Trade adds linebacker depth
FOXBORO — A week away from the trade deadline, the Patriots got busy wheeling and dealing yesterday.
Given a depleted linebacking corps, the Patriots acquired linebacker Kyle Van Noy from the Detroit Lions, according to a source. The Pats will also receive a seventh-round draft pick in exchange for a sixth-round pick as part of the deal.
Also, the Patriots traded tight end A.J. Derby to the Denver Broncos for a fifthround pick. The team announced the Derby deal late in the day.
With Jonathan Freeny on injured reserve, Elandon Roberts battling injury, Shea McClellin dealing with a concussion and the big two of Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower returning after missing games with injuries, Van Noy provides roster depth.
Van Noy, a 6-foot-3, 252-pound outside linebacker, was selected in the second round of the 2014 draft by the Lions out of Brigham Young.
“I don’t know anything about (Van Noy), but you know (coach) Bill ( Belichick) and (director of player personnel) Nick ( Caserio) and all the front-office people always do a good job getting guys that will come in and help,” safety Devin McCourty said while taking a break from special teamer Matthew Slater’s fundraiser last night that raised funds for Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization helping with crisis, disaster and victim response of Hurricane Matthew. “I’m sure (Van Noy) looks forward to coming here, fitting in, and seeing what he needs to do.”
As for Derby, he didn’t see much time with the offense, with most of the reps going to Martellus Bennett and Rob Gronkowski. The acquisition of the draft pick helps with the fifthrounder the Pats gave up in the trade for linebacker Barkevious Mingo.
“It’s tough, you just hope it works out for (Derby),” McCourty said. “He’s a great guy. . . . It’s just the nature of the business — you just wish him the best.”
Fullback James Develin acts as insurance at tight end with the Pats down to two at the position.
The Patriots haven’t been shy about making deadline deals in the past, adding personnel to help shore up playoff runs. Their most impactful move came in 2012 when they acquired cornerback Aqib Talib from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a fourth-round draft pick. He immediately improved the secondary and became a premier corner in the league.
Potential returns
This might be the week we see running back Dion Lewis at practice, and/or offensive lineman Tre’ Jackson. Lewis has been out after multiple knee surgeries. Jackson has also had knee trouble.
During a conference call yesterday, Bill Belichick didn’t rule out the possibility, which he did the previous Tuesday.
“We’ll have to talk with our medical and conditioning staff and get a sense of where everybody is and figure that out for when practice starts Wednesday,” Belichick said. “We’ll take a look at that information and see where we are and then make a decision on it prior to Wednesday’s practice.”
Both Lewis and Jackson are on the PUP list. Once they start practicing, the Pats have a 21-day window to activate them and put them on the 53-man roster.
Fumbles a problem
With two more fumbles Sunday against the Steelers in Pittsburgh, the Patriots are up to 14 for the season. That’s the same number they had all of last year.
Obviously, turnovers don’t sit well with the coaching staff. When asked about the fumbles during a conference call, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said the Pats would be busy this week trying to fix the issue.
“There’s no question our players and our coaches are emphasizing that. We know there’s no greater determinant of success than taking care of the football on offense, that’s for sure,” McDaniels said. “We all understand how critical and important that is to our ability to win each week.”
The Pats have lost six of those fumbles. McDaniels indicated the team sets aside a number of different periods in practice to work on ball security.
“It’s definitely something we’re looking to correct. It’s definitely something that we’ve done too much of (to keep fumbling),” he said. “We understand the significance. And we’re going to do everything we can to work to correct that as we move on through the season.”
For a good cause
Slater was hoping to raise $20,000 for Samaritan’s Purse to assist in the relief efforts in Haiti and the Carolinas. More than 20 teammates were on hand at Splitsville Luxury Lanes to support Slater’s cause.
“We’re just trying to continue to assist the efforts. When you see and read what’s going on (in Haiti and the Carolinas), it’s truly tragic,” McCourty said. “The poorest country in the western hemisphere, everything they’ve had to endure the last decade, it’s really heart-breaking. Hopefully what we’re able to do here tonight can put a little dent in something down there. Even if it helps one family, it was worth it in our eyes.”