What's in a number?
As expected, Junior Seau will wear his familiar No. 55 now that he has re-signed with the Patriots.
The number was formerly worn by linebacker/defensive end Derrick Burgess, who was traded to the Patriots from Oakland during the preseason. Burgess wore No. 49 in training camp before the regular-season roster was set, at which time he was issued the then-unused 55. At the time, it raised a few eyebrows because of Seau's well-known assertion that he would be willing to return to the Patriots sometime late in the season.
Seau joked Wednesday that it would probably cost him "a few dinners" to get the number from Burgess.
The number-jockeying didn't end with the swap, however.
Burgess, now the occupant of No. 53, has appropriated that jersey number from injured rookie Tyrone McKenzie, who blew out a knee during the rookie minicamp and needed season-ending surgery soon thereafter. McKenzie is still listed as the owner of No. 53 on the roster as a player on injured reserve.
Seau's number was also a point of contention when he first signed with the Patriots in the 2006 season. He had worn 55 throughout his career in San Diego and Miami, taking it to 12 Pro Bowls, and since the Patriots' former possessor of the number, Willie McGinest, had not been re-signed after the 2005 season and was now wearing the number in Cleveland, it was naturally assumed that Seau would be a more-than-worthy successor.
But McGinest expressed a measure of dismay that someone had been issued the number he had worn for the Patriots since 1994. So Seau made several public statements expressing his respect for McGinest and his desire to honor the number, and the issue faded away. It's not known if other offerings were made.
Let's see, Seau's 12 Pro Bowls to McGinest's two? Never should have been a peep out of Willie in the first place.
By the way, here's a trivia question for you. Junior Seau will wear a red throwback uniform Sunday at home against Tennessee, but who was the last Patriot to wear a red No. 55 jersey on a regular basis (and not including throwbacks that McGinest might have worn)?
Answer: Linebacker Chris Singleton played for the Patriots from 1990-93 after being a first-round draft pick out of Arizona. He wore the Patriots' red unis for the first three years of his career, then switched to the blue shirts (with red numbers) in 1993 when Bill Parcells became head coach and James Busch Orthwein owned the team. Singleton didn't last long on Parcells' watch. McGinest was drafted with the No. 4 overall selection in 1994 out of Southern Cal, and wore the number before it was issued to Seau in 2006 (although Burgess will provide the asterisk).
The number was formerly worn by linebacker/defensive end Derrick Burgess, who was traded to the Patriots from Oakland during the preseason. Burgess wore No. 49 in training camp before the regular-season roster was set, at which time he was issued the then-unused 55. At the time, it raised a few eyebrows because of Seau's well-known assertion that he would be willing to return to the Patriots sometime late in the season.
Seau joked Wednesday that it would probably cost him "a few dinners" to get the number from Burgess.
The number-jockeying didn't end with the swap, however.
Burgess, now the occupant of No. 53, has appropriated that jersey number from injured rookie Tyrone McKenzie, who blew out a knee during the rookie minicamp and needed season-ending surgery soon thereafter. McKenzie is still listed as the owner of No. 53 on the roster as a player on injured reserve.
Seau's number was also a point of contention when he first signed with the Patriots in the 2006 season. He had worn 55 throughout his career in San Diego and Miami, taking it to 12 Pro Bowls, and since the Patriots' former possessor of the number, Willie McGinest, had not been re-signed after the 2005 season and was now wearing the number in Cleveland, it was naturally assumed that Seau would be a more-than-worthy successor.
But McGinest expressed a measure of dismay that someone had been issued the number he had worn for the Patriots since 1994. So Seau made several public statements expressing his respect for McGinest and his desire to honor the number, and the issue faded away. It's not known if other offerings were made.
Let's see, Seau's 12 Pro Bowls to McGinest's two? Never should have been a peep out of Willie in the first place.
By the way, here's a trivia question for you. Junior Seau will wear a red throwback uniform Sunday at home against Tennessee, but who was the last Patriot to wear a red No. 55 jersey on a regular basis (and not including throwbacks that McGinest might have worn)?
Answer: Linebacker Chris Singleton played for the Patriots from 1990-93 after being a first-round draft pick out of Arizona. He wore the Patriots' red unis for the first three years of his career, then switched to the blue shirts (with red numbers) in 1993 when Bill Parcells became head coach and James Busch Orthwein owned the team. Singleton didn't last long on Parcells' watch. McGinest was drafted with the No. 4 overall selection in 1994 out of Southern Cal, and wore the number before it was issued to Seau in 2006 (although Burgess will provide the asterisk).
Views: 2
-
Comment by Mark Farinella on October 16, 2009 at 12:36am -
You know, Chris, I don't think that's what he's here for. The Patriots are very thin in terms of quality depth behind Jerod Mayo anbd Gary Guyton at inside linebacker. Seau is a solid backup or potential spot starter, and his presence may allow the Patriots to go back to the 3-4 from time to time, which should help confound opposing offensive coordinators. Also, in a 3-4, maybe Adalius Thomas can rush the passer from the outside instead of dropping into coverage. Would still like to see Derrick Thomas do something worthwhile.
Comment
© 2012 Created by Colin Blaney.
You need to be a member of The Sun Chronicle to add comments!
Join The Sun Chronicle