TheDailyBlitz.com

The New England Patriots have traded cornerback Ellis Hobbs to the Philadelphia Eagles for two fifth-round picks. In turn, the Patriots have traded away those picks (the 137th and 141st picks overall).

In free agency, the Patriots signed cornerbacks Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden, who played for the Redskins and Lions, respectively, last season.

In the second round, the Patriots drafted UConn cornerback Darius Butler.

The Eagles have been dealing (or, technically, not dealing) with disgruntled cornerback Sheldon Brown, who has requested to be traded. The Eagles say they won't trade Brown, who is under contract until 2012.

Brown and Asante Samuel are the starting corners and Joselio Hanson is the nickelback. Hobbs provides the Eagles with some flexibility.

Hobbs is in the final year of his rookie contract and started all 16 games for the Patriots last season.