The team really needs to rethink their motto.......
Posted on 10/17/2006 10:38:41 AM PDT by VaBthang4
MOSS TO PATS RUMORS GATHERING STEAM
Our network of NFL sources is buzzing with talk that the New England Patriots are trying to work a trade with the Raiders for receiver Randy Moss. "It's getting strong," a league source told us a little while ago.
The trading deadline is 4:00 p.m. EDT today.
A week ago our sleuthing could turn up no proof that such a move was possible. But the same gut feeling that had us convinced Neil Rackers would miss that late-game field goal last night for the Cardinals has us thinking that Moss could be making the trip to Massachusetts soon.
Then again, it was that same gut feeling that told us the Raiders would advance to the Super Bowl in Randy's first year with the team.
On Monday, Patriots receiver Doug Gabriel, who was traded from Oakland to New England several weeks back, talked openly about reuniting with Moss. "He can be a fit in this offense because he's a guy who loves to work," Gabriel said. "If Randy was here, he'd make every other receiver want to pick up their game. He made me step my game up. He came and gave us a big push -- not just a small push, a big push -- and made us step up our game."
The obvious argument against such a trade is that the turd-averse Patriots wouldn't want a guy like Moss around. But that same claim could be made about running back Corey Dillon, who was a turd extraordinaire in Cincinnati before being traded to the Pats.
The possible difference is that Randy's turdishness comes from a desire to win games, and a guy like Terrell Owens is more of a me-first, me-only problem child. If our thinking is accurate, then Moss and Dillon have a lot in common.
Besides, we think the Pats realize that the receiver position attracts and/or creates prima donnas. Hell, they drafted Chad Jackson, whom one team took back to the airport early after a horrendous visit in which his cell phone went off twice during a meeting with the head coach. At one point during the visit with said team, Jackson muttered, "I don't want to play here anyway."
The thinking (we think) is that Moss can be influenced by the leadership structure already in place, including quarterback Tom Brady, defensive lineman Richard Seymour, and coach Bill Belichick.
Another consideration is the compensation to the Raiders. The Pats already have an extra first-round pick, courtesy of the Deion Branch trade. And if Moss still has his magic, the notion of essentially trading Moss for Branch is a major upgrade, in our view.
Finally, Moss would have to be willing to restructure his contract, which includes salaries of $9.75 million in 2007 and $11.25 million in 2008. The Pats likely would want to move a lot of that money into a signing bonus (or a 2006 roster bonus), reducing the cap hits in coming years -- and possibly extending the contract into 2009 and beyond.
It's a gutsy move for all concerned, but it might be the best thing for everyone involved. The Pats can reload for another Super Bowl run. The Raiders can start to build for the future by getting value for a guy they might have had to cut in the offseason. And Moss can take the stick out of his butt and chase a championship again.
(ehh... maybe not, Raiders will have a better QB and line next year hopefully just relax and do your job)
As they proved Sunday night, the Raiders are the most talentless, low-class, uncoachable bunch to come along in the NFL for a long time. They should be thrown out of the league.
He's gotta do soemthing - the Rolling Stones won't take him...
May the next headline be that Alex Rodriguez is going to Chicago to play for Lou Piniella!
Please Pats, don't do this. Just don't.
Let's keep the Raiders in the league. My Chargers get to play them twice a year and that is now two relatively easy wins for us. This makes up for all those years in the 60s and 70s when they thrashed us twice every year by two touchdowns or more. Payback is sweet. Philip Rivers is looking like a potential star in this league and if we stay healthy and Schottehmeimer doesn't suppress the offense then we may return to the Super Bowl this year. But of course the Pats and Steelers stand in our way. We better get home field advantage for the playoffs because San Diego teams don't play well in 5-degree weather...lol.
The team really needs to rethink their motto.......
I'm surprised Belichek traded for a guy who has some reputation for not playing hard on every play. Bill must rate Moss higher than most people rate Moss.
Oh wait a minute, this hasn't happened just yet. But I'm surprised that Bill is even interested in Moss.
Ping, honey!
bring back Madden. :) LOL... but seriously Art Shell isn't the right fit for the place(Although as long as the old man is breathing[Al Davis] nobody is going to have easy time)
Worse than not playing, he stands on the sidelines and cheers when there is a Raiders incomplete pass.
Hard to believe they've had a bellyfull of Moss already.
Nothing kills Tom Brady, he's the most level headed athlete Ive ever seen.
Dwelling on Branch is not something Tom would do, furthermore if Deion does well TB will be the first to say how happy he is for him.
If this happens,thousands of Raider fans in prison or soon to be,will need increased medication.
I hope the A's do move to Fremont which will leave no professional teams in that cesspool.
While that won't happen, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Raiders end up back in LA once Big Al shuffles off from his mortal coil - he does not look well at all.
I don't know the specifics of their lease situation with Oakland, but my understanding is it is an albatross for the city. They probably wouldn't put up much of a fight, while the NFL would finally get its wish of a team in the nation's second largest market - with ownership that will work with them, rather than against them.
Class act meets trash act??? I don't see it happening. He sure was dogging it Sunday night. I can't imagine Belichick being impressed with him at all.
Moss jogs too many plays out and doesn't give effort on pretty much any play he doesn't think is coming to him. Watch him. He pouts like T.O. Bellicheck wouldn't put up w/that.
being a BRONCOs fan, I guess you have a point there. Although I am a little miffed that you put the Chargers AFC competition as the Steelers (maybe) and the Pats(who the BRONCOs already beat handily)...I remember the first time I went to a BRONCOs game, probably '67 or '68...of course we were playing the Raiders. I think it was 49-7, and about zero below at that!
Anyway, yes, your Chargers look pretty good. Marty has a way of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory however. See the Cleveland Browns!
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