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QB Brett Farve Welcomes Randy Moss to Vikings' Big Play Offense
Photo - WR Randy Moss - Patriots
The Patriots and Vikings have completed a blockbuster trade that sends New England Pro Bowl wide receiver Randy Moss back to Minnesota. The Vikings give a 3rd-round 2011 draft pick to the Patriots in return for Moss and New England's 7th-round draft pick in the NFL Draft 2012. Moss gives Vikings veteran QB Brett Farve the big time playmaker that is currently missing from the Minnesota receiving corps. Moss spent the first seven seasons with the Vikings before going to the Raiders. The Patriots traded for Moss prior to the 2007 season, surrendering only a 4th round selection to Oakland for the games best playmaker. Moss has performed at Pro Bowl levels annually at all three of his NFL stops.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick addressed the major deal on Wednesday. "Over the course of the past several months, I have spoken with Randy and his representative about Randy's place on our team and his future in football. Consistent with my dealings with Randy from the day we acquired him through our conversation this morning, it has been honest, thoughtful and with great mutual respect." A new contract for Moss has been at the heart of the trade talks that escalated this week with the NFL trading deadline less than two weeks away. Moss is currently on the final year of a three-year deal worth #27 million dollars. With no contract to his liking, he was considered expendable for the right offer. At this time, the Vikings and Moss have not worked out a new deal, though it should not be a stumbling block with veterans like Brett Favre and others expected to restructure their current and future contracts to add the perennial Pro Bowl receiver.
Moss joins a club that has struggled this season with a poor 1-2 team and underachieved after reaching the NFC title game last season. Moss joins a club with Pro Bowl performers, Adrian Peterson and Brett Favre and young emerging playmakers Percy Harvin and Visanthe Shiancoe that can be the most explosive offense in the game. The Vikings defense has allowed only 38 points in three games and the addition of Moss could be the missing piece to their Super Bowl aspirations. Moss is still the best deep threat in the game despite his 13 NFL seasons.
The Patriots will now have two picks in each of the first four rounds of the 2011 draft -- their own picks and a 1st-round pick from Oakland (Richard Seymour), a 2nd-round pick from Carolina (Draft Day ’09 deal), 3rd-round pick from Minnesota (Randy Moss) and a 4th-round pick from Denver (Lawrence Maroney).
The Patriots are 3-1 after pounding the Dolphins on Monday night 41-14. Moss did not have a catch in the game, the first time that has happened in his New England career. Moss has 9 catches for 139 yards in the first four weeks of the NFL season. Patriots QB Tom Brady has been a huge fan of Moss since the receiver arrived in New England four years ago. Moss scored 23 TDs from Brady in his inaugural season in Bean town. Last season, Moss went over the 1000 yard receiving mark for the third time in NE while adding 13 TD receptions. During his Patriot career, he scored 50 TDs in 52 games, a remarkable statistic considering he faced consistent double coverage. This season he beat Jets’ Pro Bowl corner Darrelle Revis for a TD with an incredible one handed catch in the red zone. Ironically, the Vikings play the Jets this Monday night and another battle between two of the premier performers at their position.