If Wes can fully return by early September (three months away), then I think you might have to give serious thought to at least sending out trade feelers for Moss. Like Seymour, it looks increasingly unlikely that Moss will be back next season. With Welker, Edelman, Holt, Tate, Price, and Patten, you have six fairly sure-handed receivers. None of them can come close to stretching the field like Moss can, but that is not how the Patriots won Super Bowls. Brady won them by throwing to the open man - whether it was Branch, Givens, Troy, or Patten - and with some good playcalling and a respectable running game, taking shots downfield when the defense was off-balance, not just chucking it up to a well-covered Moss.
If trading Moss can precipitate bringing in a respectable running back (or other player) either now or in the future (2011 Draft), then I think it is something you have to consider.
It really seems as though the future of Moss, Maroney, Light, and/or Kaczur may be up the air with this team.
If Price and/or Tate show they should be getting playing time, and Patten and/or Holt show they still have something left, then roster spots are going to come at a steep, steep premium at the wide receiver position, once you add Edelman, Moss, Welker, and then your special teamers - Aiken and Slater - to the mix. When that happens, you almost always see a guy going on the trading block.
Price, Tate, Welker, and Edelman aren't going to get cut. Belichick isn't going to cut Holt or Patten if they can provide a veteran presence, run precise routes, and show solid hands. Who does that leave? A 33-year old wide receiver who is in the final year of his contract, has arguably shown diminishing skills and/or effort over the past three seasons, has publicly stated his future is in doubt with the team, and would definitely have some trade value on the open market.
Just sayin'.
