Schefter on D&C: Pass rushers tough to find

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter made his weekly appearance on the Dennis & Callahan show Friday morning to talk about the goings-on around the league.

Asked for an analysis of defensive end Trevor Pryce's acquisition by the Jets, Schefter explained: "Basically, Baltimore assumed that he would just re-sign with them. And the more I looked into this situation, the more I thought, 'Boy, I think that was a little naive.' Because basically, they cut his salary in the offseason by $2 1/2 million. And I think anybody that has their salary cut by any employer has a little thing inside them.

"So, they cut his salary, then they cut him — which, he's got his salary guaranteed. But they give him a window to go out and talk to Rex Ryan, who he vowed if he ever had the chance to play for, he would. The Jets need pass rushers from the inside part of the defensive line. They called Trevor, and boom, the deal got done. Trevor drove from Baltimore to New York. That's what happened This was not a case of OK, New England or Philadelphia or Washington is interested in Trevor Pryce, he's going there. He wanted to go play for Rex Ryan."
 

Asked if there were any other pass rushers that the Patriots might be able to acquire, Schefter said it's doubtful. "Pass rushers are difficult to find," he said. "I know Aaron Schobel, retired, the Houston Texans had him in for a workout on Monday. But I'm told he looked terrible. Just terrible. Out of shape and just not ready to play. And so, Aaron Schobel is somebody who can rush the passer, but it doesn't sound like his mind or his body is there right now to go play. And I don't know that he'd want to leave the Texas area to go play in New England at this point in time.

"If there were a pass rusher out there, teams would be in pursuit of that player. Pass rushers are very difficult to come by. New England and other teams spent their entire offseasons looking for pass rushers and struggled to find them. I think that this is a case where, if you're the New England Patriots, you have to make due with what you have right now and know that in the upcoming draft you're going to have four picks in the top two rounds and the chance to land some pass rushers."

Looking at Donovan McNabb's return to Philadelphia, Schefter said the response should be positive toward the Redskins quarterback. "I think that they have to cheer him," he said. "I think anything otherwise would have to be [classless]. The guy gave them 11 great years, took them to five NFC championship games. They didn't win a Super Bowl together, but that franchise and that city are considerably better for Donovan McNabb having played there, and having worked there and having lived there. ... I would assume and hope that those fans would give him an ovation."

Ben Roethlisberger returns to the Steelers next week. Schefter said the suspended quarterback will resume the starting role despite Pittsburgh's fast start without him. "Ben Roethlisberger is one of the best quarterbacks in the league," Schefter said. "He led this team to two Super Bowl titles on his shoulders. The guy's a beast at the quarterback position. He's going to come back motivated, he's going to come back hungry, he's going to come back inspired, and he's going to come back as the starting quarterback of their team. I don't care if Charlie Batch throws six touchdown passes."

Check the It Is What It Is blog for more highlights. To hear the interview, visit the Dennis & Callahan audio on demand page. For more Patriots news, go to the team page at weei.com/patriots.