Russ Hochstein joined the Patriots as a practice squad player on Oct. 21, 2002... Originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL draft ... Waived by Tampa Bay (9/17/02) ... Re-signed by Tampa Bay (9/24/02) ... Released by the Buccaneers and signed to their practice squad (10/1/02) ... Released from Tampa Bay's practice squad (10/16/02) ... Signed to the Patriots active roster (11/17/02) ... Released by the Patriots (8/31/03) ... Signed to the Patriots practice squad (9/1/03) ... Signed to the Patriots active roster (9/14/03) ... Re-signed by the Patriots (3/1/04).
 

View Russ Hochstein's Career Statistics >>

GP/GS (Playoffs): 92/20 (14/5)

• Hochstein enters 2009 having spent the last seven seasons with the Patriots (2002-08). He has appeared in 91 games for New England and is one of just eight current Patriots to have played in 90 or more games for the team entering 2009.
• In his seven seasons in New England, Hochstein has been a part of five division championships, three conference titles and two Super Bowl crowns.
• Hochstein has been a versatile contributor for the Patriots, and in his regular-season and playoff career has started 12 games at guard, 10 games at center, two games at fullback and one game at tight end.
• In 2008, Hochstein started the final two games of the season at fullback and saw significant time at fullback and tight end in those contests as the Patriots totaled 351 rushing yards.
• In 2007, Hochstein started a career-high eight regularseason games as part of a Patriots offensive line that allowed just 21 sacks, the fewest for the franchise in 30 years.
• Hochstein contributed to a Patriots offense that set alltime NFL records with 589 points and 75 touchdowns in 2007.
• In 2005, Hochstein took over for an injured Dan Koppen as the Patriots' starting center for the final seven regular season games and both playoff contests. He helped the Patriots finish the season as the NFL's seventh-ranked offense, and powered New England to more than 130 rushing yards in five of his nine starts, including playoffs.
• Hochstein showed his versatility in the 2004 playoffs, starting the AFC Championship Game as a third tight end, and then lining up at fullback in Super Bowl XXXIX to pave the way for Corey Dillon's 2-yard touchdown run.
• After starting the 2003 season on the Patriots practice squad, Hochstein got the starting nod at left guard in the 2003 AFC Championship Game and also in Super Bowl XXXVIII in place of an injured Damien Woody. He was part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in either game.

   

2008 (15/2): Played in the final 15 games and started the final two games of the season at fullback ... In the final two games of the season, saw significant time at fullback and tight end and helped serve as a lead blocker as the Patriots totaled 351 rushing yards in the two games ... Saw significant time in reserve, playing at right guard against Buffalo (11/9) ... Played in reserve at center and on special teams return and blocking units against the N.Y. Jets (11/13) ... Saw action in reserve at right guard at Miami (11/23) ... Saw action as an eligible receiver on three tight end packages and helped create the hole for Ellis Hobbs' 95-yard touchdown kickoff return at Oakland (12/14) ... Started at fullback while seeing significant time reporting as an eligible tight end against Arizona (12/21) ... Made his second start in as many weeks at fullback, seeing significant time in the backfield as well as tight end at Buffalo (12/28).
 

2007 (15/8/1/0):  Set a single-season career high for games started with eight in 2007.

