[Mick]

They actually did want to trade for him, and reportedly offered more than Oakland. But Pittsburgh was absolutely not going to send him there.

Interesting. How solid is that info? I ask because I didn't hear that (not a surprise, I don't really follow the NFL closely) and because it seems (to me) a bit out of character for the Patriots. I just can't imagine they expected a "good teammate" to suddenly show up. Not that they care that much about who you really are, they just don't want distractions on the field. Naturally, if the Pats really did want him previously, it makes the possible "tampering" idea more plausible.

This was printed publicly. Pittsburgh didn't want Brown in their division, so they took less to send him to Oakland.

[Mick]

They actually did want to trade for him, and reportedly offered more than Oakland. But Pittsburgh was absolutely not going to send him there.

Interesting. How solid is that info? I ask because I didn't hear that (not a surprise, I don't really follow the NFL closely) and because it seems (to me) a bit out of character for the Patriots. I just can't imagine they expected a "good teammate" to suddenly show up. Not that they care that much about who you really are, they just don't want distractions on the field. Naturally, if the Pats really did want him previously, it makes the possible "tampering" idea more plausible.

This was printed publicly. Pittsburgh didn't want Brown in their division, so they took less to send him to Oakland.