This Day in Sports History - 10/18/2009

With snow falling on Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, the New England Patriots thrash the Tennessee Titans 59 - 0. It is the largest margin of victory in the NFL since 1976. The Patriots score 10 points in the first quarter, then pile on with 35 in the second. The 45 - 0 lead gives New England the largest halftime lead in NFL history. Tom Brady breaks the NFL record for touchdown passes in a quarter with five. In all, Brady has six TD tosses, along with 29 completions in 34 attempts and 380 yards. The loss drops the Titans to 0 - 6 in the 2009 season, but the club recovers to win their next five games and eight of their last 10 to finish at 8 - 8. The Patriots are 10 - 6 during the regular season in 2009 and lose in the first round of the playoffs.

Super Bowl XLVI Preview

This Sunday February 5th will be Super Bowl 46 between the New York Giants and New England Patriots. Here are 46 facts and stats that hopefully you'll enjoy.

1. This is a rematch of a game from Week 9 as well as Super Bowl XLII
2. Bill Belichick was assistant for the Giants for 12 years
3. New England had 8 players selected for the Pro Bowl
4. New England was 3-1 vs. NFC while New York was 4-0 vs. AFC
5. The Giants have two players from Ohio State (Jake Ballard & Jim Cordle)
6. Eli Manning has a record 15 TDs in the 4th Quarter
7. Tom Brady is tied with Joe Montana with 16 playoff wins
8. This will be Tom Brady's 5th Super Bowl start; which ties him with John Elway
9. New England did not beat any team during the regular season who had a winning record
10. This is New England's 7th Super Bowl appearance & New York's 5th
11. Tom Brady was drafted as a catcher in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB Draft by the Montreal Expos
12. BenJarvis Green-Ellis went to the same High School as actor Carl Weathers
13. Victor Cruz had a Giants record with 1,536 receiving yards during the regular season
14. Tom Coughlin & Bill Belichick were assistant coaches on Giants Super Bowl XXV team
15. New England OC Bill O'Brien has been named the new Head Coach for Penn State
16. Former New England LB Larry Izzo is the Assistant Special Teams Coach for the Giants
17. TEs Rob Gronkowski & Aaron Hernandez combined for 169 receptions
18. New England allowed nine QBs to pass for 300 or more yards during the regular season
19. Jason Pierre-Paul had 16.5 sacks this season; only Michael Strahan & LT have had more in a season
20. Tom Brady has 3 seasons with 35 or more TD passes
21. The last time Wes Welker didn't have a reception in a game was 2005
22. Safety Antrell Rolle led the Giants with 96 tackles
23. Mark Anderson & Andre Carter each had 10 sacks for New England
24. Chad Ochocinco had just 15 receptions during the season
25. Mark Herzlich played lacrosse in High School
26. Stephen Gostkowski's FG % is 84.8
27. DT Vince Wilfork has 2 career INTs
28. Antrell Rolle & Vince Wilfork were college teammates
29. The Giants last six 1st round draft picks are major contributors to the team (Matthias Kiwanuka, Aaron Ross, Kenny Phillips, Hakeem Nicks, Jason Pierre-Paul & Prince Amukamara)
30. Matt Light protected Drew Brees' blind side in college
31. This is the 9th Super Bowl rematch of a regular season game decided by TD or less; 7 of the previous 8 games were won by team that lost 1st game
32. In his first 10 postseason games Tom Brady was 10-0 with 3 INTs; in his last 11 he's 6-5 with 16 INTs
33. Manning & Brady will be 3rd set of QBs to meet in multiple Super Bowls; the others were Bradshaw-Staubach & Aikman-Kelly
34. Lawrence Tynes is 1st player to score winning points in 2 playoff overtime games
35. The Giants drafted LBs Greg Jones & Jacquian Williams in the 6th round of 2011 NFL Draft
36. Chris Snee is Tom Coughlin's son-in-law
37. Bill Belichick is not a member of the NFL Coaches Club
38. The only 100 yard receiving game that Wes Welker has had in the playoffs was Super Bowl XLII loss to the Giants
39. Julian Edelman has played as a WR & CB this season
40. New England TEs coach Brian Ferentz is the son of Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz
41. Eli Manning is 6-1 in road or neutral site games in the playoffs
42. John Mara is the 3rd generation of his family to own the Giants
43. The Patriots have retired 8 player's numbers; the Giants have retired 11
44. Tom Brady has 2 Super Bowl MVPs, Eli Manning & Deion Branch each have 1
45. Tom Brady, Kevin Faulk & Matt Light are only current Patriots who won the 3 New England Super Bowls
46. Giants OC Kevin Gilbride was OC under Tom Coughlin for the Jaguars in 1995 & 1996

