FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- For each of the past 17 Saturdays, readers of the Patriots blog on ESPN.com could log on and see the "football journey" series to lead off the day. "Football journey" is one of my favorite things on the to-do list each week because it is a chance to get to know some of the players on the team.
The weekly staple has gone back years on ESPN.com, and with the start of the playoffs on the horizon, it officially ends the series until next season.
To wrap a bow on it for the 2016 season, here are all the "journeys" in one spot:
WR Chris Hogan -- If not for an injury in college, the NFL might never have called
LG Joe Thuney -- A Bengals fan growing up, he's all Patriots now
TE Clay Harbor -- Coming from small-school background, he beats the odds
CB Jonathan Jones -- Undrafted, but undaunted, he beats the odds to stick around
CB Eric Rowe -- No longer happy with Eagles, liking the fit in New England
G/C Ted Karras -- Born into a football family, non-combine invitee thrives
LB Barkevious Mingo -- A late football bloomer, he didn't play until junior year of high school
DT Woodrow Hamilton -- Appreciating the impact football has had on his life
WR Malcolm Mitchell -- With mother as role model, he carries on with a smile
DE Chris Long -- Using football as a platform to help others
TE Matt Lengel -- From Northeastern and Eastern Kentucky, a rare emergence
DT Vincent Valentine -- Only 22, this journey is just beginning
LB Kyle Van Noy -- Mileage adds up on coast-to-coast journey
LB Shea McClellin -- After 'rough' tenure in Chicago, a fresh start with Patriots
RB D.J. Foster -- 'Gym rat' makes successful transition to football
