Im sure there are several factors involved, and probably more that will never be known. The Patriots have historically immediately dumped players who start whining in public, and after Monday, with Moss getting 0 yards, who knows what happened behind doors. Was it their plan not to target Moss, or has he lost a step? The Patriots already seem set on focusing their passing game on Welker and their new tight ends. N.E. has always drooled over accumulating draft picks, and probably value another 3rd, using their own metrics, slightly more than it’s generally accepted value. They once again are absolutely loaded with draft picks next year.
I’m also sure they expect the trade should have a rejuvenating effect on the previously disgruntled Moss, and its no coincidence they send him to the NFC, but to a team with a throw happy QB playing the Jets next week.
Not a great trade for N.E. but I hardly think it’s the disaster panicky New Englanders make it out to be
Well, one out of three ain’t bad. 
Maybe it’s just me, but the Moss to the Vikings trade just smells like a desperation move to me. Seems like they feel like they have to win now…this year…while Favre is still somewhat functional…
Well, they do. 15 players who played at least 50% of their snaps last season have expiring contracts.
and their best receiver from last year won’t be around until November at the earliest. Add to that, defenses are putting 8,9, even 10 in the box against the run, and suddenly the Moss trade doesn’t seem as desperate.
Sucks, I’ve been riding the Brandon Tate gravy train (my league counts return yards at 1 pt/15 yds) and now he’s going to be “promoted” to an output of 5 receptions for 40 yards every week.
Max Hall will be starting for the Cardinals this week against New Orleans. I think I’ll need to stock up with lots of liquor to watch this one.
Link
Well, yeah. It’s not like they’re even being coy about that. They’re not trying to build for the future. This is (probably) Favre’s really, truly last year, they have a bunch of key players’ contracts running out (with some just getting old), and there’s a likely lock-out coming next year. Their window is closing fast. With Sidney Rice out for half the season, they needed to get better at the WR position TODAY, and Moss is one of the few WR’s in the league who can immediately make a passing game better the second he steps on the field. It’s not a trivial improvement either, because they are strong enough in enough other places (defense, running game, QB) that this does give them a realistic chance at the Superbowl. Of course, they have to right the ship in the the regular season first, and they have some games they have to catch up in the standings, but as desperation moves go, this is a pretty good one.
On that same note, though, I wonder if and when the Packers will try to move on a running back. They clearly have to know how one dimensional their offense is right now, and against elite defenses, they aren’t going to be able to win without a running game.
Wide receiver isn’t their problem. Berrian, Harvin, Shiancoe and Camarillo, plus half a season of Rice are as good or better than two thirds of the receiving corps in the league.
The problem is the quarterback.
But who? Their best option just went to Seattle. Who else is even available? Willis McGahee?
I highly doubt the Ravens would be willing to part with McGahee considering their #1 RB is basically a scat back. Brandon Jacobs is a more likely option, and the idea of a 260 pounder rushing in Green Bay in December is pretty intimidating.
Anyway, the Colts win without a running game. No reason the Packers can’t.
I agree they need to find a running back from somewhere, but the way Thompson rolls I bet they just keep rotating through castoffs until (hopefully) something comes up aces. TT would not want to give up too much for any running back as there is no need for the Packers to be in the mindset that they have to go all in this year.
What is up with Arizona? I kinda liked Whisenhunt, but with his hubris with Matt Leinart (how’s Derek working out for you?), his hide the truth game with Beanie’s injury, his abandonment of the power running game, and his relationship with Wells, I’m wondering what is going on in that guys head.
Everything I’ve heard/read about Whinsenhunt is that the Cardinals have been mismanged for years but he is a good coach. I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of the questionable moves came from ownership, like the whole brouhaha last year about Kurt Warner holding out because he felt he deserved a $150k bonus for playing X number of snaps.
I think it has more to do with Warner going through a series of bad games including his concussion last year.
What do you guys think will be the fallout from the Moss trade?
Imho, somebody is going to look like an idiot, and I think it will be Wilf/Vikings.
How so? There’s no risk for them. All they gave up was a 3rd round pick (they actually even got a 7th round pick back from the Pats in the trade), and it’s not like Moss is anywhere near physically done or anything. He’ll be fine on the field, and in the locker room too, for that matter.
Because it’s not WR that is the issue, it’s QB. 
The biggest problem with Farve that I’ve seen is ego. He consistently overrides the coaches’ suggestions about what to do in particular situations. I wouldn’t be surprised if at the end of the season, it comes out that Farve forced the Moss trade to hide his own shortcomings. (Farve: “It’s not me, it’s the Rice injury! Get me a franchise WR!” Childress and Wilf: “Yessssss Masssssterrrrr…”)
Regarding my comment, I can see NE continuing their winning ways, while Minn will continue their losing ways, with Minn finishing out of the playoffs.
It depends, under the current system 3rd round picks are insanely valuable. If the Vikes sign Moss to a 1 or 2 year extension then I think they did fine. If he’s gone after 12 games and plays those games sulkily and bitter they are getting absolutely ass raped. You’d think that in New England with that locker room and the success they have Moss would have been OK, but he blew up mid-game last week. You think that Favre and company at 1-2 in a dump of a stadium in the dog days of winter will have a chance of keeping him focused and happy without a new contract?
The Pats will be fine without him. I’m not sure the Vikes are 1 WR away and even if they were I’m not sure Moss is that guy based on how Favre runs the system and Moss runs his routes.