In a much publicized move, the New England Patriots acquired Randy Moss from the Oakland Raiders for a fourth round draft pick. The prevailing consensus surrounding this move was that not only had New England fleeced the Raiders from their most-prized possession for a paltry pick, but that they had also firmly entrenched themselves as Super Bowl favorites.
But before we put the Pats in Glendale next February, I think we need to scrutinize the Moss acquisition a bit further. And I don't want to get bogged down in his off-the-field antics, either.
Everyone is familiar with Moss's prolific statistics, or at least what everyone assumes to be his prolific statistics. His first six years in the league were on a par with the greatest receivers of all-time.
Would you believe, though, that over the last three years this certain Hall of Famer has averaged 50 catches and 775 yards? There are plenty of excuses — he was hurt, his quarterbacks were terrible, or he had no motivation to play.
It could be a change of scenery is all that is needed. But what if it's not just psychological? Randy Moss has had nagging hamstring injuries every season. And this will be his 10th year in the NFL. He's 30-years-old, not exactly the age that is most conducive for a rebound season at a skill position.
It might just be that Randy Moss has lost a step. That it's not the good old days, when he would rundown Daunte Culpepper's 80-yard bombs. The truth is that if he does try to rekindle his youth, his aging legs might suffer another inevitable injury.
What confuses me further is New England's failure to sign Deion Branch last season. Tom Brady voiced his displeasure last year when an agreement with Branch could not be brokered, and he seemed to miss his security blanket for much of the second half in the AFC Championship Game in Indianapolis last season.
Why New England would opt to let Branch go, then put its trust in Moss is beyond me. I know they also signed Donte' Stallworth, but again, a wide receiver with a history of injury trouble in place of a sure-handed Super Bowl MVP bewilders me.
I'm not saying New England isn't going to be good this year — they could have easily made it to the Super Bowl last year. I just don't believe that this Randy Moss "steal" cements their status as the team to beat this season.
May 9, 2007
Joe:
Your confusion over Deion Branch confuses me.
Here is a guy who averaged 55 catches, 726 yards and 4 TDs over the same last 3 years as Moss. And Deion had Brady throwing to him for two of those years.
The Pats have certainly not “put trust in Moss”. If Moss doesn’t perform, or acts up - he’s gone.
Perhaps you have forgotten that it takes two sides to get a contract signed? Or perhaps you think Deion is worth any amount of money he chooses?
-joe
May 9, 2007
Matt:
Umm Van Leer Branch never got 1,000 receiving yards in his career. Moss has so what are you going to say now.
PS pats will win superbowl 42 who going to stop them ummm let me think that irght nobody.
May 16, 2007
Fred:
I’m so confussed with Deion Branch
May 28, 2007
Stu:
Van Leer, you must be related to Branch to be sticking up for him like that. Don’t get me wrong, I loved how he performed, when it mattered but wanting Reggie Wayne like money, he must have been drinking! Moss is a great addition, especially for a 4th round pick, if he doesn’t pan out, then what did we lose? The player that is getting lost in the shuffle is Wes Welker, he is the one that is going to lead all PATS recievers this year. Write that one down! Stu