After missing all but the season opener of the 1978 season with a shoulder injury, he returned in 1979 to play all 16 games. His six quarterback sacks played a vital part in the Patriots' NFL leading total of 57 quarterback sacks. He also had 49 tackles, 13 quarterback pressures and a fumble recovery. In 1980, he made his first and only Pro Bowl appearance and earned that honor with 59 tackles and led the team with nine sacks and finished second on the team in 1980 with 13 quarterback pressures. In 1981, he was eighth on the team in tackles with 54 stops and 30 assists and his outstanding play and leadership enabled him to win the Jim Lee Hunt Memorial Award, given to the most outstanding Patriot lineman. In 1982, he finished second among Patriots' defensive linemen on the tackle chart with 45 and he also made one of the biggest plays of his career that season when he blocked a Uwe von Schamann field goal attempt in the Patriots 3-0 win over Miami (12-12-82).