Boston Patriots

Here are the 1968 Boston Patriots. These guys helped lead the Patriots to records of 3-10-1 and 4-10 in 1967 and 1968.


#176 Don Trull - Trull was a 14th-round pick for the Houston Oilers in 1963. He didn't play in 1963, and couldn't unseat the 37-to-39-year-old George Blanda from 1964 to 1966. In 1967, he split the season between Houston and Boston. That was enough to get him this football card, but in 1968 he was back with the Oilers, this time backing up the great Pete Beathard in 1968 and 1969. The decade and Trull's career ended simultaneously.
(By the way, in 1968 rookie Tom Sherman and ex-Jet backup Mike Taliaferro each started half the games at QB for the Patriots.)


#72 Jim Nance - At 245 pounds, Nance was huge for a running back in his day. He was a 1965 draft pick by the Patriots, and was their fullback for 7 seasons. He missed the 1972 season, and ended his career in 1973 with the Jets. He led the AFL in rushing in 1966 and 1967 with 1458 and 1216 yards.


#150 Art Graham - Art was the Patriots' 1st-round pick in 1963, and spent his entire career (1963-68) as their split end.


#20 Jim Whalen - This tight end was the Patriots' 3rd-round pick in 1965. After 5 seasons in Boston, he was the Broncos' starting tight end in 1970, before finishing his career in 1971 as a backup with the Eagles.

#98 Gino Cappelletti - Ahh, the good olde days, when kickers actually did something else to earn their pay between kicks. As a rookie in 1960, Gino was the Patriots' kicker and starting right cornerback, snaring 4 interceptions. From 1961 to 1967, he kicked and was a starting split end or flanker, averaging 40 catches per season. After 1967, he began phasing out his receiving duties, having 13 receptions in 1968 and 1 in 1969. He retired after the 1970 season.


#124 Nick Buoniconti - Nick was drafted by the Patriots in 1962, and immediately became their starting middle linebacker. After 7 seasons in Boston, he escaped to bigger and better things in 1969 with the Miami Dolphins. He was the Dolphins' starting middle linebacker for 6 seasons, appearing in 3 Super Bowls. Buoniconti missed the 1975 season, and finished his career in 1976 with the Dolphins as a backup. An 8-time Pro Bowler, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001.


#45 Leroy Mitchell - Mitchell was the Patriots' 11th-round pick in 1967. For 2 seasons, he started every game at left cornerback. After missing the 1969 season, he played for the Houston Oilers in 1970. He was the Denver Broncos' starting left cornerback for his last 3 seasons (1971-73).


#202 John Charles - Charles was the Patriots' 1st-round pick in 1967. As a rookie he was the starting right cornerback, before moving to strong safety for 1968 and 1969. John played for the Vikings in 1970, before moving to the Houston Oilers for his final 4 seasons.


Coming March 2nd: Buffalo Bills
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