65 days till Patriots season opener: Every player to wear No. 65 for New England

Here’s a list of every Patriots player to wear the No. 65 jersey number.

The New England Patriots are officially 65 days away from opening up their regular season schedule at home against the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles.

So we’re continuing our countdown series today by listing every Patriots player that has ever worn the No. 65 jersey.

The number currently belongs to Patriots center James Ferentz, who should have more competition along the offensive front with the team using a fourth-round pick on rookie center Jake Andrews in the 2023 NFL draft.

But other standouts have worn the jersey as well, including former Pro Bowl offensive guard Damien Woody and six-time AFL All-Star Houston Antwine.

Here’s every Patriots player that has ever worn the No. 65:

Damien Woody’s son took way too long to realize he crashed his dad’s ESPN live shot

The camera is ALWAYS rolling.

When you work from home, you can’t necessarily expect every element to be in your control. Especially if you’re a television personality reserving a specific room in your house to film all of your live shots.

This was a lesson that ESPN NFL analyst Damien Woody learned all too well on Wednesday.

When Woody appeared on First Take, the show took what was supposed to be a routine commercial break. Instead, at that time, his son came in and sat down in Woody’s chair while he stepped out for a second. Woody’s son started talking to and looking into the camera because he didn’t realize everything was still being filmed, even while on a commercial.

And after almost a minute of saying random things, he finally and hilariously recognized his mistake. While the outtake didn’t necessarily happen live, it was still recorded, and the First Take crew would laugh about it after the fact.

Talk about an amazing blooper. This is a good lesson to all of us — even when we think the camera isn’t on, it probably is! I’m sure the Woody family will have a joyful laugh about this for a long time.

Damien Woody urges ‘irrelevant’ Patriots to make big offseason moves

Damien Woody believes Robert Kraft should push for big offseason moves for the Patriots.

Former New England Patriots offensive lineman Damien Woody knows the last few seasons must be eating away at owner Robert Kraft.

The Patriots haven’t won a playoff game since their Super Bowl run in the 2018 season. They haven’t even made the playoffs in two of their last three seasons. In 2022, they barely beat out the New York Jets for third place in a drastically improved AFC East division.

The Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins have gone from perennial punchline teams in the AFC to offensive juggernauts. Meanwhile, the Patriots have been doing things the same way they’ve always done it—saving the big moves for defense and, either, missing in the draft or settling for lower-tiered veteran projects at receiver.

“I know this has to be eating Mr. Kraft up, that the Patriots are basically irrelevant,” said Woody, according to the Boston Herald’s Karen Guregian. “I know it has to. So go out there and make a couple of splash moves. Bring some spice and some relevance back to the Patriots. Make it interesting.

“…I think they made a step in the right direction bringing Billy O back, because that was madness what they were doing last year. So I’m glad they got a guy who knows what he’s doing. But they need weapons. They need difference makers on offense. It’s not good enough just getting Billy O’Brien back. They need actual guys on the field that will make a difference.”

The Patriots have typically shied away from making splash signings on offense, particularly at the receiver position.

Doing more with less could be attributed to the greatness of former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, along with Belichick’s otherworldly coaching abilities.

But Mac Jones isn’t a seven-time Super Bowl champion. The Patriots aren’t even sure if he’s their long-term option at the quarterback position. Expecting a third-year quarterback to continue doing more with less a year after falling off a cliff with Matt Patricia as the offensive play-caller is madness. The team doesn’t just need good players. They need great ones capable of instilling real fear in opposing defenses.

Could that be pulling off a trade for Tee Higgins or DeAndre Hopkins? Or, maybe the team would settle for moves on players like Keenan Allen or Jerry Jeudy. One thing is certain: The old way isn’t cutting it anymore for the Patriots.

They can either make the necessary adjustments or run the risk of remaining irrelevant.

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ESPN analyst and former Jet Damien Woody predicts Jets will win AFC East

A former Jet at ESPN has some high expectations for the Jets in the second half of the season.

ESPN recently gathered their staff to build some predictions for the second half of the NFL season and there is a little bit of love for the New York Jets, even if the person making the claim is a little biased.

Among their surprise division winners, ESPN analyst, and former New York Jet, Damien Woody made the claim that the Jets will win the AFC East.

Yes, the New York Jets (6-3) will beat out the Bills, Dolphins and Patriots for the division title. They haven’t won their division since 2002, and ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) is giving them just a 9.6% chance to do it. But New York is 4-0 on the road and has one of the best defenses in the NFL.

I think quarterback Zach Wilson can keep the mistakes to a minimum, allowing the Jets to pull out one of the closest divisions in football. — Damien Woody, NFL analyst

It’s certainly understandable for Woody to support his former team, but it’s not like the Jets are that much of a dark horse anymore in the division. They hold a 2-1 record in the division, including wins over the other two teams that have six wins in the group, the Bills and Dolphins. Plus, Josh Allen is banged up and there’s no guarantee he plays, or plays at 100% in Week 10 against the Vikings.

The Bills are still considered the favorites in the division and the Dolphins are likely the second-favorite. But the Jets have put themselves in position to be in the mix at the end of the season and crazier things have happened in the NFL.

