NFL Mid-season Trades

John P. Lopez, a contributing writer to Sports Illustrated and also a writer and sports talk show host in Houston, has posted a blog today titled, "NFL trades that would make sense."  The link is below:

sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/john_lopez/10/14/trades/index.html?eref=sihp

Those of note, Buffalo Wide Receiver Terrell Owens to the Chicago Bears for a second round draft pick, Texans DB Dunta Robinson to Baltimore for DT Brandon McKinney, and probably the biggest one in there, Brady Quinn for Vince Young.  The one I thought most interesting though, just because I'm a Bengals fan and happen to live in the "Jungle," was Packers OLB/DE Aaron Kampman for Bengals T Anthony Collins. 

Points he made included Kampman being lost in the 3-4 as an OLB with only one sack through four games, and the Bengals needing help on the line to pressure the quarterback more.  Kampman being the professional he is would also bring a lot of professionalism to the young Bengals core of players.  The other side, coincidentally, in the Bengals game, Clifton went down, which caused a few moves on the line, and in the Vikings game, Colledge went down.  Odom ran wild for five sacks in the game.  So, a 2nd year player like Collins with starting experience ultimately would help keep Aaron Rodgers off the ground.

What I would like to make known, is that I don't believe the Bengals need the help on the defensive line.  Sure, they could use a player of Kampman's caliber, and I would love to have him, and yeah, Robert Geathers hasn't been the sack machine since he had 10.5 in '06.  Also, I don't think that taking Collins off the line and allowing Dennis Roland, who has been rotating with Collins, to make all the starts is smart chemistry wise.  Whatever the offensive line has going on right now, they're doing a great job as their making the push for Cedric Benson to be crowned 2009 NFL Rushing King in two and a half months.  Don't forget about Andre Smith though, as he is making great strides to come back early from his broken foot, and is impressing coaches with his conditioning.

All this being said, Kampman for Collins would only make this defense probably the best in the league.  If Roland can handle himself on the line and wait for Andre Smith to make his debut, these two could rotate just as Collins and Roland are at the current time.  I'm not, and neither is John Lopez, saying this trade would happen.  Lopez just states that this is a trade that makes sense, and it does.  But as he did say, most teams don't dare make a mid-season trade.  Whatever happens, I hope for the best for all those involved. 

At the beginning of my post, I was on the end of the spectrum against this trade more than I was for it, but now, after re-reading my article, I've suddenly had a change of heart.  I do not know what it is, but the idea of having Aaron Kampman as a Cincinnati Bengal, on a line that is still young and only getting better, brings back memories of Justin Smith tearing through the offensive tackles and driving the quarterback to the ground.  Aaron Kampman could bring this defense over the top and wreak havoc like Tim Krumrie used to for the bengals in the 1980s.  The way the Ravens defense used to be feared, adding Kampman could do the same for the Bengals D. 

This is a rarity for me, as I've been lounging around all day with a lot of free time, and have had the chance to post twice.  I don't expect it again, but anything can happen.  You never say never. 

Until next time, come back for more. 
The Easy