In their first meeting, the Wildcat ran wild. Miami's star running back and New England's head coach tackle the unorthodox formation. Plus, news and notes from Wednesday's practice.
The Patriots head into Sunday's game at Miami tied with the Dolphins for second place in a highly competitive AFC East. The winner of the contest will answer a few questions heading down the stretch toward the postseason. For all the other questions surrounding the Patriots we bring another wide-ranging edition of Ask PFW.
After seeing the Dolphins' Wildcat formation rip it to shreds in Week 3, New England is doing everything it can to prevent a repeat performance this weekend.
Joey Porter's running his mouth again. Read all about that and the other news and notes leading up to this weekend's Patriots-Dolphins game in today's Patriots.com News Blitz.
Leonidas E. Paxton III was born the son of Karyn and Lonie Paxton in Orange, Calif. on March 13, 1978 ... Served as the team captain for the Centennial (Corona, Calif.) High football team ... Paxton has worked with the Shriners Children's Hospital in Davis, Calif. ... Both offensive and defensive starter for three seasons ... Earned Rookie of the Year honors as a freshman, junior of the year and lineman of the year as a senior ... Lonie captured fans' imaginations when he made a snow angel in the end zone following Adam Vinatieri's game-winning kick in the 2001 AFC divisional playoff game against the Raiders ... Majored in communications at Sacramento State.
Career Transactions
Lonie Paxton was signed as a rookie free agent by the New England Patriots on April 19, 2000 ... Resigned by the Patriots (4/16/01) ... Re-signed by the Patriots (2/28/03) ... Placed on injured reserve (12/10/03).
Career Highlights
Career GP/GS: 109/0 (11/0)
Paxton has snapped on nine game winning field goals, including the game-winning 48-yarder at the end of Super Bowl XXXVI.
Paxton's consistency helped the Patriots set a franchise record by hitting an NFL-best 93.9 percent of their field goals (31-of-33) in 2004. Including a 48-for-48 performance on extra points, the trio of Paxton, kicker Adam Vinatieri and holder Josh Miller produced 79 successful kicks in 81 attempts (97.5 percent).
Paxton snapped on every punt, extra point and field goal attempt in the 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005 seasons.
Paxton has recorded eight career special teams tackles, including a career-high three in 2005. Additionally, he has recorded three special teams tackles in the playoffs, including a career-high two in 2005.
Paxton handled the Patriots long-snapping duties for 61 consecutive games, spanning from his NFL debut in the 2000 season opener until Week 14 of the 2003 season.
College
Paxton was a four-year starter for Sacramento State (1996-99) ... Served as the Hornets long snapper and started along the offensive line ... Started at guard in 1999 and helped Sacramento State lead the Big Sky conference and rank 13th in Division I-AA with a 234.2 rushing yards per game average ... The team also ranked second in the conference with 470.3 total yards per game and ranked 10th in I-AA ... In 1998, he was part of an offensive line that blocked for the I-AA rushing leader.
2006 Season
2006 (16/0/0/0): Tied for the team lead in special teams tackles twice in 2006 (vs. DEN, at BUF) ... Played in his 100th career regular season game against Minnesota (10/30/06).
Buffalo (9/10): Saw action as the long snapper and executed all of his snaps in the Patriots' 19-17 victory over the Bills. at N.Y. Jets (9/17): Served as the long snapper in the Patriots' 24-17 win over the N.Y. Jets. Denver (9/24): Served as the team's long snapper and collected a special teams tackle ... Pinned the Broncos at their 2-yard line when he teamed with Willie Andrews to stuff Darrent Williams for a 4-yard loss on a punt return in the third quarter. at Cincinnati (10/1): Saw action as the long snapper in the Patriots' commanding 38-13 victory over the Bengals. vs. Miami (10/8): Was perfect on all of his long snaps in the Patriots' 20-10 win over the Dolphins. at Buffalo (10/22): Served as the long snapper in the Patriots' 28-6 road victory over the Bills ... Collected a special teams tackle on coverage units. at Minnesota (10/30): Was perfect on all of his long snaps in the Patriots' commanding 31-7 road win against the Vikings. Indianapolis (11/5): Saw action as the long snapper. vs. N.Y. Jets (11/12): Made good on all of his snaps in the kicking game. at Green Bay (11/19): Executed all of his long snaps in the Patriots' 35-0 road victory over the Packers. vs. Chicago (11/26): Served as the long snapper in the Patriots' 17-13 victory over the Bears. vs. Detroit (12/3): Made good on all of his snaps in the Patriots' 28-21 comeback victory over the Lions. at Miami (12/10): Served as the team's long snapper ... Collected a special teams tackle on coverage units. vs. Houston (12/17): Made good on all of his long snaps in the Patriots' commanding 40-7 victory over the Texans. at Jacksonville (12/24): Served as the long snapper in the Patriots' 24-21 division-clinching win over the Jaguars. at Tennessee (12/31): Served as the team's long snapper in the Patriots' 40-23 victory over the Titans.
