Rumors: Thomas Jones potrebbe essere traddato con Seattle in cambio di Branch
In his latest edition of "Diner Morning News" on the National Football Post, Michael Lombardi dropped a bomb on both coasts. Within the piece, Lombardi posits that both the New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks would benefit from a Thomas Jones-Deion Branch swap.
Yowza. Even though the Jets do have one of the league's more electrifying talents in Leon Washington (based on the assumption that they'll be able to hurdle this current contract extension issue), it's unlikely that they'd want to jettison Jones for such a small return. Although he's turning 31 this summer, Jones is coming off a 1,312 yard season where he scored 13 rushing touchdowns, and added 207 yards and two touchdowns receiving. Branch, on the other hand, was hampered by injuries and played in just eight games in 2008, had just 412 yards and four touchdowns total, and never eclipsed the 100-yard mark in any game. Branch's best season came back in 2005 for the New England Patriots, when he had 78 receptions for 998 yards and five touchdowns.
In truth, Branch's value might be magnified due to his exploits on the sport's largest stage. Branch was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIX after catching 11 passes for 133 yards, and he had a 10-catch, 143-yard performance in Super Bowl XXXVIII. But for a team that is trying to build up an offense capable of making the playoffs, it doesn't seem to make sense to give up their leading rusher from the past two seasons to get a receiver that may not be healthy enough to contribute as the No. 1 receiver they so desperately need.
Espn
Mentre i 'Phins paiono interessarsi a Boldin
The Miami Dolphins got quite a bargain when they signed Jason Taylor to a deal that will pay him a maximum of $1.5 million after incentives. According to Greg Cote of The Miami Herald, the team should strike while the iron is hot and add Anquan Boldin via a trade with the Arizona Cardinals.
This opinion might get the Dolphins' fan base riled up, but in reality it's not clear whether the Cardinals are serious about trying to trade Boldin. Earlier this week, Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid insinuated that the Cards' asking price was too high and that they weren't really interested in moving Boldin. According to Reid, the asking price was a first-, third- and fifth-round draft pick in this year's draft, a price that was too much for the Iggles.
So what is the asking price now? Although Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt previously said that there wasn't a set asking price, a return package would likely have to include a first-round pick. Should Miami (or another team) be able to pull off a trade, they'd then also have to negotiate a new contract for Boldin before getting him on the field.
All of this considered, Cote's line of thinking is compelling: The Taylor signing indicates that the Fins are making a serious run at contending, and a trade for Boldin would push them further down that road. And let's not forget: At the beginning of April, The Miami Herald reported that Boldin appeared on ESPN Radio 760 saying that he would "love to" play for the Dolphins.
Espn
)
:sbadat:
