Pats Interested In Trading For Derrick Burgess

Now that Jason Taylor has signed with the Dolphins, the Pats need to look elsewhere if they hope to bolster their pass rush. One place they might be looking is Oakland. According to ESPN, WEEI.com, and the Boston Globe (it might be easier to simply list the outlets that haven’t mentioned it), the Patriots are interested in sending a 2010 draft pick to the Raiders for defensive end Derrick Burgess. The Pats reportedly would be willing to send a second-round pick or a third-round pick to Oakland for Burgess. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported on draft weekend that the Raiders were shopping Burgess. He’s in the final year of his contract, and he’s due to earn $2 million in base salary this year. It remains to be seen whether the Raiders will be reluctant to do another deal with the Pats, given the outcome of their last veteran trade involving a certain pass-catcher who went on to catch more passes in the end zone in one season than any other player in league history.