![]() But Plunkett's completion percentage was worse than ever, and his sack percentage skyrocketed through the first five games. Stingley returned the following year, fully recovered and bringing his blistering speed back to the attack. Plunkett continued to struggle, however, and Stingley went down for the season with a broken arm in game five. The Patriots played to a lukewarm 7-7 finish. The 1974 season looked good as the team started out at 5-0. The Patriots’ quarterback was sacked 37 times that season and threw three more interceptions than touchdowns. In his rookie year, he played in every game and became the Patriots’ fourth-leading receiver on a team helmed by the great, if somewhat unfortunate, Jim Plunkett. He had a voice too, and loved singing Stevie Wonder songs. He was popular among his teammates, who dubbed him the unofficial team barber because he was pretty good with the scissors. ![]() He became known affectionately as “The Stinger.” In New England, his work ethic and drive to excel quickly made him a fan favorite. At 6’0” and 194 pounds, he seemed to have all the tools he needed for a successful NFL career. Known for his soft hands and deep-threat potential, he had set a Boilermakers record of 18.2 yards per catch. It was not until his last year there that he switched to wide receiver. He had starred at Purdue, where he initially had played in the backfield. He was the 19th pick overall, the Patriots' third first rounder, behind John Hannah and Sam Cunningham. I think about it every time someone complains that the NFL has become “pansied down.”ĭarryl Stingley was a five-year wide receiver for the New England Patriots, a member of the Class of 1973, one of the most productive drafts in Patriots history.
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