By Tom Krasniqi
The NFL trading deadline came and went at 4pm on Thursday and for a while, it appeared as if nothing was going to happen. Then at around 4:15pm, word came from the Bucs about a big trade: Aqib Talib to the Patriots. Wow. The Bucs traded away their suspended corner along with next year's 7th round pick to New England for a 4th round pick also in next year's draft.
Bucs GM Mark Dominik told reporters the deal was in the best interest of the organization. In reality, it's a no-brainer for the Bucs. They send away a player with a checkered past in his contract year away for a valuable draft choice. Sounds like a win-win situation for the team. Talib still has to sit out another game before returning. The Pats are on the bye this week.
The deal ends a tumultuous stay here in Tampa Bay. Talib was the Bucs' first round pick back in 2008 and from the moment he entered the NFL, he was a headache. From the rookie symposium fight with then-teammate Cory Boyd to a number of other off the field incidents, including an assault on a cab driver, Talib proved that he could not stay out of trouble. A couple of weeks ago, Talib was suspended four games after testing positive for Adderall. That was the last straw.
It's no secret that Bucs coach Greg Schiano and Patriots coach Bill Belichick are friends. Belichick's endorsement of Schiano helped him get the Bucs head coaching gig. During training camp, the Pats and Bucs scrimmaged against each other prior to their preseason game. Schiano and Belichick were seen around each other constantly that week. The Patriots secondary is dreadful. They've allowed 17 TD passes so far this season and cornerback has been their Achilles heel so Talib fits the bill. You have to figure that this is just a rental since Talib will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. Belichick doesn't shy away from acquiring bad seeds. He struck gold with Cory Dillon years ago but he did swing and miss with Chad Johnson and Albert Haynesworth.
Dominik says he actively worked the phones before making the Talib deal. "It's one of those things where it became kind of a casual conversation that worked into something more", says Dominik. So, how will this deal affect Eric Wright? The other troubled corner reportedly faces a 4-game suspension as well. Dominik refused to comment on Wright's status.
