Glauber: In Moss trade, it's advantage Patriots
Wide receiver Randy Moss #84 of the Minnesota Vikings takes his first practice after re-joining the Vikings. (Oct. 7, 2010) Credit: Getty Images
By any measure, the trade that sent Randy Moss from the Patriots to the Vikings is filled with risk for both teams.
The Patriots gave up on their big-play receiving threat, a player who produced 50 touchdown receptions in his three-plus seasons with the team. The Vikings dealt away a potentially valuable third-round draft pick for a player whose motivation is often questioned and who might not even be with the team after this season.
Who wins? I say the advantage goes to the Patriots.
There's no question Moss had outlived his usefulness for no-nonsense coach Bill Belichick, who had seen the receiver's increasing petulance in recent months and saw no signs that the situation would get better anytime soon. So rather than try to massage the situation in hopes that Moss would stop acting out about what he considered his lack of attention in the offense and the Patriots' unwillingness to extend his contract, Belichick decided to cut bait.
It was the right move. Sure, you take away the team's best deep threat, a player capable not only of making big plays but of drawing coverage to allow New England's other receiving threats to get open. And there is no denying Moss' game-breaking capability.
But I go back to a recent conversation I had with a general manager about the Patriots' offense. The GM is a big believer in Belichick's coaching - who isn't? - and is particularly aware of how he likes to use his receivers. The GM asked me these two questions.
"How many Super Bowls has Randy Moss won?"
Easy. None.
The next question was a bit tougher.
"Can you name me the Patriots' starting receivers in their first Super Bowl win [after the 2001 season]?"
Hmmm . . . uh . . . yeah . . .
He filled in the blanks: "Troy Brown and David Patten."
Point taken.
Bottom line: If Tom Brady is your quarterback, it's not always necessary to have big-time receivers at your disposal. Brady has three Super Bowl rings, and his best receiver was Deion Branch, a one-time Super Bowl MVP. But even Branch can hardly be considered an elite receiver; he has done little since being traded by the Patriots to Seattle in 2006.
Granted, the Patriots had a terrific defense that was capable of dominating games and keeping some of the pressure off Brady. And with the retirements of Tedy Bruschi and Rodney Harrison and the trades of Richard Seymour and Mike Vrabel, that defense is largely gone.
But Belichick is gambling that he can overcome any reduced firepower from Moss' exit by working with the young but talented group that remains. Not only that, but he has a chance to greatly supplement his roster in the future with recent draft-choice acquisitions. With the third-rounder he got for Moss, Belichick will have two picks in each of the first three rounds. And yes, there will be a draft next year, even if there is a lockout.
The Vikings, meanwhile, address their need for receiver help in the wake of the hip injury to Sidney Rice. Brett Favre lobbied for Moss during his days with the Packers, and he finally gets his big-play wideout. Now the question is whether Favre's erratic play early in the season - he has two touchdown passes and six interceptions - is a direct result of problems at receiver. Or whether Favre, who turns 41 today, finally is showing his age.
If it's the latter, the Vikings are in trouble, especially in Monday night's game against the Jets. If not, the Vikings might be ready for a run. The feeling here is that although Moss might offer some help in the short term, it still won't be enough to counteract Favre's physical issues, which now includes a sore elbow that required an MRI on Friday.
And even if Favre and Moss do make a strong connection and resuscitate the offense, one or both of them might be gone next season. It says here the short-term risk won't be worth it.
