16 games making 13 starts, and rushing for 896 yards and eight touchdowns. He retired in 2001.
FB Larry Centers
Former Patriots full Larry Centers, circa 2003. (Courtesy of the New England Patriots/David Silverman)
Early in his career with the Cardinals, Larry Centers revolutionized how backs can be used in the passing game. He was the first ever back to record a 100-catch season in 1995, and no other player matched him for another eight years. His 827 career receptions are still the most ever by a back, and the third-most for a non-receiver, behind only Tony Gonzalez (Hall of Famer), Jason Witten (not yet eligible) and Antonio Gates (in his first year on the ballot). We broke down his unique Hall of Fame case a few years ago in full here.
Centers spent the final year of his 12-year NFL career with the Patriots, winning his lone Super Bowl with the team in 2003.
WR/PR Troy Brown
KANSAS CITY, MO – NOVEMBER 27: Troy Brown #80 of the New England Patriots carries the ball during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on November 27, 2005 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs won 26-16. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
Troy Brown has been on and off the ballot since becoming eligible, but this now makes it three years in a row where he appears on the initial list. Notably, Brown is listed as a punt returner as well as a receiver, which could help his case. Brown’s 10.42 yards per punt return ranks fourth among all players during his time in the league (min. 250 returns). Brown is already a member of the Patriots Hall of Fame.
WR Irving Fryar
2 Oct 1988: Irving Fryar #80 of the New England Patriots catches the ball during the game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Patriots defeated the Clots 21-17. Credit: Rick Stewart/Allsport
Drafted first overall by the Patriots in the 1984 NFL Draft, Irving Fryar played nine of his 17 NFL seasons in New England. That included an All-Pro season in 1985, but four of his five Pro Bowl seasons came with other teams later in his career. He still ranks 21st all-time with 12,785 receiving yards, and 20th with 84 touchdown catches. Fryar also has the distinction of catching at least one touchdown from an NFL record 19 different passers.
WR Torry Holt
FOXBORO, MA – AUGUST 02: Torry Holt #84 of the New England Patriots catches a pass during training camp on August 2, 2010 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Torry Holt should qualify as a Hall of Fame ‘snub.’ He’s reached finalist status a number of times in the past. An integral part of the Greatest Show on Turf Rams teams, he put up eight straight 1,000-plus yard seasons. The other half of those teams’ wide receiver duo, Isaac Bruce, was inducted in 2020.
Holt joined the Patriots for training camp in 2010, but a knee injury kept him from making the team.
WR Chad Johnson
FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 1: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the New England Patriots completes a drill before a game with the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium on September 1, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Even 11 years after retiring from the NFL, Chad Johnson’s personality overshadows his playing career at times. He also played on some bad teams in Cincinnati, which prevented him from putting up the numbers a player of his caliber probably should have. For the bulk of his career though, he was one of the elite route runners in the league.
Johnson (then Ochocinco) was traded to the Patriots just before training camp in 2011 following a contract dispute with the Bengals He struggled to catch on in New England, and recorded just 15 receptions for 276 yards and a touchdown that season, before being released the following summer despite having signed a three-year contract extension when he was traded.
We spoke with Johnson about his time with the Patriots when he was at Gillette Stadium this past Sunday. You can listen to that full interview here.
In his six years of eligibility, Johnson has never been a finalist for the Hall. Yet a number of bigger names have gotten inducted in recent years getting them out of the way, which could open the door. Even if he doesn’t get in in 2023, he still has 86 years before his jacket is out of date.
WR Wes Welker
FOXBORO, MA – OCTOBER 16: Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots gains yardage against Mike Jenkins #21 of the Dallas Cowboys in the second half at Gillette Stadium on October 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Despite the fact that he was the NFL’s best slot receiver for nearly a decade, Wes Welker hasn’t made it past the initial round of voting in any of his first three years on the ballot. From 2007-2013 Welker caught 812 passes – nearly 100 more than the next closest player (Andre Johnson has 719 in that span).
Welker’s Hall of Fame case will be telling as one of the first dominant players from the NFL’s age of specialization start to become eligible. The committee has generally only recognized players who fit the traditional mold at a given position, with players from more recently-developed, breakoff positions like slot receiver, pass-catching back (Larry Centers), or even kick returners like Devin Hester (who reached the finalist round last year in his first year of eligibility) not getting as much attention.
