Another Belichick Blunder

By now all of you are aware that Randy Moss has been traded to the Vikings for a third-round pick in next year's draft. So far, the response from local TV/radio personalities has been mixed, for reasons I cannot begin to understand.

Let me start off by saying, I am a moss fan. I was excited when we got him, and the service he provided with the patriots with the last 3+ years has been exceptional. Obviously, the high point coming in 2007 when Brady and Moss re-wrote the record books on their way to an undefeated regular season. Having said that, his best years are without a doubt, behind him. In the Brady-less year of 2008, Moss still managed 11 touchdowns and over 1,000 yards receiving. Last season, he was tied for the lead league in touchdown receptions with 13 and recorded over 1,2000 yards receiving for the eighth time in his career. Say what you will about this year, but, he still managed 3 touchdowns in five games, in an offense that was clearly game planning for his absence. I've heard the reports that Moss either wanted a new deal from New England by week 6 or to be on another team's roster by that point. So naturally instead of paying, the Patriots do what they do best, trade away talent for an irrelevant draft pick. BMack highlighted this earlier in his post, but I would like to reiterate. Belichick has made excellent use of first day draft picks when Scott Pioli was his GM and Bil simply a coach. Among others, Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork, Asante Samuel, and Jerod Mayo have had a positive impact on this team while they were here. But they have had just as many misfires (Laurence Maroney, Davis Thomas, Chad Jackson, Darius Butler, see BMack's post for more). Which brings me to my main issue...

Why trade proven talent for a third round draft pick?

I suppose it's because the Patriots understood it was time to move another disgruntled player before things got worse. We've seen this behavior from them before. Don't believe me? Just ask Richard Seymour who was traded to Oakland amidst a contract dispute. Asante Samuel, a free agent after the 2007 season who simply asked to be paid like a number one corner, after no contract was offered, he signed with the Eagles and proceeded to lead the league in interceptions over the next three seasons. Logan Mankins and Randy moss are the newest members of the club. Mankins, a pro bowl guard and considered among the top 3 at his position, is as good as gone with no deal in sight and the two parties seem to be miles apart from making any headway. And Moss, now on his way back to Minnesota for a third round pick that will most likely amount to an undersized cornerback or a career special teamer. Either way, I find it hard to believe that someone of Moss' talent level is only worthy of a third round pick when the aforementioned Seymour was worthy of a first rounder, and San Diego holdout, Vincent Jackson, was deemed too valuable to be dealt for a 2nd and 3rd rounder from Minnesota last week.

The only notable player the Patriots have added in the third round in the previous four drafts has been Brandon Tate, and we're about to see what he's worth.

This whole "In Bill We Trust" mantra is so outdated it's sickening. Hasn't anyone noticed this guy's "system" is deeply flawed, by his own ego. He believes he can still win with no name guys who "play hard" and "do their jobs" or whatever nonsense he spews to the media during his dull press conferences. The fact of the matter is, you have to spend a little cash to keep everything running smoothly. And if there's one thing Bill is dreadful at, it's the free agent market. Remember when he tried to make a splash by overpaying Adalius Thomas? or how about when he brought in Deltha O'neal and Shawn Springs? Think about it, they were horrible. Randy was arguably the best free agent signing of the Belichick era (I'm not conceding that Moss was a better signing than Vrabel or Harrison, but it's close). And now he is leaving in the wake of a 41-14 dismantling of the Miami Dolphins, the Patriots most notable road win in two seasons.


As a Patriots fan, this is disheartening to me. Tom Brady has just signed a contract all but guaranteeing his career will end here in New England, and a mere two weeks later, his best receiving weapon is traded for nothing. It's not debatable if this makes the team better or worse, anyone who thinks the former has eaten a little too much humble pie. Wes Welker as a number one receiver is a farce, similarly, Brandon Tate being used as a number 2 target. Belichick enthusiasts will say that the offense is going to become "balanced" again. Well I'm sorry, but you're dreaming if you think Benjarvis Green-Ellis is going to carry the ball 15-20 times per game with any success. Sure he carved up the Bills after the Patriots passed them into submission. But he was an undrafted free agent who transferred in college for a REASON. Just like there is a REASON the Patriots have not won a Superbowl since 2004.

I wish the best for Randy Moss, and truth be told, I hope he shows the Patriots just how big of a mistake they made when he comes to Gillette on Halloween weekend. As for the patriots, it will take a miracle for them to make the playoffs this year. Don't look for any positive results two Sunday's from now when Baltimore comes to town.

Good Bye Randy.