The New England Patriots continue to be predictably unpredictable.
The Patriots shocked the NFL world Monday, trading Pro Bowl linebacker Jamie Collins to the Cleveland Browns for a compensatory 2017 third-round draft pick. Head coach Bill Belichick has been known to make unconventional moves, but this trade still caught everyone by surprise, and it didn’t take long for the reactions to flood in.
Among the first to react was Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones, another high-profile defensive player whom the Patriots dealt in a surprise move back in March.
https://twitter.com/chanjones55/status/793132509936558080
Sounds about right.
So, what would drive New England to make what on the surface is a pretty bizarre trade? Former Patriots assistant and longtime Belichick confidant Michael Lombardi offered his insight in a series of interesting tweets.
Not surprised by the Pats trading Colllins. Not been playing well at all they need to get the defense fixed. This will get their attention
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) October 31, 2016
Collins on the second play of the game does whatever he wants and Bills gain 28 yards. Been happening all year. It was not going to continue
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) October 31, 2016
You are either coaching it or allowing it to happen. Belichick decided he was not going to allow it to happen. Colllins talented but…
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) October 31, 2016
I have been all over how badly the Patriots defense has been playing all season. This is not just a one game decision
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) October 31, 2016
Watch the tape. Grade the player. This is a production business not a potential business. Going on @TheHerd to discuss the trade at 1030 pst
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) October 31, 2016
Lombardi no longer is employed by the team, but these still are telling tweets. The rest of the league reacted quite differently, though, as several NFL players expressed their shock and disappointment with New England for abruptly trading Collins.
In case y'all haven't noticed over the last decade or so, Bill Belichick gives zero f****.
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) October 31, 2016
Seeing Jamie Collins get traded makes me appreciate the loyalty our team has shown me even more! SMH! The Browns got a beast!!
— Thomas Davis (@ThomasDavisSDTM) October 31, 2016
Ruthless!!
— Alec ogletree (@MROGLETREE_47) October 31, 2016
https://twitter.com/KennyVaccaro4/status/793129711090085888
Opinions aside, it’s hard to argue with longtime NFL writer Don Banks:
It would appear that w/ the Collins deal, Bill Belichick has once again captured the undivided attention of everyone in his own locker room.
— Don Banks (@DonBanks) October 31, 2016
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
