Report: Patriots trade for Titans linebacker Akeem Ayers
The New England Patriots have needed to add some linebacker depth and hope that a former second-round pick is a good temporary solution.
According to the Tennessean’s Jim Wyatt, the Tennessee Titans will trade linebacker Akeem Ayers to New England — pending a physical.
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Per CBS’s Jason LaCanfora, the price tag wasn’t that steep: a swap of late draft picks next year.
Ayers only had played 10 snaps this season and was viewed as a poor fit in the Titans’ 3-4 system. In addition, Ayers is coming off two knee surgeries (one on each leg) this offseason. Last week, Ayers was a healthy scratch against the Washington Redskins.
The Patriots lost Jerod Mayo for the season after he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in Week 6. Ayers, 25, primarily played on the strong side in the Titans’ 4-3 defense from 2011 to 2013, starting 44 of the 48 games he played. He has totaled 232 tackles, nine sacks (six in 2012), 14 passes defended, two interceptions and two forced fumbled in his career.
Ayers had been struggling with his demotion and told Wyatt recently that he was itching for a chance to prove himself again.
He might have just received his chance.
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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm
