2002 New England Patriots season
Encyclopedia
The 2002
New England Patriots
season was the 33rd season for the team in the National Football League
and 43rd season overall. They finished with a 9–7 record, good enough for second in the division but not a playoff berth.
Following their victory in Super Bowl XXXVI
seven months earlier, the Patriots played their first game in the new Gillette Stadium
in the NFL's prime-time Monday Night Football
opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers
, a win for the Patriots. After an additional two wins to begin the season, including a 44–7 road win against the division rival New York Jets
, the team lost five of its next seven games, allowing an average of 137 rushing yards a game during that span. In the final week of the season, the Patriots defeated the Miami Dolphins
on an overtime Adam Vinatieri
field goal to give both teams a 9–7 record. A few hours later, the Jets, who defeated the Patriots the week prior, also finished with a 9–7 record with a win over the Green Bay Packers
. Due to their record against common opponents, the Jets won the tiebreaker for the division title, which eliminated the Patriots and Dolphins from the playoffs.
on July 26, they had 79 players signed to their roster, one short of the NFL maximum of 80 players. The Patriots received five roster exemptions for the NFL Europe allocations of Mike Clare, Patrick Downey
, Radell Lockhart
, Scott McCready
, and Maugaula Tuitele
. Additionally, the Patriots allocated safety Mark Washington and cornerback Cecil Deckard to NFL Europe and received roster exemptions for them, but those players were waived before the start of training camp.
The Patriots unveiled their first ever championship banner in pregame ceremonies on the opening of Monday Night Football
for 2002. A Tom Brady
touchdown to Christian Fauria
was answered by a Kordell Stewart
touchdown to Hines Ward
, and the score was 10–7 New England at the half. In the third quarter the Patriots put the game away with Brady touchdowns to Donald Hayes
and rookie Deion Branch
; two Adam Vinatieri
field goals secured the win despite a last-minute Steelers drive ending in a Stewart rouchdown run on the final play; all the score did was reduce the Patriots' margin of victory to 30–14.
Of note this was commentator John Madden
's first regular season game that did not feature an NFC team. He had worked at CBS and Fox for the NFC package from 1979–2001, and moved to MNF on ABC this season. ABC's games featured teams regardless of conference affiliation.
After a scoreless first quarter the Patriots scored ten points in the second, then in the third erupted in points by their defense; Tebucky Jones
hammered the ball from Vinny Testaverde
and ran in a 24-yard touchdown, and later ex-Jet Victor Green
picked off Vinny and ran in a 90-yard touchdown. A Deion Branch
touchdown catch and Kevin Faulk
rushing score polished off a 44–7 slaughter in which New York punter Matt Turk
on a 14-yard scramble outrushed the entire Jets offensive backfield (Curtis Martin
, LaMont Jordan
, and Richie Anderson
managed only nine rushing yards and the former Patriot Martin was stopped for no gain three times).
Tom Brady
reached 400 passing yards for the first time in his career, and wound up needing them as the Chiefs clawed to a 17–9 lead in the third quarter on two Trent Green
touchdown throws. Following the second Green touchdown the Patriots kicked it up several notches as Brady erupted to three straight touchdown throws and a 31–17 Patriots lead; the Chiefs fought back themselves as Priest Holmes
began storming up and down the field, setting up another Green touchdown throw (to Eddie Kennison
), then answering a 42-yard Antowain Smith
touchdown with two of his own, the final one on the game's final play, leaving the score tied 38–38. The game thus went into overtime and the Patriots settled the issue on the extra quarter's only possession, whipping down field in 4:40 for Adam Vinatieri
's 35-yard game winner and a 41–38 final.
A year after erasing a 10-point gap and thus launching a run to Super Bowl XXXVI
, New England's team-record 11-game winning streak crashed to a halt at Qualcomm Stadium
. The game lead changed or tied five times; Tom Brady
touchdowns to Christian Fauria
and linebacker/tight end Mike Vrabel
were answered by a Drew Brees
touchdown to Curtis Conway
and two LaDanian Tomlinson rushing scores. Brady clawed the Patriots to the Chargers red zone twice in the fourth but was picked off in the endzone by Donnie Edwards
and Ryan McNeil
.
The second post-Super Bowl XXXI
rematch with the Packers was no better than the first one in 1997, as Brett Favre
threw for just 147 yards, but they led to three touchdowns while Tom Brady
was bullied into three interceptions, Kevin Faulk
botched a lateral, and Bobby Hamilton
was almost the only member of New England's defense to show up, recording a four-yard sack. The Packers romped 28–10.
The 3–4 Patriots faced former franchise quarterback Drew Bledsoe
for the first time since trading him to the Bills after the 2001 season. Bledsoe had raced the Bills to a 5–3 start but the Patriots now found their championship moxie again. Brady threw three touchdowns while ex-Bill Antowain Smith
rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown. Mike Hollis
missed three field goal tries as the Patriots raced to a 38–7 win.
