Raiders and Patriots Rumored at a Stalemate Over Derrick Burgess Trade

First let me start of by saying I have no inside source confirming that the Raiders and Patriots are even involved in trade negotiations over Derrick Burgess. This is purely speculation over rumors I have read at other sites.

Its no secret Derrick Burgess's days with the Raiders may be numbered especially considering his recent holdout and how crowded the Raiders depth chart is looking at DE with the signing of Greg Ellis, Matt Shaughnessy and the recent emergence of Trevor Scott.

The last three years Burgess has alledgedly been unhappy with his contract. But until now he hasn't been vocal about it or caused trouble. With all the new competition he likely sees now as the time to get out of Oakland because his role on defense may be diminished this year.

The Patriots are currently in need of a pass rush as they 14th in sacks last year with 31, thats one fewer than the Raiders total last year. Aside from Brady, pass-rush may have been the only thing missing from the Patriots last year.

Also the Patriots are no strangers to picking up former Raiders. A few former Raiders the Patriots picked up in the recent past are; Lamont Jordan, Randy Moss, Doug Gabriel, Andrew Walter and a few others.

As a plus for the Patriots Derrick Burgess has experience playing OLB in a 3-4 as he did it in Rob Ryans first year as a Raider defensive coordinator. And he may actually be better suited to play the 3-4 because of how he struggles against the run in the 4-3.

But as a side thought, though the Patriots talent at OLB is questionable they chose not to address it in this years draft. This is suspected because none of the viable draft prospects were tall enough for the Patriots liking. Unfortunately for Burgess he is only 6'2'' 260.

The Raiders alledged asking price for Burgess is either a second or third rounder.

The current rumors have the Patriots offering a third and a fourth rounder for the former sack master but the Raiders are asking for more. This may be because the Raiders still have a bad taste in there mouth from the Moss trade. Or the fact that a third and a fourth rounder from the Patriots might as well be a fourth and a fifth because of how late many people are projecting the Patriots to pick in the draft next year.

If the Patriots were expected to pick top 15 I see no way the Raiders would deny this offer.

Others speculate the Raiders may want Vince Wilfork because he may be becoming absolete due to possible contract disputes or the recent drafting of DT Ron Brace.

But atleast in my opinion it would be foolish to give up a qaulity nose tackle even one with contract disputes, as a player on a contract year is likely to perform at a high level in order to secure a large contract next year. Especially considering NTs are hard to come buy.

Also though Ron Brace has had an out-standing college career he is still unproven at the NFL level, never played in a 3-4. Also there are concerns on how he will perform when the offenses are focused on him rather than the other DT.

Theres even been talk by fans of packaging Burgess and Sands for Wilfork. Now that sounds to good to be true.

So a few question that need to be asked is what is Derrick Burgess really worth? Are the Raiders asking to much for him, or is the Patriots third and fourth rounder fair value? Should a Trade for a NT like Wilfork even be considered or is that just to much to ask for?

Another trade rumor involving these two teams is a trade involving Sebastian Vollmer and Derrick Burgess, which is now more likely than it was a few days ago with the recent injury of Khaliff Barnes. Barnes is expected out for four to six weeks and is currently unhappy with the Raiders plans to try him out on the right side.

But would a straight up trade be fair? Hell no!!

Sure he has potential and his college career is eerily similar to Raider Mario Henderson, both 6'8'' 315 both played RT and TE in college both have a similar skill set. The Raiders would require more compensation than one OT with potential.

But what else would the Raiders agree to? Vollmer and a fourth, is that fair? Maybe?

But the Derrick Burgess Trade Rumor don't with the Patriots there are other rumors of him being traded to other teams.

First a trade for Shaun Rogers who is also having contract disputes, but theres one problem with this? The Browns have no qaulity depth at NT after Rogers and why fix your pass rush woes with a trade that only leaves a hole in the middle of your defense killing your run-d.

Then theres the talk of Burgess for Packer DT like Ryan Pickett considering they currently have five DTs. This rumor can be shot down with the speculation that BJ Raji was brought in to play DE in the 3-4 not NT like everyone thought, also consider the fact the the other DTs on the roster are all unproven projects. Now it would appear they are unable to part ways with Pickett.

A somewhat viable rumor is Derrick Burgess for John Henderson of the Jacksonville Jaguars, at first glance they seem to have alot of depth and talent at the position but how would the others perform in his absence. Also Henderson may just now be entering the peak of his career, while Burgess by some accounts exited his peak a few years ago.

So what do you think the Raiders should do with Burgess? Should they trade him for an impact player who can help now, or do they trade him for future draft picks to help insure future succes.

Is he worth late third and fourth round draft picks or more? And if hes worth more how much more?

I would like to hear what everyone else thinks and other rumors involving Derrick Burgess that I may have missed.