Randy Moss analysis

I think this is an accurate analysis. Moss seemed to like playing in New England -- he was treated with respect and he and Brady seemed to get along well. I don't think he is trying to screw over NE, but do think he will see what other deals are available in free agency, but ultimately give NE a chance to match. NE faces a risk here, but so long as they actually made a fair offer, then there is nothing to lose.... still, makes me anxious! Especially given NE seems to not always have a handle on what constitutes "fair" in the WR market (think Deion Branch).

Moss sounds like he is being GREEDY is he forgeting when NO other team would take a chance on him The Patriots did. and now that they did give him that chance This is how he repays them Moss is greedy. And this is how he treats the Patriots ,

It's a bit optimistic, but I hope you are right. Hate to see Moss go.

Do you have any details on the contract that the Patriots offered to Moss in terms of how much money and how many years? Also, how much money is Moss looking for? Will the Patriots increase their offer in order to lock him up?

Obviously he will test the market...now can you get more in depth than that? Any idea what the offer was or where the sides differ?

Mike, Thanks for helping us understand more about this ongoing fiasco. You're one of the only reporters we fans can trust when it comes to matters of our team. Keep up the good work. It's truly appreciated.

yes i think moss is worth the money. brady has proven that he deserves him. if he doesn't come back us fans will be mad. i think moss is telling the pats what he's being offered so they can match. just don't go to dallas, jets, dolphins, or eagles im happy. please come back i want to see more brady to moss.

Rumor is the Pats offered 3 yrs $30mil.

Moss is not being greedy. He's by the far the best WR in the league and played at a significant discount last year. Our QB never threw more than 28 TD passes before this year without Randy. It's time to pay the man what he's worth.

I'm not sure what the Pats have offered him so far, but Bernard Berrian signed for $16M guaranteed yesterday. I'm thinking that we need to offer Moss at least $25-$30M guaranteed in the current market.

I seem to recall Randy Moss saying it wasn't all about the money anymore. Whatever happened to that?

Moss know the PATS are gonna get booed at every away game because of Spygate and he doesn't want to endure that all season

Seeing what stallworth got and what Berrian got doesn't look good that the Patriots will keep Moss I'm thinking. They dont have the biggest cap compared to other teams out there.

I am hearing Moss and the Pats are close according to the NFL Network. A new development earlier this evening, anyone else hear this? thanks.

What happens with Tom Brady should Moss decide to sign with another team? Tom Brady became bigger than the NE Patriots this year, establishing himself as an individual within an organization characterized by its hegemony in spite of the NFL's continuous attempts to impose parity throughout the league. Brady is no longer a mechanical component of NE; he is a record-breaking personality, and is capable of shaping any team around him. How can he allow another record-breaking receiver (D. Branch, Super Bowl Record holder being the first) to defect? This is critical when you consider that Brady never aggressively persued Peyton dollars. Why? He believes in the organization and would rather ensure an opportunity to compete on a championship level every year.

How can you call Moss greedy, last year he was supposed to make 10 million dollars and took a pay cut of 7 million down to 3 million for the year. Then he went out and helped the Pats win 18 games and caught a wopping 23 touchdowns. Those kind of numbers deserve at least 20-25 million bonus money, I don't know if this is true but I heard the Pats offered Moss 3 years 30 million but only 15 million of bonus guarantee money which is the most important number. Sounds like they are trying to lowball the guy, Berrian got 16 million in bonus money and he isn't in Moss's league. The guy showed good faith last year and took a huge pay cut now it is the Pats turn in rewarding their superstar with a fair market value contract.

I'm not so sold on Moss after the performance in his last 4 games as a Patriot. That said, I figure he'll hold out untill just before the first regular season game, then sign so he won't have to do camp or pre-season.

This is the full post from ROTOWORLD.COM>>>>>

Report: Patriots near deal with Randy Moss

NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports the Patriots are close to re-signing free agent Randy Moss.

