Miguel: CB Keenan Lewis would only cost 700K in cap space via Trade

Really affordable veteran off the scrap heap

"Patriots made a trade."

Woohoo!

"For a linebacker"

D'oh!

Still don't see it happening

KDPPatsfan85 said:

Maybe this year, instead of trading for a player, we trade players. We have players with expiring contracts and we are without a first rounder (which BB would try to trade anyway).

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Has an nfl contender ever traded away key pieces before? The team cares way more about winning than that 1st rounder and who would we be able to get a 1st round pick for?

meatface said:

Has an nfl contender ever traded away key pieces before? The team cares way more about winning than that 1st rounder and who would we be able to get a 1st round pick for?

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How many NFL contenders actually have players they can trade that they don't actually need?

TommyD4207 said:

How many NFL contenders actually have players they can trade that they don't actually need?

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that's kind of what I mean, is there anyone the pats could easily part with who has any real value?

meatface said:

that's kind of what I mean, is there anyone the pats could easily part with who has any real value?

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I can think of 2 LBs over the age of 29 that they could trade and not miss a beat.

TommyD4207 said:

I can think of 2 LBs over the age of 29 that they could trade and not miss a beat.

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Nink and Mayo

Don't know how relevant this is, but here is Shareece Wright's draft profile.

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/shareece-wright?id=2495251

OVERVIEW

Wright was ruled academically ineligible for the 2009 season, but he has worked hard to salvage his career and has the potential to be drafted in April. He plays very aggressively and likes to hit in run support despite being slightly undersized. He is fast with good agility to stick in man coverage and shows good recognition skills to make plays in zone. His off the field issues, coupled with a serious neck injury in 2008, may scare off a few teams, but Wright is a talented corner and has a chance to be a mid-to-late round draft pick.

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS
Wright plays bigger than his listed size and has good speed. Possesses quick feet and the hip fluidity to transition smoothly and mirror in man coverage. Shows very good instincts to anticipate routes in zone and closes quickly when the ball is in the air. Willing tackler in run support and looks to deliver big shots.

WEAKNESSES
Does not have the deep speed to close the gap once he beat on go routes. Over aggressive at times and is susceptible to double moves. Struggles to break down ball carriers in space and does not always wrap effectively. There are questions about his maturity and durability.

The Patriots have a certain capital that many other teams do not. A player with a discipline or attitude problem is often avoided by other teams and/or the player is looking to go somewhere to change that perception.
Despite the hatred projected at BB/Patriots, the NFL CW remains: if you can play on the Patriots you are not a problem or at least are no longer a problem.

Unless the Patriots are willing to overpay for a mid tier-ish starting CB (hint: they won't -- not to mention teams will overprice based on the Patriots stark need), this Patriot capital is the best hope to land a CB that will make us in Pat Nation breath a modest 'sigh of relief'. Talib was a shining example. His troubles and question marks probably kept other teams away to keep his price reasonable/attainable for the Patriots. Is that kind of lightning is going to strike twice in two years? Unlikely. But a lesser/somewhat near mid tier who is at odds with his current team and has some team ??? may be that guy who is a perfect fit for who/what the Patriots do.
"As the Zen master said, we'll see"

Lots of talk about Shareece Wright, but he had a God awful season last year, didn't he?

Why is he suddenly attractive?

TommyD4207 said:

I can think of 2 LBs over the age of 29 that they could trade and not miss a beat.

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For one reason or another, you appear to be dismissing the importance of the lockerroom, with both apparently leaders in that department.

ausbacker said:

For one reason or another, you appear to be dismissing the importance of the lockerroom, with both apparently leaders in that department.

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I have a hunch that Belichick has more use and appreciation for those 2 players than any other team, anyways.

One or even both could be gone in the offseason, but I think they are safe this year, and that's for multiple reasons. One important reason is the dynamic that you mentioned, in terms of being defensive leaders who are versatile.

supafly said:

Lots of talk about Shareece Wright, but he had a God awful season last year, didn't he?

Why is he suddenly attractive?

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Mostly because of his availability and minimal impact on cap space. In 2014, he recorded a career-high 58 tackles and 10 passes defensed.

Here are some of the highlights from that season

http://www.chargers.com/team/players/roster/shareece-wright

2014: Led team with eight tackles Week 1 at Arizona...tied for team high with seven tackles and made key play to preserve victory Sept. 14 vs. defending Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks...with Chargers leading by six, tackled Percy Harvin for six-yard loss on sweep back to five-yard line on Seattle drive that started with just over three minutes remaining...helped contribute to series ending on downs three plays later...Chargers took possession at Seattle five-yard line and ended up kicking field goal for final points in 30-21 win...six tackles and tackle for loss before leaving Sept. 28 game vs. Jacksonville with knee injury...inactive Oct. 5 vs. New York Jets and Oct. 12 at Oakland...led team with two pass defenses, including third-down pass defensed vs. Denver’s Julius Thomas down left sideline forced punt Oct. 23 at Broncos...Chargers drove for game-tying touchdown (7-7) on ensuing possession...suffered concussion in second quarter Dec. 20 at San Francisco and did not return...suffered concussion Dec. 28 at Kansas City and did not return.

