what's the general feeling amongst your fellow Pats fans about this move? i would guess mixed reactions.. move makes sense, but still sucks losing a good player.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...nel-approach-has-cost-patriots-championships/ Are the cracks starting to show?
I think that anyone that does not think that this is a real good deal for the Patriots is deluding themselves because of their hate.
Jones is super streaky. He has 2 playoff sacks in 9 games. In 2015 he only had 2 sacks after week 10, etc. His sacks come in bunches. He's gotten much better at run stopping and setting the edge but he's still inconsistent at that. He's a good player about to be paid super-star money. He's been more productive than Vernon who just hit the gold mine, too. Pat's simply can't afford him and Hightower and Collins are simply better, more versatile players. Jabaal Sheard also outplayed Chandler Jones in 2015 and is in line to replace his snaps (fyi Sheard I believe had the most production as a pass rushing DE, or close to most, per snap, according to PFF as well as grading out as one of the best run stoppers). tl;dr - Sheard can probably be extended for less money than Jones due to lack of prior production despite outplaying Jones on a per snap basis, HT/Collins/Butler are more vital to the defense and none had any "incidents".
Most upper tier pass rushers are streaky. They take advantage of weak matchups and pad their stats in bunches against a handful of teams. That's exactly what John Abraham did his entire career, and especially with the Jets.
Yep, you just described Jones to a T. We won't know who "won" the trade til the season is under way. Jones is moving to a team that primarily runs a 3-4 when he's been a 4-3 DE his entire NFL Career, and NE gets a 2nd round pick in what many are calling the "deepest front 7 draft in a long time". And Cooper gets a change of scenery and will be coached by a 40yr OL coach who is widely regarded as one of the best in the NFL (Scarnechia returned to NE after a 2 year retirement).
And as if on command, Dick Cimini writes an article revisiting the John Abraham trade. http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-je...g-jets-trade-of-john-abraham-pay-attention-mo Get your own material, Dick.
Jones was behind Collins and Hightower on the pay list (also more expensive because DE is high rent district). Obviously a drop-off at the position, but Sheard and Long will help fill some of the void on that side. Cooper hasn't lived up to expectations so far, but the Pats (Scarnechia) hev been able to get something out of linemen in the past.
Jones is being tabbed as an OLB (pass-rusher) in Az. That could cause some contention if they end up franchising him in the off-season. OLB tenders are less.