This Day in Sports History - 11/13/1994

Drew Bledsoe sets NFL records for the most passing attempts (70) and most completions (45) in a game and throws no interceptions as the Patriots overcome a 20 - 3 deficit to win 26 - 20 over the Minnesota Vikings in Foxboro. The winning score comes after 4:10 of overtime on a 14 yard pass from Bledsoe to Kevin Turner.

Greatest Coaches Countdown - #33 Bill Parcells

Sport: NFL

Stops: Giants (1983 - 1990) Patriots (1993 - 1996) Jets (1997 - 1999) Cowboys (2003 - 2006)

Record: 172 - 130 - 1(.570 Winning Percentage)

Championships: 2

Fun Facts

1. As an NFL coach and executive, Parcells inherited five losing teams that he helped guide to the playoffs in two seasons or fewer

2. Parcells has an 11 - 8 record in the playoffs

Related Posts:

1. The Icky Shuffle: This Day in Sports History - 1/11/1970

2. The Icky Shuffle: Best by the Numbers - New York Edition

Best by the Numbers - Boston Edition

Once again we have a players list based on their uniform numbers. This time we focus on the 4 professional sports teams in the Boston area (Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots & Bruins).

1. Andrew Raycroft
2. Eddie Shore
3. Dennis Johnson - This Celtic great played with Bird, McHale & Parish and had his #3 retired by the team in 1991
4. Adam Vinetieri - I know that Hall of Famer Bobby Orr wore #4 for the Bruins but I went with Vinetieri to show some love for the kickers
5. Kevin Garnett
6. Bill Russell - The 11 time NBA Champion was an excellent defensive player
7. Trot Nixon
8. Carl Yastrzemski - in 1967 "Yaz" became the last player to complete the Triple Crown
9. Ted Williams - Not only was he a feared hitter, but he was also a Veteran from WWII and the Korean War
10. Jo Jo White
11. Drew Bledsoe
12. Tom Brady
13. Delonte West
14. Bob Cousy - Cousy lead the league in assists for 11 straight years.
15. Kevin Millar
16. Satch Sanders
17. John Havlicek - "Hondo" played his college ball at The Ohio State University
18. Daisuke Matsuzaka
19. Josh Beckett
20. Ray Allen
21. Roger Clemens
22. Asante Samuel
23. Craig Janney
24. Manny Ramirez - Man-Ram was the MVP of the 2004 World Series
25. K.C. Jones
26. Wade Boggs
27. Carlton Fisk - One of the greatest catchers of all time was immortalized in 1975 against the Reds in the World Series
28. Curtis Martin
29. Shawn Springs
30. Tim Thomas - The Hockey player; not the Basketball player
31. Cedric Maxwell
32. Kevin McHale
33. Larry Bird - In his career he averaged 24 points and 10 rebounds a game
34. David Ortiz
35. Reggie Lewis
36. Lawyer Milloy
37. Rodney Harrison
38. Curt Schilling - Two words: "Bloody Sock"
39. Lawrence Maroney
40. Mike Haynes
41. Victor Martinez
42. Mo Vaughn - Won the MVP award in 1995
43. Kendrick Perkins
44. Danny Ainge
45. Pedro Martinez - One of the greatest moments of his career was the 1999 All-Star game when he struck out 5 of the 6 batters he faced
46. Jacoby Ellsbury
47. Rod Beck
48. Lee Smith - Is currently 3rd on the All-Time Saves list with 478 Saves
49. Tim Wakefield
50. Mike Vrabel - The former Ohio State LB was used as an eligible receiver many times and has caught over 10 TDs in his career
51. Jerod Mayo
52. Ted Johnson
53. Larry Izzo
54. Tedy Bruschi - In 2005 Bruschi suffered a stroke, but came back to play later that year getting the Comeback Player of the Year Award
55. Junior Seau
56. Andre Tippett
57. Steve Nelson
58. Jonathan Pappelbon
59. Vincent Brown
60. Scott Rehberg
61. Clay Buchholz
62. Jon Lester - Less than 2 years after being diagnosed with lymphoma he threw a no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals
63. Joe Andruzzi
64. Dave Wohlabaugh
65. Damien Woody
66. Scott Pollard
67. Dan Koppen
68. Ryan O'Callaghan
69. Ryan Wendell
70. Logan Mankins
71. Russ Hochstein
72. Matt Light
73. John Hannah - His last name is a palindrome
74. Rich Baldinger
75. Vince Wilfork
76. Brandon Gorin
77. Ray Bourque - From 1985 - 2000 Bourque was the team captain of the Bruins
78. Bruce Armstrong
79. Jim Lee Hunt
80. Troy Brown
81. Randy Moss
82. Daniel Graham
83. Wes Welker
84. Ben Watson
85. Nick Buoniconti - Was probably best known for being part of the '72 Miami Dolphins team; but before that he played for the Patriots
86. Stanley Morgan
87. Ben Coates
88. Terry Glenn
89. Bob Dee
90. Toby Williams
91. Marc Savard
92. Ray Agnew
93. Richard Seymour
94. Ty Warren
95. Tully Banta-Cain
96. Adalius Thomas
97. Jarvis Green
98. Shawn Crable
99. Mike Wright