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Ex-Patriot picking the Jets to win the AFC East

A former Patriots first-round draft pick is taking the Jets to win the AFC East

Former New England Patriots offensive lineman Damien Woody is hitching his wagon to the New York Jets in the tightly-contested AFC East race.

The current ESPN analyst chose Gang Green as his surprise pick to win the division, despite the team finishing the previous two years in last place. But things have obviously changed since Robert Saleh took over as head coach.

The defense is actually formidable, and the offense isn’t an accident waiting to happen, unless Zach Wilson is facing the Patriots. Granted, it’s still a bit of a stretch to think the Jets could beat out the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins or even the Patriots down the stretch.

But there is a path for them to shock the world, particularly after they just knocked off the Bills at MetLife Stadium.

Woody wrote:

“Yes, the New York Jets (6-3) will beat out the Bills, Dolphins and Patriots for the division title. They haven’t won their division since 2002, and ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) is giving them just a 9.6% chance to do it. But New York is 4-0 on the road and has one of the best defenses in the NFL.

I think quarterback Zach Wilson can keep the mistakes to a minimum, allowing the Jets to pull out one of the closest divisions in football.”

It’s important to note that Woody ended his career playing with the Jets, even though he was actually drafted by the Patriots and won two Super Bowls with the team.

The Jets will have an opportunity to prove him right when coming off the bye week for a head-to-head showdown with the Patriots at Gillette Stadium on November 20 in a game that could have major divisional and playoff implications.

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What they’re saying following Chargers’ loss to Patriots

Are the Chargers being viewed as contenders or pretenders?

The Bolts now sit at 4-3 after losing 24-27 to New England on Sunday. Head coach Brandon Staley and his squad had two weeks to prepare for the matchup with the Patriots, yet despite the extra time, quarterback Justin Herbert and his offense were silenced.

Has the Chargers’ reputation gone from playoff contenders to playoff pretenders? The narrative was quite different just a few weeks ago following the Bolts’ blowout loss to the Ravens. One bad game isn’t a season-ending sort of event; however, two bad games and a pattern starts to transpire.

Let’s see what experts are saying about the Chargers after their most recent loss to the Patriots.

NBC Sports NFL Analyst Chris Simms

“Listen, I’m not ready to say LA is going to go to the playoffs yet. I’m not ready to say that. They’re going to be on the fringe. When you can’t stop the run to the capacity they can’t, they’re going to have issues against like 90% of the NFL.”

Around the NFL’s Dan Hanzus

“We’ve seen the ceiling of the Chargers’ offense this season, and it’s quite high. What surprises us is how low the floor is. The Bolts’ attack was held in neutral for the second consecutive week on Sunday, a 27-24 loss to the Patriots that raises questions about where Los Angeles truly fits into the AFC pecking order. Justin Herbert threw for just 143 yards before a garbage-time scoring drive in the final minutes, and issues with pass protection and early-down efficiency were glaring. The Chargers’ defense had its way with Patriots rookie Mac Jones and repeatedly gave the offense the opportunity to take control of the game, but Herbert and Co. couldn’t do it.”

Former NFL player Damien Woody on Sidd News

“Mike Williams wasn’t a factor in this game. Keenan Allen was held pretty much in check. Other guys weren’t able to step up. Like Tim said, they made Justin Herbert uncomfortable in the pocket. New England comes out with the victory.”

Stephen A. Smith

“If you talk to me about the Chargers meeting the Patriots in a head-to-head matchup because of Bill Bellichick’s greatness, I got you. I’m saying they’re not facing one another again until the postseason and I think the Chargers will end up getting there before the Patriots.”

What will Bart Scott do if the Eagles beat the 49ers?

Bart Scott made an outlandish claim about what he would do if the Eagles beat the 49ers

It’s to the point where anyone will say or do almost anything to get noticed, right?

Former NFL star Bart Scott, a current ESPN radio host, and analyst is never shy.

However, he may be shy one eyebrow if a result happens in Week 2 of the NFL season on Sunday.

Scott went off on the network’s “Get Up!” show Thursday in a charged discussion with Damien Woody and he put up one of his eyebrows if the Philadelphia Eagles down the San Francisco 49ers at the Linc on Sunday.

Thanks to NJ.com for the transcription:

“Everybody’s in love with Jalen Hurts this week. Everybody went out and bought jerseys. Jersey sales up 500%. But I tell you, I bet you the Philadelphia Eagles fans didn’t do? They didn’t pop that tag off. They tucked it in. Because this week, they’re going to be returning all those jerseys because they’ve got the San Francisco 49ers that look elite. So listen, don’t worry about it. … Listen, I bet you that if the 49ers lose to the Eagles, I’ll shave my eyebrow off. What say you? What say you! What say you! … Put your money where your mouth is, D-Wood. Put your eyebrows up! Right or left one, I don’t care!”

Former NFL lineman doesn’t think Tebow will fit in a Taysom Hill role

Though some have said Tebow could see action as a utility player with the Jaguars, former NFL offensive lineman Damien Woody disagrees.

