Why would the Browns trade away Joe Haden for 8 games of Collins ? They have enough cap space to eat up his contract even if he never reverts back to being the 2014 version of himself. He is not old and doesn't seem to be a terrible distraction.
On the flipside, whats the point of a half season rental who has not played up to his level in over a year ? Unless you'd want to have Haden over Butler or think that BB would actually keep two CBs with 10m+ salaries which given history is just not happening.
You and others often come at trades with those fantasy arguments that are based on so many assumptions that its ridiculous.
Also, finally, BB is the coach of the New England Patriots and not the Tom Brady Patriots. It is about the team not about one player as there is life after Brady.
You're focusing way too hard on a fantasy trade that has so little to do with my point at hand.
The point is, if you're going to dump Collins, a Pro Bowl calliber LB, mid season on a defense that could use more help, not less, then you need to get a player in return that will help the team win a Super Bowl this season.
A 4th in 2018 does very little to help this team win a Super Bowl in 2016, especially when you're essentially just dumping your 2nd round picked All-Pro LB and thinning your depth further.
Every big trade Bill has made, I initially was shocked, but saw the value in the move, one way or another.
Unfortunately there's no way I can see the positive in just dumping Collins for a mid-tier pick, rather then keep him on the team for the duration of the season and letting him walk for a similar, if not better, comp pick. Doesn't make sense, any way you slice it.
If we lose in the postseason because of the defense, or Roberts and Hightower go down with an injury, you won't be singing the same tune about "more than life after Brady" and that this move being "for the team". You'll be pissed we gave away one of our best Linebackers to the Browns for a crapshoot pick two seasons down the line.
