Lions vs. Patriots: Roster Connections

Lions Head Coach Matt Patricia spent 14 seasons with the Patriots (2004-17) before becoming Detroit's head coach on Feb. 5, 2018. Initially joining New England as a coaching assistant in 2004, Patricia served as an assistant offensive line coach in 2005, linebackers coach from 2006- 10, safeties coach in 2011 and defensive coordinator from 2012-17. Patricia helped the Patriots capture three Super Bowl championships, six AFC Conference championships and 13 AFC East Division championships.

Lions Executive Vice President & General Manager Bob Quinn spent 16 seasons with the Patriots (2000-15) before becoming Detroit's general manager on Jan. 11, 2016. Quinn served as a player personnel assistant (2000-01), pro scout (2002-03), regional scout (2004-07) and national scout (2008) before becoming the assistant director of pro personnel (2009-12) and director of pro scouting (2012-15). Quinn helped assemble teams that went on to win four Super Bowls, six AFC Conference championships and 13 AFC East Division championships

Lions RB LeGarrette Blount played for the Patriots in 2013 and later returned to New England for three more seasons from 2014-16. He claimed his first Super Bowl with the Patriots following the 2014 season. In 2016, he led the NFL with a career-high 18 rushing touchdowns, with a career-best 1,161 rushing yards, and helped New England claim Super Bowl LI.

Lions S Tavon Wilson was selected by the Patriots in thesecond round (48th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft and played there through the 2015 season. He amassed 65 tackles and five interceptions in that span and helped the club win Super Bowl XLIX.

Lions DT Ricky Jean Francois and LB Marquis Flowers were both a part of the Patriots last season and helped the team earn a trip to Super Bowl LII.

Lions QB Matt Cassel spent the first four years (2005-08) of his career with the Patriots and threw for a career-high 3,693 yards while helping the team go 11-5 in 2008.

Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick's second NFL position was as an assistant special teams coach with the Lions in 1976. He served as the team's wide receivers coach in 1977.

Patriots OL LaAdrian Waddle began his career with the Lions and appeared in 30 games (24 starts) during his time in Detroit (2013-14).

Patriots LB Kyle Van Noy was originally drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round (40th overall) in the 2014 NFL Draft and totaled 62 total tackles (24 solo) with 1.0 sack during his time in Detroit.

Lions RB Ameer Abdullah and Patriots RB Rex Burkhead played in the same backfield at Nebraska for three seasons from 2011-13. The duo compiled 3,319 yards on the ground to go along with 31 touchdowns. Last season, the two wore customized cleats during the NFL's "My Cause, My Cleats" campaign supporting the Team Jack Foundation to bring awareness to pediatric brain cancer.

Lions DE Ezekiel Ansah and Patriots LB Kyle Van Noy played together at BYU for three seasons from 2010-12. The two players were roommates and formed a very strong relationship together, with Van Noy teaching Ansah the intricacies of American football.

Lions RB LeGarrette Blount and Patriots RB Kenjon Barner were teammates at Oregon in 2009. The duo helped the Oregon rushing attack finish third in the NCAA in yards per game (280.1) and propelled the Ducks to a 10-3 overall record and an appearance in the Rose Bowl.

Lions DB Quandre Diggs and Patriots DL Malcom Brown played on the same defense at Texas from 2012-14. The duo combined for 213 tackles and 6.5 sacks in that span.

Lions WR Marvin Jones Jr. and Patriots OL Brian Schwenke played together at California from 2009-11.

Lions OL Frank Ragnow and Patriots DL Trey Flowers were teammates at Arkansas during the 2014 season.

Lions RB Kerryon Johnson and Patriots DB Jonathan Jones were teammates at Auburn during the 2015 season.

Lions WR Marvin Jones Jr. and Patriots RB Rex Burkhead were teammates with the Bengals from 2013-15.

Lions RB LeGarrette Blount and Patriots DE Adrian Clayborn were teammates on the Buccaneers from 2011- 12. In 2011, Blount lead the team with 781 rushing yards and Clayborn had a team-high 7.5 sacks.

Lions QB Matt Cassel and Patriots WR Cordarrelle Patterson were teammates on the Vikings from 2013-14. On Dec. 8, 2013, Cassel and Patterson connected on five passes for 141 yards and a 79-yard touchdown reception, the most yards and longest reception Patterson has ever had in a game.

Lions DT Ricky Jean Francois and Patriots DL Lawrence Guy anchored the Colts' defensive line in the 2013 season.

Lions LB Christian Jones and Patriots QB Brian Hoyer were teammates with the Bears in 2016.