MARSHFIELD—Even top teams can use a bit of help.
Despite being the highest scoring team in the SCUFFLE, Marshfield beat the trade deadline and acquired defensive end standout Cameron Jordan, who was having a magnficient year for the Gridiron Gang, but whose talents were being wasted in Sweet Home, given the Gang were four games back with only four to play.
Marshfield looks ahead to playoffs, welcomes DE Cameron Jordan from Gridiron Gang in exchange for longtime Pirate S Mathieu #bittersweet pic.twitter.com/7CDBC6OY1K
— Marshfield Pirates (@Marsh_Pirates) November 9, 2017
In exchange for Jordan, the Pirates gave up safety Tyrann Mathieu, a Round 3 draft pick, and salary throw-ins Willie Snead and Derek Wolfe. But assuredly, Mathieu was the prize.
Despite being a mainstay of the Pirate defense over the last couple years and more notably, a fan favorite, Pirate brass felt Mathieu was expendable, given the production of acquisition Kevin Byard (#3 safety) and the progress of 3rd round draft pick Jamal Adams, in tandem with this year’s current #1 safety Reshad Jones. “We can only start three safeties, unfortunately,” coach Enright was quoted as saying. It was becoming clear over the last couple weeks that Mathieu was the odd man out.
Once a Pirate, always a Pirate! Thank you Tyrann Mathieu for the seasons of memories and wish you the best. #honeybadger pic.twitter.com/qzIilTXOzL
— Marshfield Pirates (@Marsh_Pirates) November 9, 2017
Jordan, currently the #1 defensive end and #17 player overall, gives the Pirates two top three defensive ends, a position they are historically lacking at.
Fans—once they realized they had NOT traded for a retired tight end—eagerly took to the discussion boards. Most expressed excitement with the move, citing management’s aggresiveness in trying to win a championship immediately, however, there are some quick to point out they paid to much for what amounts to, at most, 7 weeks of service.
“When a caliber of player like Cameron comes around, you can’t afford to get cute,” Enright stated. “With the time so short and the trade deadline approaching, we couldn’t afford much discussion—a 4th might have done it, but I knew including a 3rd would do it and get us our man. Given the state of our cap next year, we probably couldn’t sign that pick anyway. And if we win a championship, people will be talking about how we didn’t pay enough.”
“Enright has never been afraid to trade away picks for short term gain,” a long-time season ticket holder said, “that’s one thing we like about him. And lets face it, he sucks at drafting anyway.”
© 2017, Jason Enright. All rights reserved.
Love the tweets.
Yeah they’re fun–wish I wasn’t the only one doing them though. Would be a cool league-wide thing if we could embrace it.