Division Rivals Predators and Freedom swing a deal

[Preds]

The Predators have acquired the Freedom's 1.03 selection in the 2004 rookie draft.

In return, the Freedom will receive RB Marcel Shipp, TE LJ Smith, and the rights to the Wonder Mutts 2.01 selection in the 2004 draft (which the Predators currently hold).

The Freedom will confirm.

[Philadelphia Freedom]

Confirmed. Please see news section for more.

[Nittany Dodgers]

Originally Posted by Preds

The Predators have acquired the Freedom's 1.03 selection in the 2004 rookie draft.

And so continues the dynasty.

Obviously the balance of this trade hinges on Shipp's performance. Either way Shipp plays, I don't see it as benificial to the Freedom. If Shipp plays well, obviously it helps the Freedom this year. However, since he has only one year left, his perfomance will mean he gets a hefty raise next year. The 1.03 pick could have been used on a guy who could be locked up long term (though no guarantee he'll start this year, depending on who falls). If Shipp plays bad, then the Freedom get nothing this year, and AZ might look at drafting a RB next year, and the Freedom get nothing for him.

It could work out well for the Freedom, but now the Preds have a high pick to restock their not yet depleted talent pool.

[Brain Dead Squirrel Chasers]

I'd have to agree with the Dodgers on this one. While Shipp is a solid #2 RB, the 1.03 pick could turn out to be a top 10 RB, possibly top 5 in a couple years. I suppose Shipp is more of a known commodity because he has a starting job but still, if you're behind you might as well try for the home run.

[Flaxwless]

Agreed with the Dodgers and Squirrels.

The Top 3 pick is too valuable, he would be guranteed a starting tailback or potential stud, Julius Jones, Tatum Bell, or Stephen Jackson. All would've been signed for a 5 year deal. No matter shipps performance he will go for at least 1500 next year, if he proves solid expect anywhere between the 1800+ range. Not the kind of contract for a 2RB, that a rebuilding franchise needs.

Not a bad deal, but because Shipp has only 1 year deal it doesn't make it as sweet. You're basically renting him for a year, with a chance to lose him for only a 2nd rounder next year or a pay increase of at least 1k. Also while the 2.1 pick sounds okay, I personally would've held out for Mikes' 1.12 or just broken off talks. Now you've dropped from the 3rd overall pick to your 16th (1st round comp) pick.

But I suppose we should wait until the UFA wraps up. With the deal of Shipp you have a potentailly playoff worthy team with the signing of some solid WRs. Even though I don't like the deal, it has nothing to do with Shipp because I believe he will be solid RB #2, Between 12-15 RB and at 617 he'll be a gem.

The only negatives is you are infusing the Preds with young talent, a potential stud RB, and if you look at his roster, without this deal he would've had to rip his team apart next year with Barlow, Shipp, Santanna Moss, Aaron Brooks, and Brad Johnson all looking for significant raises.

Oh well. We shall wait and see. Solid deal for the Freedom, great deal for the preds.

[Preds]

I think the Insects have made a solid analysis, but nobody has looked at the total picture for Matt. I think Matt had this deal tied in with the Shockey deal to the Opihi. Combined he's picked up picks 11, and 18, to go with his 16th pick, so he's set to land some very good talent at what I consider the meat of this draft.

I HATED parting with 2.1, there is a player I REALLY wanted there, but in the end the shot at one of the stud RB's was just too much to pass up, particularly since I feel I need another young back to tie in with Onterrio Smith for my future.

Shipp will immediatly solidify the Freedom's starting lineup. I'm very high on him this year. And if Shipp does as well as I anticipate he'll get tendered as at least a 2nd rd comp, and potentially a 1st if he explodes. So Matt may see more compensation in the future off of this.

If Matt adds some WR's in UFA, I'll guarentee he gets his share of wins this year. After years of struggle, I can see how he wants some immediate reutrn now, while still retaining the ability to build for the future which he's done. It's a win win deal for all sides IMO. I think Matt got a great package for Shockey, which offset the premium he paid to get Shipp, LJ and the 2.1.

I hope the deals work out well for all of us.

