NEW YORK -- The New England Patriots drafted UConn's Darius Butler thinking he could replace cornerback Ellis Hobbs at cornerback and in the kick-return game. Today, they accelerated that process, trading Hobbs to the Philadelphia Eagles for a pair of fifth-round picks. The wheeling-dealing Pats immediately flipped both picks, trading up in the fourth round to take Penn State offensive lineman Richard Ohrnberger.The Eagles, who actually had five fifth-round picks before this deal, sent New England the No. 137 and 141 overall picks in exchange for Hobbs. New England immediately traded both of those picks to Baltimore for the 123rd and 198th picks, and selected Ohrnberger at 123.
The move clears the way for Butler to get a lot of playing time in New England, and it gives the Eagles a glut of cornerbacks, with Hobbs joining Assante Samuel and Sheldon Brown, who's unhappy with his contract and recently demanded a trade.
At the time of Brown's demand, the Eagles called it "unfortunate" and said they would not deal him. But the addition of Hobbs allows them a little bit of leeway now should they decide to consider it.
NFL Draft Photos
North Carolina tight end Richard Quinn talks to the media at Denver Broncos headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Sunday, April 26, 2009. Quinn was a second-round pick by the Broncos in the NFL draft. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
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North Carolina tight end Richard Quinn holds a Denver Broncos jersey with his name on it at the team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Sunday, April 26, 2009. Quinn was a second-round pick by the Broncos in the NFL draft. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
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Texas Tech safety Darcel McBath holds a Denver Broncos jersey with his name on it at the team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Sunday, April 26, 2009. McBath was the second pick in the second round by the Denver Broncos in the NFL draft. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
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Texas Tech safety Darcel McBath talks to the media at the Denver Broncos headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Sunday, April 26, 2009. McBath was the second pick in the second round by the Denver Broncos in the NFL draft. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
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Philadelphia Eagles draft pick wide receiver Jeremy Maclin Answers questions from reporters Sunday, April 26, 2009, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/H. Rumph, Jr.)
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Detroit Lions' tight end Brandon Pettigrew, left, safety Louis Delmas, center, of Western Michigan, and quarterback Matthew Stafford, of Georgia, wait to be introduced to the media during a news conference at the Lions' headquarters on Sunday, April 26, 2009, in Allen Park, Mich. The Lions drafted Stafford with the No. 1-overall pick in the NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Jerry S. Mendoza)
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Detroit Lions quarterback, Matthew Stafford, of Georgia, talks with the media during a news conference at the Lions' headquarters on Sunday, April 26, 2009 in Allen Park, Mich. The Lions drafted Stafford with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Jerry S. Mendoza)
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Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz, left, quarterback Matthew Stafford, of Georgia, safety Louis Delmas of Western Michigan and tight end Brandon Pettigrew, of Oklahoma St., pose for a photographs during a news conference where they were introduced to the media and public on Sunday, April 26, 2009 in Allen Park, Mich. The Lions drafted Stafford with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Jerry S. Mendoza)
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Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz, left, poses for a photographs with tight end Brandon Pettigrew, of Oklahoma St., during a news conference at the Lions' headquarters on Sunday, April 26, 2009 in Allen Park, Mich. The Lions drafted Pettigrew in the second round and Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Jerry S. Mendoza)
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Philadelphia Eagles draft pick running back LeSean McCoy answers questions from reporters Sunday, April 26, 2009, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/H. Rumph, Jr.)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-26-2009 @ 2:08PM
A.J. said...
Ouch...my head hurts.
Reply
4-26-2009 @ 3:18PM
furrsher said...
HEY NFL ... HOW ABOUT ONE OF THESE YEARS HOLDING THE DRAFT OUTSIDE OF THE ALL MIGHTY, ALL IMPORTANT EAST???? I AM SO SICK OF GIANT AND JET FANS ACTING LIKE JERKS EVERY YEAR, PLUS IT SHOULD BE SPREAD AROUND THE COUNTRY ANYWAY.
Reply
4-26-2009 @ 3:51PM
fanhouseM said...
Ellis Hobbs analysis
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2009/04/ellis_hobbs_ana.html
Reply
4-26-2009 @ 4:01PM
fanhouseM said...
This was an excellent move not only for salary cap purposes, which I still do not understand fully, but also, because, Hobbs, while a gutsy guy, was way too small for the position and had an attitude..yes, he was an excellent kickoff returner, but there are others who can fill that role including Matthew Slater as well as the draft choices...having watched Hobbs in the locker room, I felt that he was a bit too impressed with himself and not enough of a team player...my guess is that BB shares some of these observations...I wish him luck with Philadelphia and hope he has a great career there!
http://tpbuy.michaelzen.hop.clickbank.net
Reply
4-26-2009 @ 4:41PM
bears0492 said...
Ellis Hobbs is worth a lot more than two 5th rounders. What are the Pats thinking? He's a quick and solid corner, and he's a threat in the return game. Why not keep him and start both Hobbs and Butler?
Reply
4-26-2009 @ 5:00PM
Rory said...
I don't know that you have seen enough of Hobbs. What you say is accurate. However, he gets beat like redheaded stepchild.
4-26-2009 @ 5:14PM
espy said...
dont hate on the east
Reply
4-26-2009 @ 6:14PM
Mike said...
next come on down the line what is new hmmmmmmm tight end or defensive back
Reply
4-26-2009 @ 8:12PM
sdh4194 said...
ellis hobbs had no idea that manning would throw to burress in the last minute of the super bowl. it was a complete surprise! what a freekin moron! good riddence.
Reply