VIKINGS ACQUIRE WR RANDY MOSS FROM PATRIOTS

Randy Moss is heading back to the Minnesota Vikings in a blockbuster deal intended to bolster their wide receiver corps in what is likely Brett Favre’s final year.  In return, the Patriots receive a draft choice and at least some value for a player that was unlikely to return when his contract expired at the end of the season.  Moss will make his Minnesota return on a suitably big stage—playing on Monday Night Football against the New York Jets.  It’ll be even more interesting if his longtime foil Darrelle Revis is able to return from a hamstring injury.

On one level, the timing of the deal is curious with the Patriots at 3-1 and still in contention.  Otherwise, it’s a trade that makes perfect sense for both sides.  The Vikings desperately need a playmaker at the wide receiver position with Sidney Rice out due to injury, and few fit that description better than Moss.  New England at least gets something in return for a player they would have lost to free agency after the season.  For Minnesota, the timing couldn’t be better—with Moss a free agent at the end of the season he’ll be anxious to raise his market value and will play hard the rest of the way.

New England coach Bill Belichick explained in a statement that the move was a business decision, but was extremely complimentary of Moss:

"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. 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."

There are reports that the trade was hastened by  a locker room argument--characterized by some as an 'outburst' by Moss--between him and quarterbacks' coach Bill O'Brien at the halftime of New England's Monday Night game against Miami.  At the time, New England trailed by a point before the Dolphins special teams unit imploded to give them a blowout win and Moss was upset that he'd only seen one pass in the first half.

NFL betting lines for Moss’s debut next Monday night have the Vikings installed as a +3’ point road underdog to the New York Jets with the total set at 39.