Another matchup with a former Super Bowl
opponent took place in Champaign, Illinois
, as renovation of Soldier Field
forced the Bears to play their home games at the University of Illinois' Urbana-Champaign area stadium. Chris Chandler
was drilled in the head by Lawyer Milloy
on a quarterback sneak and had to leave the game, replaced by Jim Miller
. An exchange of field goals left the score tied at 6 after one quarter, then the Bears, trying to end a six-game losing streak, erupted to three touchdowns, one a 44-yard Marty Booker
pass to Marcus Robinson. Kevin Faulk
, smarting from criticism of the botched lateral the previous month, now surged to the front, catching a pair of Tom Brady
touchdown catches only to be stopped by Brian Urlacher
on a two-point conversion try. Trailing 30–25 in the final two minutes, Brady was picked off by Marcus Harrison
; Harrison started upfield with the ball bobbling in his hands; Brady swatted it out of his hands and the Bears recovered. The play was initially ruled an interception, but it went to replay and the ruling was changed to an incomplete pass. Brady then completed a four-yard quarterback sneak, and on the next play barely escaped a sack to flip the ball to Faulk for a first down to the Bears 20. With 30 seconds to go Brady dodged Bears defenders and lofted a pass caught by David Patten
; the catch went to review as it initially appeared to be out of bounds, but replay showed Patten dragged both feet in bounds; the Patriots then completed a two-point throw to Troy Brown
and the Bears' final drive petered out for a stunning 33–30 Patriots win.
2002 NFL season
The 2002 NFL season was the 83rd regular season of the National Football League.The league went back to an even number of teams, expanding to 32 teams with the addition of the Houston Texans. The clubs were then realigned into eight divisions, four teams in each...
New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
season was the 33rd season for the team in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
and 43rd season overall. They finished with a 9–7 record, good enough for second in the division but not a playoff berth.
Following their victory in Super Bowl XXXVI
Super Bowl XXXVI
Super Bowl XXXVI was an American football game played on February 3, 2002 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 2001 regular season. The American Football Conference champion New England Patriots won their first Super...
seven months earlier, the Patriots played their first game in the new Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution...
in the NFL's prime-time Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
, a win for the Patriots. After an additional two wins to begin the season, including a 44–7 road win against the division rival New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, the team lost five of its next seven games, allowing an average of 137 rushing yards a game during that span. In the final week of the season, the Patriots defeated the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on an overtime Adam Vinatieri
Adam Vinatieri
Adam Matthew Vinatieri is an American football placekicker currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in six Super Bowls, four with the New England Patriots and two with the Colts, winning four. Vinatieri won a Super Bowl in 2006 with Indianapolis and won Super Bowls in 2001,...
field goal to give both teams a 9–7 record. A few hours later, the Jets, who defeated the Patriots the week prior, also finished with a 9–7 record with a win over the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
. Due to their record against common opponents, the Jets won the tiebreaker for the division title, which eliminated the Patriots and Dolphins from the playoffs.
2002 NFL Draft
| Round | Overall | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21 | Daniel Graham Daniel Graham Daniel Lawrence Grahamhttp://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GrahDa00.htm is an American football tight end for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft... |
Tight end Tight end The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be... |
Colorado Colorado Buffaloes football The Colorado Buffaloes football program represents the University of Colorado at Boulder in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The team is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, having previously been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. Before joining the Big 12,... |
| 2 | 65 | Deion Branch Deion Branch Anthony Deion Branch, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisville.He has also played for the Seattle Seahawks... |
Wide receiver Wide receiver A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible... |
Louisville Louisville Cardinals football The Louisville Cardinals football team represents the University of Louisville in college football as a member of the Big East Conference. Howard Schnellenberger started the program's rise to relevancy after winning the Miami Hurricanes' first national championship... |
| 4 | 117 | Rohan Davey Rohan Davey Rohan St. Patrick Davey is a Jamaican-born American football quarterback who is currently a free agent.-High school years:... |
Quarterback Quarterback Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line... |
LSU LSU Tigers football The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as... |
| 4 | 126 | Jarvis Green Jarvis Green Jarvis Green is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft... |
Defensive end Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
LSU |
| 7 | 237 | Antwoine Womack Antwoine Womack Antwoine Womack is an American football player.-Early life and education:Womack's football career began at Phoebus High School in Hampton, Virginia, where he was the first football player in school history to have his number retired... |
Running back Running back A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... |
Virginia Virginia Cavaliers football Virginia Cavaliers football is a college football program that competes in the NCAA Division I-FBS and the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference... |
| 7 | 253 | David Givens David Givens David Lamar Givens is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2002 NFL Draft... |
Wide receiver | Notre Dame Notre Dame Fighting Irish football Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an... |
| compensatory selection |
Staff
| New England Patriots 2002 staff | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Front Office
Head Coaches
Offensive Coaches
|
Defensive Coaches
Special Teams Coaches
Strength and Conditioning
|
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Opening training camp roster
At the time of the first public training camp practice at Bryant CollegeBryant University
Bryant University is a private university located in Smithfield, Rhode Island, U.S., that grants the degrees of bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, and master's degrees in business, taxation and accounting. Until August 2004, it was known as Bryant College...
on July 26, they had 79 players signed to their roster, one short of the NFL maximum of 80 players. The Patriots received five roster exemptions for the NFL Europe allocations of Mike Clare, Patrick Downey
Patrick Downey
For the New Zealand Lawyer see: Pat DowneyPat Downey is a former American football center in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers, the New England Patriots, and the Washington Redskins. Downey was also with the Atlanta Falcons in 2002 as a member of their Practice Squad...