TE Ben Coates
15 Nov 1998: Tight end Ben Coates #87 of the New England Patriots in action against safety Henry Jones #20 of the Buffalo Bills during the game at the Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills defeated the Patriots 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport
Ben Coates is long overdue for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, plain and simple. He absolutely dominated his era in a way that was ahead of his time. Between 1991 and 2000 he ranks second most receptions (499) and yards (5,555) by any NFL tight end, behind only Shannon Sharpe. No other tight end, including Sharpe, scored more touchdowns (50) in the 90s. Despite that, the selection committee hasn’t given him much thought.
OT Bruce Armstrong
25 Oct 1998: Tackle Bruce Armstrong #78 of the New England Patriots looks on during the game against the Miami Dolphins at the Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. The Dolphins defeated the Patriots 12-9.
Patriots Hall of Famer Bruce Armstrong – who is the most recent player to have his number retired by the team – is back on the ballot this year after a few years off. The team’s first-round draft pick in 1987, Armstrong spent his entire 14-year career with the Patriots, playing in and started 212 games before retiring after the 2000 season. He was a three-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler who is a part of the Patriots’ All-80s and All-90s teams, as well as the 35th and 50th Anniversary teams.
OT Matt Light
FOXBOROUGH, MA – DECEMBER 3: Offensive tackle Matt Light #72 of the New England Patriots gets in his stance against the Detroit Lions on December 3, 2006 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.The Patriots defeated the Lions 28-21. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Another lifelong Patriot, Matt Light replaced Armstrong when drafted by the team in the first round in 2001. Over the next 11 seasons he started 153 games for the Patriots at left tackle in the regular season, and 20 more in the playoffs including three Super Bowl runs. In that time he made three Pro Bowls and an All-Pro team in 2007, pus is a member of the Patriots’ All-00s team, 50th Anniversary team, All-Dynasty team, and the team Hall of Fame.
OG Logan Mankins
Nov 11, 2012; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots guard Logan Mankins (70) blocks against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Bills 37-31. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
A first-round pick in 2005, Logan Mankins did what many players don’t tend to do at such a physical position – he stayed on the field. For nine of his 11 NFL seasons, Mankins played either 15 or 16 games. That included playing through a torn ACL for the entirety of the 2011 season. He is a six-time All-Pro, and a member of the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 2010s.
In three years of eligibility, Mankins has never made it past the first round of voting. His resume suggests he should have a chance to get enshrined in Canton, will he get a longer look this year?
OG Brian Waters
FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 24: Brian Waters #54 of the New England Patriots prepares to block Jared Odrick #98 of the Miami Dolphins during the second half of New England’s 27-24 win at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Best known for his 11 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, Brian Waters followed that time with a season in New England. It was the sixth of his six All-Pro seasons, as he started all 16-games for the league’s top offense. He’s never been a finalist in seven years on the ballot.
DT Henry Thomas
3 Oct 1999: Henry Thomas #95 of the New England Patriots looks on during the game against the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Patriots defeated the Browns 19-7. Credit: Tom Hauck/Allsport
A Pro Bowler for the Minnesota Vikings early in his career, Henry Thomas played the final four seasons of his 14-year NFL career with the Patriots, from 1997-2000. In that time he has 21 sacks in 64 games – which still ranks 19th all-time for the franchise. His 93.5 career sacks are the eighth-most by a defensive tackle in NFL history, per Pro Football Reference.
NT Ted Washington
HOUSTON – FEBRUARY 1: Ted Washington #92 of the New England Patriots celebrates victory over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII at Reliant Stadium on February 1, 2004 in Houston, Texas. The Patriots defeated the Panthers 32-29. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
One of the most dominant nose tackles of his era, 6-foot-5, 375-pound Ted Washington came to the Patriots in 2003 after starting his career as a four-time Pro Bowler. He anchored what was one of the best defenses of the Bill Belichick era, helping the Patriots win their second Super Bowl. In total he played 17 NFL seasons.
NT Vince Wilfork
FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 14: Vince Wilfork #75 of the New England Patriots reacts after he sacked Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos in the second half during their AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on January 14, 2012 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
In theory, Vince Wilfork should have one of the strongest cases for induction of any player on this list, just given his talent level. However, by nature of his position he didn’t put up major stats, which has caused the committee to overlook players in the past (see: Richard Seymour having to wait four years to be inducted).
Like Seymour, Wilfork’s presence alone was enough to impact blocking schemes and change the came. During his tenure the Patriots were regularly one of the toughest teams to run on in the NFL. When he missed 12 games in 2013 their rank against the run dropped all the way to 30th from ninth the year before.
On top of his abilities as a run stopper, Wilfork was an effective pass rusher as well, making him a three-down player at 6-foot-2, 325 pounds (listed). Then there’s his incredible durability in the trenches – that 2013 season was the only time Wilfork failed to play at least 13 games, and he played a full 16 in nine of his 13 seasons.
