The Olsen Brothers

This past week saw the death of Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen. During his stellar 15 year career with the Los Angels Rams from 1962-1977, he was part of the legendary Fearsome Foursome, along with Lamar Lunday, Roosevelt Grier and Deacon Jones.

In 1970, the Pats were thrilled when they were able to select his brother Phil from Notre Dame with the number four overall pick. They thought they had an anchor to their defensive line for the 1970's. Unfortunately, Phil suffered a season ending knee injury while practicing for the College All Star Game which was held prior to the opening of training camp.

In 1971, the Pats traded Phil to the Rams for their number one draft pick in 1972. He would be reunited with brother Merlin for two seasons. Phil would later be traded to the Kansas City Chiefs where he suffered his second knee injury. After another trade to the Denver Broncos in 1975, he was sent to the Buffalo Bills where he suffered his third knee injury. He never made it back to the playing field.

Meanwhile, in the 1972 draft, they traded the 1st round pick acquired from the Rams, along with a 2nd and 6th to the New York Giants for DE Fred Dryer. They sent Dryer to the Rams for their 1st pick in the 1973 draft. The Pats also received cash and DE Rich Cash who would play the 1973 and 1974 seasons for them.

The Pats hit the gold mine in the 1973 draft. In addition to their own 1st round pick and the one from the Rams, they also acquired a first from Chicago in a trade for RB Carl Garrett.

They used their own first on future Hall of Famer John Hannah. With the Rams pick they selected RB Sam Cunningham and finally WR Daryl Stingley with the pick from Chicago.

The 1973 draft was considered one of their best ever. They also has three first rounders in 1976. They selected future Hall of Fame CB Mike Haynes, center Pete Brock and safety Tim Fox .

Drafts are always controversial and littered with mistakes, but they were on target in 1973 and 1976.