I'm OK with this trade: here is why
I'll start out by saying I'm very sad to see Randy go. But let's put emotion aside for a moment and consider the following:
(1). It's been reported that Moss asked for a trade after week one. He's already agitated publicly (press conference after Cincy game) and we don't know what's been happening in the locker room or elsewhere behind closed doors.
(2). The Patriots apparently were not prepared to give him a lucrative extension of one to three years and I can understand why. Moss is 33 and not what he used to be even three years ago. He is NOT the dominating force on the field that a $9 million per year superstar rate would seem to suggest -- i.e., beating double coverage, fighting for balls, giving up his body, and moving the chains in addition to stretching the field. More and more he has devolved into a high-priced decoy.
(3). It's plausible to suggest that minus an extension here, Moss was prepared to shoot his way out of town. And when he got wind of the Vikings possibly wanting him back, the writing was on the wall.
(4). So, BB was faced with three options: (A.) cave in and give him an extension, which the team doesn't believe he's worth over the next one to three years, (B.) maintain status quo and risk him turning into a malcontent/locker room cancer, or (C.) cut the losses and ship him out for something in return.
(5). The passing game will continue to thrive without Moss through an altered scheme. Brady will spread the ball around more to Tate, Price, the young tight ends, Welker as usual, and Woodhead out of the backfield. The running game has been surprisingly productive and will provide needed balance to help keep our young, developing defense off the field.
(6). REMEMBER Lawyer Milloy.
You've got to ask the question: why would the Patriots make a "bad" move? And I agree that Moss for a third-rounder looks bad. But Moss was not happy and we all know that an unhappy Randy Moss is bad, bad news for any team. He asked his agent to request a trade, for heaven sakes! I don't fault BB/Kraft for this, at all. And I look forward to the 2011 draft with two picks in each of the first four rounds.