Matthew Slater's decision to return for a 16th season will have an impact on the entire Patriots roster. He is still the Patriots' all-time leader in receiving yards. It's unknown if Jones will wear the No 10 that he wore at Alabama. 34 Shane Vereen, RB, 2011-2014: Another difficult one. Here's everything we'll be monitoring from a Patriots perspective in Indianapolis this week. The Patriots Hall of Famer played at a high level for a long time. 11, I won't argue if you disagree. 45 Otis Smith O-T-I-S was always around the ball during the dynasty's beginning. Still, you have to wonder what kind of legacy Jimmy Garoppolo could've taken this spot if he wasn't traded. 2 -- Doug Flutie, QB, 1987-89, 2005: While he started 12 games in the late 80s, he's more known for his second stint in New England, particularly for his drop kick as his final play. Peterson made a deal with second-year QB Nate Stanley, who previously held the number, for a good cause. 8 Josh Miller One of many solid left-footed punters in the Belichick era, Miller did his job well in 42 games from 2004-06. 37 Rodney Harrison Another potential recency bias alert I'll take Harrison's culture-changing arrival over rock solid corner Maurice Hurst. His number 88 is recognized in the Pride of the Lions ring of honor on permanent display at Ford Field. 96 -- Brent Williams, DE, 1986-93: Williams was never a star, but consistent contributed as a pass rusher, posting at least five sacks in each of his first five seasons. 2 Mike Patrick Another number that has gotten very little use in Patriots history. Corey Dillon, who helped the Patriots grind out their third Super Bowl in 2004 catches a tough break. 26 -- Raymond Clayborn, CB, 1977-89: Made three Pro Bowls during his 13-year run in New England, was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2017. While the team's rookie class has yet to be assigned numbers, some of the team's veteran offseason additions and former practice squad players were already handed out theirs. He was an insane talent. Intercepted 16 passes. 92 -- Ray Agnew, DL, 1990-94:The No. Not all HOF caliber players need their numbers retired. Note: Brown has worn No. 25 -- Rick Sanford, S, 1979-84:A six-year starter for the Patriots,went on to be a chiropractor in South Carolina. 1975-1981. 12? 54, which was previously donned by Tedy Bruschi and Brian Waters. 94 Ty Warren, DL, 2003-10: A two-time Super Bowl champ and an All-Pro selection in 2007. If Jacoby Brissett stuck around, he may have had an argument here. Dawson Knox 88. Patriots officially re-issue Rob Gronkowski's number - ProFootballTalk Tom Brady's No. Note: Colbert signed with the Patriots last week. 43 -- Nate Ebner, DB/ST, 2012-present: Ebner may just be a special teams player, but he's an elite special teams player. He previously wore 51 in New England. He was 88 with the Packers, Ravens, . Over the course of the next few weeks, we will take a look at the men fighting for those spots on the 2016 New England Patriots. More than 300 of the top prospects will be put through on-field drills, medical testing, exams and interviews with team personnel and the media in advance of the 2023 NFL Draft. But the Pats wont retire numbers of guys who are still playing. Pepper pulled a classic bait-and-switch, setting it up as if it . Yet for years, the numbers 80 and 81 held a generic significance: Those guys were the star receivers. No. While not as historically successful a number as 80, 84 also had some productive carriers in the past: Tight end Ben Watson donned it in the 2000s, while wide receivers Shawn Jefferson, Darryl Stingley and Art Graham all wore it before that. 80 Troy Brown Danny Amendola and Irving Fryar provide stiff competition but they don't call him Mr. Patriot for nothing. His 23 touchdowns in 2007 remains an NFL record. The top three. 83 Wes Welker The slot machine redefined a position in the National Football League. Theres no need for them to continue to retire numbers as a nod to retired players. All rights reserved. New England has to hope that Duron Harmon will continue his success playing under his new number. 79 Jim Lee Hunt Another Patriots Hall of Fame DL from the 1960s recognized. Note: Anderson wore No. We present them here for purely educational purposes. 81 holds that distinction (Philadelphia's Jordan Matthews). 22 Asante Samuel Some quality 22s to choose from with Samuel's big-play ability moving him ahead of Stevan Ridley and Ron Burton. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. its a testimony to belichicks greatness that the pats cant retire numbers like 31 lesser franchises. He finished with 5.5 more sacks with the team than Patriots legend James Harrison (also No. I wouldnt call him the best ever over Gonzalez because of durability but this guy was an elite blocker and mismatch when running routes. 66 Lonie Paxton Paxton made being a long snapper cool, and he was near flawless at his craft. Two very good ones come to mind in Victor Cruz (No. Brian Robiskie is the only one to take No. Sign up for the Patriots Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. 