Now add in last night's game where Moss caught for 81 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings in their loss to the Jets, just a week after going catch less in the Patriots win over Miami, and just hours after it was announced that the Patriots made a trade to re-acquire wide receiver Deion Branch. The possibilities for conversation on this trade are endless.
After the trade went through, everyone from the Patriots end of the spectrum had nothing but great things to say about Moss, despite a little complaining on Moss' behalf, and an alleged "confrontation" between Moss and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. So if everything was fine why would the Pats trade such a great talent? What most players will say when a trade happens and there are no hard feelings is that "it's a business." So there is always the business side of things, and this piece from businessinsider.com looks at it from that angle. And when you think about it, if any team constantly looks at these things from a business perspective, it's been Bob Kraft, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. As the article puts it, "Ask Richard Seymour or Mike Vrabel about that."
Even with the Patriots public comments, some would say Moss' attitude came into play here. Some would say his age, expiring contract and what he would want for a new one was the big issue. Dexter Rogers from Bleacher Report explores the idea of race being a factor:
I think race and the fact Moss spoke his mind played a factor in why he was traded. Brady got paid rather quietly and Moss got traded very publicly. Why? It can’t be because Moss has lost a step. He’s caught more touchdown passes than any wide receiver in the NFL from 2007. It can’t be age. Brady and Moss are both 33 years of age. Brady is still a top-flight quarterback and Moss still is the most dangerous deep threat in the NFL. That being said, why was the trigger pulled on a trade for Moss while Brady quietly signed an extension? Moss spoke his mind. Being an African-American athlete who speaks his mind in an area historically that’s been encased by racism is one reason. Just ask Bill Russell. In short, it’s difficult to tell the truth, speak your mind and keep your job if you are African-American. Furthermore, African-American athletes usually have to haggle to get paid their just due. Vincent Jackson sits because he doesn’t get a fair contract.
Some decent points are made there, but he fails to mention the fact that Vince Wilfork, an African American himself, had a fairly public contract negotiation with the Patriots not too long ago. That one ended with Wilfork pulling in five years and $40 million. So I think this situation must go beyond that.
Maybe it was the public complaints about not being appreciated, which would have been a big thing. Maybe it was just a combination of little things and the Patriots just thinking this move was the best thing for the future of their organization. Whatever the reason, Moss is a Viking now, and there are bigger stories coming out of Minnesota right now, and the Patriots are moving on, so this conversation may be over.
James,
ReplyDeleteNice post.
Steve