Brian Damage
10-06-2010, 12:54 AM
According to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, the Minnesota Vikings are in trade talks with the New England Patriots for wide receiver Randy Moss. Moss spent the first seven years of his illustrious career in Minnesota before being shipped to Oakland where he idled for two uninspired seasons. He had a career revival in 2007 after joining the Patriots and has not missed a game since coming to New England.
Moss voiced his displeasure during the offseason about the Patriots unwillingness to discuss a contract extension and seemed resigned to the fact that this may be his last season with the team.
The Patriots ability to find diamonds in the rough through the draft as well as their innate ability to develop in-house talent has given them the freedom to part with one of the greatest wide receivers in the history of the game. Rookie Aaron Hernandez is having a tremendous campaign, leading the team in receiving yards with 240, and Tom Brady is spreading the wealth around even more than usual early in the season. Seven players average at least one reception per game and Brady has been able to complete close to 70% of his passes.
Even though Moss has been targeted 22 times -good for second most on the team- he only has nine catches to show for it, fourth most on the team. While Hernandez looks like a certain star-in-the-making, Wes Welker has bounced back from a devastating knee injury to have what appears to be another fantastic season and second WR/KR Brandon Tate from North Carolina looks like the type of dynamic playmaker that can step up and make plays if called upon.
Minnesota has more to gain when acquiring Moss’ services than the Patriots have to lose. The Vikings tried desperately to pry Vincent Jackson out of San Diego’s grasp but failed to do so late in September. Sidney Rice -Minnesota’s go-to playmaker last season- is still sidelined with a hip injury and Percy Harvin -one of the most exciting young players in the game- is constantly hampered by migraine headaches and nagging injuries. The need for a downfield threat is obvious in the Vikings offense and giving up a 3rd round pick in next year’s draft for Moss doesn’t seem too rich for any contenders blood.
http://www.theherdsword.com/2010/10/05/vikings-in-discussions-with-patriots-to-re-acquire-randy-moss/
Moss voiced his displeasure during the offseason about the Patriots unwillingness to discuss a contract extension and seemed resigned to the fact that this may be his last season with the team.
The Patriots ability to find diamonds in the rough through the draft as well as their innate ability to develop in-house talent has given them the freedom to part with one of the greatest wide receivers in the history of the game. Rookie Aaron Hernandez is having a tremendous campaign, leading the team in receiving yards with 240, and Tom Brady is spreading the wealth around even more than usual early in the season. Seven players average at least one reception per game and Brady has been able to complete close to 70% of his passes.
Even though Moss has been targeted 22 times -good for second most on the team- he only has nine catches to show for it, fourth most on the team. While Hernandez looks like a certain star-in-the-making, Wes Welker has bounced back from a devastating knee injury to have what appears to be another fantastic season and second WR/KR Brandon Tate from North Carolina looks like the type of dynamic playmaker that can step up and make plays if called upon.
Minnesota has more to gain when acquiring Moss’ services than the Patriots have to lose. The Vikings tried desperately to pry Vincent Jackson out of San Diego’s grasp but failed to do so late in September. Sidney Rice -Minnesota’s go-to playmaker last season- is still sidelined with a hip injury and Percy Harvin -one of the most exciting young players in the game- is constantly hampered by migraine headaches and nagging injuries. The need for a downfield threat is obvious in the Vikings offense and giving up a 3rd round pick in next year’s draft for Moss doesn’t seem too rich for any contenders blood.
http://www.theherdsword.com/2010/10/05/vikings-in-discussions-with-patriots-to-re-acquire-randy-moss/