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With only about an hour and a half before the trade deadline is up, the rumors are flying of possible trades that are going to get done very soon.Big name players like Shawne Merriman, Adalius Thomas, Steven Jackson, Terrell Owens, Shaun Rogers, and others, are all thought to be on the trading block, but is there any substance?
That's what we're here to figure out. Hopefully trades don't go down while I'm writing this.
Although, we all know something will.
So let's get started. Pull out your sleeping beds and get into your jammys, it's gossip time.
Apparently A.J. Smith just gets dumber as the days, weeks, and months go on. First he decides it's a good idea to replace Marty Schottenheimer with a two-time head coaching failure in Norv Turner, and now he wants to trade his best defensive player in Shawne Merriman.
Rumor has it that the Patriots have their eye on Merriman, which would make sense considering Adalius Thomas was a healthy scratch this past week. Bill Belichick isn't happy with his performance, and he may be packaged with some draft picks in order to get Merriman to New England.
So is this possible, or just wishful thinking?
I'd say it's certainly possible. I don't put anything past the Patriots after they traded for Randy Moss, and I wouldn't be surprised to see A.J. Smith give Merriman away for peanuts.
Stay tuned on this one.
Terrell Owens' name has been tossed around in trade talks for the past month. Some have him heading to the Bears, to the Ravens, and many have even said it's a possibility that he heads back to the west coast to play for the 49ers again.
Let's cut to the chase.
Is this possible, or wishful thinking?
It's quite obviously wishful thinking. The Bears are happy with their young trio of receivers in Devin Hester, Johnny Knox, and Earl Bennett. They haven't produced a whole lot, but they're getting better by the week.
The Ravens need receiver help, but they tried trading for T.O. once before and it didn't work out. In fact, T.O. did all he could to block the trade. There's bad blood there and it won't be happening.
And the 49ers? Really?
The Rams, in perhaps the worst season they've seen in franchise history, have been linked to rumors saying that they're interested in trading Steven Jackson for some picks in order to help rebuild.
While it's a nice thought, it would be very difficult for them to eat his $5.5 million in cap space, and draft picks aren't going to help them this year. It would take a Herschel Walker-type trade in order for the Rams to move Jackson.
So is this possible, or just wishful thinking?
This is wishful thinking. While the Rams haven't come out and said they're not trading Jackson, it would take a lot to move him. Like I said, it would take a blockbuster offer, and that's not coming this late in the season.
He could be moved during the offseason, but getting moved in the next hour and a half or so just isn't going to happen.
Their could be some low-key trades, such as Tank Tyler getting traded to Carolina for a fifth-round pick. The Eagles may be targeting a linebacker, and the Jets are looking for help to replace Kris Jenkins, but those would be low-key moves, as is the norm for the trade deadline.
Bottom line? Don't expect a Roy Williams blockbuster this year.
(Mainly because most teams see that as a cautionary tale.)
