Michael Hoomanawanui:

The Patriots trade for DL Akiem Hicks was a good one. He brings depth to the interior DL and has the opportunity to be a nice role player on the front seven

New Orleans’ trade of Hicks is not all that surprising when you consider his diminishing role in the defense as the Saints turned to rookies Tyeler Davison and Bobby Richardson in recent weeks. Hicks’ snap count dwindled from 68 percent in Week 1 to 44 percent in Week 2 to 43 percent last week in Carolina. The talented but inconsistent Hicks clearly had fallen out of favor with the team’s staff and brain trust. Still, his precipitous fall from grace is startling when you consider just 13 months ago he was considered a lynchpin along the Saints’ defensive front. The Saints have been in the market for a third tight end throughout the offseason. They have carried only two on the roster this season and desperately need to improve their in-line blocking at the position.

Tom Brady escaped Thursday night’s contest about as good as fans could have hoped for, he’s healthy but managed to get some work in.