, Radell Lockhart
Radell Lockhart
Radell Bernard Lockhart is an American football defensive line coach with the Catawba Indians college football team.- High school career :...
, Scott McCready
Scott McCready
Scott McCready is a British national who was an American football wide receiver who, most recently, played for the Hamburg Sea Devils of NFL Europa from 2005 until the league's closure in 2007. Previously he played for the Scottish Claymores from 2002–2004, and was named to the All-League team on...
, and Maugaula Tuitele
Maugaula Tuitele
Maugaula "Ula" Tuitele is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New England Patriots in 2000. He played college football at Colorado State....
. Additionally, the Patriots allocated safety Mark Washington and cornerback Cecil Deckard to NFL Europe and received roster exemptions for them, but those players were waived before the start of training camp.
| New England Patriots 2002 opening training camp roster | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
|
Offensive Linemen
Joe Andruzzi Joseph Dominick Andruzzi is a former American football offensive guard. In May 2007 he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.-College career:... G Tom Ashworth Thomas F. Ashworth is an American football offensive lineman who is currently a free agent. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the San Francisco 49ers out of the University of Colorado at Boulder... T Patrick Downey For the New Zealand Lawyer see: Pat DowneyPat Downey is a former American football center in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers, the New England Patriots, and the Washington Redskins. Downey was also with the Atlanta Falcons in 2002 as a member of their Practice Squad... C Kenyatta Jones Kenyatta Lapoleon Jones is an American football offensive tackle for the New York Sentinels of the United Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft... T/G Adrian Klemm Adrian William Klemm is a former National Football League offensive lineman, who played for the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers. He is perhaps best known for being drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft, the same draft in which they selected Tom... G/T Matt Light Matthew Charles Light is an American football offensive tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.-Early years:Light was born in Greenville, Ohio... T Stephen Neal Stephen Matthew Neal is a former American football guard who played his entire career for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He is a former national champion amateur and collegiate wrestler at Cal State-Bakersfield... G Grey Ruegamer Christopher Grey Ruegamer [ROO-gah-mer] is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft... C/G Rich Tylski Richard Lee Tylski is a former professional American football player. Tylski, an offensive lineman, played seven seasons in the National Football League, mainly for the Jacksonville Jaguars... G Grant Williams (American football) Grant James Williams is a former American football offensive tackle who played nine seasons in the National Football League. He was a member of the Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots in 2002. He is not to be mixed up with Brock Williams who is the player who pawned his super bowl ring for... T Damien Woody Damien Michael Woody is a former American football offensive lineman who played for the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions and New York Jets of the National Football League... C Defensive Linemen
|
Linebackers
Tedy Bruschi Tedy Lacap Bruschi is a former professional American football linebacker. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft... ILB Matt Chatham Matt Chatham is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He played college football at South Dakota.-High school years:... OLB Larry Izzo Lawrence Alexander Izzo is a retired American football Linebacker and special teamer and current assistant special teams coach for the New York Giants. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 1996... OLB Ted Johnson Ted Curtis Johnson is a former American football player in the National Football League. He grew up in Carlsbad, California where he graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1991. From there he attended the University of Colorado and was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 1995 NFL... ILB Roman Phifer Roman Zubinsky Phifer is a former American football linebacker of the National Football League. He is currently the assistant linebackers coach for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. Phifer's documentary film Blood Equity was released in November, 2009.Phifer played for the New... OLB Ryan Phillips (American football) Richard Ryan Phillips is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for five seasons for the New York Giants and the Indianapolis Colts.... ILB Ratcliff Thomas Ratcliff Thomas is a former American football linebacker. He played three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and appeared in 34 games... OLB Maugaula Tuitele Maugaula "Ula" Tuitele is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New England Patriots in 2000. He played college football at Colorado State.... ILB Mike Vrabel Michael George "Mike" Vrabel is an assistant coach at Ohio State. He is a retired American football linebacker in the National Football League. Vrabel spent 14 seasons in the NFL, having played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and most recently, the Kansas City Chiefs... OLB Defensive Backs
Special Teams
|
Reserve Lists
Patrick Pass Patrick Pass is an American football running back and fullback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2000 NFL Draft... FB/KR (Active/PUP)  Greg Robinson-Randall Greg Wayne Robinson-Randall is an arena football offensive lineman / defensive lineman for the New York Dragons of the Arena Football League. He was originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots... OT (Active/PUP) Antowain Smith Antowain Drurell Smith is a former American Football running back in the National Football League who played nine NFL seasons, most notably with the New England Patriots. At 6'2", , Smith's powerful running style made him an effective runner between the tackles... RB (Active/PUP) Antwoine Womack Antwoine Womack is an American football player.-Early life and education:Womack's football career began at Phoebus High School in Hampton, Virginia, where he was the first football player in school history to have his number retired... RB (Active/NF-Inj.) R Notations