at N.Y. Jets (9/9):  Saw action on special teams protection units and in a reserve role at guard during the Patriots' 38-14 victory. San Diego (9/16):  Played on special teams protection units during the Patriots' 38-14 win over the Chargers.  Buffalo (9/23):  Made his first start of the season at right guard in the Patriots' 38-7 win over the Bills... Helped secure the pocket in which Tom Brady threw for 311 yards and created holes for Laurence Maroney's second career 100-yard rushing game... Sprung Maroney for his game long run of 19 yards with a pulling block on a second quarter drive that capped off with a Randy Moss touchdown.  at Cincinnati (10/1): Started at right guard in the Patriots' 34-13 win over the Bengals... Created the running lane for Sammy Morris to break off a season-long 47-yard run on a first-quarter drive that resulted in a Mike Vrabel touchdown reception for a 10-0 Patriot lead... Helped to seal off a running lane with a pull block to spring Wes Welker for a 27-yard gain on an end around on third and three in the third quarter to spearhead a drive that resulted in a 7-yard Sammy Morris rushing touchdown and a 24-7 Patriot lead. Cleveland (10/7):  Stepped in for Dan Koppen to make his first start of the season at center in the Patriots' 34-17 win over the Browns... Anchored an offensive line that didn't allow a sack of quarterback Tom Brady...  Led the charge for running back Sammy Morris's second consecutive 100-yard rushing game.  at Dallas (10/14):  Suited up but did not play in the Patriots' 48-27 victory over the Cowboys.  at Miami (10/21):  Played in reserve at right guard and on special teams protection units in the Patriots' 49-28 rout of the Dolphins.  Washington (10/28):  Played in a reserve role on special teams protection and return units in the Patriots' 52-7 victory over the Redskins... Lined up as an eligible receiver at tight end on several offensive plays.  at Indianapolis (11/4):  Played in a reserve role on special teams protection and return units and lined up as an eligible receiver at tight end in the Patriots' 24-20 comeback win over the Colts.  at Buffalo (11/18):  Made his third start of the year at right guard in place of Stephen Neal in the Patriots' 56-10 win over the Bills... Part of an offensive line that didn't allow a sack in 41 pass attempts.  Philadelphia (11/25):  Played in a reserve role on special teams protection and return units in the Patriots' 31-28 win over the Eagles.  at Baltimore (12/3):  Played in a reserve role at right guard and on special teams protection units in the Patriots' 27-24 win over the Ravens.  Pittsburgh (12/9):  Started at right guard... Part of an offensive line that didn't allow a sack in 46 pass attempts in the Patriots' 34-13 win over the Steelers.  N.Y. Jets (12/16):  Made his sixth start of the season while getting the nod at right guard in the Patriots' 20-10 win over the Jets... Part of an offensive line that created the blocking front for Laurence Maroney's second 100-yard rushing game of the season.  Miami (12/23):  Started at right guard and contributed to an offensive line that helped Laurence Maroney gain a single-game career high 156 rushing yards in a 28-7 Patriots' victory.  at N.Y. Giants (12/29):  Started at right guard, setting a career high for games started in a season with eight... Part of an offensive line that helped limit the league's top rated pass rush to just one sack in 43 dropbacks as the Patriots offense established a new NFL all-time single-season scoring record with 589 points in a 38-35 comeback win over the Giants... Provided the lead block on Laurence Maroney's 5-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

2007 Postseason (3/0/0/0):  Jacksonville (1/12):  Played in reserve on special teams protection and return units in the Patriots' 31-20 win over the Jaguars.  San Diego (1/20):  Saw action in a reserve role on special teams protection and return units in the Patriots' 21-12 win over the Chargers in the AFC Championship Game.  N.Y. Giants (2/3):  Played in reserve at right tackle in Super Bowl XLII.

2006 (13/0, 3/0): Saw action as a reserve on the offensive front in 13 games in 2006.

Buffalo (9/10): Saw action on special teams protection units in the Patriots' 19-17 victory over the Bills. N.Y. Jets (9/17): Played on special teams protection units in the Patriots' 24-17 win over the N.Y. Jets. Denver (9/24): Played in a reserve role on special teams protection units. Cincinnati (10/1): Saw action on special teams protection units. Miami (10/8): Played on special teams protection units. N.Y. Jets (11/12): Returned to the lineup and saw action in a reserve role as an extra tight end in rushing situations ... Took over at right guard in the second half when Billy Yates left the game with an injury ... Recovered a Tom Brady fumble on the final play of the game. Green Bay (11/19): Saw action as a reserve at left guard when Logan Mankins left the game with an injury in the third quarter. Chicago (11/26): Saw action on special teams protection units. Detroit (12/3): Saw action on special teams protection units. Miami (12/10): Saw action on the offensive line during shortyardage situations. Houston (12/17): Played as a reserve on the offensive front. Jacksonville (12/24): Played on special teams protection units. Tennessee (12/31): Saw action as additional tackle on short yardage situations and on special teams protection units.

2006 Postseason (3/0):  N.Y. Jets (1/7): Saw action on special teams protection units. at San Diego (1/14): Played on special teams protection units. at Indianapolis (1/21): Played on field goal protection units.

