Jul 22 2008
NFL Teams Trade Disgruntled Stars
With training camps opening league wide this week, teams are starting to rid themselves of disgruntled players. The first two big names moved this week, Jason Taylor and Jeremy Shockey.
Jason Taylor has long been deemed unnecessary by Bill Parcells, and Taylor has been pushing for a trade for quite a while. Finally, he was traded to Washington. Interestingly, this was a deal that in my opinion 5-10 other playoff contenders should have made back at the draft. If the Dolphins would have accepted a 2nd and 6th back then, than teams like Philadelphia, New Orleans etc, who are close should have made this move. Yes, Taylor is starting to consider his post career options. But, winning and cash could have and would have kept him around for his new team for a year or two. Washington, which has been uncharacteristically frugal this offseason, stepped up to the plate when their best defensive lineman Philip Daniels went down for the season.
Washington clearly has other needs, but they realized they were in deep trouble without a pass rush in a division with 3 very good QBs. The NFC East is the leagues best division, and Washington is going to have to win games on defense to keep pace and have a shot at the playoffs. Picking up a former NFL defensive player of the year, who has never been hurt, and always keeps him in great shape, is a wise move.
It so hurts to give the Redskins credit, seeing as I’m an ardent Eagles fan. But this was a smart move, and they didn’t hesitate when they had to make it happen.
The other big move was Jeremy Shockey to the Saints. Seems like all the media love this for the Saints. I don’t. Yes, Shockey will be a fantastic TE in their system. He’ll probably put up numbers on par with Antonio Gates and Jason Whitten. If I’m drafting a fantasy team, he might be my first or second TE choice. That being said, the NFL isn’t played like fantasy sports. Offense doesn’t always equate to wins. Last season, the Saints were 4th in the league in offense, 3rd in passing, despite injuries to Duece McAllister and underwhelming performances from Reggie Bush.
The Saints though were miserable on defense, finishing 26th overall and 30th against the pass. Exactly, how is Shockey to make them better? He likely will help up their 24 ppg, but how is that going to stop teams from just shooting it out with them. Last season, while fighting to make the playoffs, they gave up 38 points at home to an Eagles team which was notorious all season long for struggling to score.
Shockey will help the offense, but I don’t see how this makes the Saints any better. They could have given up the same picks and received Taylor who would have helped their pass defense immensely.
The league is warming up to trades, and these likely aren’t the last before the season starts.
