Scottish Claymores - American Football in Scotland

Andruzzi Key Man for Record-setting Pats

FORMER Scottish Claymores offensive lineman JOE ANDRUZZI joined his New England teammates this weekend in celebrating the Patriots record-setting 19-game win streak, following their 24-10 victory over Miami Dolphins in Week 5 NFL action.

 Joe Andruzzi
Joe Andruzzi
Andruzzi, who played for the Claymores in 1998, has been a key feature in the Patriots offense since his time in Scotland, and an integral member of teams that have recorded two Super Bowl victories and now the longest winning streak in NFL history.

It wasn't always pretty, and it didn't necessarily go according to the script, but in the end head coach Bill Belichick was congratulating players and waiving to the Gillette Stadium crowd.

"I told our team after the game that I was really proud of what they did," Belichick said to open his post-game press conference. "I [told] the team that I felt they should be proud of what they accomplished and that no other team in pro football has done that."

What no other team has done is put together as many consecutive victories, which stretches more than a calendar year, starting with 15 consecutive victories to end the 2003 season and a 4-0 record to start the 2004 season. Because official NFL records to do not count the postseason, the Patriots current streak will go into the record books. But with the win, the Patriots also tied the NFL's post-merger record of 16 consecutive regular-season victories, and with a win next week against Seattle can tie the league's all-time record of 17 consecutive regular-season wins set by the 1933-34 Chicago Bears.

"The Patriots' achievement is not only unprecedented but also remarkable when you consider how competitive our league is today," Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said in a statement from the NFL. "Congratulations to the entire Patriots organisation on this extraordinary milestone."

In other weekend action, Claymores World Bowl 2000 MVP AARON STECKER rushed four times for 27 yards and caught four passes for 15 yards but could not help his New Orleans Saints from going down 20-17 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Another former Claymore, J.J. MOSES (2002) returned four punts for 46 yards for Houston and added five kickoff returns for 123 yards with a long of 43 yards as the Texans lost 34-28 to the Minnesota Vikings in overtime.

11 Oct, 04 | 12:34 pm

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