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Regular season
| Week | Kickoff | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | TV | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9:00 pm EDT North American Eastern Time Zone The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time... |
September 9, 2002 | Pittsburgh Steelers 2002 Pittsburgh Steelers season The 2002 Pittsburgh Steelers season had the team coming off a 13–3 record and making an appearance in the AFC Championship Game. The team fell off slightly to a 10–5–1 record, although it was still good enough for a division championship. With their finish the Steelers became the first champions of... |
W 30–14 | 1–0 | Gillette Stadium Gillette Stadium Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution... |
ABC Monday Night Football Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series... |
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| 2 | 1:00 pm EDT | September 15, 2002 | New York Jets 2002 New York Jets season The 2002 New York Jets season was the 43rd season for the team, and the 33rd in the National Football League. The team tried to improve upon its 10–6 record from 2001... |
W 44–7 | 2–0 | Giants Stadium Giants Stadium Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to... |
CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
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| 3 | 1:00 pm EDT | September 22, 2002 | Kansas City Chiefs 2002 Kansas City Chiefs season The 2002 Kansas City Chiefs season marked the franchise's 40th season in Kansas City, Missouri and ended with an 8–8 record and a tie for third place in the AFC West.... |
W 41–38 (OT) | 3–0 | Gillette Stadium | CBS | |
| 4 | 4:15 pm EDT | September 29, 2002 | San Diego Chargers 2002 San Diego Chargers season The 2002 San Diego Chargers season began with the team trying to improve on their 5–11 record in 2001. It was Marty Schottenheimer's first season as the team's head coach... |
L 14–21 | 3–1 | Qualcomm Stadium Qualcomm Stadium Qualcomm Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in San Diego, California, in the Mission Valley area.... |
CBS | |
| 5 | 1:00 pm EDT | October 6, 2002 | Miami Dolphins 2002 Miami Dolphins season The 2002 Miami Dolphins season was the team's 37th as a member of the National Football League. The Dolphins failed to improve upon their previous season's output of 11–5, instead winning only nine games. The team missed the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.-Staff:-Schedule:-References:... |
L 13–26 | 3–2 | Pro Player Stadium | CBS | |
| 6 | 1:00 pm EDT | October 13, 2002 | Green Bay Packers 2002 Green Bay Packers season During the 2002 Green Bay Packers season, the team completed a 12-4 regular season with before losing in the Wild Card playoff round to Michael Vick's Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field... |
L 10–28 | 3–3 | Gillette Stadium | FOX NFL on FOX NFL on Fox is the brand name of the Fox Broadcasting Company's coverage of the National Football League's National Football Conference games, produced by Fox Sports... |
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| 7 | Bye Bye (sports) A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing... |
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| 8 | 4:15 pm EST | October 27, 2002 | Denver Broncos 2002 Denver Broncos season The 2002 Denver Broncos season was the team's 43rd year in professional football and its 33rd with the National Football League.-Staff:-Schedule:-References:* *... |
L 16–24 | 3–4 | Gillette Stadium | CBS | |
| 9 | 1:00 pm EST | November 3, 2002 | Buffalo Bills 2002 Buffalo Bills season The 2002 Buffalo Bills season was the team’s forty-third season.The Bills acquired quarterback Drew Bledsoe from the New England Patriots on draft weekend in exchange for Buffalo's first round pick in the 2003 draft... |
W 38–7 | 4–4 | Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium is a football stadium, located in the town of Orchard Park, a suburb of Buffalo, New York. It is the home for the Buffalo Bills, of the NFL... |
CBS | |
| 10 | 4:15 pm EST | November 10, 2002 | Chicago Bears 2002 Chicago Bears season The 2002 Chicago Bears season was their 83rd regular season completed in the National Football League. Though the team had hopes of returning to the playoffs after an unexpected 13-3 season the previous year, the club posted a dismal 4-12 record and missed the postseason... |
W 33–30 | 5–4 | Memorial Stadium Memorial Stadium (Champaign) thumb|right|300px|Original plan for Memorial Stadium circa 1921. Caption from [[Popular Mechanics]] Magazine, 1921Memorial Stadium is a football stadium located in Champaign, Illinois, in the United States, on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The stadium is dedicated as... |
CBS | |
| 11 | 8:30 pm EST | November 17, 2002 | Oakland Raiders 2002 Oakland Raiders season -AFC Championship Game:-References:... |
L 20–27 | 5–5 | Network Associates Coliseum | ESPN ESPN Sunday Night Football ESPN Sunday Night Football is the ESPN cable network's weekly television broadcasts of Sunday evening National Football League games. The first ESPN Sunday night broadcast occurred on November 8, 1987, while the last one aired on January 1, 2006.... |
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| 12 | 1:00 pm EST | November 24, 2002 | Minnesota Vikings 2002 Minnesota Vikings season 2002 was the 42nd year of season play for the Minnesota Vikings and the 83rd regular season of the National Football League.On January 10, 2002, Mike Tice was named the sixth Head Coach in Vikings history. Tice was the third of the six Vikings head coaches to be promoted from within the team's... |
W 24–17 | 6–5 | Gillette Stadium | FOX | |
| 13 | 12:30 pm EST | November 28, 2002 Thanksgiving Classic The National Football League's Thanksgiving Classic is a series of games played during the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. It has been a regular occurrence since the league's inception in 1920. Since 2006, three games are played every Thanksgiving... |
Detroit Lions 2002 Detroit Lions season The 2002 Detroit Lions season was the 73rd season in franchise history. It was the Lions inaugural season at Ford Field.-Staff:-Schedule:-External links:***... |