2006 Postseason (3/0/0/0): vs. N.Y. Jets (1/7): Was perfect on all of his long snaps in the Patriots' 37-16 AFC Wild Card victory over the N.Y. Jets. at San Diego (1/14): Made good on his long snaps in the Patriots' 24-21 AFC Divisional playoff victory over the Chargers. at Indianapolis (1/21): Served as the long snapper and made good on all of his snaps.
2005 Season
2005 (16/0/0/0): Oakland (9/8): Served as the team’s long snapper in the Patriots’ 30-20 victory over the Raiders on opening night. at Carolina (9/18): Saw action as the long snapper and made good on all of his snaps in the kicking game … Collected a special teams tackle on coverage duties. at Pittsburgh (9/25): Served as the teams’ long snapper in the Patriots’ 23-20 victory over the Steelers. San Diego (10/2): Saw action as the long snapper. at Atlanta (10/9): Made good on all of his long snaps in the Patriots’ 31-28 win over the Falcons. at Denver (10/16): Served as the team’s long snapper. Buffalo (10/30): Saw action as the long snapper in the Patriots’ 21-16 victory over the Bills on Sunday Night Football. Indianapolis (11/7): Was perfect on all of his long snaps. at Miami (11/13): Made good on all of his long snaps in the Patriots’ 23-16 road victory over the Dolphins. New Orleans (11/20): Was perfect on his long snaps in the Patriots’ 24-17 win over the Saints. at Kansas City (11/27): Made good on all of his long snaps. N.Y. Jets (12/4): Executed the long snaps in the Patriots’ 16-3 victory over the Jets. at Buffalo (12/11): Was perfect on all of his long snaps in the Patriots’ commanding 35-7 road victory over the Bills. Tampa Bay (12/17): Served as the team’s long snapper in the Patriots’ 28-0 shutout victory over the Buccaneers … Collected a solo special teams tackle on coverage units in the Patriots’ 28-0 shutout victory over the Buccaneers. at N.Y. Jets (12/26): Made good on all of his long snaps in the Patriots’ 31-21 victory over the Jets. Miami (1/1): Saw action as the long snapper.
2005 Postseason (2/0/0/0): Jacksonville (1/7): Served as the long snapper in the Patriots' 28-3 AFC Wild Card victory over the Jaguars ... Collected a special teams tackle ... Downed Adam Vinatieri's 24-yard pooch punt at the Jaguars 4-yard line in the first quarter. at Denver (1/14): Saw action as the long snapper ... Registered a tackle on special teams coverage units.
2004 season
2004 (16/0, 3/0): Saw action as the long snapper in all 16 games for the fourth time in fi ve seasons … Recorded one special teams tackle in the playoffs and one in the regular season … Recovered a fumble on punt coverage (11/7) … His consistency helped Adam Vinatieri earn his second Pro Bowl nod after nailing an NFL-best and franchise record 93.9 percent of his field goal attempts (31-for-33) … Vinatieri also led the NFL in scoring (141 points) … Was successful on all of his snaps on field goals, extra points and punts. Indianapolis (9/9): Saw action as a long snapper in the Patriots' 27-24 victory over the Colts ... Collected a special teams stop on punt coverage. at Arizona (9/19): Served as the long snapper in the Patriots' 23-12 victory over the Cardinals. at Buffalo (10/3): Was perfect on all of his long snaps during the Patriots' 31-17 victory over the Bills. Miami (10/10): Served as the long snapper in the Patriots' 24-10 victory over the Dolphins. Seattle (10/17): Made good on all of his snaps in the Patriots' 30-20 victory over the Seahawks. N.Y. Jets (10/24): Saw action as the long snapper in the Patriots' 13-7 win over the N.Y. Jets. at Pittsburgh (10/31): Handled the long-snapping duties and provided perfect snaps on both field goal attempts and all three punts against the Steelers. at St. Louis (11/7): Was perfect on all of his long snaps in the Patriots' 40-22 road win against the Rams ... Recovered a muffed punt by Shaun McDonald at the St. Louis 28-yard line in the first quarter. Buffalo (11/14): Handled the long-snapping and was perfect on all of his snaps in the Patriots' commanding 29-6 victory over the Bills. at Kansas City (11/22): Was perfect on all of his long snaps in the Patriots' 27-19 Monday Night victory over the Chiefs. Baltimore (11/28): Despite rainy, windy conditions was perfect on all of his long snaps in the Patriots' 24-3 victory over the Ravens. at Cleveland (12/5): Made good on all of his long snaps in the Patriots' 42-15 victory over the Browns. Cincinnati (12/12): Served as the long snapper in the Patriots' AFC East clinching 35-28 victory over the Bengals. at Miami (12/20): Was perfect on all eight of his long snaps. at N.Y. Jets (12/26): Served as the long snapper in the Patriots' 23-7 victory over the Jets. San Francisco (1/2): Made good on all of his long snaps in the Patriots' 21-7 victory over the 49ers.