In his first two years of eligibility Wilfork has made it to the semifinalist round, but not beyond that. Will that change this year?
LB/DE Willie McGinest
FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 2: Ken Dorsey #7 of the San Francisco 49ers is sacked by Willie McGinest #55 of the New England Patriots during their game on January 2, 2005 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Included on the list of nominees as both a linebacker and defensive end, Willie McGinest may be one of the more underappreciated players from his era in the NFL. Over the course of his 15 NFL seasons from 1994-2008 (he was with the Patriots form 1994-2005) McGinest ranked fifth in tackles for a loss (96) and sacks (85). He also has the records for most sacks in a postseason game (4.5) and career postseason sacks (16).
LB Tedy Bruschi
FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 16: Tedy Bruschi #54 of the New England Patriots recovers a fumble from the Indianapolis Colts during the AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2005 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Colts 20-3. (Photo By Elsa/Getty Images)
Tedy Bruschi’s contributions go beyond stats and league honors. He was a face of the initial wave of the Patriot Way and was a crucial player and culture setter early on in the dynasty. That helped him get a red jacket, but a gold jacket is another story. Playing in the same era with guys like Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher, Zack Thomas, and Derrick Brooks, he was never one of the ‘elite’ linebackers in the NFL during his career. He’s an all-time Patriot but didn’t have the league-wide impact he needed to get to Canton (as much as New England would love to see it).
LB James Harrison
FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 31: James Harrison #92 of the New England Patriots looks on during the first half against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
In his first year of eligibility last year, James Harrison reached the semifinalist round. A defensive force for 14 years – mostly with the Pittsburgh Steelers – he was a four-time All-Pro and 2008 Defensive Player of the Year. During his career, from 2002-2017, only three player had more sacks than Harrison (84.5).
It wasn’t until his final NFL season, when he was released by the Steelers, that Harrison joined the Patriots. He had two sacks in his lone regular season game, and then three more in the playoffs before the Patriots lost in the Super Bowl.
LB Mike Vrabel
Mike Vrabel #50 of the New England Patriots gets ready on the line of scrimmage during the game against the Green Bay Packers on November 19, 2006 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Patriots defeated the Packers 35-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
This year’s Patriots Hall of Fame inductee, Mike Vrabel also ends up on the initial PFHOF ballot after spending the last few years not in consideration. An All-Pro in 2007, Vrabel recorded 57 career sacks and 11 interceptions in 14 NFL seasons, including three Super Bowl seasons with the Patriots.
In addition to being a starting linebacker and key member of the Patriots’ defense, Vrabel was also occasionally deployed as a tight end for the Patriots in the red zone. Over the course of his career, he caught 12 passes- all for touchdowns – including one each in Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX.
LB/ST Larry Izzo
FOXBORO, MA – OCTOBER 2: Linebacker Larry Izzo #53 of the New England Patriots looks on against the San Diego Chargers on October 2, 2005 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Chargers won 41-17. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
This is an interesting one. Izzo played in the NFL from 1996-2009, including eight years with the Patriots from 2001-2008. Listed as a linebacker he was primarily a special teams player at a time when that role was rarer than it is now. He made three Pro Bowls and earned an All-Pro nod doing so. Despite being eligible for a decade, Izzo has rarely appeared on any Hall of Fame ballot.
Izzo’s candidacy will be one to watch closely for Patriots fans. If he gets any traction it could be a great sign for the future candidacy of Matthew Slater.
S Rodney Harrison
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 12: Rodney Harrison #37 of the New England Patriots reacts to a play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the AFC Divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium game on January 12, 2008 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Now we get to one of the biggest Hall of Fame snubs in all of professional sports – Rodney Harrison. Cleary, Rodney Harrison had a Hall of Fame caliber career. This shouldn’t be a debate. A four-time All-Pro, his was considered the best strong safety in football during his time with the Patriots.
Included in Harrison’s many accomplishments is his distinction of being the inaugural member of the NFL’s ’30-30 Club.’ During his tenure in New England Harrison became the first NFL player to record both 30 career sacks and 30 career interceptions. Since then only Ray Lewis (a first-ballot Hall of Famer) has joined him, and no other player has been or currently is particularly close.
Despite that, Harrison has never been a finalist, and only reached the semifinalist round twice. His reputation as a ‘dirty’ player and a PED suspension have been given as reasons, and Harrison himself has cited a “lazy” anti-Patriots bias among the selection committee.
Whatever the reason, Harrison’s induction is long overdue. Is this the year the wrong gets righted?