W 20–12 | 7–5 | Ford Field Ford Field Ford Field is an indoor American football stadium located in Detroit, Michigan, USA, that is the current home field of the NFL's Detroit Lions. It is owned by the Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority. It regularly seats 65,000, though it is expandable up to 70,000 for football and 80,000 for... |
CBS | |
| 14 | 1:00 pm EST | December 8, 2002 | Buffalo Bills 2002 Buffalo Bills season The 2002 Buffalo Bills season was the team’s forty-third season.The Bills acquired quarterback Drew Bledsoe from the New England Patriots on draft weekend in exchange for Buffalo's first round pick in the 2003 draft... |
W 27–17 | 8–5 | Gillette Stadium | CBS | |
| 15 | 9:00 pm EST | December 16, 2002 | Tennessee Titans 2002 Tennessee Titans season The 2002 Tennessee Titans season was the 43rd season the team was with the league. The team improved upon their previous season's output of 7–9, managing eleven victories. The Titans qualified for the playoffs, but were unable to reach the Super Bowl, instead losing to the Oakland Raiders in the... |
L 7–24 | 8–6 | The Coliseum LP Field LP Field is a football stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, owned by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.... |
ABC | |
| 16 | 8:30 pm EST | December 22, 2002 | New York Jets 2002 New York Jets season The 2002 New York Jets season was the 43rd season for the team, and the 33rd in the National Football League. The team tried to improve upon its 10–6 record from 2001... |
L 17–30 | 8–7 | Gillette Stadium | ESPN | |
| 17 | 1:00 pm EST | December 29, 2002 | Miami Dolphins 2002 Miami Dolphins season The 2002 Miami Dolphins season was the team's 37th as a member of the National Football League. The Dolphins failed to improve upon their previous season's output of 11–5, instead winning only nine games. The team missed the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.-Staff:-Schedule:-References:... |
W 27–24 (OT) | 9–7 | Gillette Stadium | CBS | |
Notable games
- September 9 vs. Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
The Patriots unveiled their first ever championship banner in pregame ceremonies on the opening of Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
for 2002. A Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
touchdown to Christian Fauria
Christian Fauria
Christian Ashley Fauria is a retired American football tight end.-Early life:Fauria attended Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, California and lettered in football, track, and once in basketball...
was answered by a Kordell Stewart
Kordell Stewart
Kordell Stewart, nicknamed "Slash" , is a former American NFL quarterback. Stewart attended the University of Colorado and was drafted 60th in the 1995 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers...
touchdown to Hines Ward
Hines Ward
Hines E. Ward, Jr. is an American football player who currently plays the wide receiver position for the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers, where he is the longest-tenured current player on the team. He was voted MVP of Super Bowl XL. He played college football at the University of Georgia...
, and the score was 10–7 New England at the half. In the third quarter the Patriots put the game away with Brady touchdowns to Donald Hayes
Donald Hayes
Donald Ross Hayes, Jr. is a former American football wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots of the National Football League...
and rookie Deion Branch
Deion Branch
Anthony Deion Branch, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisville.He has also played for the Seattle Seahawks...
; two Adam Vinatieri
Adam Vinatieri
Adam Matthew Vinatieri is an American football placekicker currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in six Super Bowls, four with the New England Patriots and two with the Colts, winning four. Vinatieri won a Super Bowl in 2006 with Indianapolis and won Super Bowls in 2001,...
field goals secured the win despite a last-minute Steelers drive ending in a Stewart rouchdown run on the final play; all the score did was reduce the Patriots' margin of victory to 30–14.
Of note this was commentator John Madden
John Madden (American football)
John Earl Madden is a former American professional football player in the National Football League, a former Super Bowl-winning head coach with the Oakland Raiders in the American Football League and later the NFL, and a former color commentator for NFL telecasts. In 2006, he was inducted into...
's first regular season game that did not feature an NFC team. He had worked at CBS and Fox for the NFC package from 1979–2001, and moved to MNF on ABC this season. ABC's games featured teams regardless of conference affiliation.
- September 15 @ New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
After a scoreless first quarter the Patriots scored ten points in the second, then in the third erupted in points by their defense; Tebucky Jones
Tebucky Jones
Tebucky Shermain Jones is a former American football safety in the National Football League. His career began when he was drafted out of Syracuse University in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He is best known for his role on the 2001 Patriots team that won...
hammered the ball from Vinny Testaverde
Vinny Testaverde
Vincent Frank Testaverde is a former NFL quarterback. Testaverde last played for the Carolina Panthers and had previously played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots. Testaverde holds the NFL record for having...
and ran in a 24-yard touchdown, and later ex-Jet Victor Green
Victor Green
Victor Bernard Green is a former American football safety in the National Football League. He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 1993...
picked off Vinny and ran in a 90-yard touchdown. A Deion Branch
Deion Branch
Anthony Deion Branch, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisville.He has also played for the Seattle Seahawks...
touchdown catch and Kevin Faulk
Kevin Faulk
Kevin Troy Faulk is an American football running back for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at LSU.As of 2010, Faulk is the longest-tenured current member of the Patriots,...
rushing score polished off a 44–7 slaughter in which New York punter Matt Turk
Matt Turk
Matthew Edward Turk is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1993...
on a 14-yard scramble outrushed the entire Jets offensive backfield (Curtis Martin
Curtis Martin
Curtis James Martin, Jr. is a former American football running back. He is an alumnus of Taylor Allderdice High School in Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh...
