Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 5/3/2018
WILBRAHAM – Each year the National Football League (NFL) Draft takes place, giving football teams across the United States the opportunity to gain new talent. One Minnechaug High School student has been completing his own player dossier for the Patriots for the last four years, and sharing with the organization the up-and-coming football players that he believes exemplify the “the Patriot way.”
Though Sam Roberts is a die-hard football fan, he is a varsity soccer player on Minnechaug’s team. His interest in football stemmed from his family.
“Every Sunday my brother, Dad and I made it a huge event to watch the Pats play. We also go to my grandparents to watch the games as well,” Roberts explained. “Football is just one of the many ways my family and I get to see each other and bond.”
In 2014, Roberts watched the NFL Draft with his father and began to list players and prospects that he felt would fit “the Patriot way.” On The Players Tribune, former running back for the Patriots Kevin Faulk explained what he believes “The Patriot Way” is.
“Some people say it’s the way Coach Belichick runs the team, preaching accountability and placing a strong emphasis on doing your job. Some say it’s our style of play, with Tom Brady as our quarterback. But truthfully, it’s neither. The Patriot Way ain’t about nothing but winning, man. That’s it,” Faulk said.
In the Houston Chronicle, linebacker Dont’a Hightower shared that he doesn’t believe there’s a definition of the Patriot way, and that it can’t be comprised into a word or a phrase.
“It is just more about the way you carry yourself, about the way you manage expectations and know what expectations are. Guys come in not knowing what it is and guys go out not being able to explain what the Patriot way is, but when you are there, you know what it is – guys buy in,” Hightower explained.
Roberts, however, believes that the Patriots way is all about a player giving their full-effort to the sport.
“The Patriot way is a system that was developed by Coach B. I look for someone who will give 150 percent effort every second of every practice and game,” Roberts shared. “They need to have the “do your job” mentality and care more about the team and winning than anything else. Tom Brady describes the Patriot way to a T. Hardworking, focused, determined and wanting to get better each and every day.”
Though Sam began his player dossier for his own enjoyment, after his father took a look at it he convinced Sam to send it to the Patriots organization.
Roberts’ uncle, political strategist Anthony Cignoli personally delivered one of his player reports to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Kraft encouraged Roberts to keep working on the dossiers for years to come, and suggested he add an additional category.
“Kraft had told my uncle to make an addition to my report because that specific report was constructed prior to the college football season. So the addition was kind of a post-season follow up,” Roberts explained Kraft’s recommendation.
New England Patriots fans may be wondering who made Roberts’ draft dossier this year. His report is comprised of players listed by position. Each player has pros and cons listed alongside their names.
For quarterbacks, Roberts listed Lamar Jackson of Louisville State University, Kyle Lauletta of Richmond University, Mason Rudolph of Oklahoma State University and Chad Kanoff of Princeton University.
In the linebacker category, Roberts recommends Shaquem Griffin of University of Central Florida, Rashaan Evans of Alabama State University and Harold Landry of Boston College.
For the defensive tackle positions, Roberts listed six players that have caught his eye, including Da’ron Payne of Alabama State University, Harrison Phillips of Stanford University, B.J. Hill of North Carolina State University, Rasheem Green of the University of Southern California, Trenton Thompson of Georgia State University and Foley Fatukasi of the University of Connecticut.
When it comes to the cornerback position, Roberts explained seven players that he felt would fit the Patriots team, including Isaiah Oliver of Colorado State University, Josh Jackson of Iowa State University, Mike Hughes of the University of Central Florida, Quenton Meeks of Stanford University, Donte Jackson of Louisiana State University, Duke Dawson of University of Florida and Darius Phillips of Western Michigan.
Lastly, Roberts had one pick for wide receivers, which was Keke Coutee of Texas Tech University.
Though only one of Roberts’ main picks was drafted to the New England Patriots, cornerback Duke Dawson, three players he listed as honorable mentions were drafted to the team. Sony Michel and Isaiah Wynn, both of University of Georgia, along with Braxton Berrios of Miami University. The three were listed on Roberts’ honorable mentions page and were drafted to the Patriots.
While Roberts plans to go into the United States Marine Corps after he attends college, he hopes that his dossiers is preparation for his future dream career when he returns from serving.
“I want to serve my country in the Marines but my dream job afterword is draft scout for the Patriots,” Roberts said. “I want to continue my work for a professional career after I serve.”
Since 2014, Roberts has been enjoying creating his player dossiers for his favorite team.
“I have made one every year since then, and I don’t plan on stopping,” Roberts said.