slides: Atlanta Falcons With Ties to New England
Email to a friend
Permalink
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Joe Calabro, GoLocalWorcester Sports Team
Thomas Dimitroff
There are 13 players, coaches, and front office personnel in the Atlanta Falcons organization who have connections to the
Patriots or the New England area.
SEE THE FALCONS WITH TIES TO NEW ENGLAND IN THE SLIDESHOW BELOW
Of the Falcons with ties to New England, there is not anyone who has had more success than General Manager Thomas Dimitroff, who served as the Patriots director of college scouting from 2003 to 2007 before taking the General Manager job in Atlanta in 2008.
“This is kind of a dream game that way, to be able to go against the Patriots and against one of my mentors in this league. I think I have great respect for them, as we said way back in 2008, a lot of things were brought to the table that I learned in New England,” said Dimitroff in a press conference prior to the Falcons leaving for Houston.
Other notable Patriots alumni include former Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Pioli, former Defensive Lineman Brian Cox, and former Secondary Coach Joel Collier.
SEE THE FALCONS WITH TIES TO NEW ENGLAND IN THE SLIDESHOW BELOW
Related Slideshow: Atlanta Falcons With Ties to New England
Prev
Next
Brian Cox
Falcons Defensive Line Coach
Cox played defensive line for the Patriots during the 2001 season. He helped the Patriots win their first Super Bowl in franchise history that season.
Cox totaled 165 games played and recorded 764 tackles and 51 sacks in his NFL career.
Prev
Next
Jerome Henderson
Falcons Defensive Passing Game Coordinator
Henderson was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 1991 draft and played with the team until 1993 and then again in 1996.
In his career, he had nine interceptions and one sack.
Prev
Next
Joe Vellano
Falcons Defensive Tackle
Vellano played defensive tackle for the Patriots during the 2013-14 season totaling 60 tackles.
He signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent prior to the 2013 season.
Prev
Next
Joel Collier
Falcons Director of Pro Personnel
Collier spent multiple seasons with the Patriots and served in multiple roles.
In 1991-92, Collier was the Patriots assistant running backs coach, and in 1993 he served as a pro scout.
After a hiatus, he came back to New England and served as the assistant secondary coach in 2005 and then secondary coach in 2006-07.
Prev
Next
Joel Collier
Falcons Director of Pro Personnel
Collier spent multiple seasons with the Patriots and served in multiple roles.
In 1991-92, Collier was the Patriots assistant running backs coach, and in 1993 he served as a pro scout.
After a hiatus, he came back to New England and served as the assistant secondary coach in 2005 and then secondary coach in 2006-07.
Prev
Next
Thomas Dimitroff
Falcons General Manager
Dimitroff was the director of college scouting for the Patriots from 2003-2007. During his run, the Patriots put together a 77-17 record and won two Super Bowls (2003 and 2004).
Dimitroff's father, Tom, also played one year for the Boston Patriots during their inaugural season in1960.
Prev
Next
Matt Ryan
Falcons Quarterback
Ryan played quarterback at Boston College from 2004-2007.
He led the Eagles to national relevance during his junior and senior year, putting together back-to-back 10-plus win seasons and earning First-Team All-American and ACC Player of the Year as a senior in 2007.
Prev
Next
Chad Walker
Falcons Assistant Linebackers Coach
Walker was the defensive coordinator at Bryant University from 2008-10.
Prev
Next
Josh Keyes
Falcons Linebacker
Keyes played his college career at Boston College where he appeared in 43 games and totaled 124 tackles.
Prev
Next
Arthur Blank
Falcons Owner
Blank graduated from Babson College in Wellesley, Mass., in 1963 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration.
The Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship at Babson was named after him in 1998.
Prev
Next
Dwight Freeney
Falcons Defensive End
Freeney is a native of Hartford, Conn. where he went to Bloomfield High School and earned All-American and All-Central Connecticut West honors.
Freeney was a member of the 2006 Colts team that won the Super Bowl after beating the Patriots in the AFC Championship.
Prev
Next
Nick Williams
Falcons Wide Receiver
Williams played his college career at the University of Connecticut. He played in 42 games for the Huskies and recorded 43 catches for 588 yards and two touchdowns.
In his NFL career, he has 25 catches for 233 yards and two touchdowns.
Prev
Next
Bldi Wreh-Wilson
Falcons cornerback
Wreh-Wilson was born in Malden, Mass. and went to the University of Connecticut.
As a senior with the Huskies in 2012, Wreh-Wilson was honored as the team MVP and was named to the All-Big East Second Team.
Related Articles
Enjoy this post? Share it with others.
Email to a friend
Permalink
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It