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The Hot List: Best opening acts by Patriots rookies 09.12.12 at 12:42 am ET
By

Dont'a Hightower

The performance of rookies Chandler Jones, Dont’a Hightower and Tavon Wilson in the season-opener against the Titans on Sunday got us to thinking: What were some of the best performances by Patriots first-year players in openers? And so this edition of “The Hot List” looks at the five best debuts by New England rookies.

It’s measured solely on first impressions a rookie makes in his initial game as a professional. (It has to be with the Patriots.) As a result, some of the most impressive members of the franchise, like Tom Brady (who technically became a star in his second season) and Wes Welker (who broke into the league with the Chargers and Dolphins before signing with the Patriots) are ineligible. With that understood — and with some help from our friends on Twitter — here’s a look at New England’s five favorite rookie debuts:

5. Defensive end Chandler Jones and linebacker Dont’a Hightower: Sept. 9, 2012, vs. Titans – The two rookies provided the oomph for a New England defense that carried the day in a 34-13 win over the Titans. Jones had five tackles (three solo) and a strip sack of Titans quarterback Jake Locker in the first half, his first as a pro. Hightower, who added five tackles (four solo) of his own, was the beneficiary of Jones’ forced fumble, coming away with the ball and rumbling into the end zone from six yards out for his first touchdown as a pro. (Defensive back Tavon Wilson also gets some credit for his work — he picked off one Locker pass in the end zone, and added a pair of passes defensed in the win.)

4. Quarterback Drew Bledsoe: Sept. 5, 1993, vs. Bills – We picked this one not so much for Bledsoe’s stat line in the game — a pedestrian 14-for-30 for 148 yards and two touchdowns — but for what it represents. The dawning of the Bledsoe/Bill Parcells era represented a fresh start for the Patriots. Even though they were beaten that afternoon by the Bills in Buffalo, 38-14 (New England was within three in the third quarter when Bledsoe hit Greg McMutry on a 2-yard pass to make it 17-14, but would get no closer), it kickstarted a run of relevance that has never ended. Bledsoe would go on to play nine seasons in New England and reach the Super Bowl twice.

3. Wide receiver Deion Branch: Sept. 9, 2002, vs. Steelers – The first regular-season game in Gillette Stadium history was a fundamental beatdown of the Steelers, 30-14. In that one, Branch tied for the team lead in catches with six, but led the way with 83 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown pass from Brady midway through the third quarter that made the score 24-7. Branch would go on to post 43 catches for 489 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie. (His effort just edges out Terry Glenn’s 1996 debut against the Bills when he had six catches for 76 yards and one touchdown.)

2. Linebacker Jerod Mayo: Sept. 7, 2008, vs. Chiefs – On an afternoon remembered more for Brady’s season-ending injury more than anything else, Mayo made his first start as a pro and finished with six tackles. However, it was the beginning of a truly great rookie year. He played every down on defense as a rookie and put together such an impressive first year (he finished with 128 tackles), he got all but one vote for defensive rookie of the year.

1. Running back Curtis Martin: Sept. 3, 1995, vs. Browns – The future Hall of Famer rushed for 102 yards on 19 carries in his pro debut, including a one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that proved to be the difference in a 17-14 victory over Cleveland. It was not only Martin’s first game as a pro, it was his first game playing for Parcells, and it was the start of a terrific football friendship. (“As far as my football career, I consider him my father figure and mentor,” Martin said last February.) After the game, however, Parcells cautioned reporters when asked about Martin’s performance: “Don’t go putting him in Canton yet.”

Just missed the cut: offensive lineman Nate Solder (tied for team lead with 80 snaps at right tackle against the Dolphins on Sept. 12, 2011); running back Laurence Maroney (17 carries, 86 yards on Sept. 10, 2006, against Buffalo); running back Robert Edwards (13 carries, 50 yards, one touchdown against the Broncos on Sept. 7, 1998); tight ends Rob Gronkowski (a 1-yard touchdown catch against the Bengals on Sept. 12, 2010) and Aaron Hernandez (one catch for 45 yards in the same game); wide receiver Terry Glenn (six catches, 76 yards, one touchdown on Sept. 8, 1996 against Buffalo).

Read More: chandler jones, Curtis Martin, Dont’a Hightower, Drew Bledsoe Print  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • http://terminationattorney.net/ terminationattorney

    Bledsoe would go on to play nine seasons in New England and reach the Super Bowl twice.

  • dee-fense, dee-fense

    You might want to review yours.  did you actually type that twice?

  • Anonymous

    Oops.  Oops.

  • barry jaye

     Nate Ebner on special teams it appeared took part on two special teams tackles–never heard one mention of him anywhere.

