Buccaneers trade Talib to Patriots ahead of deadline

TAMPA - Aqib Talib is no longer a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. 

The cornerback, currently serving a four-game suspension for use of Adderall without a prescription, was traded just before the NFL deadline Thursday afternoon to the New England Patriots. 

They also sent a 7th round 2013 draft pick to New England.  In return, they got a 4th rounder, giving them eight total picks next year.

Talib's current suspension for using a performance-enhancing substance is just the latest on his rap sheet since entering the NFL in 2008 as the 20th overall pick by the Bucs.  He was suspended for the opening game in 2010 after a 2009 altercation with a cab driver in St. Petersburg.  He also faced felony charges on assault with a deadly weapon, for an incident in Texas during the 2011 lockout, but those charges were dropped just before this season.

In his four-and-a-half seasons with the Bucs, he had 18 interceptions -- the most for any player in his 2008 draft class.  Three of those interceptions were returned for touchdowns, putting him third on the Bucs' all-time list behind Ronde Barber (eight) and Derrick Brooks (six).

The 26-year-old Talib is also in the final year of his contract. His base salary is $1.852M. 

Regardless of what they got in return, Greg Schiano and Mark Dominik may have that feeling right now that you get just after taking something for that pounding feeling in your dome.  The headache is finally gone.