Larry Whigham

I can understand that fans don't always have a connection to the players of the past. Everyone varies on the depth that they follow the NFL. A local writer surprised me with some of his comments about Larry Whigham who played nine years in the NFL, including seven with the Pats.The writer is young, but I thought he would have more insight to the past.

He was poking fun of a fan who wore a Larry Whigham game jersey at the season opener against the Arizona Cardinals. He said that Whigham played seven undistinguished seasons in Foxborough and started only five games. He was correct about the starts, but so wrong on everything else.

Whigham excelled on special teams when he was with the Pats. He was a 4th round pick in the 1994 draft by the Seattle Seahawks, but was released. Bill Parcells picked him up and put him on special teams. He stayed there during the rest of his years with Parcells and three seasons with Pete Carroll. He played the 2000 season under Coach Belichick.

He had  memorable game against Miami in the 1997 when he intercepted Hall of Fame QB Dan Marino twice, including one he returned 60 yards for a TD. He played DB in nickel and dime defenses throughout his career. He also was got his first selection to the Pro Bowl for his excellence on special teams in 1997.

He spent the 2001 and 2002 seasons with the Chicago Bears where he gained Pro Bowl honors for the second time in 2001. He concluded his career with them, playing 30 games as a Bear.

The writer was correct in saying Whigham only had five starts. In fact, he only had six starts in his career, but played in 136 games with two Pro Bowl appearances. He was also a special teams captain when he was with the Pats.

Overall, I think he had a pretty good career. It's too bad the writer never did his research, but most of them don't.