The NFL trade deadline has now come and gone but this year the rumor bark was way worse than the reality bite. There was so many rumors surrounding some star players but the trades just didn’t happen. It seems like that happens a lot in the NFL you don’t really see a lot of star movement like you do in the NBA. So with the trade deadline being as uneventful as a 9:00 A.M. jv football game lets discuss some of the trades prior and rumors leading up to the deadline.
Hits
Honestly this is a down year for trades in my opinion, only a few standout as successful or in better terms improved a team this season. The first two involve the 49er’s, and the first was the very first trade this season which sent Alex Smith to the Chiefs. This trade obviously is better for the Chiefs so far this year as they are undefeated, but we have to see what the 49er’s do with the two second round picks.
The other trade might be the best pick up of the year as the 49er’s got Anquan Boldin for a sixth round pick! Boldin brings a lot more than talent to the team which is why i like this trade more than any other. He’s such a competitor and plays the game with so much passion that seems to be contagious for any team he’s on. He’s also one of the best one on one receivers in the game, he has the ability to go up and get the ball which is a big help to a young quarterback like Colin Kaepernick.
Another trade I think might still work for this year is the Seahawks acquisition of Percy Harvin. Harvin has been out all year with an injury but the Seahawks are still at the top of the division and are still a top contender in the NFC. Adding Harvin into the mix might make them the new favorite to win the NFC and maybe the Super Bowl. It all depends on how he plays when he finally does return.
Misses
One trade that i think was bad was the Trent Richardson trade between the Colts and Browns. The Browns are clear winners in the trade because Richardson obviously wasn’t what they expected whether it was his fault or not. The Colts on the other hand have given up their first round pick for a guy that hasn't really done much this year.
Jon Beason is another player who I thought would do a lot more than he’s done this year. He was traded to the Giants in early October and he’s had a couple good games but the Giants struggles on defense just can’t be ignored. I just really expected him to help the team a lot more he has. It’s not that he’s a bad player I just had higher expectations for him and the team.
Rumors
The trade deadline rumors swarming around star players like Jared Allen, Tony Gonzalez, and Larry Fitzgerald were everywhere. There were also rumors about receivers Kenny Britt, Hakeem Nicks, and Josh Gordon. Not to mentions some about a couple Redskins Fred Davis and DeAngelo Hall. Turns out none of these guys were dealt and the only trade made was Isaac Sopoaga to the Patriots for a fourth round pick. So lets review some of these to maybe see why nobody was moved.
In Washington with Hall and Davis there was just no way the team could let go of either one of them. Hall because he is probably one of maybe two Redskins that might make the Pro Bowl. He has been absolutely phenomenal this season with three defensive touchdowns. There’s no way the Redskins could afford to lose him so I highly doubt that was even a serious thought. Davis on the other hand was probably kept because of the injury concerns for Jordan Reed. Reed has taken over as the starting tight end but has had trouble staying healthy. Davis who still has a lot of talent will be kept on just in case duty.
The problem with Allen and his trade possibilities was simple, he didn’t want to take a pay cut. I don’t think that the teams said to have an interest like the Seahawks and Broncos didn’t have enough to pay him.
Most of the receivers like Fitzgerald, Gordon, and Britt I think are too talented for their teams to actually want to trade them. Gordon has had a really good last couple weeks and he’s still very young. Britt a very good young receiver can be really good for long time especially if Jake Locker can develop into an elite quarterback. I’m not sure about what happened in the Nicks rumors I think the 49er’s showed interest at one point but with Michael Crabtree coming back from injury there would be no point to give up any draft picks.
Finally Gonzalez didn't get sent home to Kansas City and he is still in Atlanta. Some thought that maybe the Falcons would trade him to the Chiefs becasue they would give him a better chance to win a Super Bowl. I highly doubt that the Atlanta coaches and staff want to admit that they don't have a chance to make the playoffs or catche the Saints. They think their still in the playoff race so why would they give up their best player?