The New England Patriots decided enough was enough and traded WR Randy Moss to the Minnesota Vikings for a 3rd round pick in the 2011 draft. Moss had been jabbering recently about his unhappiness in the Northeast with his contract troubles. Something Coach Belichek wasn’t going to tolerate for too long, especially after Moss and QB Coach Bill O'Brien had an apparent blow out at halftime during the Miami game. And now, the man, many call genius, traded a future hall of fame wide receiver for a 3rd round draft pick.

Where does this leave the Patriots now? They are currently 3-1, tied for the division lead in the competitive AFC East with the Jets. The offense has been formidable, scoring 32.8 ppg, with Moss putting up very insubstantial numbers of 9 catches (4th on the team) and 139 yds (3rd on the team) in 4 games, although 3 tds, 2 came against a weak Buffalo team back on Sep 26. It appears he has obviously not been the man for Belichek this year. How much does it damage the Pats, losing Moss? It does take away the long ball threat, Wes Welker or Brandon Tate are not typically down the field big play receivers The Pats are a system run team and they have won before with very average wide receivers like Deion Branch and Troy Brown.

Take a moment, and scratch your head.

Tom Brady makes average players good, good players great, and so forth up the chain. When Randy joined Brady and the Pats in 2007, I said loudly the dominance that would occur, and it undoubtedly did, Moss responded with mind-blowing numbers of 98 receptions, 1493 yards and 23 td. The Patriots had the world by the footballs.

Then came along the New York Giants, who decided to end all of that hype, in Superbowl XLII, but that’s another story.

Now Randy Moss comes back to Minnesota. The team that drafted him in 1998 with their 21st pick in the 1st round. His rookie season he was a freak, scoring 17 touchdowns, leading the NFL, with 35 year old Randall Cunningham at quarterback. Moss put up excellent numbers with the Vikings, with 90 career touchdowns and 9142 yards. Playing with numerous quarterbacks, including barely tolerable Jeff George and Daunte Culpepper, he was an extraordinary talent.

As many football fans may or may not know, back in ‘07, Brett Favre was aggravated that his Packers did not go after Moss from the Oakland Raiders. Now Brett will have his chance, a little older, maybe a half step slower, but still a great handed 6-4 receiver who can spread the field. This makes Minnesota a very daunting team on paper.

With the likely starting offense being Moss and the reliable hands of Sidney Rice at the outside slots, once he returns. Elusive Percy Harvin running the quick seam routes underneath, simply doing what Percy does. Add underrated tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, and by the way, there’s still that guy in the backfield, named Adrian Peterson who defenses more than have to account for. The Vikes instantly become a top 3 favorite in the NFC again after their dreadfully slow start, going 1-2. Only scoring 14.3 a game, the offense has been slow and plodding. Brett’s numbers this season have been a far cry from his ridiculous numbers last year, only 597 yards and worse yet, the 2 tds and 6 picks. Getting the big play receiver the Vikes need, this can revitalize the old man again.

In the end, at least it will be interesting in Minnesota again.
 

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