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Though the assumption since Tim Tebow was signed by the Jaguars was that he would play tight end, a report from ESPN’s Dianna Russini indicated that some sources around the league think Tebow will project as more of a utility player than a true tight end, seeing a role similar to the one Taysom Hill has held in New Orleans for the last few seasons.

Though Hill has played some tight end, he’s also lined up out wide, as a running back and even with some packages at quarterback. Perhaps Tebow could do something similar, but not everyone is convinced.

Asked on “Get Up!” Thursday morning whether he sees Tebow as a utility player in the NFL, former NFL offensive guard Damien Woody responded curtly.

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“Hell no,” Woody said. “We’re talking about a guy who hasn’t played ball in like eight years, and when he did play ball, he couldn’t throw a lick. We’re talking about Taysom Hill? Come on, man. A 34-year-old (note: Tebow is 33) who’s been out of the league this long, and you’re talking about bringing in a gadget guy?

“What sense does that make for Urban Meyer? … How in the hell is a backup guy going to set the culture?”

Considering the Jaguars drafted Trevor Lawrence with the first overall pick and have a pair of solid backup options already on the roster in C.J. Beathard and Gardner Minshew, it’s unlikely that Tebow will get the chance to play quarterback like Hill did behind Drew Brees.

But it’s not unthinkable that Tebow could be a bit of a gadget player, possibly lining up as an H-back or receiver in addition to tight end. He could even potentially be used on some short-distance run packages.

It’s clear not many are optimistic about Tebow’s chances of making the roster, and it is fairly unlikely that he will. But the more versatility he demonstrates, the better his odds will be.

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Gang Green’s best of the 2010s: A look at the Jets’ all-decade team

The Jets Wire names the Jets 2010’s all-decade team with New York’s franchise-worst 10-year stretch ending with a 7-9 finish.

The Jets’ decade started with an AFC Championship appearance, but since then they’ve endured one of the worst stretches in franchise history.

New York has only had one season since in which it was over .500 and failed to return to the playoffs. The Jets have now gone nine consecutive seasons without a playoff berth and a record four straight losing seasons after faring 10-6 in 2015.

To finish off the decade, the Jets went 6-2 after a 1-7 finish, but they still have yet to play meaningful football beyond the first week of January. It seems Gang Green has its quarterback of the future, but does it have enough to start off the next decade with a playoff trip?

Decisions for the future are coming. For now, let’s take a look at the Jets’ 2010s all-decade team:

Offense

East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) and New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) celebrate Marshall’s touchdown during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Patriots 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

QB Mark Sanchez: Sanchez was consistently average during his time in New York, but that’s enough to be the team’s best quarterback of the decade. He was the only one to lead Gang Green to the playoffs in this decade. During his time as New York’s signal-caller, Sanchez went 33-29, a much more impressive record than what Geno Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh McCown. The hope is that Sam Darnold will do more to earn the nod 10 years from now.

RB Chris Ivory: Acquired via trade in one of John Idzik’s first moves as New York’s general manager, Ivory had a rather productive three-year tenure in green and white. He ran for over 800 yards in all three seasons, including going over 1,000 yards in 2015.

WR Brandon Marshall: Marshall spent just two seasons with New York, but his 2015 was enough to garner a mention on this list. Marshall set the team record for catches and yards and tied Don Maynard for touchdowns. In 2015, Marshall had 109 catches for 1,502 yards and 14 touchdowns.

WR Eric Decker: Paired with Marshall, the Jets had one of the most dynamic passing attacks in the league. He could never establish himself as a No. 1 target, but Decker put up those numbers opposite of Marshall. In 2015, Decker had 80 receptions for 1,027 yards and 12 touchdowns.

WR Santonio Holmes: While Holmes’ Jets career ended on a sour note, he is still largely responsible for helping New York reach its second AFC Championship Game in as many seasons. While his statistics don’t tell the whole story because of his four-game suspension to the begin the season, Holmes was as clutch as can be when it counted.

TE Dustin Keller: One of the more productive tight ends in the history of the franchise, the Jets have been unable to replicate Keller’s success since he departed New York. He finished his six-year tenure with the Jets catching 241 passes for 2,876 yards and 17 scores.

OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson: Ferguson was a staple on the Jets offensive line. He was the glue that kept the left side together and New York never had to worry about it quarterback’s blindside when he was on the field.

OG James Carpenter: Carpenter was the best the Jets had to offer at left guard during the decade. He was a reliable fixture brought in by Idzik and started every single game for New York from 2015-17.

C Nick Mangold: An All-Pro in 2010, Mangold would appear in five of his seven Pro Bowl appearances during the 2010s. The Jets are still itching to find a competent center as his replacement.

OG Brandon Moore: Moore is more famous for Mark Sanchez running into his behind, but he is the best the Jets had at right guard from 2010 on.

RT Damien Woody: While Woody has now spent more time as an ESPN personality than with Gang Green this decade, he provided the most stability at a position that has been a thorn in the Jets’ side.

Honorable Mentions: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, RB Bilal Powell, RB Shonn Greene, WR Robby Anderson, OG Brian Winters, OT Kelvin Beachum.