Honorable Mention: 00. Robert Parish - I don't give the # 0 or 00 on this list normally but "The Chief" was a great player for the Celtics for a long time

Inside the Huddle with John Clayton

ESPN's John Clayton goes inside the huddle and discusses Randy Moss, New England and the Cleveland Browns.

Rookie TE Kevin Boss discusses the Super Bowl on ESPN's First Take

Justin Tuck talks about the Super Bowl on ESPN's First Take

David Tyree on ESPN's First Take

Archie and Peyton Manning discuss Eli and the Giant's Super Bowl win

Primetime guys and the Super Bowl Wrap-up

Sportscenter discusses the magnitude of Super Bowl 42

Sportscenter discusses Plaxico's GW Touchdown

Sportscenter discusses Strahan getting his first ring

Amani Toomer on the Super Bowl

Eli Manning named Super Bowl MVP

Don Shula was rooting for the Giants

Mercury Morris on the Giants win in Super Bowl 42

NFL Draft Winners

Here are some of the winners of the 2007 NFL Draft:

1. Cleveland Browns - They got Joe Thomas, Brady Quinn, a slew of defensive players who will add much needed depth to the team.
2. New England Patriots - Getting Randy Moss for a 4th round draft pick is highway robbery. They also picked up some good players in the picks that they kept.
3. San Francisco 49ers - They got LB Patrick Willis, OT Joe Staley and WR Jason Hill.

NFL Mock Draft

On April 28th & 29th will be the NFL Draft. So here is the first round of the Draft as I see it. I was going to do this later in the month, but after yesterday's trade between Atlanta and Houston, in which they swapped first round picks, I decided to just do it now.

