The rumor making its way along the NFL telephone line right now has the Raiders trying to shop two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Derrick Burgess.

Former Raiders scout Michael Lombardi " who certainly has great contacts in the league but is hard to view as an objective voice when it comes to his former employer " addressed the notion in his National Football Post column today. Lombardi said the Raiders offered Burgess to New England for recent second-round draft choice Sebastian Vollmer, a massive but raw offensive tackle from Houston, and backup quarterback Kevin O'Connell. The Patriots supposedly turned down the Raiders.

I don't know if that particular scenario is based on reality (a backup QB? why??), but I have a few thoughts on the Burgess trade rumors:

1) It might not be a bad idea. Since he came to Oakland in 2005, Burgess has probably been the Raiders' second-best defender, after cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. That said, his sack total has declined each season, from a franchise-record 16 (2005) to 11 (2006) to 8 (2007) to 3.5 (2008). Burgess is an asset both on the field, where he often demands double-team blocks, and at practice, where is an unbelievable worker despite his stud status. The trouble is, injuries have begun to chip away at the 30-year-old end, and he too often can't make it to the field.

2) Though it does make some sense, I'd be surprised if Al Davis went through with a trade. Davis is very proud of his reputation as a guy who finds castoffs or diamonds in the rough and turns them into stars. Think Jim Plunkett, or Todd Christensen. The Raiders haven't had many players who fit the bill in the last 20 years. Burgess was probably the most recent, and I'm guessing that tag, along with his intimidating presence, make Burgess a Davis favorite.

3) True or not, the mere fact that this rumor has gained legs is bound to sour relations between Burgess and the Raiders. He has been unhappy with his contract for three years and must be sick of losing, so he would probably welcome a trade. By the same token, I've seen many athletes get miffed when they hear they're being shopped " no matter how often they claim not to care about what the media are reporting.

4) Too bad Lombardi is scuttling the Patriots trade he mentioned. I'm pretty sure it would make the Raiders the first team in NFL history with two Sebastians.