After losing star RB Todd Gurley to the Battery in Restricted Free Agency, the Pirate ownership has been busy, rattling off a series of three trades with the Battery, Hawks and Lumberjacks respectively, something not uncharacteristic of the trade happy owner/coach.
It all started when Enright unexpectedly received a phone call from Battery coach Ben Pershey. Given the slew of “hey check out this picture of me and Todd Gurley” texts he had been receiving, Enright assumed the call was a follow up to rub the Gurley situation in. However, the call quickly developed into a trade that took place nearly immediately, sending the Battery a top 2 defender at both the CB and S positions for the 1.06 pick (and an autographed picture of Pershey and Gurley). Given each of the teams needs, it seemed like a good trade for both teams, despite pundits around the league saying Pershey “felt sorry” for Enright, giving him the better end of the deal.
Later, it seemed like getting a RB in RFA was out of the question. The Pirates won the bid for David Johnson, only to have Madtown match, even for the 1.02 pick. When rumors swirled that Holley had considered letting Melvin Gordon go for the 1.05 pick, Enright was on the phone with Hawk coach Jeppsen almost immediately. It was clear that Gordon was definitely available, but Jeppsen was eyeing the 1.02 pick. To make things work, Enright got Garcia involved in a 3-way trade that sent Gordon to the Pirates, while moving them down 3 picks to the 1.05, giving Linn County an established RB in AJayi while keeping them in the 1st round and allowing Holley the 1.02 and safety Adams, while saving some cap space.
Traded:
2018 Round 1.02
RB Jay Ajayi
CB Tre’Davious White
S Kevin Byard
S Jamal Adams
Received:
2018 Round 1.05
2018 Round 1.06
RB Melvin Gordon
Given the projected draft results for the Pirates, its clear Marshfield has prioritized addressing the RB situation in a post-Gurley world. Given that White was the #2 CB, Byard was the #2 safety and Adams is one of the young up and coming defenders in the league, most fans are concerned that this came a bit too heavily at the expense of the secondary.
“Look, its called the secondary for a reason,” Enright was quoted as saying, nonchalantly eating an apple. “We have some glaring holes in the backfield we need to address as top priority. We still have last years #1 overall defender at safety and a top 5 CB on the roster, starting for us. We will be fine.”
All in all, Marshfield has shipped away or lost 9 players from a team that only last season, finished runner-up in the SCUFFLE Championship Game, giving the 2018 Pirates a whole new look. For better or worse.
© 2018, Jason Enright. All rights reserved.
“Look, its called the secondary for a reason.”
LOL, that’s awesome