I know people will say Belichick would never do this but let’s just say Moss was a Patriot early on. But this isn’t Madden, so you have to be somewhat realistic. Whether Moss was drafted in 98 instead of Robert Edwards or the Patriots made a trade in 2000 or 2001. Maybe a package of Terry Glenn, 2002 2nd rd pick Deion Branch, maybe also 2002 1st round pick Daniel Graham. Or the Patriots never lost their 2000 1st rd pick for Belichick and included that. Or Moss became a problem for the Vikings and the trade would not have been a huge package. But whatever the trade was, Deion Branch would never have been a Patriot. Even if they still had the pick, there is no way they are drafting a WR in the 2nd round if they have Moss. It’s funny how Moss and Branch were destined to replace each other. David Patten is an interesting one. Not sure if he would have been redundant with Moss.
But under no circumstances would Richard Seymour have been included in the deal. In my opinion, he is the greatest and most versatile defender the Patriots had in the Super Bowl years, maybe ever. I’m not even sure I would have traded Seymour for Moss straight up, and I think Moss is the most skilled WR ever. But either way, the trade happens but not with Seymour.
With prime Moss, the Patriots could have done something even more special than they did. Those 2003-2004 set the league record for 21 straight wins. With Moss, not only could that record have been longer, there is a real chance they could have gone 19-0 in either season (can you imagine 38-0? Ha!). 2005 is a possibility but that team had flaws. But I believe 2006-2008 would have 1-3 Super Bowls, especially if Brady doesn’t get hurt.
The problem with Moss is he is a head case. Would he have killed team chemistry or would the defensive veterans (Bruschi, McGinest, Law, etc) have kept him in line? Plus all the winning/Super Bowls would probably have helped too. Would Brady and prime Moss become the greatest QB/WR duo ever or woukd it become a problem? Would Moss demand the ball, leading Brady to become too focused on Moss instead of spreading it around. Would Brady be a different QB, chasing stats and trying to be like Manning?
But those teams would have been something special. With that defense, and a WR set of prime Moss, Troy Brown (and then Welker), and David Givens/Gaffney, they could have beaten you in any way. Brown would be dominating the slot, just like Welker did. Interesting if they still make the trade for Dillon, I assume they would since Antwain Smith was done for. Or maybe Moss would have eventually gone loco, and he would have been traded or cut well before 2010, or worse he would have killed team chemistry and those 2001, 2003-2004 Super Bowls don’t happen or we lose one or two of them.
With Gronk, we know the deal. He is the greatest all around TE in history and incredibly selfless and willing to do anything to help the team (unlike Moss). He could block like a lineman or line up outside like a WR. Too fast for LBs and too big for CBs and Safeties. His only flaw were the constant injuries. If he doesn’t get hurt in 2011 and 2012, Patriots have at least 1, possibly 2 more Super Bowls. I know he got hurt in 2013 but that team had flaws. People bring up 2016, saying Patriots won without him but they barely did and that took the greatest comeback in history. Plus that year they had Martellus Bennet, a very good replacement and the #1 TE on most teams.
So if the Patriots never drafted Gronk, what would have happened? I think if they found a suitable replacement (like Bennett) they still could have been dominant and won 1-3 Super Bowls. But other than Bennet, what TEs were similar to Gronk? I can’t think of any. But if no suitable replacement, I think they would have been a great regular season team but never get over the hump. In the playoffs, good teams would flooded the middle of the field. People forget, but Gronk was actually our deep threat after trading Moss, since we never adequately replaced Moss (Branch, Ochocinco, Brandon Lloyd). Lafell and Hogan were much better. Too bad Steve Smith didn’t sign in 2014. So unless they found a suitable TE replacement or a dominant X receiver, the 2nd dynasty probably doesn’t happen, although obviously they still could have won a Super Bowl.
Sorry for the long post, what do people think?
But under no circumstances would Richard Seymour have been included in the deal. In my opinion, he is the greatest and most versatile defender the Patriots had in the Super Bowl years, maybe ever. I’m not even sure I would have traded Seymour for Moss straight up, and I think Moss is the most skilled WR ever. But either way, the trade happens but not with Seymour.
With prime Moss, the Patriots could have done something even more special than they did. Those 2003-2004 set the league record for 21 straight wins. With Moss, not only could that record have been longer, there is a real chance they could have gone 19-0 in either season (can you imagine 38-0? Ha!). 2005 is a possibility but that team had flaws. But I believe 2006-2008 would have 1-3 Super Bowls, especially if Brady doesn’t get hurt.
The problem with Moss is he is a head case. Would he have killed team chemistry or would the defensive veterans (Bruschi, McGinest, Law, etc) have kept him in line? Plus all the winning/Super Bowls would probably have helped too. Would Brady and prime Moss become the greatest QB/WR duo ever or woukd it become a problem? Would Moss demand the ball, leading Brady to become too focused on Moss instead of spreading it around. Would Brady be a different QB, chasing stats and trying to be like Manning?
But those teams would have been something special. With that defense, and a WR set of prime Moss, Troy Brown (and then Welker), and David Givens/Gaffney, they could have beaten you in any way. Brown would be dominating the slot, just like Welker did. Interesting if they still make the trade for Dillon, I assume they would since Antwain Smith was done for. Or maybe Moss would have eventually gone loco, and he would have been traded or cut well before 2010, or worse he would have killed team chemistry and those 2001, 2003-2004 Super Bowls don’t happen or we lose one or two of them.
With Gronk, we know the deal. He is the greatest all around TE in history and incredibly selfless and willing to do anything to help the team (unlike Moss). He could block like a lineman or line up outside like a WR. Too fast for LBs and too big for CBs and Safeties. His only flaw were the constant injuries. If he doesn’t get hurt in 2011 and 2012, Patriots have at least 1, possibly 2 more Super Bowls. I know he got hurt in 2013 but that team had flaws. People bring up 2016, saying Patriots won without him but they barely did and that took the greatest comeback in history. Plus that year they had Martellus Bennet, a very good replacement and the #1 TE on most teams.
So if the Patriots never drafted Gronk, what would have happened? I think if they found a suitable replacement (like Bennett) they still could have been dominant and won 1-3 Super Bowls. But other than Bennet, what TEs were similar to Gronk? I can’t think of any. But if no suitable replacement, I think they would have been a great regular season team but never get over the hump. In the playoffs, good teams would flooded the middle of the field. People forget, but Gronk was actually our deep threat after trading Moss, since we never adequately replaced Moss (Branch, Ochocinco, Brandon Lloyd). Lafell and Hogan were much better. Too bad Steve Smith didn’t sign in 2014. So unless they found a suitable TE replacement or a dominant X receiver, the 2nd dynasty probably doesn’t happen, although obviously they still could have won a Super Bowl.
Sorry for the long post, what do people think?
