I remember sitting in a diner getting a late breakfast over Labor Day weekend 2009 when the shocking news of Richard Seymour getting traded to the Raiders broke. The Pats had already lost a bunch of talent that offseason – Harrison/Bruschi retired, Vrabel and Ellis Hobbs were traded – the defensive rebuild was in full effect. Trading Seymour, one of the only elite players still in their prime left was a jaw-dropper.
But that’s just how the Pats do business and we shouldn’t be surprised if a similar move happens this weekend. Here are some thoughts on who it could be and other areas of interest as we start to gear up for the start of another season.
– Chandler Jones makes some sense. First, defensive end depth is very solid. They would still be better than last year with Ninkovich/Sheard/Flowers as the top three. Second, Jones will be due $7.79 million next year and then would require another huge contract. I like Chandler as a player more than most but I don’t think the 2015 Pats would be much worse-off without him. The Pats will need 2nd and 3rd round picks next year to make up for the lack of a first. If someone dangled a 2nd for Chandler they might have to take it.
– But the cap savings on Chandler are minimal this year, that’s why it might be a season too soon to move him.
– I’m not as sold on moving one of the tackles. Vollmer could make sense but I don’t want to move Solder. Given Vollmer’s injury history, would anyone be comfortable with Cannon and Fleming as our starting tackles? That’d be a very real possibility if they traded Solder. Moving Vollmer would save $3.4 million.
– Cannon could be another guy who goes, but that’d only open up $800K of cap space.
– Patrick Chung just got extended but cutting him would open up almost $2 million. With great strong safety depth I wouldn’t totally rule it out.
– Lotta people scrambling to find a fullback to replace James Develin but I don’t really see it. When they find a fullback they like and who fits, they use him but it’s not like the position is absolutely necessary to their offense. Nice piece to have but I believe they can plug Hooman in or honestly Shaq Mason (if he’s not starting at guard) into that kind of blocking role.
– I just don’t see Mike Williams making the team despite trading for him. Still see him as more a tackle than TE.