The New England Patriots were looking to free up some cap space and they needed help keeping Tom Brady upright.

Arizona needed a pass rusher after they released Syracuse grad Dwight Freeney.  Both teams were able to get what they wanted yesterday.

Union-Endicott grad and Syracuse star Chandler Jones has been traded from the New England Patriots to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for guard Jonathan Cooper and a second-round draft pick.

Jones is known as an explosive pass-rusher, was New England's top draft pick in 2012. He had 12.5 sacks despite missing several games for the team. He was a first-round pick (21st overall) of the New Patriots.

He has one year left on his contract and is going to be owed a lot of money. That's the Cardinals problem now.

Cooper was a first-round draft selection for the Cardinals in 2014. He's considered an outstanding pass protector but has been hampered by injuries including a broken leg.

Even with that injury, the Pats are willing to take a chance on him after Brady got knocked around in the playoffs. The Patriots don't have a first round pick but now they have a pair of second round picks coming up in the NFL Draft.

 

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