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The Five Stages of Randy Moss Loss Grief

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Stage 1: Denial

When Bill Simmons first accidentally tweeted about a rumor of Randy Moss being traded to the Vikings most of us didn’t believe it. But that one little tweet set off a firestorm of activity that raged well into the night. Trading Moss didn’t make any sense. When has a team ever traded their number one receiver, not to mention the “greatest downfield receiver of all time” in the middle of a season? It seemed inconceivable even for the Patriots who rarely go more than a few months without dropping some kind of a bombshell. “No way this is true!”, we hold ourselves.

Stage 2: Anger

By late Tuesday night multiple sources were confirming that Moss to Vikings was pretty much a done deal and would be finalized by Wednesday morning. There were two camps of Patriots fans. In one corner we had the Hoodie Heads like myself, who simply mutter “In Bill We Trust” and thank Randy Moss for some amazing football.

In the other corner are the fans who feel like Belichick just traded away any chance the team had at a Super Bowl for a measly 3rd round pick. They wondered how Wes Welker would be affected without Moss pulling coverage. And how did Tom Brady feel about losing his record setting receiver in the middle of the season?

Stage 3: Bargaining

No matter what corner a Pats fan was in, speculation about the Pats making a run at Vincent Jackson seemed to be the only thing that made the Moss deal sensible. Jackson is a big, physical receiver, and reportedly the Patriots’ highest ranked NFL receiver. If the Pats swung Minnesota’s 3rd and one of their own 2nds perhaps they could land a younger version of Moss. Okay, maybe that would make sense. But slowly those rumors were been shot down leading us to…

Step 4: Depression

As far as the non-Hoodie Heads are concerned expectations for the 2010 season just went from a potential Super Bowl to maybe playoff contention. Sure, we’ve seen crazy moves countless times from the Patriots, but never in the middle of the season like this. Watching Brady to Moss was special, and it’s pretty depressing to know that chapter is now over. 

Step 5: Acceptance

Maybe I just made peace with how the Patriots do business somewhere between Deion Branch getting traded and Mike Vrabel getting traded, but it didn’t take too long for me to accept this. I’ve never had a problem with Randy Moss as a player on or off the field. Yes, he’s a little high maintenance and needs coddling from time to time, but I think for the most part he’s done his job and given us some amazing things to cheer for.

But ever since this summer, when Moss hinted this would be his last with the Patriots you had to know he wasn’t going to retire in New England. Yes it’s shocking it happened as quickly as it did, but we a) controlled where he went and b) got a decent draft pick out of it. I do think the Patriots have enough weapons now to continue to be challenge for the AFC East crown. I also think that when we look at the big picture there is no other team in the NFL that has set itself up for success over the next decade like the Patriots have.

As I’ve said for a while now, the 2011 draft will be the final major factor in setting up the Patriots for another dynastic run. Now, with another high pick BB has even more ammunition.

Maybe it’s just me, but I feel almost like a weight has been lifted from this team with the departure of Moss. I can’t quite explain it. Like I said I had no complaints about him while he was here. But now it’s starting to feel like the old Patriots.

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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. While I will keep private the details of internal conversations with players and staff, suffice it to say that many things were taken into consideration before making the trade,” said Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick. “In this business, there are complex and often difficult decisions, but it is my responsibility to make them based on what I feel is best for our football team, in both the short term and long term. I am grateful for the opportunity to have coached Randy Moss and aside from facing him as an opponent, I wish him the very best for the remainder of his Hall of Fame career.

@RealPatriots

https://www.patspropaganda.com/over-the-course-of-the-past-several-months-i/

Bill Simmons Sets Twitter Afire with Randy Moss Trade Rumor

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So today Bill Simmons was trying to send a DM (direct message) to someone on twitter saying simply “Moss Vikings”. When he realized his mistake he followed up with this tweet:

sportsguy33   Sorry that last tweet was supposed to be a DM. Rumors swirling about a Pats-Minny trade for Randy Moss.

And thus a million Patriots fans began losing their minds. Yes, times have changed when it comes to the old rumor mill, which can now churn out baseless speculation to millions of people instantly.

I have to think that Minnesota maybe inquired about Moss and that started the rumors swirling. But who knows, Moss himself said it’s likely he won’t be back with the Patriots in 2011, and if the Pats could get a young impact player I don’t think it’s totally out of the realm of possibility.

Ask yourself this, are the Patriots still a top 10 offense without Moss? Maybe. Would the addition of a pass rusher like Ray Edwards or Jared Allen change the entire complexion of the Pats defense. Probably.

I’m not saying I’m for trading Randy Moss, but if it was the right player in return (impact defensive front seven player) it could possibly make the Patriots into a more well-rounded Super Bowl contender.

We all know the impact Moss has on and off the field. And I mean that in positive ways for both. I’ve enjoyed every second of rooting for an athlete as skilled as Moss, but I know the Patriots, and I know what they lack on defense and what Minnesota could offer. 

Let’s just say stranger things have happened. Never a dull moment with this team. And let’s not forget Minnesota visits Foxboro on Halloween. Oooooh, scary…

BTW – I just have to note that I have very little respect for Simmons’ football insight (as I’ve stated many times), so if/when this rumor is proven false I’ll have even more reason to not listen to anything football related he says.

Football Outsiders: Patriots #1 Overall DVOA

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Football Outsiders: Patriots #1 Overall DVOA

After last night the Pats have rocketed from 6th to 1st in overall DVOA (if you still don’t get DVOA figure it out asap because it means a lot more than stupid power rankings). 

New England now has the #1 offense, the #4 Special Teams, and uh… the Defense is 23rd. Hey, it’s up from 28th last week okay!?!?

Offensively the Pats are far superior to everyone else in the NFL, with the Colts a distant second. Don’t get too excited, the Pats were number one in offensive DVOA in 2009 as well.

But what it does show is that New England is playing smart football and getting the job done in each situation they’re faced with.