http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/03/15/patriots-trade-chandler-jones-to-cardinals/ I liked Cooper out of college, obviously not as much as Warmack but Patriots got decent compensation here for a player that didn't want to pay. I guess they'll sign Chris Long now? What a downgrade though in terms of their pass-rush.
You mean WUT off-season!? Essentially though think of the trade like this; Arizona gets rid of an under-performing player at guard and pretty much a 3rd rounder [due to their record and post-season play] for a good pass rusher. I take back my initial comment, this trade is BAD for the Patriots.
Cooper was supposed to be better but broke his leg I think his rookie season. Arizona won this trade. Love the Pats overthinking themselves
Great trade for the Cards. Pats most likely lose him for nothing next offseason anyways so decent move on their part too.
Wow. Obviously only time will tell, but it's tough losing a young, premier pass rusher still ascending for a disappointment/bust of an OG in Cooper, who was benched for much of last year. I guess it's a shot for Cooper to rejuvinate his career and the Pats do get a good draft pick, which they certainly need this year. Interesting, but glad to have Chandler Jones out of the division
What a dumb trade. I'm glad he's out of the division. He was the only guy who could give Cordy Glenn problems. Why wouldn't the Pats want to pay him? A top DE pass rusher is the cornerstone of defenses now-a-days.
typical boring move by the Patriots. It doesn't move the needle, but it makes sense. 1) they desperately need draft picks, courtesy of cheating. 2) they are tight on cap, and had 3 good LB's due for major paydays in Hightower, Collins and Jones. they dealt the one with personal issues, who i expect will be entered into the substance abuse program. 3) Cooper was really just a throw in, but the Pats need Oline depth. maybe they get something out of him with the change. I'd like to see the Jets do something similar with Richardson if they can get a 1st rounder in return.
I believe Arizona definitely got the better end of the deal but I fully expect the talking head idiots on all your major media outlets to tell us what a great deal it was by the "genius" belichick.. how Jones is overrated [now].. and how Cooper is a stud [now]..
Pats have too many people coming off rookie contracts next year (Hightower, Collins, Jones). Jones the odd man out. Hopefully for Chandler synthetic weed is legal in Arizona.
I feel good that Jones is not in the division anymore, but the one factor you didn't mention that is significant is that they may have felt they could not sign him to a contract extension at a price they wanted to pay. If they could not do that, the Pats would be next off season in the same position the Jets are now with Wilkerson.
Only one of them had the chance to be an elite pass rusher and that's Jones. While Hightower and Collins are both very good players they both have injury problems and do not have the speed that Jones had on the edge.
Jamie Collins is the guy to pay on that team but I don't mind one bit when Patriots let talented players go to save money.
I like Jones ceiling... but only one of them showed up at a precinct tripping balls....so i'd say he also has the biggest floor. They'll be able to sign the other 2.
Nailed it. Add in butler needing a new deal and the pats have a lot of young talent that will need new money soon. Sure they lost the edge rusher, but now have a chance to retain the more versatile players and thier top corner. Plus added another draft pick, always a good thing. It was a nessiary move due to the cap, one we will be facing soon enough.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14983305/chris-long-new-england-patriots-agree-1-year-deal Checkers, chess.
