86mets

http://patriots.bostonherald.com/pat...ticleid=197429

Deal with Raiders falls through in end
By Karen Guregian and John Tomase
Sunday, April 29, 2007 - Updated: 09:04 AM EST

FOXBORO - The Patriots [team stats] very nearly finished their historic offseason spending spree in jaw-dropping fashion this weekend by acquiring Randy Moss.
NFL Draft:
According to a league source, the Pats believed they had a deal in place for the mercurial wide receiver, but the Raiders got cold feet and backed out before it could be consummated.
The source said the trade was to include a second-day draft pick, most likely a fourth-rounder. While a deal remains possible, Tim DiPiero, who represents Moss, claimed nothing is imminent.
“I don’t expect anything to happen today or this weekend,” DiPiero said when reached yesterday. “My understanding is there have been no ongoing discussions.”


Word out of Oakland was markedly different. The 30-year-old Moss, long a favorite of coach Bill Belichick, would have transformed the Patriots receiving corps and given Tom Brady [stats] the highest-profile weapon of his career.
To make a deal work, however, Moss would have to renegotiate the two years and $20 million remaining on his contract. DiPiero would not address Moss’ willingness to come to New England or rework his contract, which includes a $9.75 million salary in 2007.
“I have no comment on Randy’s future,” DiPiero said.
Belichick predictably deflected talk of a possible Moss trade last night, although tellingly, he did not squash it altogether.
“First of all, I think there are a lot of things that get talked about at this time of year, a lot of things get thrown around,” a smiling Belichick said. “I don’t have any comment on it, and I certainly wouldn’t comment about a player on another team in this league.”
The Raiders appear to be greasing the decks for Moss’ departure. Last night they acquired wide receiver and former No. 1 draft pick Mike Williams from the Detroit Lions. Though Williams has not lived up to his potential since being selected 10th overall in 2005, his presence gives No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell someone to target opposite Jerry Porter.
As for Moss, the belief is that after nine stellar seasons that have seen him build a Hall of Fame resume, he’s ready to win a championship. That would seemingly preclude a deal to his other suitor, the Green Bay Packers.
He wouldn’t be the first veteran to come to Foxboro with the goal of winning a Super Bowl. The Patriots own a track record of taking on supposedly troubled players and making them fit within the team concept.
Running back Corey Dillon [stats], arrested numerous times over the years, was largely a model teammate during his three seasons here, setting a franchise record for rushing yards and winning a Super Bowl in 2004.
And even safety Rodney Harrison [stats], now considered a rock and locker room leader, arrived in 2003 as the most-fined player in league history.
In each of those cases, the reality of their behavior turned out to be far different than the preconception. And Moss, for all his reputation as a troublemaker, has had just one run-in with the law since reaching the NFL. In 2002 he was charged with a misdemeanor traffic violation for hitting a traffic cop while making an illegal turn. A search of his car revealed a small amount of marijuana. He ultimately paid a $1,200 fine and performed 40 hours of community service.

The question is what’s left in the tank. Moss caught just 42 passes for 533 yards last year and scouts believe he has lost a step, though it’s difficult to discern whether his physical skills have actually eroded or he merely lost interest in basement-dwelling Oakland.
Either way, the Patriots [team stats] clearly aren’t deterred.
They nearly landed Moss once this weekend, and they may still get him yet.
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Moss for a FOURTH ROUNDER ??!!!

Geez..i hope this doesn't happen.... Stallworth/Moss/Welker/Watson would make Brady and Pats super scary..and makes the Jets in need of even MORE secondary help..

Maybe Jets should investigate..offer a 3rd for NEXT year..or may McCaeirns..something to block trade maybe?

Bay Ridge Dave

If I am "Tangini" I would be looking into this. That being said, I'm going to end up turning blue in the face waiting for Jets to something about getting a big play WR (IMO, Coles isn't going to last forever). Moss would look great opposite Cotchery, but it will never happen. If anything, Moss could end up being a bad fit because he will start to sulk once he realizes that Chad can't get the ball to him (yes, I know that both were teammates in college).

