Mike Vrabel isn’t hiding the fact that the Patriots are talking to other teams, but fans should not expect a panic trade. The head coach admitted on Monday, Nov. 2, that “I think this time of year everybody talks. I’m sure there’s lots of conversations with all the teams and personnel people,” per Heavy.com. The team is looking for help, but it will not pay a king’s ransom for it. The deadline lands on Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. ET, giving the front office just one week to act. New England sits at 5-3 after a 24-19 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 1. That win proved the team can survive without its top targets, but the margin for error is thin. Vrabel made his stance clear when he said, “I think we’ll try to do what we can to make the team better. I mean, we’ll see. If there’s things that we feel like can help us, we’ll try to do,” according to Heavy.com.
The Injury Reality Check
The roster is dealing with a growing injury list. Wide receiver A.J. Brown missed the Dolphins game with a knee issue, his second major setback this season. He suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 1, returned in Week 6, and then experienced a new flare-up. Vrabel confirmed the status on the radio, noting, “A.J. wasn’t available yesterday. He didn’t travel with us,” per the Boston Herald. Brown played over 100 snaps in his first two games back, but his body is clearly struggling. Hunter Henry, the tight end, also went down with a foot injury during the second quarter of the last game. With Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins already on injured reserve, the depth is gone. The Patriots beat Miami 24-19 without Brown, thanks to DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams, but relying on backups is a risky strategy for a playoff push. The coaching staff is watching Brown’s treatment closely, and Vrabel said, “I’m looking forward to going over there and seeing him in treatment,” per the Boston Herald.
What The Rumors Miss
Some outlets are spinning stories about a sell-off, but the facts on the ground tell a different story. Musket Fire reported that cornerback Carlton Davis III is on the trade block, but moving him now would be a giant mistake. Since Davis has elevated the secondary to among the league’s finest, no ready-made starter exists to replace him. The front office might be open to small deals, but they will not surrender first-, second-, or third-round draft picks for a rental player. Mike Giardi of Boston Sports Journal states that New England is not getting ready to chase a deal demanding significant compensation. A trade that costs a high pick for a player who might get hurt next month makes no sense for a team trying to stay in the playoff race.
The next test comes on Sunday, Nov. 8, when the Green Bay Packers visit Gillette Stadium. The injury report will come out on Wednesday, and that will tell us if Brown is ready to go. If he is out, the pressure on the front office to find help increases.
