Patriots Acquire Aqib Talib
So, nobody saw this coming... Really, nobody. The trade deadline was set to pass with most people contented to just accept that at 4 p.m. it was all over. Not on this day. The Patriots actually addressed a key personnel issue (gasp) by acquiring CB Aqib Talib from the Bucs for a 2013 4th rounder. It remains to be seen how he will perform, but he fills a void that is so obviously apparent that any move is a good move.
In 2008, Asante Samuel signs with Philadelphia. Brady hurts knee, 11-5 and miss playoffs. Last hurrah of Rodney Harrison.
In 2009, there was a perpetual revolving door next to Leigh Bodden and Brandon Merriweather. Names like Jonathan Wilhite, Darius Butler, Shawn Springs, James Sanders, and Brandon McGowan. The team never had continuity, and the team was 1-and-done in the playoffs (Ravens) in Brady's not-so-triumphant return from knee surgery.
In 2010, undrafted second-year player Kyle Arrington starts 14 games alongside Rookie Devin McCourty, who starts all 16 games. On the positive side, second-round pick Patrick Chung starts to contribute as a starter. McCourty ends up having a Pro-Bowl season, and The Patriots go 14-2. Unfortunately, Arrington's rise represents the sharp decline of Leigh Bodden, Darius Butler, and Jonathan Wilhite. Once again, the team was 1-and-done in the playoffs (Jets) in Gronk/Hernandez rookie year, spoiling home field advantage with a bottom-ranked Defense.
In 2011, you have the epic roster cuts: Darius Butler, Leigh Bodden, Brandon Merriweather and James Sanders are cut leaving Pat Chung, Devin McCourty, and Kyle Arrington as the only regular contributors left from 2010. A young defensive backfield was made even younger, and injuries to rookie day-1 starter Ras-I Dowling, Josh Barrett and Pat Chung made matters worse. The Patriots went to the Superbowl despite allowing record amounts of yardage.
Here we are at 5-3 in 2012, and The Patriots still seem to be having trouble in the secondary. Injuries to Gregory, Chung, and Dowling certainly play a part in the thin depth, but problems also stem from the "regression" of Kyle Arrington. We can mostly agree that Arrington had a good year last year, but we can also agree that his "good year" comes in the context of an historically bad Defense. Arrington is a hard worker that earned his spot as a starter on a team in transition.
The Patriots have looked to upgrade from Arrington, but he is such a hard worker that it makes it hard to do so. The task becomes even tougher when draft picks like Dowling cannot stay on the field. Sure, Alfonzo Dennard has flashed his talent at times, but he's unproven, and shouldn't be given too heavy a workload. Also, there simply is not enough depth back there. With one injury at CB or S, we're faced with a serious drop off in talent.
So, the move to acquire Aqib Talib is one that will curry a lot of favor with Pats Nation because we're at the point where anything could be an upgrade to what we've been seeing. The Defense has been made up of rookies and undrafted free-agents for too long. We need to see some fresh blood, but most of all we need a guy that has proven that he can play well in another system. We need a guy that we know has talent, and Talib seems to be that guy.
Also, this is a low-risk pick up because Talib's contract is up at the end of the season. He will want to perform for any team that he can because he is auditioning for a new contract. Although Talib is currently serving a suspension for "taking adderall some time near the start of training camp" he was a 1st round pick in 2008 that comes at a bargain price. Some would argue that a 4th rounder is too much for a half-year lease, but I think such a high price tells you a lot about the aggression with which The Patriots targeted help at CB. I think the fans have to be pleased that Belichick has heard their pleas.
Talib is eligible to return from his suspension after one more game, so will need to wait until after the Buffalo game. This actually gives him time to adjust and pick up the schemes and fully integrate himself into The Patriot Way. If he can't do it, then we will all be incredibly disappointed, but he'll be cut in a matter of weeks. Still, how much worse can it get? As long as this guy can be a professional, he'll be an upgrade in the defensive backfield. He's proven that he can play, but now he needs to come to New England and prove that he can prepare. I hope he can make it work. I really do. At 6'1 205 lbs, he's the only lengthy DB we've got, so he needs to work out. and fast.
By the way, Sterling Moore cleared waivers, and his practice squad eligibility allowed the Patriots to acquire a player without really losing any of their regulars. Good job GM Belichick. Let's hope we still think this was a good day in February.
In 2008, Asante Samuel signs with Philadelphia. Brady hurts knee, 11-5 and miss playoffs. Last hurrah of Rodney Harrison.
In 2009, there was a perpetual revolving door next to Leigh Bodden and Brandon Merriweather. Names like Jonathan Wilhite, Darius Butler, Shawn Springs, James Sanders, and Brandon McGowan. The team never had continuity, and the team was 1-and-done in the playoffs (Ravens) in Brady's not-so-triumphant return from knee surgery.
In 2010, undrafted second-year player Kyle Arrington starts 14 games alongside Rookie Devin McCourty, who starts all 16 games. On the positive side, second-round pick Patrick Chung starts to contribute as a starter. McCourty ends up having a Pro-Bowl season, and The Patriots go 14-2. Unfortunately, Arrington's rise represents the sharp decline of Leigh Bodden, Darius Butler, and Jonathan Wilhite. Once again, the team was 1-and-done in the playoffs (Jets) in Gronk/Hernandez rookie year, spoiling home field advantage with a bottom-ranked Defense.
In 2011, you have the epic roster cuts: Darius Butler, Leigh Bodden, Brandon Merriweather and James Sanders are cut leaving Pat Chung, Devin McCourty, and Kyle Arrington as the only regular contributors left from 2010. A young defensive backfield was made even younger, and injuries to rookie day-1 starter Ras-I Dowling, Josh Barrett and Pat Chung made matters worse. The Patriots went to the Superbowl despite allowing record amounts of yardage.
Here we are at 5-3 in 2012, and The Patriots still seem to be having trouble in the secondary. Injuries to Gregory, Chung, and Dowling certainly play a part in the thin depth, but problems also stem from the "regression" of Kyle Arrington. We can mostly agree that Arrington had a good year last year, but we can also agree that his "good year" comes in the context of an historically bad Defense. Arrington is a hard worker that earned his spot as a starter on a team in transition.
The Patriots have looked to upgrade from Arrington, but he is such a hard worker that it makes it hard to do so. The task becomes even tougher when draft picks like Dowling cannot stay on the field. Sure, Alfonzo Dennard has flashed his talent at times, but he's unproven, and shouldn't be given too heavy a workload. Also, there simply is not enough depth back there. With one injury at CB or S, we're faced with a serious drop off in talent.
So, the move to acquire Aqib Talib is one that will curry a lot of favor with Pats Nation because we're at the point where anything could be an upgrade to what we've been seeing. The Defense has been made up of rookies and undrafted free-agents for too long. We need to see some fresh blood, but most of all we need a guy that has proven that he can play well in another system. We need a guy that we know has talent, and Talib seems to be that guy.
Also, this is a low-risk pick up because Talib's contract is up at the end of the season. He will want to perform for any team that he can because he is auditioning for a new contract. Although Talib is currently serving a suspension for "taking adderall some time near the start of training camp" he was a 1st round pick in 2008 that comes at a bargain price. Some would argue that a 4th rounder is too much for a half-year lease, but I think such a high price tells you a lot about the aggression with which The Patriots targeted help at CB. I think the fans have to be pleased that Belichick has heard their pleas.
Talib is eligible to return from his suspension after one more game, so will need to wait until after the Buffalo game. This actually gives him time to adjust and pick up the schemes and fully integrate himself into The Patriot Way. If he can't do it, then we will all be incredibly disappointed, but he'll be cut in a matter of weeks. Still, how much worse can it get? As long as this guy can be a professional, he'll be an upgrade in the defensive backfield. He's proven that he can play, but now he needs to come to New England and prove that he can prepare. I hope he can make it work. I really do. At 6'1 205 lbs, he's the only lengthy DB we've got, so he needs to work out. and fast.
By the way, Sterling Moore cleared waivers, and his practice squad eligibility allowed the Patriots to acquire a player without really losing any of their regulars. Good job GM Belichick. Let's hope we still think this was a good day in February.
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