NFL Trade Deadline 2012: Recapping Deals That Didn't Happen

So much for the widespread parity of the 2012 NFL season causing teams to feverishly work the trade market.

As most know, Thursday's 4 p.m. trade deadline has come and gone with only one major deal getting done, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have traded troubled cornerback Aqib Talib to the New England Patriots. 

For teams other than the Buccaneers and Patriots, the 4 p.m. deadline once again came with the unbridled excitement of whatever it is they show on C-SPAN.

We could sit here and talk about all the things that did happen on Thursday, but that would make for an awfully unfulfilling column—especially considering Talib won't see the field for two more weeks.

Instead, let's take a look at a few players who were rumored to be on the move, but couldn't quite get out of their current situation. With that in mind, here's a look at the deals that could have (or in some cases, should have) happened, but didn't. 

DeAngelo Williams (RB, Carolina Panthers)

Locked into a hefty contract and ostensibly the backup to Jonathan Stewart, Williams was the subject of countless trade rumors in the past few weeks.

In fact, the rumors had gotten so incessant that teammates were giving the Panthers back updates on how many minutes remained until the deadline, according to Joe Person of the Carolina Observer: 

"

DeAngelo Williams' Panthers' teammates were giving updates in locker room on how many minutes left until 4 p.m. trade deadline.

— Joe Person (@josephperson) November 1, 2012"

The team that came up most in regards to Williams was the Green Bay Packers. Left scrambling for a ground game after injuries left the Packers' backfield devastated, Williams seemed to be a perfect stopgap fit.

Nonetheless, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy seems relatively pleased with Alex Green despite his struggles. Giving up a draft pick would be necessary to bring in Williams, which oftentimes scares teams away from making a move. 

Tim Tebow (QB, New York Jets)

Left in a role as America's favorite punt protector, Tebow became the subject of rumors involving a familiar team: the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Nevertheless, this possibility seemed far more media driven than anything. Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey said Wednesday (per Yahoo! Sports) that the team hadn't had any talks regarding Tebow "that I'm aware of."

In just about every possible scenario, this seemed like the only logical conclusion. Even though Tebowmania has turned into a circus in the Big Apple, the coaching staff still views him as a valuable contributor to the team.

Couple that with the fact that Mark Sanchez is still, well, Mark Sanchez, and the Jets could still find some value in their prized offseason acquisition.

Dwayne Bowe (WR, Kansas City Chiefs)

Unlike Tebow and Williams, the motivation for the Chiefs to move Bowe came strictly from the player himself.

Yahoo! Sports' Jason Cole was the first to report that the star wide receiver "very badly" wanted out of Kansas City:

"

I can report this: Bowe wants out of KC very badly. Not exactly a revelation, but true.

— Jason Cole (@JasonColeYahoo) October 17, 2012"

From there, most fans and pundits did some basic deduction and picked the Miami Dolphins as the most logical destination.

Stuck with perhaps the worst receiving corps in all of football after trading Brandon Marshall in the offseason, the Dolphins have desperately been searching for a top receiver ever since. The team had also not ruled out making a move for Bowe as recently as this past weekend, according to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson. 

Unfortunately for Dolphins fans, there was no fire to this cavalcade of smoke. 

Mohamed Massaquoi (WR, Cleveland Browns)

A rather surprising name added to the trade block, Massaquoi could have been had at the right price on Thursday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter (via Fox8's John Telich):

"

Mohamed Massaquoi name mentioned as possible trade at4p deadline. Per Schefter. Key word ., possible. Not definite #nfl #browns

— john telich (@JohnTelich8) November 1, 2012"

That possibility could not have come as a surprise to most in Cleveland. Massaquoi has been usurped in the Browns depth chart by Greg Little and Josh Gordon, both of whom seem to have built a strong rapport with quarterback Brandon Weeden.

Granted, that's happened while the fourth-year receiver has been out with injury, so he may be able to replace Gordon in the interim.

However, the fact that Massaquoi was on the market speaks to how much Cleveland believes in Gordon. 

Follow @tylerconway22