The Unexpected, As Usual

On the day free agency started, the Patriots were involved in a trade.

With Kansas City.

For a Chiefs draft pick.

Unfortunately it wasn't for KC/s third pick overall. Nor did it involve QB Matt Cassel. Instead the Pats sent LB Mike Vrabel packing for a fourth round draft pick.

Not the KC-NE trade fans were hoping for, but it is a significant move. With Vrabel gone, New England is without a starting outside linebacker.

Unless the projected starter is on the roster (who would you pick between Pierre Woods, Shawn Crable, Darrell Robertson, Vince Redd, Angelo Craig, and Tully Banta-Cain?), the Pats seem likely to draft an OLB with their first pick.

While Vrabel has been through some battles with the team and won three Super Bowls, there's no room for sentimentality in free agency. I'm sure head coach Bill Belichick was close with Vrabes, but Belichick will do what he feels is best for the team no matter what.

Truth is Vrabel only had two great years, 2003 with 9.5 sacks and 2007 with 12.5. The other seasons were in the four-to-five sacks range. While sacks isn't the only measure of a player, for a OLB in a 3-4 defense, it's the first measurement used to determine if they are doing their job well.

Vrabel wasn't a consistent pass rush threat, but he was versatile. He was solid against the run, decent in pass coverage, and even produced at tight end: He has eight receptions, all went for touchdowns.

It wasn't all about on-field production for Vrabel. He was a team leader. He knew what was expected of him every week and carried out his job professionally.

While being a leader on a veteran team doesn't say much for Vrabel, his influence on a young team would be more valuable than his on-field production. KC's defense willl find Vrabel's locker room pressence invaluable as he shows by example how to be a pro. And for a team that really lacks a pass rush, Vrabel can depend on his college experience and play defensive end.

Also on the way out are WR Jabar Gaffney and long snapper Lonnie Paxton. Losing Paxton might be tougher because he was a consistent long snapper. Gaffney, as the third wide out, can be replaced. This is the chance Sam Aiken was hoping for.

But New England isn't just a victim. They signed RB Fred Taylor and TE Chris Baker, two vets that can make a contribution immediately. This isn't good for the likes of RBs LaMont Jordan or Laurence Maroney and TE David Thomas.