Thieving From New England
March 27th, 2022
It has been nearly two weeks since the Bucs acquired right guard Shaq Mason from the Belicheats and a guy who types at NFL.com for a living still is stunned.
Long-time NFL writer Marc Sessler can’t make sense of it. He cannot believe Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht swindled Bill Belicheat like he did.
Sessler reviewed trades from the early days of free agency and is searching for answers how Licht pulled off this offseason’s NFL version of the Lufthansa Heist.
Patriots trade guard Shaq Mason to Buccaneers for a 2022 fifth-rounder (No. 170).
Tampa Bay’s grade: A+
New England’s grade: D-What are we doing here? The Patriots, long seen as ultra-savvy, appear to have willingly punked themselves while helping Tom Brady’s Tampa legacy. The trusty Mason immediately bolsters a front five that waved goodbye to guards Alex Cappa and Ali Marpet. To be fair, this was partially a salary dump for New England, but shopping Mason is a head-scratcher.
Whatever it was, Joe is glad it worked.
Previously, Joe always thought Licht’s masterpiece was thieving then-Giants general manager Dave Gettleman of Jason Pierre-Paul for a third-round pick. A third-round pick! Do the Bucs even win the Super Bowl two years ago without JPP? Probably not.
If Mason can make a Pro Bowl along with the Bucs winning a Super Bowl while he is here, then Mason’s trade might just top Licht’s move to bring in JPP.
March 27th, 2022 at 11:08 am
Are the Pat’s going to be cursed by TB the way the red sux were by the bambino?
March 27th, 2022 at 11:12 am
Taking advantage of poor Bill like that, it’s almost like we’re CHEATING.
March 27th, 2022 at 11:15 am
The quote says it. Salary dump. They like his replacement a lot, and they save a bunch of cap space while picking up a 5th rounder in the process.
March 27th, 2022 at 11:20 am
And Belichick tends to move guys a year or two before he thinks the wheels are going to come off. He’d rather move too soon than too late.
March 27th, 2022 at 11:23 am
It’s the Patriots, they’ll find quality replacements/backups in rounds 4-7.
March 27th, 2022 at 11:48 am
Bill the coach, one of best ever. Bill the gm, would have been fired long ago. Bill the gm failings is why tb12 is a buc and had poor draft picks around him for many years.
I trust licht here over bill.
March 27th, 2022 at 12:02 pm
I’m sure Bill is kicking himself every night for letting Brady go because I’m sure he thought he was gonna start slowing down. But hey any that city doesn’t need anything else. They’ve been so spoiled with sports over the years & even now that they just expect it all the time. Between the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins & Celtics & whenever they were to start losing at any point it’s automatically like the end of the world & they start complaining because they don’t know what to do. They rub it in your face if they win & then they act like it’s the end of the world if they don’t & then they wonder why many fans don’t like them. But anything now to make it difficult for the Patriots. Especially with a bunch of good players & teams not only in the AFC but a bunch of good players going over to the AFC now, too!
March 27th, 2022 at 12:27 pm
Probably should wait until Mason plays a snap or two before passing judgement.
March 27th, 2022 at 12:39 pm
Mike C: Have you been hiding under a rock? The Red Sox have won 4 World Series since 2004.
March 27th, 2022 at 12:41 pm
Maybe their new moniker could be Belicheated.
March 27th, 2022 at 1:53 pm
Maybe, JUST MAYBE, BB doesn’t dislike Brady after all, and doesn’t want to see him get creamed after Cappa left and Ali retired. Would be nice if Ali came out of retirement for one last hoo rah though.
March 27th, 2022 at 2:27 pm
“Lufthansa Heist.” Nice touch Joe. Love the comparison!
March 27th, 2022 at 4:06 pm
Unless forced he wouldn’t do anything to improve Toms chance to win again. He has a y2 QB whom needs the best oline he can afford. So until I see Mason play I’d be suspect
March 27th, 2022 at 4:15 pm
Thepowerofpewter.
No doesn’t matter. Dude was an all pro and was playing at minimum a pro bowl level last year. And he was parted with for a fifth rounder. We paid more for Gronks rights.
March 27th, 2022 at 4:31 pm
1/2 of New England is up in arms over the Mason Trade from what I have read on some Patriot Forums.
Coaches do not make Players, Players make Coaches.
Brady made Belichick look like a Genius, when he was there.
Few here might remember that Belichick got flat ran out of Cleveland once.
If he does not win in New England, the fans will never let him forget allowing stupid trades like the one he just did with us.
Unless he knows something we don’t ?
March 27th, 2022 at 6:48 pm
Like some have already posted its buyer beware! He may have issues we are unaware of but hopefully he’s part of a needed salary dump and the Bucs were able to capitalize on the situation.
March 27th, 2022 at 7:57 pm
I’m sure the Bucs medical staff gave him a physical. Bucs and Pats have been trade partners for a while now. Perhaps Kraft and the Glazers use the same rub and tug firm?
March 28th, 2022 at 12:07 am
I sure am going to miss Alex Cappa and Ali Marpet. Especially Marpet.
March 28th, 2022 at 12:09 am
Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:
“Coaches do not make Players, Players make Coaches.”
I don’t think it’s limited by one way or the other. I think some players are just meant to be great no matter who their coaches are…but I also think there are some players who just need the right coaches to help him get better.