2004 Postseason (3/0/0/0): Indianapolis (1/16): Served as the long snapper in the Patriots' 20-3 victory over the Colts. at Pittsburgh (1/23): Was perfect on all of his long snaps in the Patriots' 41-27 AFC Championship victory over the Steelers ... Registered one tackle on punt return coverage. coverage. Philadelphia (2/6): Made good on all 11 of his long snaps in the Patriots' 24-21 victory over the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX.
2003 Season
2003 (13/0, 0/0): Snapped on every punt, extra point and field goal attempt for the first 13 games of the season … Placed on injured reserve on Dec. 10, 2003. Philadelphia (9/14): Played in his 50th career game. Washington (9/28): Had clean snaps on all six of his opportunities, including two field goals, two punts and two extra points. Tennessee (10/05): Recorded a special teams tackle when he dropped Titans punt returner Justin McCareins. Miami (10/19): Had clean snaps on all nine of his opportunities: two field goals, six punts and one extra point in the Patriots’ thrilling 19-13 overtime victory over the Dolphins. Cleveland (10/26): Helped back the Browns deep in their own territory by downing a Ken Walter punt at the Cleveland seven-yard line in the first quarter. Houston (11/23): Snapped for Adam Vinatieri’s game-winning field goal with 40 seconds left in overtime.
2002 Season
2002 (16/0): Recorded clean snaps on all 137 chances he had in the kicking game … Recorded one special teams tackle at Miami (10/6). Kansas City (9/22): Recorded clean snaps on all of his opportunities, including Adam Vinatieri’s 35-yard game-winning field goal in overtime that gave the Patriots a dramatic 41-38 win. Chicago (11/10): Registered clean snaps on all of his opportunities: five punts, four field goals and an extra point … Snapped for Vinatieri’s franchise-long, 57-yard field goal in the second quarter. Detroit (11/28): Recorded clean snaps on all of his opportunities: four punts, two field goals and two extra points in the Patriots 20-12 victory. Miami (12/29): Registered clean snaps on all of his opportunities, including Vinatieri’s game-tying, 43-yard field goal with 1:09 left in the game, and his game-winner in overtime as the Patriots beat the Dolphins, 27-24.
2001 Season
2001 (16/0, 3/0): Handled long snapping duties in all 16 regular season games and all three postseason games … Recorded one special teams tackle. San Diego (10/14): Recorded clean snaps on five punts, three extra points and four field goals, including Adam Vinatieri’s 44-yard game-winning field goal in overtime. New York (12/2): Handled long snapping duties on Vinatieri’s 28-yard game-winning field goal in 17-16 victory over the Jets. Cleveland (12/9): Downed a Vinatieri pooch punt at the Browns two-yard line in the fourth quarter. Buffalo (12/16): Handled the long-snapping duties on Vinatieri’s 23-yard game-winning field goal in 12-9 overtime win. Oakland (1/19): Despite a heavy snow storm, Paxton made clean snaps on eight punts, one extra point and three field goals, including the game-tying kick at the end of regulation and the game-winning field goal in overtime. St. Louis (2/3): Handled the long snapping duties on Vinatieri’s 48-yard Super Bowl-winning field goal.
2000 Season
2000 (16/0):Participated as the Patriots long snapper in all 16 games ... Snapped on every punt, extra point and field goal attempt during the 2000 season. Tampa Bay (9/3): Made his NFL debut at long snapper and delivered the ball on nine punts, two field goal attempts and one extra point. N.Y. Jets (9/11): Helped the Patriots special teams limit the Jets to only five yards on two punt returns. Minnesota (9/17): Part of special teams unit that limited the Vikings to only eight yards on two punt returns. Indianapolis (10/8): Snapped the ball to Lee Johnson on a fake field goal attempt in the fourth quarter ... Johnson completed an 18-yard pass to Eric Bjornson and the Patriots scored a touchdown on the next play. Buffalo (11/5): Despite occasional rain and drizzle, Paxton produced flawless snaps on eight punts, two field goals and one extra point. Chicago (12/10): Recorded a special teams tackle, bringing down Glyn Milburn on a punt return in the third quarter.
Extra Points
In 2003, Lonie established the Active Force Foundation, a non-profit organization that designs and donates special sports equipment to physically challenged athletes. For more information on the Foundation visit http://www.activeforce.org/.
Lonie appeared on A&E's hit reality show Inked in February, 2005. The show chronicles the day-today activities at Las Vegas tattoo shop owned by extreme motocross legend Carey Hart. Paxton, who gets a tattoo in the episode, and Hart are longtime friends and exchange helmets during the show.
Lonie heeded his father's advice while growing up in Corona, Calif. to work on all facets of his game. When he reached high school, he earned his team's long snapping position and has excelled at the position ever since.
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