Chiuba E. Obele said:

Mostly because of his availability and minimal impact on cap space

Here are some of the highlights of his 2014 season

http://www.chargers.com/team/players/roster/shareece-wright

2014: Led team with eight tackles Week 1 at Arizona...tied for team high with seven tackles and made key play to preserve victory Sept. 14 vs. defending Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks...with Chargers leading by six, tackled Percy Harvin for six-yard loss on sweep back to five-yard line on Seattle drive that started with just over three minutes remaining...helped contribute to series ending on downs three plays later...Chargers took possession at Seattle five-yard line and ended up kicking field goal for final points in 30-21 win...six tackles and tackle for loss before leaving Sept. 28 game vs. Jacksonville with knee injury...inactive Oct. 5 vs. New York Jets and Oct. 12 at Oakland...led team with two pass defenses, including third-down pass defensed vs. Denver’s Julius Thomas down left sideline forced punt Oct. 23 at Broncos...Chargers drove for game-tying touchdown (7-7) on ensuing possession...suffered concussion in second quarter Dec. 20 at San Francisco and did not return...suffered concussion Dec. 28 at Kansas City and did not return.

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Aside from a couple of pass breakups on Julius Thomas, seems to be nothing but tackles in those highlights.

It may be telling that he can't even see an active status on game day for a defense that has given up 43 and 47 in back to back games, that's all I'm saying.

I'm all for improving the depth of the CBs, but I'm not sure that this is our man. We'll have to see how it plays out.

supafly said:

Aside from a couple of pass breakups on Julius Thomas, seems to be nothing but tackles in those highlights.

It may be telling that he can't even see an active status on game day for a defense that has given up 43 and 47 in back to back games, that's all I'm saying.

I'm all for improving the depth of the CBs, but I'm not sure that this is our man. We'll have to see how it plays out.

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I see your point. Him not gaining active status might be attributed to the 2 concussions he suffered in December. Seems like he's an aggressive tackler, which might explain why he suffered those kinds of injuries in the first place.

EDIT: Did I mention he has special teams value?

@supafly

Some negatives

• More comfortable in man-to-man, press coverage than off man and zone coverages. He's less assertive and decisive when lining up 5-10 yards from receivers.
  
• Wright's passer rating allowed of 95.5 was an improvement over his 99.9 mark in 2013 as a first-year starter but still not desirable.
• Led the NFL in defensive pass interference penalties in 2014.
• Has a history of dealing with injuries. Worked 89.4 percent of the defense's snaps, down from 97.5 in '13. Sat out Games 5 and 6 with a knee injury; concussed in Game 15, he came back to start Game 16. A groin-hip strain injury set him back in his first training camp, and a high ankle sprain cost him the first month of '12.

Chiuba E. Obele said:

Nink and Mayo

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Ok three.

TommyD4207 said:

I can think of 2 LBs over the age of 29 that they could trade and not miss a beat.

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they wouldn't get a 1st round pick for Nink or Mayo, if they really didnt want Mayo they probably would have cut him in the offseason

Looks to me that the biggest asset most of these CB reaches have is that they don't play for the Pats. Is this the silly season? Why are there so many pleas for players who aren't good enough to play for the bad teams they are already on. What makes them suddenly better than what we already have. Keenan Lewis sounds nice but makes zero sense for the Saints to trade him, ZERO.

Then there are the fools who are on their 4th consecutive year trying to get rid of league's most dependable and productive DE/LB. It's like EVERY alternative is a better one than the guy who has been one of the best at his position since he's become a starter.

I'd love to find a quality CB in a trade. So would about 30 other teams. Part of the problem is that there aren't 30 starting quality CB's in the league to begin with, let alone ones that are available AND cap friendly.

Our best bet is to go out and keep firing bullets at developmental guys and hope we hit on one like we did with Butler. My suggestion would be to try and scam Nick Marshall from the Jags. He has the size to be useful in certain situations even as he is learning (6'2), and the athletic potential to become a starting CB.

The fact is that it is very rare that even a top 10 pick can come into the league and be an accomplished CB. It's taken guys like Gilmore (Bills) and Smith (Ratbirds) years to get to be considered good, The kid the Jets took, STILL is sitting on the bench. The really good CB's are developed they don't just pop into the league ready made.