2005 (16/7/0/0): Started the Patriots final seven games at center.  Oakland (9/8): Saw action on special teams protection units in the Patriots’ 30-20 victory over the Raiders. at Carolina (9/18): Saw significant action as a reserve at right guard … Part of an offensive line that allowed Tom Brady to pass for 270 yards. at Pittsburgh (9/25): Played in a reserve role on the offensive front in the Patriots’ 23-20 victory over the Steelers. San Diego (10/2): Saw action on special teams protection units. at Atlanta (10/9): Saw action on special teams protection units in the Patriots’ 31-28 win over the Falcons. at Denver (10/16): Saw significant action at left guard in the second half … Part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack against the Broncos. Buffalo (10/30): Played on field goal and extra point protection units in the Patriots’ 21-16 victory over the Bills on Sunday Night Football. Indianapolis (11/7): Saw action on special teams protection units. at Miami (11/13): Saw significant action at center after Dan Koppen left the game with an injury in the third quarter … Member of an offensive front that did not allow a sack in the second half of the Patriots’ 23-16 road victory over the Dolphins. New Orleans (11/20): Started at center … Part of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots’ rushers to gain 132 yards on 30 carries (4.4 avg.) in the Patriots’ 24-17 win over the Saints. at Kansas City (11/27): Member of an offensive line that allowed Patriots’ rushers to average 4.1 yards per carry. N.Y. Jets (12/4): Part of an offensive front that allowed Patriots’ ball carriers to gain 146 rushing yards in the Patriots’ 16-3 victory over the Jets … Member of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in the second half. at Buffalo (12/11): Member of an offensive front that opened holes for Patriots’ rushers to gain 159 yards on the ground in the Patriots’ commanding 35-7 road victory over the Bills … Part of a unit that did not allow a sack after the opening drive of the game. Tampa Bay (12/17): Started at center … Part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in the first half of the Patriots’ 28-0 shutout victory over the Buccaneers … Member of an offensive front that allowed Tom Brady to throw for 258 yards and three touchdowns. at N.Y. Jets (12/26): Started at center … Member of an offensive line that allowed New England rushers to gain 151 yards in the Patriots’ 31-21 victory over the Jets. Miami (1/1): Started at center … Member of an offensive line that allowed just one sack for one yard.

2005 Postseason (2/2/0/0): Jacksonville (1/7): Started at center ... Member of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots' rushers to gain 118 yards on the ground in the Patriots' 28-3 AFC Wild Card victory over the Jaguars. at Denver (1/14): Member of an offensive line that did not allow a sack and allowed Tom Brady to throw for 341 passing yards.

2004 (16/2, 3/1): Participated in all 16 games, primarily on special teams protection units … Late in the season and in the playoffs occasionally lined up as a tight end or fullback in goal-line situations … Started the first two games of the season at left guard … Started the AFC Championship Game (01/23/05) as a third tight end. Indianapolis (9/9):  Started at left guard and was a part of an offensive front that opened holes for New England rushers to average 4.8 yards per carry in the Patriots' 27-24 victory over the Colts.  at Arizona (9/19):  Started at left guard and played in a reserve role at center ... Was a part of an offensive line that opened holes for Corey Dillon to rush for 158 yards on 32 carries (4.9-yard avg.) in the Patriots' 23-12 victory over the Cardinals.  at Buffalo (10/3):  Played in a reserve role on the offensive line and during extra point attempts in the Patriots' 31-17 victory over the Bills.  Miami (10/10):  Saw action on special teams in the Patriots' 24-10 victory over the Dolphins.  Seattle (10/17):  Played in a reserve role in the Patriots' 30-20 victory over the Seahawks.  N.Y. Jets (10/24):  Saw action in a reserve role in the Patriots' 13-7 win over the N.Y. Jets.  at Pittsburgh (10/31):  Played in a reserve role on the offensive front against the Steelers.  at St. Louis (11/7):  Played in a reserve role on special teams in the Patriots' 40-22 road win against the Rams.  Buffalo (11/14):  Played on special teams protection units in the Patriots' commanding 29-6 victory over the Bills.  at Kansas City (11/22):  Saw action on special teams protection units in the Patriots' 27-19 Monday Night victory over the Chiefs.  Baltimore (11/28):  Saw action at right tackle in the fourth quarter of New England's 24-3 victory over the Ravens.  at Cleveland (12/5):  Saw action in a reserve role on the offensive line in the Patriots' 42-15 victory over the Browns.  Cincinnati (12/12):  Saw action on extra point protection units in the Patriots' AFC East clinching 35-28 victory over the Bengals.  at Miami (12/20):  Saw action on special teams protection units.  at N.Y. Jets (12/26):  Saw action on special teams protection units and as a fullback in goal line situations during the Patriots' 23-7 victory over the Jets.  San Francisco (1/2):  Saw action at right tackle in the fourth quarter of the Patriots' 21-7 victory over the 49ers ... Saw limited duty at fullback in short yardage situations.

2004 Postseason (3/1/0/0):  Indianapolis (1/16):  Saw action as a fullback in goal line situations and on special teams protection units in the Patriots' 20-3 victory over the Colts.  at Pittsburgh (1/23):  Started at tight end as the Patriots opened the game in a three tight end formation ... Saw action on field goal protection units in the Patriots' 41-27 AFC Championship victory over the Steelers. Philadelphia (2/6): Saw action on special teams protection units as well as at fullback in short yardage situations during the Patriots' 24-21 victory over the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX … Lined up at fullback and paved the way for Corey Dillon's 2-yard touchdown plunge in the fourth quarter.