, LaMont Jordan
LaMont Jordan
LaMont Damon Jordan is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
, and Richie Anderson
Richie Anderson
Richard Darnoll Anderson is a former American football Fullback who played 13 seasons in the National Football League for the New York Jets from 1994–2002 and the Dallas Cowboys from 2003-2004. He was selected to play in the Pro Bowl in 2001...
managed only nine rushing yards and the former Patriot Martin was stopped for no gain three times).
- September 22 vs. Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
reached 400 passing yards for the first time in his career, and wound up needing them as the Chiefs clawed to a 17–9 lead in the third quarter on two Trent Green
Trent Green
Trent Jason Green is a retired professional American football quarterback. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Indiana University....
touchdown throws. Following the second Green touchdown the Patriots kicked it up several notches as Brady erupted to three straight touchdown throws and a 31–17 Patriots lead; the Chiefs fought back themselves as Priest Holmes
Priest Holmes
Priest Anthony Holmes is a former American football running back of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 1997. He played college football at Texas.Holmes earned a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV...
began storming up and down the field, setting up another Green touchdown throw (to Eddie Kennison
Eddie Kennison
Edward Joseph "Eddie" Kennison, III is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams 18th overall in the 1996 NFL Draft...
), then answering a 42-yard Antowain Smith
Antowain Smith
Antowain Drurell Smith is a former American Football running back in the National Football League who played nine NFL seasons, most notably with the New England Patriots. At 6'2", , Smith's powerful running style made him an effective runner between the tackles...
touchdown with two of his own, the final one on the game's final play, leaving the score tied 38–38. The game thus went into overtime and the Patriots settled the issue on the extra quarter's only possession, whipping down field in 4:40 for Adam Vinatieri
Adam Vinatieri
Adam Matthew Vinatieri is an American football placekicker currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in six Super Bowls, four with the New England Patriots and two with the Colts, winning four. Vinatieri won a Super Bowl in 2006 with Indianapolis and won Super Bowls in 2001,...
's 35-yard game winner and a 41–38 final.
- September 29 @ San Diego ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
A year after erasing a 10-point gap and thus launching a run to Super Bowl XXXVI
Super Bowl XXXVI
Super Bowl XXXVI was an American football game played on February 3, 2002 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 2001 regular season. The American Football Conference champion New England Patriots won their first Super...
, New England's team-record 11-game winning streak crashed to a halt at Qualcomm Stadium
Qualcomm Stadium
Qualcomm Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in San Diego, California, in the Mission Valley area....
. The game lead changed or tied five times; Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
touchdowns to Christian Fauria
Christian Fauria
Christian Ashley Fauria is a retired American football tight end.-Early life:Fauria attended Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, California and lettered in football, track, and once in basketball...
and linebacker/tight end Mike Vrabel
Mike Vrabel
Michael George "Mike" Vrabel is an assistant coach at Ohio State. He is a retired American football linebacker in the National Football League. Vrabel spent 14 seasons in the NFL, having played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and most recently, the Kansas City Chiefs...
were answered by a Drew Brees
Drew Brees
Drew Christopher Brees is a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue....
touchdown to Curtis Conway
Curtis Conway
Curtis Lamont Conway is a former National Football League wide receiver and was a first round 1993 NFL Draft choice out of the University of Southern California...
and two LaDanian Tomlinson rushing scores. Brady clawed the Patriots to the Chargers red zone twice in the fourth but was picked off in the endzone by Donnie Edwards
Donnie Edwards
Donnie Edwards is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 1996 NFL Draft...
and Ryan McNeil
Ryan McNeil
Ryan McNeil was a fictional character on the CBS soap opera, The Young and the Restless. He was played by Scott Reeves from 1991 to 2001.-Character:...
.
- October 13 vs. Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
The second post-Super Bowl XXXI
Super Bowl XXXI
Super Bowl XXXI was an American football game played on January 26, 1997, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 1996 regular season. The National Football Conference champion Green Bay Packers defeated the American...
rematch with the Packers was no better than the first one in 1997, as Brett Favre
Brett Favre
Brett Lorenzo Favre is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He was a 20-year veteran of the NFL, having played quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons , Green Bay Packers , New York Jets and Minnesota...
threw for just 147 yards, but they led to three touchdowns while Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
was bullied into three interceptions, Kevin Faulk
Kevin Faulk
Kevin Troy Faulk is an American football running back for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at LSU.As of 2010, Faulk is the longest-tenured current member of the Patriots,...
botched a lateral, and Bobby Hamilton
Bobby Hamilton
Charles Robert Hamilton, Sr. was a driver and owner in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series circuit and the winner of the 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship. Hamilton owned Bobby Hamilton Racing, which fielded three entries in each NCWTS event...
was almost the only member of New England's defense to show up, recording a four-yard sack. The Packers romped 28–10.
