The New England Patriots apparently don’t set out to make trades. They just go for players when they like what they see.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick spoke in a conference call Sunday, and he talked about why the team traded for New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Akiem Hicks and sent away tight end Michael Hoomanawanui on Wednesday.
“He played some different spots at New Orleans, from anywhere from the center out to the five-technique,” Belichick said of Hicks. “So we’ll see how that goes here. But, big guy, physical player. We got a good look at him down there and thought that he did some good things. So we’ll just put him into it here and see how it goes.”
The Patriots have made quite a few trades of late, with cornerback Aqib Talib, linebackers Jonathan Casillas and Jon Bostic, and Hicks being some of the more recent acquisitions to go through the system. But Belichick told reporters the team doesn’t set out to make these trades, but rather it tries to fill a need when it sees one.
“I just think (the trades) worked out,” Belichick said. “I don’t think it’s been any, like a big conscious effort on our part, like this is what we’ve got to do. If it works out and it’s something we feel is beneficial, and obviously you can make it work with the other party, then. …
“You know, we haven’t been afraid to trade here through the years, whether it be during the draft or preseason or regular season or whatever it is. I don’t think there’s ever been a conscious effort to avoid them or for that matter run to them and say well, we’ve got to do it.”
Thumbnail photo via David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports Images