1. Oakland: JaMarcus Russel, QB, LSU - Oakland likes the strong armed QB to turn the Raiders' woes around.
2. Detroit: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin - Although they picked up George Foster from Denver I still think they will take Thomas instead of Brady Quinn because Detroit's Offensive Coordinator is Mike Martz, who has proven in the past that he does not need a top of the line QB to win with (Kurt Warner was an undrafted player who Martz made into a Super Bowl MVP).
3. Cleveland: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame - Firstly, Quinn grew up as a Browns fan and has said he would love to play for them. Secondly, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis is very close with Browns coach Romeo Crennel, and Weis has told him to trade up to get Quinn. Lastly, the Browns have good receivers, picked up RB Jamal Lewis and OL Eric Steinbach so now they need a big time QB to put in the mix.
4. Tampa Bay: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech - Possibly the best player in the Draft, Tampa Bay will be giddy to get Johnson.
5. Arizona: Alan Branch, DT, Michigan - Arizona allowed an average (how is that for alliteration) of 119 yards and a touchdown on the ground per game last year. The running backs in Arizona's division are Shaun Alexander, Frank Gore, Steven Jackson, so Arizona needs to shore up the defense.
6. Washington: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson - Washington needs a pass rush and adding Adams' 13.5 sacks will help.
7. Minnesota: Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State - Since Moss and Carter left Minnesota has not had a deep threat. Ginn needs to work on his route running, but he can still make the big play.
8. Atlanta (from Houston): Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville - He is quick, strong, and gets penetration in the backfield. One other thing to think about is Atlanta's new coach Bobby Petrino used to coach Okoye in Louisville.
9. Miami: Levi Brown, OT, Penn State - Miami needs to address an inadequate offensive line. If they get 36-year old QB Trent Green then they will need someone to protect him.
10. Houston (from Atlanta): Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma - Houston needs a RB. It's just as simple as that.
11. San Francisco: Jamal Anderson, DE, Arkansas - They have signed an elite CB, a couple of solid LBs, but their defense still needs help, and Jamal Anderson is a complete player.
12. Buffalo: Leon Hall, CB, Michigan - Hall can step in for Nate Clements who was lost to San Francisco.
13. St. Louis: LaRon Landry, S, LSU - Some of the leagues best WRs are in their division, so St. Louis could use the help in their secondary.
14. Carolia: Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC - Keyshawn Johnson hasn't played well, plus he is mulling over the idea of retirement, so Carolina should take Jarrett to team up with Steve Smith.
15. Pittsburgh: Charles Johnson, DE, Georgia - New coach Mike Tomlin is moving to the 4-3, and they could use Johnson's 19 tackles for a loss.
16. Green Bay: Marshawn Lynch, RB, California - The fact that he can catch as well as run makes him a good fit for the Packers.
17. Jacksonville: Reggie Nelson, S, Florida - They are looking for an impact defender in the secondary and Nelson would be a good fit.
18. Cincinnati: Aaron Ross, CB, Texas - The Bengals were vulnerable at corner last year.
19. Tennessee: Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU - When you have a franchise QB (Vince Young) it makes sense to surround him with playmakers.
20. New York Giants: Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State - His production and consistency are what jump out at you about him. Also the Giants have had issues at linebacker in recent years.
21. Denver: Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska - They need help along the defensive front and Carriker is good against the run and the pass.
22. Dallas: Patrick Willis, ILB, Mississippi - He's a fierce tackler who will add a lot to the middle of the Dallas defense.
23. Kansas City: Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina - They need a threat outside to help the passing game.
24. New England (from Seattle): Brandon Siler, ILB, Florida - The Patriots picked up OLB Adaulis Thomas in free-agency, but their inside linebackers, Teddy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel are getting older, so it's time to draft a young guy.
25. New York Jets: Greg Olsen, TE, Miami (FL) - They have gotten little from the tight end position in the passing game and Olsen can change that.
26. Philadelphia: Michael Griffin, S, Texas - With Michael Lewis going to SF and Brian Dawkins getting older they need youth at the safety position.
27. New Orleans: Daymeion Hughes, CB, California - With Fred Thomas getting scorched most of last year the Saints need a good corner to "march in".
28. New England: Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee - I know you are thinking, wait a minute didn't the Patriots add 3 wide receivers this offseason, well yes they did but the Donte' Stallworth deal is really a one year contract.
29. Baltimore: Anthony Spencer, DE/LB, Purdue - With losing Adaulis Thomas to the Patriots, Spencer would be the logical pick because he can play defensive end or outside linebacker.
30. San Diego: Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Ohio State - San Diego needs a total makeover at the wide receiver position and Gonzalez would be a good fit because of his combination of speed and good route running.
31. Chicago: Quinn Pitcock, DT, Ohio State - Their defense had problems on the interior part of the d-line.
32. Indianapolis: Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh - Revis can step in for Nick Harper who left for Tennessee, plus he can return kicks and punts.