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Why Patriots should be reluctant to move key players at trade deadline originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
FOXBORO — Jonathan Jones joined a very small group of Patriots when he was looked to as the player to break down the New England locker room after its win last weekend. That responsibility was once held by Tedy Bruschi, who kick-started the “Aw, yeah!” tradition, and was later passed to Matthew Slater.
With Ja’Whaun Bentley injured — the veteran linebacker broke down the team following its win in Cincinnati in Week 1 — Jones stepped to the fore to take on those duties following a 25-22 victory over the Jets.
“Just spur of the moment,” Jones said Wednesday. “Just trying to carry over some things that are important, to see guys have a tradition, just some things that are consistent, have been consistent around here, just trying to carry that on.”
Jones is one of the last Patriots players remaining who is accustomed to hearing that once-familiar locker-room refrain on an almost weekly basis. He’s one of the few who was on the roster the last time the Patriots won a Super Bowl (2018 season).
Asked about the upcoming NFL trade deadline, because his name has popped up in trade rumors, Jones sounded like his former boss Bill Belichick. “Control what you can control,” he said.
Jones hasn’t necessarily been the most vocal of Patriots since arriving to the team as an undrafted rookie, but since Devin McCourty’s retirement, he’s taken on more of a leading role in the New England secondary. Despite likely having value to teams looking for secondary help, Jones is a player the Patriots should be reluctant to deal.
Whether it’s Jones, receiver Kendrick Bourne or defensive tackle Davon Godchaux — all players whose names have been bandied about in trade rumors — the Patriots should want to hold onto them all.
They may be among New England’s most attractive potential trade targets for other teams. But the prices available for good players don’t appear to be overwhelming….
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-patriots-reluctant-move-key-202740458.html
Author : NBC Sports Boston
Publish date : 2024-10-30 20:27:40
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