63 Joe Andruzzi, G, 2000-2004: Started all 16 games in each of the three Super Bowl years (2001, 2003, 2004). By Bernd Buchmasser @BerndBuchmasser Aug 7,. It looks like 87 won't be the eighth.Via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, the Patriots briefly re-issued Rob Gronkowski's former number for receiver . 84 Shawn Jefferson Who knows how Darryl Stingley's career might have progressed if not for Jack Tatum's cheap shot, but Jefferson was a rock solid No. Therefore, while his role will likely not be as prominent as it was with the Bears, when he was quarterback Jay Cutlers security blanket, Bennett will be an important cog in New Englands offensive machine. 67 Dan Koppen, C, 2003-11: Made the Pro Bowl in 2007. His toughness was the stuff of legend, like when he played almost the entire 2011 season on a torn ACL. The veteran appeared in his teams first 10 games but sustained a rib injury that forced him to leave the week 11 matchup against the Denver Broncos. But whether numerology is of importance or not, it's clear that not all numbers are created equally when it comes to the Patriots. Note: Smith was a second-round pick by the New York Jets in 2015. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 21 Malcolm Butler, CB, 2014-15: Had a three-day tryout, saved a Super Bowl, made a Pro Bowl. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. 85 Nick Buoniconti, LB, 1962-68: Would have been a tough call between Buoniconti and Julius Adams. 38 -- Roland James, SS, 1980-90:Brandon Bolden falls a ways behind James, who spent his entire 11-year career in New England. He finally got league-wide praise in 2017, when he earned his first Pro Bowl nod. Would gronkowski have been as good playing with another QB? New England Patriots 2016 roster breakdown, Patriots roster breakdown: DT Vincent Valentine, Patriots roster breakdown: TE Martellus Bennett, Patriots roster breakdown: TE Rob Gronkowski. 17 -- Mike Taliaferro, QB, 1968-70: Before it was cursing modern-era Patriots receiver, the No. And, as time goes on, theyre shying away from the 80s altogether. 51 Jerod Mayo, LB, 2008-15: Bill Belichick hit big on both of his top 10 picks with the Patriots (Richard Seymour was the other). 95 Roman Phifer, LB, 2001-04: Came to New England as a 33-year-old, but remained productive in three Super Bowl runs. Other key players from the Belichick era have seen their names back on jerseys, including Richard Seymours 93, Ty Laws 24, Tedy Bruschis 54, Troy Browns 80, Adam Vinatieris 4, and Rodney Harrisons 37. chefs choice meat slicer 610 replacement parts Popular: Tom Brady, Cam Newton, Aaron Donald, Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Odell Beckham Jr., J.J. Watt, Peyton Manning, Patrick Mahomes, Julio Jones, Antonio Brown, Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, Todd Gurley . Drew Bledsoe or Julian Edelman? Like my call at No. Note: Smith gets the same number he wore in Tennessee. (There are 16 wide receivers who wore numbers in the 80s in the Hall, including Moss, Rice, Cris Carter, Marvin Harrison, Raymond Berry and Lynn Swann.) 21 Malcolm Butler This comes down to a pair or cornerbacks and Butler gets the spot ahead of the underrated Ricky Reynolds. 81 is still fighting the good fight, with 10 receivers wearing it, although their numbers took a hit this week with the retirement of Andre Johnson, who after years of wearing No. Former first-round pick and two-time Super Bowl champion Ty Warren is the most famous 94 in Patriots history. Although Michael Clayton would choose the number upon being drafted in 2004, none of the 21 receivers drafted in the first round since him have elected to wear No. Patent trader. The runner-up here is probably Joe Cardona. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Note: Gaffney retired from the NFL to play professional baseball before coming back to football. 11 -- Drew Bledsoe, QB, 1993-2001: The single toughest battle on this list came between Bledsoe and wide receiver Julian Edelman at No. 71 Ray Hamilton, DL, 1973-81: Made 117 starts in nine years with the Pats. Law isn't in Canton yet, but he's knocking on the door. Hell be wearing No. Some, like No. Ravens numbers have never looked better, . Tim Goad, Mel Lunsford and Larry Eisenhower are some of the notable players to wear #72 in the past. Mason was largely considered the Patriots' best offensive lineman in 2017. A look at the new numbers being worn by the Patriots old players: 3 DB Jabrill Peppers: He wore 22 in Cleveland and 21 with the Giants. 9 David Posey Posey joins Graham in the emergency kicker category after replacing John Smith for 11 games in 1978, and more importantly connecting on a last-second field goal to give the Patriots their first-ever AFC East title. Tom Bradys No. 15 Babe Parilli The quarterback of the Patriots first-ever championship team in 1963 edges Chris Hogan. 56 Andre Tippett Which brings us to another rather easy pick, even with Patriots Hall of Fame member Jon Morris serving as competition. Corey Dillon had 3,180 yards and 37 touchdowns in three years with the Pats. 44 -- John Stephens, RB, 1988-92: Stephens had a big season as a rookie, rushing for 1,168 yards en route to a Pro Bowl appearance. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Have to wonder what kind of legacy Jimmy Garoppolo could 've taken this spot if was. 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