What stuns me is the number of inter-division trades we've had this year. I think we're on # 4 or 5 since January. Unbelievable to be honest, the rivalries should be more intense than ever!

[Brain Dead Squirrel Chasers]

Well Mike, if you really hated to give up the 2.1 pick why not give Matt the 1.12 instead?

[Mutts]

Interesting, but... a Frenzy lesson that should have been learned by now: its not very likely you come out on top in a trade with the Predators!

[Nittany Dodgers]

Originally Posted by Wonder Mutts

Interesting, but... a Frenzy lesson that should have been learned by now: its not very likely you come out on top in a trade with the Predators!

It only took me three or four tries to figure that one out myself.

[Jersey]

......Mike should be a used car salesman....he'd sell a Yugo for a good 2-3 thousand more than it's worth to some poor sack......I guess you live and you learn....

[Philadelphia Freedom]

Though I have not analyzed all of Mike's deals I am pretty happy with my dealings with him. In this case I did not see the value in the third pick that he did. The past 2 picks at 1.3 were DeShaun Foster and Larry Johnson. While these guys could still become studs I am not convinced that this years crop of RB's is all that much better. To get a young RB who looks destined to be the main back (ie no RBBC), a young TE and a top 20 pick in a deep draft seemed like a good deal to me.

I know that no one else seems to like it but what the heck, when you have not won (m)any games it can't hurt to shake things up a bit.

Who knows we may look back at this and see that Mike got a great star player. Either way I am content with what I got for the third pick.

BTW Mike, will the detailing on my Pinto be done soon??

[Brain Dead Squirrel Chasers]

I have to disagree here. 2002 and 2003 were unusual in terms of impact rookie RBs at the top. I think this year there are 2 sure impact rookies (Kevin Jones and Julius Jones) with Tatum Bell a strong possibility. Shipp is more of a sure thing this year (in terms of being the #1 guy on his team) but I'm confident that Julius Jones and/or Tatum Bell will outproduce Shipp this year. Their upside is higher IMO as well. But it doesnt matter what I think. If you like the deal Matt, more power to ya! That's what makes fantasy football great, none of us really know what we're talking about!

[Flaxwless]

Haha all is true... now let's gets this draft started!

[Preds]

Damn, look at all the abuse you guys hurdled at me while I was sunning on the beach in Tampa/St. Pete this past weekend... ... am I really THAT bad? Nah... I think y'all are just jelous of the continuing Predator dynasty!!!

[Brain Dead Squirrel Chasers]

Is this another reason never to trade with Mike?

[Philadelphia Freedom]

I can't imagine Mike saw this coming anymore than I saw Shockey with recurring foot issues.

I must admit that opening that first e-mail announcing the demotion was not a very good feeling. Who knows there are about 12 weeks until the regular season starts and anything can happen. Personally I don't see E. Smith being the starter here but I guess that Denny's call.

[Preds]

Originally Posted by Brain Dead Squirrel Chasers

Is this another reason never to trade with Mike?

I fully expected Shipp to be the starter, and continue to hold out hope that'll be the case (I've selected Shipp in several surivor drafts thinking just that). There were no indications that Denny was gonna switch sides so abruptly... somethings gone down we don't know about... I still think Shipp has the talent to do well, but perhaps his domestic issues will be his downfall (as it has been for so many others).

I'm holding out hope that this is a ploy by Denny to push Shipp, but I can't say I'd feel good about it in Matt's shoes. In all honesty, I hope Shipp gets his job back and kicks ass for Matt. Training camps are still months away... it aint over yet.

[Preds]

Up until lasty night, I honestly felt Shipp would still be the guy in Arizona, but the 8-12 week injury is going to kill that possibility.

Sorry Matt, I never like to see a player get hurt, even one on a division rival... well maybe not rival yet... but eventually you'll be there ;)!

Hopefully his loss won't sting you too bad.

[Urza's Ragers]

Lesson learned? "Don't trade with Mike...", heehee...

[Philadelphia Freedom]

Hey it could be a lot worse! It could have been Martin or McCallister. I hate to see him get hurt as I figured he would be a solid RB#3 with possibility to be a RB#2 depending how Denny used him. Either was it looks like he would beat out Joppru for the coveted IR spot!