You know I’ve been shocked by the number of trades the Pats have made this year. It’s probably worth a full article but at this point in the season the last thing I really feel like doing it sifting through old in-season trade records. So I’ll leave it to someone else.
As for Jonathan Bostic
I think it makes sense on a number of fronts. First is that he’s better than just-extended Jonathan Freeny
and the trickle-down effect then allows them to bump Dekoda Watson off the gameday roster as he was only really a special teamer.
It also relates (in my opinion) to Jerod Mayo
who I spent a good deal of time on twitter last night discussing because he still looks a long way off to me. If the Patriots are forced to play a majority of their regular defensive package with three linebackers, I’m not sure Mayo is up to the task just yet. And to be honest I’m not sure how ready he’ll be this year.
Bostic is also signed through 2016 so he gives you some depth behind Mayo/Collins/Hightower long term. Bostic is a physical middle linebacker, very much in a similar mold to Mayo. He fits well with Collins/Hightower in terms of what he brings to the table.
The timing of the Bears looking to unload him because he doesn’t fit their scheme for just a 6th round pick was perfect. So yeah, I think he’ll see some snaps on defense sooner than later, assuming he gets fully healthy soon.