Bill Belichick says Patriots’ ‘phone lines are open’ leading up to trade deadline

Bill Belichick watches action from the sideline. AP Photo/Stephan Savoia

By Henry McKenna @McKennAnalysis

November 3, 2015

2 minutes to read

Another trade deadline approaches. And Bill Belichick the general manager is hard at work.

“We’re always open to discussions,’’ Belichick said on WEEI’s Dale and Holley show Monday. “I think everybody in the league probably knows that. Our phone lines are open. Who knows? It’s hard to tell. It takes two to make a deal and it has to be the right situation and all that.’’

Belichick has until 4 p.m. Tuesday to find a trade partner.

And for the last three years, the Patriots apparently found the right situation. They traded for Aqib Talib in 2012, Isaac Sopoaga in 2013, and Akeem Ayers and Jonathan Casillas in 2014. And they’ve made three mid-season trades this year, including Jon Bostic, Akiem Hicks, and Keshawn Martin.

“I think it benefited us to make those early [in the season] because we’ve had now a number of weeks with some of those players,’’ Belichick said of his 2015 trades. “Guys like Bostic and Hicks, guys like that so they’ve had an opportunity to get acclimated and to contribute to the system, as opposed to bringing them in now. We’re already three, four, five weeks ahead of that pace.’’

Those players have yet to make a large impact, as the Patriots have been relatively healthy at linebacker, defensive tackle and wide receiver. But Talib helped revamp the Patriots secondary in 2012, Casillas was an effective special teams player, and Ayers had a huge impact in the Patriots’ pass-rush on their run to a Super Bowl victory.

ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter thinks that history of successful trades works against the Patriots.

“If you’re the Cleveland Browns and you already see Jabaal Sheard shinning there, Dion Lewis shining there, do you want to go trade them another player where he’s going to shine in their system where he hasn’t shined in yours?’’ Schefter asked on Dennis and Callahan Tuesday.

The Patriots are likely considering adding talent at cornerback, offensive line, safety, and wide receiver.

Veteran cornerback Tarell Brown was placed on season-ending injured reserve, leaving the Patriots’ rotation with second-year corner Malcolm Brown, third-year corner Logan Ryan, and rookie Justin Coleman. ESPNBoston.com’s Mike Reiss speculated about two possible targets at cornerback in Titans’ Jason McCourty or Kansas City’s Marcus Cooper. Jason is the twin brother of Patriots safety Devin McCourty. The Boston Globe’s Ben Volin thought the Patriots might be in play for Buccaneers cornerback Alterraun Verner and former Patriots and current Ravens cornerback Kyle Arrington.

Past veterans Pat Chung and Devin McCourty, who have both been excellent this season, the Patriots lack depth and experience at safety with third-year player Duron Harmon and rookie Jordan Richards. Volin thinks the Patriots may consider Chiefs safety Tyvon Branch, Lions safety James Ihedigbo, and Bears safety Antrel Rolle.

The offensive line, too, has been stricken with injuries — Nate Solder, Bryan Stork, Marcus Cannon, Shaq Mason, and Tre’ Jackson have missed games, though all but Solder are expected to make returns this season. CSNNE.com’s Tom E Curran sees possible trade targets in offensive linemen Joe Staley (49ers) and Joe Barksdale (Chargers). Volin suggested Logan Mankins, who the Patriots traded to the Buccaneers last season.