Wait - What Just Happened?

When the Patriots traded Chandler Jones I thought - and hoped - that would mean New England could keep both Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins.

So, yeah.

Earlier today (or was it late yesterday?) I saw some click-bait touting a Jamie Collins for Joe Thomas trade and I thought… That’s crazy! Sure, okay, Nate Solder had a terrible game in Buffalo but I just couldn’t see how it made any sense. Trade Jamie Collins? No. That’s not happening.

Okay, that just did happen.

Except for the part where the Patriots get an all-pro left tackle in return, of course.

By now I’m guessing you (like me) have scoured the internet for the something - anything - that will help you wrap your pigskin mind around this one. You’ve gotten Michael Lombardi’s take regarding Jamie Collins inconsistent and insouciant on field performance. You’ve heard Collins was asking for “Von Miller Money” which is a lot more than the $11/year New England was reportedly offering. You’ve read that Collins was freelancing instead of doing his job. Still, you (if you’re like me) have questions; questions Bill Belichick won’t be answering now or ever. Unless you’re good with, “We did what we thought was best for the team.”

Why now?

Well, for one thing, coming in their bye week, it gives everyone in the locker room a few days to get over it, if they need to get over it.

Oh, you meant why now, when the Patriots are 7-1-0 and have a good chance to make a run at yet another Lombardi Trophy?

I think you may have answered your own question. Belichick must see this as addition by subtraction. You know, best thing for the team.

At the risk of stating the obvious... What?

If you take Belichick at face value - this is the best thing for the team - you almost have to believe the Lombardi take. Collins was not doing his job and was not taking coaching. This was simply unacceptable and Belichick made sure everyone in the building got the message. Think you’re bigger than this team? Here’s your one-way ticket to Cleveland.

Why Cleveland?

New England is playing the AFC North this season and has already played and beaten the Browns. Assuming Cleveland signs Collins to a long-term deal, the next time the Patriots would play against Collins would be 2019. Yeah, I’m going out on a limb here and assuming the Browns won’t win the AFC North any time soon; certainly not before 2019.

Okay, if there had been a better deal I’m sure putting Jamie Collins in a pigskin gulag wouldn’t have mattered. I’m just being silly.

Were there other teams that would’ve offered more (or did)? I’d guess the teams that would’ve offered more (or did offer more) would be (or are) teams looking for that missing piece for a Super Bowl run. You wouldn’t want to make a competitor better if you can avoid it. Ergo, the safest trade partner is the Cleveland Browns.

Let’s just hope the Browns don’t flip Collins to the Broncos, Chiefs or Steelers on Tuesday.

There’s also the human element to consider here, I suppose. I mean, Belichick traded Collins to pigskin hell. It feels personal. Something went crazy sideways. It escalated quickly as they say. I think, too, that while the issues the coaches had with Collins have probably been a thing for a while, something happened in the Buffalo game; something happened and in that moment Belichick was suddenly and unalterably done with Jamie Collins. It doesn’t seem like there was enough time to shop Collins or that Belichick even cared to shop. Belichick wanted Collins out of the building. An hour ago.

Seriously, though; a 3rd round pick? Weren’t we supposed to get Joe Thomas?

Okay, I get that Collins will be a free agent after this season and it was going to be hard to get much for an 8-game rental. The Browns should be making this deal with the future in mind but there are obviously no guarantees Cleveland can sign Collins to a long-term deal.

Still… a 3rd round pick?

It doesn’t seem like enough. But…

If Collins was a threat to the team, to the locker room; if he was becoming a distraction then that 3rd round pick is really just the jimmies on the sundae.

Here’s the precious.

The locker room is Bill Belichick’s church. It’s a holy place. Harmony and devotion to the greater good is the foundation for winning. Apostates must be shunned. And traded to Cleveland.

Full disclosure: My cynical inner child wonders if a drug suspension is hanging over Collins’ head. Lucky to get a 3rd round pick if that was the case. Forget I mentioned it.

Because I can…

Belichick believes in roster depth. Injuries are a fact of life in the NFL so you better have capable replacements ready to go when the inevitable bad things happen.

It also gives him the flexibility to make a move like this.

Belichick has built a roster with Hightower, Rob Ninkovich, Shea McClellin, surprising rookie Elandon Roberts, former Brown Barkevious Mingo and the recently acquired Kyle Van Noy, all of whom can play some linebacker. There’s plenty of talent. It’ll be interesting to see what Matt Patricia puts together. I guess we’ll see how it plays out when they face the Seahawks in Foxborough two Sundays from now. I have to admit. I’m intrigued. Also...

If the next thing that happens is Dont’a Hightower signs an extension then I’m going to feel okay.

Let’s keep our perspective…

Jamie Collins is merely a subplot. This 2016 edition of this New England Patriots team once again is all about Thomas Edward Patrick Brady, Jr.

We’ve been watching something pretty special. Brady 2016 is bumping #10 off the list of Brady’s Top 10 Seasons. And he’ll do it in 12 games. If the Patriots finish 14-2-0 and Brady throws 36 TD passes and (improbably) 0 interceptions, isn’t he at least in the discussion for MVP?

Yes. The answer is yes. Of course it’s yes.

Because this is the year of karmic balance for Brady and the only thing that will balance the scales of justice would be another Super Bowl championship. Goodell once again handing the trophy to Robert Kraft. “Yeah! We’re all Patriots, bitches!”

I really liked Jamie Collins. I watched every game he played waiting for that Jamie Collins moment when Jamie Collins did Jamie Collins Things. Sometimes that happened. Sometimes it didn’t. I will remember the times it happened.

Now it’s time to move on and it’s not like we haven’t done this before. I still miss Vince Wilfork. (Rooting for the Texans is something I know is wrong because it does make me feel just a little bit dirty and yet, I can’t help myself… but I digress.) In these moments we experience a sense of emotional dislocation. Someone who was once a stalwart defender of the wall is now the enemy. Well, metaphorically, of course. When Collins inevitably hits free agency and signs the cap crippling deal with the Jets, we’ll have two chances a year to shake hands at midfield after the game.

Games that will be won by Tom Brady.

That’s the main storyline here. Pigskin karma. Setting thing aright.  

Tom Terrific. The Icy Commander. Perfect Tommy. Young Odin. TB12.

The best damned quarterback in the galaxy.

The next step in human evolution.