Bravo, Belichick: Steelers Confirm Patriots Ruined Jets' Draft Plans
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When the New England Patriots traded down in the first round of last month's NFL Draft, everybody assumed it was both good value and a chance to spoil the plans of a division foe.
Everybody, turns out, was right.
In one of the draft's most memorable moves, Bill Belichick maneuvered from No. 14 to 17 overall and still got coveted cornerback Christian Gonzalez. In the process, the Pats acquired an extra fourth-round pick and reminded the New York Jets that they won 14 straight matchups on the field.
Well, not directly. But rumors of Belichick's desire to stick it to the Jets have even more validity after Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin addressed the trade. Pittsburgh moved up one spot ahead of the Jets to No. 14 and drafted Georgia offensive lineman Broderick Jones, whom New York was going to take at No. 15.
Tomlin admitted on The Rich Eisen Show that the 71-year-old Belichick might have slipped a fastball by his AFC East division rival.
“I’m not gonna delve into the relationship between New England and the Jets," Tomlin said. "Let’s just say I’m glad we found a partner. I’ll put it this way, there wasn’t a lot of hesitation on New England’s end.”
With their target - Jones - suddenly snatched from them, New York at No. 15 was left to reach for Iowa State edge rusher Will McDonald, who some experts believed would last until the second round.
It was a master class in not only strategy - but revenge - for Belichick, who of course spent a hot minute with the Jets in the past.
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