by SteveTheCat » Mon Oct 11, 2010 12:38 pm
How I feel about the trade of Randy Moss and the affect on the New England Patriots.
The Patriots are my team, always have been and always will. I do not doubt the decisions of the organization, but I do look for the reasons behind abnormal moves. This is football and we fans are passionate about our teams and many of the players. This said, the Pat’s fan base is split in the outcome and reasoning behind the trade of Randy Moss to the Vikings.
Here are my feelings and a few errant facts on the trade.
Randy Moss is a terrific wide receiver and most likely one of the best (present or past) to play the game. He is an amazing athlete and has a pure knowledge of what it takes to win. He wants and desires to be the best no matter the cost. This cost however is often too great and bends towards selfishness and arrogance. He plays when he wants to play if his feelings are hurt or if he is in a bad mood he drops the ball or gives up the route.
The trade to the Vikings mad sense Brett needs a target and has always wanted Randy. There is one thing the organization has forgotten; both of these players are proven quitters. They built a team to win one year and that in my mind is faulty logic and poor team management. How will Moss feel next year when Favre decides whether or not he is retired again? My best guess is unappreciated and back to talking with the press, against his team.
A lot of people have questioned if the move is a result of bickering within the organization? That could play a very small part in the trade, but as a tradition management has dealt with personality conflicts behind closed doors. Patriot’s player’s former and present have spoken highly of Moss since his mouth got the best of him again after week one. They had tried to make him feel appreciated and happy within the team. Randy did not hear or chose not to listen to any praise. He started his “Randy being Randy” with him against the world and letting fans and teammates know there is a capital I when Moss spells team.
Personal conflicts aside, were the Patriots better off with number 81? The answer is no. This is not to discount the contributions he has made, but to highlight the facts before and after the acquisition of Moss.
-Went 12-2 in the playoffs before Moss.
-Went 2-2 in the playoffs with Moss.
-Won three Super Bowls before Moss.
-Won zero Super Bowls with Moss
-Averaged 25.3 PPG in the playoffs before Moss.
-Averaged 20.8 PPG in the playoffs with Moss.
Some other little tidbits of “The Moss” From Jerry McDonald of Faux, Jerry spoke with Randy about the 2006 Raiders and his dropped passes…
"Maybe because I'm unhappy, and I'm not too excited about what's going on, so my concentration and focus level tends to go down when I'm in a bad mood," Moss said. "All I can say is, if you put me in a good situation and make me happy, man, you get good results."
(Speaks volumes)
You are a highly over paid wide receiver if the NFL getting paid to play a game you “Supposedly” love for a maximum of 20 games a year. Considering a full 20 games and that the offense is on the field 50% of the times that totals 600 minutes a year. Of those 600 minutes of offense half are rushing, so we are down to 300 minutes a year. I think we can take away another 100 minutes for play calling and/or controlling the clock. We are down to 200 minutes and as a receiver on the Pats they see the ball once every third throwing play. I will give Randy an exception and a solid 150 of playtime, as he is a major addition when it comes to double coverage. Still at his salary of 6.4 million (Base) that works out to roughly 46,000 dollars a minute, how could anyone possibly be unhappy? Bonuses could have added another four million on 2010.
There are no doubts that he has made contributions to the team. As I touched on when Randy is on the field he is double covered, that is a huge advantage. However when the decoy is complaining that he is not getting shot like the other ducks, you have a player that does not understand his role on the team. His one chance to score in the Monday night game against Miami resulted in an obvious ball drop in the end zone. This is the same man that is famous for one-handed receptions that have made him a star. The writing was on the wall after that game.
Another factor that many fans and writers seem to have overlooked is the fact Moss is not as fast as he used to be. He has slowed dramatically in his past 12 years in the NFL. He has suffered numerous injuries that have plagued his play. Shoulder and back are the most prevalent, but there have been many other smaller issues that have added up to allow the double coverage that years ago he would have broke.
All in all there have been some great times and great games, but in the end Randy being Randy and playing only when he feels does not work with New England sports. We, as fans of all teams, deserve every facet of our organization to remember this game is for us, not them. We write the checks for these players through our support whether that is in the stands or our living rooms. We deserve the best out of each and every play.
(An Aside)
There is also an inside slant on the trade. Years ago kicks placed a curse on Randy Moss that he would never win a Super Bowl, I can only imagine Bill Belichick was made aware of the curse and is not messing with the Beagle’s potent Voodoo.
I am right 97% of the time, who cares about the other 4%