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By Mark Vasto
It’s a new era in the NFL. For the first time in years, a new crop of general managers and head coaches has taken a leap by bounding into the trade market.
Usually the providence of Major League Baseball, the NBA and NHL, the time has finally come for the NFL. With the exception of one or two streaking teams, the vaunted parity of professional football, the desperate fight to make the playoffs or the desire to begin a quick rebuild has led to a spate of high-profile trades.
It began when Marcell Dareus, a defensive tackle and former No. 3 overall draft pick, was traded to Jacksonville from Buffalo. One year after Rex Ryan, Buffalo has surprised many this season, actually challenging New England despite having a weak passing attack. That changes with the addition of wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, a former first-round pick and Carolina’s leading receiver this year.
Three-time Pro Bowler and former first-round draft pick Duane Brown was dealt to the Seahawks in exchange for draft picks, quarterback Russell Wilson restructuring his contract in exchange for added protection on the line. With the loss of Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, a Giants team in total disarray, Seattle vaults to the head of the pack in the NFC with the move. Wilson is dynamic as ever, and this pickup can only help.
The Eagles and the Patriots may have made the best deals, however.
The Eagles, with Carson Wentz behind center, look like the real deal. Anyone who has watched the NFL over the years knows that in order to be taken seriously in the league you have to put together two consecutive seasons of top performance, otherwise you’re a Scott Mitchell or a Matt Cassel.
We’ve seen enough of Wentz to know he’s going to be around for quite a while. He throws a ball like Dan Marino used to … no West Coast offense in Philly. They matriculate the ball downfield, Wentz not afraid to chuck the ball a good 30-yards a clip. Their fifth-ranked rushing attack just added Jay Ajayi for a fourth-round pick, and even though Ajayi is gaining a reputation for being a locker-room cancer, that move has the word “steal” written all over it.
The Patriots shook up the market, dealing highly touted backup quarterback Tony Garoppolo to the 49ers for, get this, a second-round pick. At the time of the trade, Tom Brady told the press he couldn’t name his backup, but it likely won’t matter anyway … the guy is a rock.
Even the Jets made trades! Hapless Cleveland tried to make a trade for Cincinnati’s backup quarterback, but in true Browns fashion, forgot to call in the trade. That franchise is a mess. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had an intern try to fax it over.
In all, let’s hope that this is a harbinger of things to come. As any MLB fan will tell you, trades are practically half the fun of the game. Shaking things up in the NFL versus standing pat is a trade-off most fans would take any day.
Mark Vasto is a veteran sportswriter who lives in New Jersey.
(c) 2017 King Features Synd., Inc.
