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.