Jaguars.com takes a look at the New England Patriots and New York Giants roster and coaching staffs and the connections they have to Florida and the Jacksonville Jaguars:
FORMER JAGUARS HEAD COACH LEADS GIANTS: Tom Coughlin spent eight seasons (1995-2002) with the Jacksonville Jaguars as the first head coach in franchise history and recorded a 68-41 mark, won two AFC Central titles and advanced to the playoffs in four consecutive seasons. Under Coughlin, they became the only expansion team in NFL history to advance to the playoffs four times in their first five seasons. The Jaguars advanced to the AFC Championship in 1996 and 1999.
FORMER JAGUARS ON PATRIOTS ROSTER: The Patriots have two former Jaguars on their roster in TE Kyle Brady and P Chris Hanson. Brady played in 120 games for the Jaguars from 1999-2006, tied for the fourth-most games played in franchise history. Brady had 241 receptions for 2,500 yards for the Jaguars, fourth and third in team history, respectively. Hanson played six seasons for the Jaguars from 2001-06 and was one of only two punters in team history to be voted to the Pro Bowl (2002).
FLORIDA NATIVES ON PATRIOTS ROSTER: The Patriots have nine players with ties to Florida: RB Heath Evans (West Palm Beach, The King's Academy), WR Jabar Gaffney (Jacksonville, Raines High, Univ. of Florida), WR Chad Jackson (Univ. of Florida), (PS) WR C.J. Jones (Boynton Beach, Boynton Beach High), S Brandon Meriweather (Apopka, Apopka High, Univ. of Miami), S Mel Mitchell (Rockledge, Rockledge High), CB Asante Samuel (Lauderdale Lakes, Boyd Anderson High, Central Florida), (PS) DL Santonio Thomas (Belle Glade, Glades Central, Univ. of Miami) and DL Vince Wilfork (Boynton Beach, Santaluces High, Univ. of Miami).
FLORIDA NATIVES ON GIANTS ROSTER: The Giants have six players with ties to Florida: CB Sam Madison (Monticello, Florida A&M High), LB Kawika Mitchell (Lake Howell, Lake Howell High, Univ. of South Florida), WR Sinorice Moss (Miami, Carol City High, Univ. of Miami), DT Fred Robbins (Pensacola, Gonzalez High), WR (IR) Michael Jennings (Jacksonville, Forrest High) and TE (IR) Darcy Johnson (Palatka, Palatka High, Central Florida).
HIGH SCHOOL TEAMMATES: Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars DT Derek Landri and Patriots QB Matt Gutierrez were teammates at De La Salle High School in California ... Jaguars K Josh Scobee and Patriots DB Willie Andrews were teammates at Longview High School in Texas.
FORMER JAGUAR COACHES ON GIANTS STAFF: Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride was the first offensive coordinator in franchise history for the Jaguars (1995-1996) and Giants running backs coach Jerald Ingram was the first running backs coach for the Jaguars (1994-2002). Giants quarterbacks coach Chris Palmer served as the Jaguars offensive coordinator from 1997-1998. Giants strength and conditioning coach Jerry Palmieri held the same position for the Jaguars from 1995-2002. Giants wide receivers coach Mike Sullivan was the Jaguars defensive quality control coach in 2002 and offensive assistant in 2003.
