KC GETS: Cassel, Maroney, Thomas, 23rd pick
Patriots: Gonzalez, LJ, 3rd pick in draft and 34th pick in draft
Stand back and take off the patriots goggles
I would love the trade but no way Pioli makes this move. He'd be giving up 2 high picks (which would be starters), plus another 2 starters in Gonzalex and LJ.. And your giving them only 1 starter, Cassel.. Maroney would not start over J. Charles and Thomas isn't on the field that much..
I disagree. I have thought this out. The Pats will want to stand firm on a first round pick and a #2 or #3. No way a second round choice alone gets Cassel with the weak QB class this year. The key is a starting first class NFL ready QB. Wasn't like Joe Montana the last QB in K.C. worth anything? Pioli does not want to pay BB two first rounds or a one and a high two combined to get Cassel if he can help it. Pioli also knows that trading down can be an advantage in obtaining desired personnel.
My idea offers Pioli a way to keep a first round pick, get a franchise QB versus a Sanchez(I am not convinced he is anywhere near NFL starting material) or Stafford (who is a clone of Thigpen they have now). At the end of the day Pioli doesn't give up but one pick (#34) and moves a pair who want out and could be tough for a new rookie coach. They would not do that with BB.
Why is LJ now old and Dillion was not? Maroney will definitely start over Charles. Yes, Thomas is cannon fodder here but the Chiefs need a TE to make the deal work. I do not think it is lopsided. It is a good trade for both teams.
Pioli drafted these guys and knows their pluses and limitations. This is a big advantage. All three would start for the Chiefs in 2009. Cassel is their future at QB and will only get better. A stud OL dude in the draft at the #23 pick for them is still a likelihood. Plus they have CAP spend to use. Maroney and Thomas need a new start. They will not be missed here.
Worse case scenario for the Pats is they get a reasonable pick for LJ this fall if he is a stiff.
Gonzales reiterated just today he wants out. I'll take his 96 receptions. He and Welker running patterns underneath Moss? We won't need Vrabel on goal line pass situations. And we upgrade over Ben (metal mitts) Watson (just eliminating him as a pass catching target reduces the Pats QB INT percentage of tipped balls, let alone completions over drops) Incredible!
Here is why I take a shot with LJ. Maroney has the tools but has the worst vision a RB could have. Everyone of you whom scoffs at this will have to admit, how many time have we seen Maroney run into the backs of our OL in the hole that is completely plugged and all he had to do was cut left or right and he is gone with his speed. It drove me crazy! How many time have your seen Maroney go down on the first hit? He is 222 lbs for cryin' out loud! Knock someone over, please!
Don't talk to me about durability. LJ wins that battle. He gets injured trying to make plays. I do not get Maroneys' problems. Like he said he has some big secret what is wrong with him. This is a wash IMO.
LJ is a cut back runner. It seems that our O line block scheme is for this type of runner. He never goes down on the first hit. He can catch out of the backfield. I say LJ gets at least 1,200 yards in 2009 if he is a Pat. Is he a pain in the a**? Yes. But it hurts me even more to see a wasted first rounder like Maroney even if he has a good year this year, his contract year. He has no vision and does not like contact. How can you change that? Maybe a change in home cooking helps him in K.C. He is from near there.
TB is 32 years old now. He has hopefully many more years to get rings and solidify his superb career even more. Gonzales is about the same age and LJ even younger. A year or two run with these guys all together cost us limited resources (LJ's CAP? Gonzales has got a decent workable contract). It would be fun. It would be a fair trade without question.
DW Toys
