Summing up the Moss Trade and Week 5 Predictions

It was an eventful week for Patriots fans. After Monday night’s impressive road victory over the Dolphins, the focus was quickly shifted to the enigmatic Randy Moss.  

Good riddance, No. 81! Your “Me First” attitude will fit in quite nicely in Minnesota, where other inflated egos (No. 4) have gone to roost. I doubt Randy’s presence will help the Vikings win the NFC North, but here’s hoping that he makes a difference against the Jets. By the way, Moss will be playing on Monday Night Football for the second straight week. I wonder if that’s ever happened before?

Moss’ tenure in New England wasn’t a complete disaster – not in the least. He was a member of one of the greatest offensive squads (2007) in the history of football. If not for a miracle catch by David Tyree in Super Bowl XLII, Moss could brag about having the game-winning touchdown catch to cap a perfect season.

Over the last few years, Moss has raked in some of the greatest catches in the team’s 50-year history. Two stick out in my mind: A game-tying catch - off a Matt Cassel pass - as time expired in a 2008 matchup against the Jets, and the one-handed grab against Darrelle Revis a few weeks ago. Aside from David Patten’s catch – after being knocked unconscious - during a game-winning drive against the Bills in 2001, Moss has provided more “are you kidding me?” moments than any New England wideout I’ve ever seen.

That being said, he had to go. I said it in a blog post a few weeks back following his mind-boggling press conference: the guy just didn’t fit the Patriot mold, and it was time for him to hit the road. I’m hearing a lot of football fans expressing their concern about New England’s offense. All I’ll say is take a look at the offensive starters on the 2001-2006 teams. I’m flabbergasted that people still question Belichick’s philosophy. In 2008, he coached a team to 11 wins WITHOUT Tom Brady (“franchise” player).

Belichick wants his players to fit into a system, play a role, do their job. Moss cared more about his contract than fulfilling his specific duty for the betterment of the entire team. The Patriots are a better unit without him, especially from an intangibles standpoint.

Earlier this week, I was running late for work and, in my mad dash to get ready, I forgot about my cell phone. So, for about 10 hours I didn’t have it in my pocket. The first few hours, it felt weird. I felt almost naked, kind of vulnerable, without my cell. About midway through the day, a coworker could tell that I was a little off, so she said ‘You know, about 15 years ago, we all survived and got through the day without cell phones.”

So true. And that’s how I feel about Moss. Yea, it’ll be a little weird without him for a few series, but then the offense will move on. Just look at those three Super Bowl banners. The Patriots did just fine – and thrived – before Randy Moss came to town.

WEEK 5 NFL PREDICTIONS

JACKSONVILLE AT BUFFALO: Pick – Jaguars

NEW YORK GIANTS AT HOUSTON – Texans

KANSAS CITY AT INDIANAPOLIS – Colts

TAMPA BAY AT CINCINNATI – Bengals

GREEN BAY AT WASHINGTON – Redskins

ST. LOUIS AT DETROIT – Lions

CHICAGO AT CAROLINA – Panthers

ATLANTA AT CLEVELAND – Falcons

DENVER AT BALTIMORE – Ravens

NEW ORLEANS AT ARIZONA – Saints

TENNESEE AT DALLAS – Cowboys

SAN DIEGO AT OAKLAND – Chargers

PHILADELPHIA AT SAN FRANCISCO – 49ers

MINNESOTA AT NEW YORK JETS – Jets

Last week: 9-5

Season record: 36-26