- November 3 @ Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
The 3–4 Patriots faced former franchise quarterback Drew Bledsoe
Drew Bledsoe
Drew McQueen Bledsoe is a former football quarterback in the National Football League, best known as the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots from 1993-2001. During the 1990s, he was considered the face of the Patriots franchise...
for the first time since trading him to the Bills after the 2001 season. Bledsoe had raced the Bills to a 5–3 start but the Patriots now found their championship moxie again. Brady threw three touchdowns while ex-Bill Antowain Smith
Antowain Smith
Antowain Drurell Smith is a former American Football running back in the National Football League who played nine NFL seasons, most notably with the New England Patriots. At 6'2", , Smith's powerful running style made him an effective runner between the tackles...
rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown. Mike Hollis
Mike Hollis
Michael Shane Hollis is a former professional American football placekicker. He spent most of his nine-year professional career playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League , kicking for the team from 1995–2001 and setting several team records...
missed three field goal tries as the Patriots raced to a 38–7 win.
- November 10 @ Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
Another matchup with a former Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
opponent took place in Champaign, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, as renovation of Soldier Field
Soldier Field
Soldier Field is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the Near South Side. It is home to the NFL's Chicago Bears...
forced the Bears to play their home games at the University of Illinois' Urbana-Champaign area stadium. Chris Chandler
Chris Chandler
Christopher Mark Chandler is a retired American football player, who played as a quarterback in the National Football League for 17 seasons. He is known for leading the Atlanta Falcons to a 14-2 season in 1998, followed up with an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIII.-Early years:Chris Chandler was...
was drilled in the head by Lawyer Milloy
Lawyer Milloy
Lawyer Marzell Milloy is an American football safety. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Washington....
on a quarterback sneak and had to leave the game, replaced by Jim Miller
Jim Miller (quarterback)
James Donald Miller is a former NFL quarterback, last under contract with the New York Giants. He was drafted in the 6th round of the 1994 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, 178th overall. Miller attended Waterford Kettering High School and graduated in 1989...
. An exchange of field goals left the score tied at 6 after one quarter, then the Bears, trying to end a six-game losing streak, erupted to three touchdowns, one a 44-yard Marty Booker
Marty Booker
Marty Montez Booker is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft...
pass to Marcus Robinson. Kevin Faulk
Kevin Faulk
Kevin Troy Faulk is an American football running back for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at LSU.As of 2010, Faulk is the longest-tenured current member of the Patriots,...
, smarting from criticism of the botched lateral the previous month, now surged to the front, catching a pair of Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
touchdown catches only to be stopped by Brian Urlacher
Brian Urlacher
Brian Keith Urlacher is an American football player for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League . He attended the University of New Mexico, where he was one of the school's most decorated athletes. In addition to setting multiple university records, Urlacher earned consideration for the...
on a two-point conversion try. Trailing 30–25 in the final two minutes, Brady was picked off by Marcus Harrison
Marcus Harrison
Marcus Harrison is an American football defensive tackle free agent. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft after playing college football at Arkansas...
; Harrison started upfield with the ball bobbling in his hands; Brady swatted it out of his hands and the Bears recovered. The play was initially ruled an interception, but it went to replay and the ruling was changed to an incomplete pass. Brady then completed a four-yard quarterback sneak, and on the next play barely escaped a sack to flip the ball to Faulk for a first down to the Bears 20. With 30 seconds to go Brady dodged Bears defenders and lofted a pass caught by David Patten
David Patten
David Patten is a former American football wide receiver. He was signed by the Albany Firebirds as a street free agent in 1996. He played college football at Western Carolina....
; the catch went to review as it initially appeared to be out of bounds, but replay showed Patten dragged both feet in bounds; the Patriots then completed a two-point throw to Troy Brown
Troy Brown
Troy Fitzgerald Brown is a former NFL wide receiver, cornerback and punt returner in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Marshall...
and the Bears' final drive petered out for a stunning 33–30 Patriots win.
