The New England Patriots take their subsequent step towards the beginning of the 2023 season when open practices of coaching camp start on Wednesday, July 26.
Throughout the twenty first century, loads of star gamers have come and gone by way of the New England group. Some gamers stayed longer than others. One other group of notable gamers made transient appearances with the Patriots throughout coaching camp and into the preseason.
From star receivers to Corridor of Fame defensive backs, listed here are 5 gamers that dawned the Patriots uniform all through the years in coaching camp and the preseason.
Eric Decker, WR – 2018
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Eric Decker got here to Foxboro in 2018 with fairly the familiarity with the Patriots. The receiver caught a walk-off landing towards the Patriots with the New York Jets in 2015 in addition to defeating New England within the 2013 AFC Championship recreation.
After voicing his need to play with the Patriots, Decker signed a contract with the crew forward of the 2018 season. He had simply 12 receiving yards that preseason earlier than asserting his retirement.
In his eight 12 months profession, Decker hauled in 453 passes for five,816 yards and 53 touchdowns.
Reggie Wayne, WR – 2015
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Like Decker, Reggie Wayne additionally had a game-winning landing towards New England and defeated the Patriots within the AFC Championship recreation.
In 2009, Wayne bought a slant from Peyton Manning with the Indianapolis Colts to beat the Patriots, 35-34, on Sunday Evening Soccer within the notorious “Fourth and Two” recreation. Wayne additionally performed within the Colts’ comeback victory to beat the Patriots 38-34 within the 2006 AFC Championship recreation.
After taking part in as a rival for almost all of the profession, Wayne signed with the Patriots forward of the 2015 season. The veteran receiver had ties to New England years earlier than lastly signing with the crew.
Like different receivers, Wayne had a fast cease within the preseason earlier than New England launched him earlier than the common season.
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John Lynch, S – 2008
This nine-time Professional Bowler had a robust resume with a Tremendous Bowl championship when his profession was winding down earlier than the 2008 season.
Invoice Belichick took an opportunity so as to add veteran management to the secondary when he introduced Lynch into camp.
Throughout that preseason, Lynch determined that he was able to retire. Lynch did take the chance to play one last time within the Patriots’ preseason finale towards the Giants earlier than bringing his Corridor of Fame profession to an in depth.
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Demariyus Thomas, WR – 2019
Followers might bear in mind the stops of Antonio Brown and the continued stint of Josh Gordon because the vast receiver headlines getting into the 2019 season.
That preseason, New England introduced in a premiere exterior receiver within the late Demaryius Thomas.
Previous to becoming a member of the Patriots, Thomas posted 4 Professional Bowl appearances with 60 touchdowns in his profession, together with a Tremendous Bowl 50 championship, with the Denver Broncos.
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Thomas didn’t seem within the common season with the Patriots after alternating on and off the roster throughout the preseason.
Tim Tebow, QB – 2013
Properly, this one followers might bear in mind. Particularly with the eye Tim Tebow introduced in every single place he went within the early 2010s. Tebow rode a miraculous run with the Denver Broncos throughout the 2011 season earlier than the Patriots dismantled his crew 45-7 within the AFC Divisional Spherical.
Tebow was traded to the New York Jets the next season after the Broncos signed Peyton Manning in free company.
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A 12 months later in 2013, Tebow added quarterback depth and loads of fan fare to Patriots coaching camp. The southpaw did throw a pair of landing passes for New England in a preseason matchup towards the New York Giants.
Tebow was later minimize throughout camp because the late Ryan Mallett received the backup quarterback job.