Patriots getting a little desperate?

ISUFan22 · 04-30-2007, 10:41 AM

In free agency, I felt the Pats were finally addressing a situation they've been ignoring for a couple years - mostly in '06. Lack of wide receiver talent.

Trading for Welker (Miami) and signing Stallworth (Philadelphia) and Washington (Cincinnati) look to be great moved. IMO, they could've stopped there.

Caldwell of course will be back in New England. Troy Brown says he wants to be back, yet is a free agent and had off-season knee surgery. He only has a one or two years left.

Even if the unlikely happens that Brown isn't back, a group of Welker, Stallworth, Washington and Caldwell looks to be more than serviceable. Plus, Watson is no slouch at tight end.

So why add Moss to that mix?

The Pats, while hated by many, commonly have the respect around the league and with many fans as being a franchise that doesn't waiver from their plan. Build the team with a few stars and a bunch of non-stars that are willing to work hard and make sacrifices.

Work hard and make sacrifices. That's not Randy Moss. Not today. Not yesterday. Heck, not ever really.

I'll give the Pats this - they didn't pay much for him. Yet I just can't see Moss suddenly turning into a Bill Belichick type of player that will give you 100%, no matter if it's a game or practice.

I think New England felt they were falling to far behind star-studded teams like Indianapolis and San Diego. They needed to add talent, I grant them that.

I just don't know if they needed to add a guy with talent yet no concept of team, work ethic and authority.

Knownothing · 04-30-2007, 10:44 AM

4th round pick for Moss is a no brainer in my opinion. As a Packers fan I was kind of po'd that the Pack did not go after him harder. Even if he does not perform like he is capable of performing you just cut him and it's no big deal. The rich get richer.

joepublic · 04-30-2007, 10:50 AM

4th round pick for a guy that will still command double teams? No brainer.

I wish the Steelers weren't so tight and would pull stuff like this once in a while. They can't beat the Ravens with what they have coming back.

acrozier22 · 04-30-2007, 10:52 AM

This was a great trade for the Pats. You get a guy that is a serious deep threat for Brady and they gave up nothing for him.

travman23 · 04-30-2007, 10:56 AM

Pats made a heck of a deal. Sounds like a little jealousy to me. Brady will keep Moss in check. In fact I think Moss being with the Raiders was somewhat of a humbling expirience for him as he realized the game is bigger than he is.

I'd still take Moss 10 times out of 10 over T.O. At least with Moss you don't get the 3 ring circus show that comes with TO, you maybe only get 1 ring once in awhile but I'm pretty sure he knows that the Pats would not hesitate to cut him if he all the sudden reverts back to the Moss that was a headcase in Minnesota. Being on a winning team that may be the favorites to win the Super Bowl this coming season can go a long ways towards keeping a player like Moss happy and productive.

cycloneworld · 04-30-2007, 10:56 AM

Moss put up sick numbers with a good QB (something Oakland didn't have). With Tom Brady, we might see the old Randy Moss which should be scary for the rest of the league.

BryceC · 04-30-2007, 11:00 AM

I agree that Moss doesn't exactly fit the Pats' mold, but I think he was humbled in Oakland and he sought out the trade to New England. Plus, if he's a punk, he won't play, and he knows that.

I think it was a great move by the Pats and I think they are the hands down favorite to win it all next season.

ISUFan22 · 04-30-2007, 11:02 AM

Jealousy? LOL

Yeah, I want Moss on my team. Put him next to "The Cancer", formerly known as T.O. That would be real swell...

I just don't like the move. I felt the Pats did enough to shore up their receiver problems without Moss. Now they've added a guy that likes to complain and not work hard to their hardworking team.

IMO, it's oil and water.

mwitt · 04-30-2007, 11:03 AM

This trade makes the Patriots the sure-fire favorite for the Super Bowl. I jus twish my Cowboys didn't have to play them this year.

Hopefully they play them twice.

mwitt · 04-30-2007, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

Jealousy? LOL

Yeah, I want Moss on my team. Put him next to "The Cancer", formerly known as T.O. That would be real swell...

I just don't like the move. I felt the Pats did enough to shore up their receiver problems without Moss. Now they've added a guy that likes to complain and not work hard to their hardworking team.

IMO, it's oil and water.

Moss wasn't a problem when Minnesota was winning. Then there were some character issues in Minnesota under Tice (not just Moss), and the situation in Oakland was terrible by anyone's definition. If it doesn't work out, they cut him and their WR depth is still fine.

Personally, I think Moss is going to be great this year.

MidwestZest · 04-30-2007, 11:08 AM

I think the only question for the pats in this trade was about moss's attitude and the locker room cohesion. A 4th round pick for his kind of talent, no brainer. And the pats are pretty confident in the current leadership in their locker room, and the cohesion and discipline they have. And think about it from moss's point of view. If he can't make it in new england, being worth only a 4th round draft pick, who's gonna take him next if this doesn't work out? Kind of do or die for moss here, and the pats know it

mwitt · 04-30-2007, 11:10 AM

Another thing to consider is Moss won't be the focal point in New England. He's not going to be a team captain. It's not a young team -- it's veteran oriented. In all honesty, I'd be surprised if this doesn't work out.

travman23 · 04-30-2007, 11:11 AM

I think Moss is going to be just fine and I really don't see him being a problem in NE. In fact I think it will revitalize his career and you'll see him have a great season. Going from one of the worst teams in the NFL where he was miserable to one of the best teams I think he's probably going to be glad to just get out of that mess in Oakland and prove he's still an elite receiver. If he is anywhere close to as good as he was with the Vikings the Pats are going to be scary good this coming season.

BryceC · 04-30-2007, 11:13 AM

As a Chiefs fan, I would have killed for that trade. There are only so many Samie Parker sightings I can take.

clones_jer · 04-30-2007, 11:14 AM

The Pats have proven they can take on headaches and get results see Brian Cox or more recently Corey Dillon - both of whom were undesireables from an attitude standpoint at the time the Pats aquired them. Both fell in line, and both helped the Pats win.

Randy is a quitter at this point. He only plays when things are successful and then only as hard as he has to. But for a 4th rounder? On a winning franchise? No-brainer, sign him.

I am curious about all the WR signings .. its getting to be a little overkill, they still have the guy from the Raiders trade last year too right? Don't they have 6-7 supposed "starting" wide recievers now? Why the stockpile?