  • http://www.apluscomputersolutionsllc.com/ apluscomputersolutionsllc

    After the game, however, Parcells cautioned reporters when asked about
    Martin’s performance: “Don’t go putting him in Canton yet.”

  • Stephen

     Kevin Garnett is the greatest thing to happen to this storied franchise since Larry Bird.To hear this latest trade rumor involving the heart and soul of this team frankly stinks.To hear the media spew there trade fantasies and salivate over possible moves makes me angry.If they can not win it it all break it up they say Please!Trading KG the team goes down the drain and the place is empty.Celtics are a playoff team capable of winning a round or two even without Rondo.If that is all they can do so be it.

  • Cfn

    I agree, Garnet or Pierce are not going anywhere, it would be public relations diaster for Celtics to trade either one of them. On the other hand, I would trade Rondo, we obviously don’t need him.  I say we take Nash and Gasol for Rondo.  Or we can give him to Miami to piss of Ray!

  • NBA_stillSUCKS

     You are an idiot if you think C’s don’t need Rondo just because they won a few games.
    Heck they won when Garnett was injured, they won when Pierce was injured…it’s a FULL season that counts not less than 10 games.

    Rondo is a top 4 PG in the NBA…Garnett not top 10  Forward or Center!

  • Anonymous

    Danny learned from Red.  As a business model, it makes sense to work a trade, just as it would to have traded Larry & Kevin.  But Red believed in being loyal – to a fault, with the great ones.  Danny does the same, and hopefully the new generation of leprechans bless us over the next 2-3 years and brings us a “4″ and a “5″ to carry us for the next decade,

  • Johnny C

    KG- I love your heart and loyalty. As a Celtics fan, I’m with you no matter what.

  • AfroJack

    What a moronpants. Blood is red. Celtics fans are delusional. This team is going nowhere for the next 12-18 yrs.

  • Stephen

    Celtics are 4-0 since Rondos injury but remember Rondo against Miami last year and so many other playoff games in the last four years.He was the best player on the floor most of the time.Celtics have a rebounding issue and Rondo does that well.The team has responded to him being out so far will give you that.

  • Anonymous

    From Einstein to Beavis in one statement.  Great job with your moronic statement Jack

  • Bruinman86

    And I thought only Vulcan’s bled Green…..

  • Johnny Spygate

    Bottom line: much like the Red Sox, this team isn’t doing squat for the next 3-4 years.  You know it.  I know it.  Gino knows it.  As long as Lebron is in Miami, this team isn’t even getting out of the East.  Even if/when he leaves Miami, the decent players on this team will be gray and old.  Might as well bring ML Carr back to entertain you all while  watching the balls drop each year in the lottery.
    Sad.  But true.
    Remember, I’m just the messenger.

  • Mplfl

    I posted this on ESPN earlier, trade Garnett, Pierce, Terry and Collins to the Clippers and get Bledsoe, Jordan, Butler, Odem, Billups and #1. Then either trade Odem, Billups, and Butler or release them.

  • Stephen

    Get your mind off if no title then might as well be a lottery team.They have won a title once in the last 26 years but I have enjoyed winning seasons.I hated the ML Carr years and hoping for top pick.Red Sox have won twice in 95 years Bruins waited forty.

  • Gennaro494

    There isn’t anyone worthy of trading Garnett for …maybe Lebron
    don’t see that happening..Butler and Bledsoe..give me a break..what are they gonna do for celtics? Nothing..
    At least Garnett packs the building and plays hard every game..win or lose..Garnett is staying..Pierce is staying..
    If Celtics to another bonehead move..aka getting rid of Perkins in a playoff run..Celtics fans will want to trade Danny Ainge!

  • Gennaro494

    I vote to trade DANNY AINGE…
    remember that last bonehead move he did..Getting rid of PERK when the team had a REAL chance to win another title..
    Stop talking about Garnett..he isn’t on the table..

  • Uncle Buck

    Wrong again.  Bottom line is really the fact that you remain, a sleazy douchey troll.  Sad and pathetic.  

  • Fab4ever

    This is where you continue to err…you’re not the messenger. You’re just a tired old act with an axe to grind. You offer nothing. Never. You believe you’re relevant… nothing more than a writing dichotomy…that’s right….If you say it, then it must be true. Hey folks, don’t bother watching the scene unfold. The Fantastic Johnny Spygate says you’re wasting your time…Boogaloo down an elevator shaft and make us feel better…

  • Dano50

    Anyone who thinks KG is NOT a top ten player in the NBA (never mind as a big man) has no business calling another an idiot.

    Your dopey “handle” gives you away.  If the NBA is so bad…why do you watch and comment?

  • Dano50

    “Moronpants”?

  • Dano50

    Good plan.  We need more geniuses who want to trade injured players.  

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