Week 1 roster
| New England Patriots 2002 Week 1 roster | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
|
Offensive Linemen
Joe Andruzzi Joseph Dominick Andruzzi is a former American football offensive guard. In May 2007 he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.-College career:... G Tom Ashworth Thomas F. Ashworth is an American football offensive lineman who is currently a free agent. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the San Francisco 49ers out of the University of Colorado at Boulder... T Kenyatta Jones Kenyatta Lapoleon Jones is an American football offensive tackle for the New York Sentinels of the United Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft... T/G Adrian Klemm Adrian William Klemm is a former National Football League offensive lineman, who played for the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers. He is perhaps best known for being drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft, the same draft in which they selected Tom... G/T Matt Light Matthew Charles Light is an American football offensive tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.-Early years:Light was born in Greenville, Ohio... T Stephen Neal Stephen Matthew Neal is a former American football guard who played his entire career for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He is a former national champion amateur and collegiate wrestler at Cal State-Bakersfield... G Greg Robinson-Randall Greg Wayne Robinson-Randall is an arena football offensive lineman / defensive lineman for the New York Dragons of the Arena Football League. He was originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots... T Grey Ruegamer Christopher Grey Ruegamer [ROO-gah-mer] is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft... C/G Damien Woody Damien Michael Woody is a former American football offensive lineman who played for the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions and New York Jets of the National Football League... C Defensive Linemen
|
Linebackers
Tedy Bruschi Tedy Lacap Bruschi is a former professional American football linebacker. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft... ILB Matt Chatham Matt Chatham is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He played college football at South Dakota.-High school years:... OLB Larry Izzo Lawrence Alexander Izzo is a retired American football Linebacker and special teamer and current assistant special teams coach for the New York Giants. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 1996... OLB Ted Johnson Ted Curtis Johnson is a former American football player in the National Football League. He grew up in Carlsbad, California where he graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1991. From there he attended the University of Colorado and was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 1995 NFL... ILB Roman Phifer Roman Zubinsky Phifer is a former American football linebacker of the National Football League. He is currently the assistant linebackers coach for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. Phifer's documentary film Blood Equity was released in November, 2009.Phifer played for the New... OLB Mike Vrabel Michael George "Mike" Vrabel is an assistant coach at Ohio State. He is a retired American football linebacker in the National Football League. Vrabel spent 14 seasons in the NFL, having played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and most recently, the Kansas City Chiefs... OLB Defensive Backs
Special Teams
|
Reserve Lists
Rob Kelly (American football) Robert James Kelly III is a former professional American football player who played safety for four seasons for the New Orleans Saints in the National Football League.... FS (IR) Leonard Myers (American football) Leonard Bernard Myers, Jr. is a former professional American football cornerback drafted in the sixth round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots of the National Football League... CB (PUP) Antwoine Womack Antwoine Womack is an American football player.-Early life and education:Womack's football career began at Phoebus High School in Hampton, Virginia, where he was the first football player in school history to have his number retired... RB (NF-Inj.) R Practice Squad
Notations
|
|||||
Final roster
| New England Patriots 2002 final roster | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
|
Offensive Linemen
Joe Andruzzi Joseph Dominick Andruzzi is a former American football offensive guard. In May 2007 he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.-College career:... G Tom Ashworth Thomas F. Ashworth is an American football offensive lineman who is currently a free agent. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the San Francisco 49ers out of the University of Colorado at Boulder... T Russ Hochstein Russ Hochstein is an American football guard for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL Draft... G Kenyatta Jones Kenyatta Lapoleon Jones is an American football offensive tackle for the New York Sentinels of the United Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft... T/G Adrian Klemm Adrian William Klemm is a former National Football League offensive lineman, who played for the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers. He is perhaps best known for being drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft, the same draft in which they selected Tom... T Matt Light Matthew Charles Light is an American football offensive tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.-Early years:Light was born in Greenville, Ohio... T Greg Robinson-Randall Greg Wayne Robinson-Randall is an arena football offensive lineman / defensive lineman for the New York Dragons of the Arena Football League. He was originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots... T Grey Ruegamer Christopher Grey Ruegamer [ROO-gah-mer] is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft... C/G Damien Woody Damien Michael Woody is a former American football offensive lineman who played for the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions and New York Jets of the National Football League... C Defensive Linemen
|
Linebackers
Tedy Bruschi Tedy Lacap Bruschi is a former professional American football linebacker. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft... ILB Larry Izzo Lawrence Alexander Izzo is a retired American football Linebacker and special teamer and current assistant special teams coach for the New York Giants. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 1996... OLB Ted Johnson Ted Curtis Johnson is a former American football player in the National Football League. He grew up in Carlsbad, California where he graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1991. From there he attended the University of Colorado and was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 1995 NFL... ILB Roman Phifer Roman Zubinsky Phifer is a former American football linebacker of the National Football League. He is currently the assistant linebackers coach for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. Phifer's documentary film Blood Equity was released in November, 2009.Phifer played for the New... OLB Maugaula Tuitele Maugaula "Ula" Tuitele is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New England Patriots in 2000. He played college football at Colorado State.... ILB Mike Vrabel Michael George "Mike" Vrabel is an assistant coach at Ohio State. He is a retired American football linebacker in the National Football League. Vrabel spent 14 seasons in the NFL, having played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and most recently, the Kansas City Chiefs... OLB Defensive Backs
Special Teams
|
Reserve Lists
Matt Chatham Matt Chatham is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He played college football at South Dakota.-High school years:... OLB (IR) Daniel Graham Daniel Lawrence Grahamhttp://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GrahDa00.htm is an American football tight end for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft... TE (IR) R Ben Kelly Benjamin Oliver Kelly is a former American football cornerback of the National Football League, Arena Football League and Canadian Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft... CB (IR) Rob Kelly (American football) Robert James Kelly III is a former professional American football player who played safety for four seasons for the New Orleans Saints in the National Football League.... FS (IR) Stephen Neal Stephen Matthew Neal is a former American football guard who played his entire career for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He is a former national champion amateur and collegiate wrestler at Cal State-Bakersfield... G (IR) Antwoine Womack Antwoine Womack is an American football player.-Early life and education:Womack's football career began at Phoebus High School in Hampton, Virginia, where he was the first football player in school history to have his number retired... RB (NF-Inj.) R Practice Squad
Notations
|
|||||