This would be a typical Pats deal where they take a "problem" player, and suddenly that guy becomes an invaluable locker room presence (as the article pointed out re Dillon and Harrison).

Neu-IndustrialMets57

I must be the only one who could care less..

This could actually hurt the Patriots in the long term more then it helps them. They were gonna win the East most likely this year anyway

BUT

The Pats offensive strength was always spreading the ball around, with no one star getting all the attention.

Moss is(or atleast was) a great WR, but can also be a cancer in the clubhouse and trouble on the field. He constantly complains and causes problems when he doesnt get the ball.

86mets

Not totally disagreeing with you..but as was said..SAME things were said about Dillon.. he was rotting away on Bengals..and for a chance to WIN he put on a ga,e face and played for Pats w/o a peep..so I could see Moss being a good soldier..WINNING has a way of keeping a player in line..with the exception of T.O. that is..

My main point is the Price tag..if they wanted a #1..then I would pass..#2....pass..but they are now CONSIDERING a #4??!!!..gotta at least investigate is all I'm saying..I don't see him a Jet..but hope he doesn't become a Pat either..if anything..for Raiders sake..hope he stays now that he will have a QB to get him the ball..

Neu-IndustrialMets57

First of all according to ESPN News its a done deal he just needs to pass his physical..

2nd.. IMO Dillon was less of a headcase then Moss is. (besides if Dillon was such a good soldier form them why did he request to be released) Moss DID have a chance to win during his Minny days but he was far from a good soldier.. He bitched and moaned about not getting the ball enough IIRC.

Patriots won because of chemistry, no one player was above it all.. This si a VERY un-Patriot-like move.. and MAY reek of desperation, NFL.com's Adam Schefter reported back in January that many league sources believe that Belichick has mutual options to get out of his contract to test the coaching waters after this season. Get the SB win this year to prevent BB to leave..

[edit: here is the quote from Schefter that I am talking about: " And maybe, most interesting, multiple sources around the league believe that Belichick's contract, which does have three years remaining on it, is filled with mutual options that could allow him or the team to nullify the deal as early as next year."]

I still think Moss helps them tremendously THIS year but will hurt them in years after.

This is actually a very Post 2000 Yankee-like move

86mets

Just heard the SAME thing..done deal..

As far as DIllon..yes he acted up..years later though..and I think its more about how the Pats treat thier players financially years down the line..THEy DOn'T PAY..they let ALL thier players go..including Loyal Franchise players like Vinatieri..I don't think they care so much about chemistry, so in the begiining they offer the chance to WIN..which is ok to new player in the beginning..then later they want out to cash in..so you are right..LATER on Moss could be a problem..but initially this is bad news for Jets IMO..

Dokes

The pats are looking to put a dominate team on both sides of ball, but Moss is this years TO so I'm not worried

MrHat

For a 4th rounder...the risk/reward factor on Moss leans heavily in the Pats favor

Bay Ridge Dave

If the Jets aren't careful here, also considering the very tough schedule, they could end up being a disappointment.

Expectations will be high. While I trust what Tangini is doing, this team really doesn't have any impact players on either side of the ball. That worries me.

Bay Ridge Dave

Totally agree.

As it with the Pats, Brady will get the ball to Moss.. Moss is a very happy camper, and is not a cancer in the locker room.

As I said before the Pats have a habit of taking these type of players (the sullen, "me first", problem types) and turning them into team players.

Metboi

The Patriots should just start wearing pinstripes and an interlocking "NE" already.

Clubber Lang

He may not have had anyone good throwing to him in Oakland but if you saw any of those Raider games you'd know that his putrid stats were well deserved. The guy played like crap...I think he'll be better in NE but he's a long shot for a 1000+ yards.

met income

1000 yards and 8 tds in 05

Paulie Cee

Which is just about what the Jets got from Cotchery. Big deal.

Moss isn't going to make or break the Pats. Watching him last year, he looked like shadow of his former self.

met income

yeah because he didn't try... 1000 yards and 8 tds in with that O-line and QB is very good production. he'll be motivated to play for BB or they'll cut him.

of course he's not going to make or break the pats - they'll be a contender no matter what. but the fact that they can add a player of his caliber is icing on the cake for them.