Burgess (No. 56) is reportedly unhappy about his situation with the Raiders. (AP)

WEEI.com has confirmed a report the Patriots are interested in acquiring Oakland’s Derrick Burgess. The deal would send Burgess to New England in exchange for a second- or third-round pick in 2010.

The Patriots’ possible interest in Burgess was first reported by ESPN.

The move would appear to fill New England’s need for a pass rusher that became necessary when outside linebacker Mike Vrabel was traded to Kansas City in February. The 30-year-old Burgess has 38½ sacks over the last four seasons in Oakland, including a franchise-record 16 in 2005. The two-time Pro Bowler is entering the final year of his contract, and is reportedly seeking a new deal — he has stayed away from voluntary workouts lately to show his displeasure. (According to NFLPA records, he’s due to earn a base salary of $2 million in 2009.)

It’s believed that Burgess, who is listed as a 6-foot-2, 260-pound defensive end, could move to outside linebacker in New England’s 3-4 defense. He has been hobbled by injury the last couple of years, but could still bring an instant jolt to the Patriots’ pass rush.

“It would be a great move for the Pats,” said a league source. “Burgess can rush very well, and the Pats need a rusher.”

Burgess’ agent Jimmy Sexton did not return an e-mail seeking comment.

A Mississippi product, Burgess was taken in the third round of the 2001 draft out by Philadelphia, and appeared in all 16 games as a rookie and had six sacks. In 2002, however, he broke his foot in the first game of the season and missed the rest of the year. He also missed all of 2003 due to a torn Achilles.

The South Carolina native came into his own in 2004, when he played in 12 games with the Eagles and had three sacks, including one in a Super Bowl XXXIX loss to New England. He then signed with the Raiders, and proceeded to have two of the finest seasons in Oakland history for a pass rusher, notching 16 sacks in 2005 and 11 sacks in 2006 and reaching the Pro Bowl both years.

The Patriots haven’t been able to land a pass rusher in free agency to replace Vrabel, and weren’t enamored with any of the possibilities in the draft. Earlier this month, New England’s director of player personnel Nick Caserio was extremely complimentary of the current crop of Patriots’ outside linebackers, but hinted New England could still make some moves between now and the start of the season.

“We don’t play a game until September,” Caserio said when asked specifically about the outside linebacker spot. “This isn’t the last opportunity for us — the draft — to find a player we believe could help us. There are other opportunities to build your football team.

“A lot can happen between now and [the start of the season].”

12 Comments for “Patriots looking to deal for Oakland’s Burgess”

1. bosoxyaz8 Says:
   May 18th, 2009 at 9:23 pm

   Cool hope it happens.

2. christopher mehegan Says:
   May 18th, 2009 at 10:32 pm

   really so if the pats can’t get their hands on peppers or taylor then let’s make a deal for oakland’s burgess if he doesn’t like his situation in oakland bring him to new england for a fresh start.

3. Coach Mike Says:
   May 19th, 2009 at 7:48 am

   If the deal is for a second - or even a third - round pick, better be sure we get him signed for more than one season!

4. christopher mehegan Says:
   May 19th, 2009 at 8:32 am

   dear christopher price. i think having burgess would be a blessing in disguise for the pats who need a outside linebacker in their 3-4 defense system and they say the deal is for two draft picks in 2010 what do you think about the deal.

5. Joe LaPorte Says:
   May 19th, 2009 at 9:27 am

   Why is it, you have to be 30years+ in order to play outside LB for the Bill Belichick and the Patriots. We seriously need to get some youth here. Defense wins Super Bowls. WTF why not bring back Rosie Colvin lol. Why is Belichick afraid of drafting outside LB’s???

6. Gino Says:
   May 19th, 2009 at 10:03 am

   He’s a good pass rusher when healthy. That’s WHEN HEALTHY, which he hasn’t been for much of the last 2 years. This is the kind of guy you give up a 5th rounder for so you don’t have to compete with another team to sign a Free Agent. A 2nd or 3rd rounder is FAR to high.

7. George Says:
   May 19th, 2009 at 11:26 am

   To Joe Laporte…do you think Bill Belichick doesn’t know how to win Super Bowls?

8. Hub Says:
   May 19th, 2009 at 12:40 pm

   I’ll taken a proven sack producing veteran over a first or second round pick, who has yet to play a down in the NFL. Also, injuries are part of the game and even draftees (McKenzie) are vulnerable.

9. Scott carey Says:
   May 19th, 2009 at 2:35 pm

   I do not know burgess that well, but this seems like they are trading vrabel and a possible 2nd rounder, for burgess. Both have had some injury issues recently, what are the cap number differences, and are we sure burgess can play in the open field. I usually am a very laid back BB supporter, and while acknowledging his mistakes, accept the body of work as whole. this just seems out there

10. jeff Says:
    May 19th, 2009 at 3:00 pm

    You guys realize they have 3 2nd round picks next year to work with… while I agree a long term deal would be best if they make this trade… its no doubt Burgess already becomes the 2nd best LB on this team behind Jerod Mayo…

11. paul Says:
    May 19th, 2009 at 9:40 pm

    the last thing the pats need is a linebacker with injury problems.

12. ed Says:
    May 21st, 2009 at 12:51 pm

    Like this move. The man can play, and help this team.

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