2003 (14/1, 3/2): Signed from the practice squad on Sept. 14, 2003 … Made his 2003 debut in Week Two and made his first NFL start the following week at Washington (09/28) … Played in a reserve role in 13 regular-season games … Replaced an injured Damien Woody at left guard in the divisional playoffs against Tennessee, then started at left guard in the AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl XXXVIII … Was a part of a Patriots offensive line that did not allow a sack in the postseason. Philadelphia (9/14): Participated in his first game of the season against the Eagles. Washington (9/28): Made his first career start at left guard against the Redskins … Part of an offensive line that allowed just one sack on 39 pass plays … Helped pave the way for the Patriots second consecutive 100-yard rushing performance. Buffalo (12/27): Entered the game at left guard midway through the second quarter … Helped the ground attack gain 131 yards rushing in the Patriots commanding 31-0 victory over the Bills … Member of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in the second half. Tennessee (1/10): Replaced an injured Damien Woody at left guard in the Patriots’ 17-14 divisional playoff victory over the Titans … Was a member of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in 41 pass attempts. Indianapolis (1/18): Started at left guard in the Patriots’ 24-14 AFC Championship victory over the Colts … Member of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in 37 pass attempts. Carolina (2/1): Started at left guard and was a member of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in the Patriots’ 32-29 Super Bowl XXXVIII victory over the Panthers.

2002 (1/0 New England; 1/0 - Tampa Bay): Participated on special teams in the Buccaneers season opener vs. New Orleans (9/8) but was listed among the inactives the following week at Baltimore (9/15) ... He was later released by the Buccaneers (9/17) … Signed to the Patriots practice squad (10/21) … Signed to the Patriots active roster (11/17). Minnesota (11/24): Participated at right guard and on special teams in the Patriots 24-17 win over the Vikings.

2001 (0/0, 0/0 - Tampa Bay): Declared inactive for all 16 contests, as well as playoff contests.

Emerged as a solid drive blocker in his final two seasons at right guard for the Cornhuskers ... Three-year starter at RG who registered 342 career knockdowns in 26 starts ... Quick, dependable blocker who displayed tremendous power ... Earned All-Big 12 honors for three consecutive seasons ... Played in 11 games, including the postseason, as a senior in 2000 ... Earned first-team All-America honors from The Sporting News ... Named a consensus All-Big 12 Conference first-team selection ... Recipient of the Cletus Fischer Native Son award, given annually to the top college football player in the state of Nebraska ... Racked up a career-best 143 knockdowns ... Earned first-team honors by the Associated Press and was a first-team All-Big 12 Conference selection as a junior ... Also earned first-team honors from the Dallas Morning News, San Antonio News-Express and Fort Worth Star-Bulletin ... Played in 12 games, including the postseason ... Finished second on the team with 126 knockdowns ... Despite starting just the final three games of his sophomore season in 1998, earned All-Big 12 Conference honorable mention honors ... Appeared in five games as a redshirt freshman in 1997 ... Redshirted in 1996 ... Graduated with a degree in business management.

Russ Hochstein was born on Oct. 7, 1977 in Hartington, Neb. ... Played on the defensive line and middle linebacker at Cedar Catholic (Hartington, Neb.) High School ... Garnered first-team All-America honors by Blue Chip Illustrated ... Also lettered in track and basketball ... Volunteered with the Advisory Board Outreach Program and American Education Week ... Hochstein was the subject a Nebraska Educational Television Documentary, which chronicled his career since his senior year in high school ... Named the newcomer of the year by the Buccaneers' Community Relations Department in 2001 for his work in the Tampa Bay area ... Part of group that made visit to MacDill Air Force Base on Sept. 25, 2001 with contingent of Buccaneer players who visited the base to tour the facilities and offer encouragement to hundreds of servicemen and women ... During the 2002 holiday season, gave back to the community through participating in the Salvation Army Holiday Party at Gillette Stadium and also working at the Children's Hospital's annual holiday telethon ... Participated in the 2007 Salvation Army Holiday Party at Gillette Stadium with nearly 250 children from the Boston and Providence Salvation Army centers ... Graduated with a degree in business management.
 

• Russ is one of the Patriots' most versatile players. He has started 25 games in his regular-season and playoff career with the Patriots at five different positions - 10 games at center, seven games at right guard, five games at left guard, two games at fullback and one game at tight end.
• Most of Russ's charity work has focused on children. He has participated in events to benefit Mass General Hospital's Children's Wing, Children's Hospital Boston and children from the Boston and Providence Salvation Army centers.