Patriots Trade For Eagles DT Isaac Sopoaga
BOSTON (CBS) - For the second straight year the New England Patriots helped boost their defense at the NFL trade deadline.
The Patriots sent a fifth-round draft pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga and a sixth round pick on Tuesday, a move that should help boost a very thin defensive line.
Sopoaga spent the first eight years of his career with the San Francisco 49ers before signing a three-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason. He's recorded 227 tackles, 7.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble in his nine NFL seasons.
The 6-2, 330-pound Sopoaga started seven of his first eight games with the Eagles this season, recording 10 tackles.
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The 32-year-old will help fill the void on the Patriots' defensive line with Vince Wilfork out for the season and Tommy Kelly recovering from a knee injury. Over the last three weeks, New England surrendered a total of 646 rushing yards to the Saints, Jets and Dolphins, so having a big body like Sopoaga on the line will provide some much-needed help.
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