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Patriots trade defensive leader Mike Vrabel to Chiefs
Startling swap
By Karen Guregian
Saturday, February 28, 2009 - Updated 41m ago


Mike Vrabel was one of Bill Belichick’s favorite players; that was no secret. He was one of the few Patriots [team stats] who could actually get away with being a bit of a class clown, and teasing the coach on occasion.

Vrabel was also one of the Pats’ most beloved and recognized players, having been a member of all three Super Bowl championships and making the Pro Bowl only a season ago.

That’s why the news of the veteran linebacker being traded to Kansas City was met with a sizable sense of shock and sadness yesterday.

“We’ve lost perhaps our best all-around football player. Defense, offense, special teams, Vrabes did it all,” Tedy Bruschi [stats] wrote in an e-mail. “His intelligence and on-field adjustments cannot be replaced. This team has just completely changed.”

Vrabel acknowledged the trade last night via e-mail, but declined to comment.

With Vrabel gone, and perhaps free agent safety Rodney Harrison [stats] opting to retire, the leadership dynamic on defense certainly will change.

Former Patriots linebacker Steve Nelson was completely taken aback when apprised of the trade.

“I guess that means they’re happy with their young outside linebackers. I don’t know. You’ve really caught me by surprise. He was really a great player for them,” Nelson said. “He was a real leader . . . that’s kind of a stunner.”

Vrabel was shipped to the Chiefs in exchange for an undisclosed draft choice. The popular outside linebacker was in Kansas City yesterday undergoing a physical before the deal was completed.

On the Chiefs side, it’s understandable why general manager Scott Pioli, who formerly ran the personnel operation in Foxboro, would want Vrabel’s veteran presence on his defense. Vrabel provides an immediate injection of the “Patriot Way” Pioli has been emphasizing and trying to implant since he took the Chiefs job.

So what gives from the Pats’ end? Might this be a precursor to another deal with KC involving Matt Cassel? And who is going to replace Vrabel at outside linebacker?

With the Pats hampered by Cassel’s $14.65 million cap charge thanks to his franchise tag tender, the club had to make room for yesterday’s signings of running back Fred Taylor [stats] and tight end Chris Baker.

The 33-year-old Vrabel was in the final year of his contract. He was expected to make $2.2 million in base salary, with a $1 million roster bonus, and count $4.3 million against the cap.

It’s possible KC could wind up as Cassel’s eventual landing spot but, for the time being, it appears the Vrabel trade was made to clear some immediate space.

Harrison, who is still undecided about his future, summed up his feelings in a few words.

“It’s business,” Harrison responded via text message, when asked his reaction to the Vrabel trade.

Nelson agreed, but still couldn’t fathom Vrabel being dealt.

“If it’s a matter of cap space, those are the difficult decisions teams have to make,” Nelson said. “But Vrabel is one of the guys I would think would be untouchable as far as, just (knowing the defensive) scheme, his versatility, his production. He might not have had the same production this year as he did last when he went to the Pro Bowl, but he played well at the end of the year. It’s just unfortunate you can’t let Vrabel retire on a team he should retire on.”

Vrabel did have an off-year by his standards. After his Pro Bowl season in which he led the team with 12 sacks, he had only four in 2008, while finishing fifth on the team in tackles with 62.
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While the linebacker denied having a shoulder problem during the season, a source close to him revealed Vrabel may now need surgery to repair the problem.

As for who will take his place, Pierre Woods is the likely candidate to play one outside linebacker spot opposite Adalius Thomas. The Pats also have 2008 third-round pick Shawn Crable, as well as recently re-signed Tully Banta-Cain.

I don't think any amount of coaching is going to make Tamba Hali better, he just isn't very talented.

well i said that off the cuff. i didn't know where new england's pick was. maybe they could send us cassel and one of their picks to switch in the first.

in a way, it's superior to just selecting Stafford or whomever at #3. You get a QB, but in this case you get to pick again late in the first, plus again in the second or whatever else they send back to even it up

if you are religiously devoted to the 'value charts' then it won't make sense, but on a level it does

You act like Jimmy Johnsons draft trade chart is actually relevant. The Chiefs hold a pricey choice in the first round in a year that isn't exactly stacked with elite talent.

Pittsburgh already had a championship Defense in place while the Chiefs have a pile of shit that happens to collect on the field when the opposing offense steps on.

Oh great another "the draft chart is dumb" guy.

You may be right about him, Mr. Mecca. Or he may have been coached terribly, or he may have been fighting injuries, or they may have screwed with his head, or hell, they may have ruined him forever for all I know. I'm convinced that Hali isn't playing up to his full potential - whatever it is.

The point is that, over the past 4 years or so, I've seen enough of our guys leave the Chiefs and become valuable and valued contributors for other, far more competitive teams than we are to believe that we shouldn't keep a weather eye out for individual improvement once a new staff gets ahold of them.

FAX

Matt Stafford has a hell ofa lot more upside than Cassel could ever think of.

You trade for Cassel, you get him and the 23rd best player (thereabouts). You aren't going to save much money, and you are getting a QB with less long term upside.

Quality>Quantity

that is fair enough.

you go with whomever you feel is the better long term solution at qb. hit on the QB and no one will even remember the details. if pioli and haley think that guy is cassel, i will go along for now. if they just pick stafford outright i will take it too.

The chart isn't dumb, just needs updated. For the note, I'd rather the Chiefs took a chance on Stafford or Sanchez (preferably Sanchez) than trading for Cassel, but a trade like that wouldn't be the worst thing ever.

It'd be pretty close to the worst thing ever...

And yet he's willing to get rid of him. Says a lot about how useful he must be nowadays.

This is a good post.

The answer may be that Pioli thinks Dorsey isn't worth a shit.

New regimes don't care about the past regimes players or high picks, ask Matt Leinart about that.

or it just shows Bill wants to get younger on D and free up cap space.

I tried explaining this to him earlier...but he's a drafturbator...you can't reason with him.