Schefter says the Patriots have a "standing multi-year offer to make Moss one of the highest paid receivers in the NFL." Moss is perhaps realizing the market for him isn't as strong as believed, although we wouldn't count out another team like the Rams, Redskins, or Eagles making a last minute run at him. Mar. 2 - 7:19 pm et

Moss doesn't owe the Patriots a thing. They took a chance on him and in return he restructured his contract and hauled in 23 TDs en route to a 16-0 season. The best season ever for a WR and they can't reward him with some cash?

Paula, you sound ridiculous calling the man greedy. Besides, the Patriots don't show too much appreciation for their own: cutting Rosey Colvin, letting go of key guys like Asante and Randall Gay...

LOL...hey Roger, Moss is a FREE AGENT how can he "hold out"??....LOL

I agree with that totally. Everyone (the press) always has to make some of this stuff bigger than it is.

maybe NE and Moss are waiting until after Moss's court date tomorrow, March 3rd.

"Fair market value" is what matters here. Moss came through on the season and the Pat's got more than they (really) paid for. Randy knew up front that the Pat's don't and won't over pay for ANYONE, he took a chance and they took a chance, it all worked out, win-win. Thanks Randy, no hard feelings. Randy deserves all that he can get, even from the Pat's . But, if not, it's time to move on, Randy to the highest bidder (over pay?), and the Pats (and Brady) to another hungry receiver. Don't take it personal, it's all about business, just like spy-gate (although there is a little kill-bill mentality there) is to the media. I can't wait to see who the Pats find to replace Randy, and hopefully in the meantime we can also look for a quality (hungry) backup QB for next season.

Moss is an interesting case. Here are a few ideas to consider.

1.) As good as he is, Moss' best days are behind him. He will not duplicate, let alone surpass last year.

2.) Even if Moss signs a contract with the Pats, (and I hope he does) and assuming it is a reasonable deal, i.e. not too many years at too much money, the Pats are almost certainly going to struggle on defense.

3.) While the N.F.L. as a whole gets further and further away from balanced offenses, meaning ones where teams have backfields that contribute substantial rushing yards week in and week out, if the Pats want to fully exploit their receiving corp, they might consider putting an O.L. on the field that are as able at run blocking as pocket protection. If you really want to see Welker, Moss, Watson and whoever else shred opposing secondaries, then develop a bonafide running game which, despite the talents of Lawrence Maroney, they still do not have.

After all, with the tired old defense the Pats are likely to field, Bruschi, Seau? and maybe even Ty Law, it might make more sense to beef up the offense so as to give the oldsters as much time to rest their weary selves as possible.

Hey Paula, Moss greedy? You've got to be kidding, right? He could have played last year with the Raiders for $10million but instead played for the Pats at a bargain basement price. He gave the Pats 23 touchdowns and yet you expect him to take a low-ball offer once again. Seriously, get a clue.

The Pats will not over pay for any one player period! Yes Randy Moss was great for us in the regular season-but he disappeared in the playoffs. He caught a touchdown pass in the superbowl because the defender fell down! I do hope they resign him for a couple more years at a fair # for both sides. But on the other side Brady was looking for him way too much towards the end of the season and the playoffs. Remember the Pats won before Randy came to town! I also believe they will bring back Rosie at a reasonable # in the coming weeks. Maybe I'm drinking the Pats Kool Aid! All I know is the last 7 yrs has been a great ride and it's better than the days of 1-15 or 2-14. GO PATS!

Zhills posted this....
Moss know the PATS are gonna get booed at every away game because of Spygate and he doesn't want to endure that all season
Posted by Zhills March 2, 08 07:33 PM
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And, guess what, you are very close to the truth, IMO. I have posted that possibility, not necessarily so much with Moss, but with other players, both Pats players and others, that many of them don’t want to have to deal with the spygate thing, and being a part of the Pats will do just that. And, I believe it is effecting the Pats negotiations with many free agents, both their own, and those on other teams.

I don’t think that the players that are free agents actually believe that the Pats are cheaters, but the media has blown it so far out of proportion, that they really don’t want to have to deal with it as the Pats play on the road this coming season.

They may never admit it, but I believe it is in their minds.

The ignorance of some people amazes me.

-GREEDY? he took about 30 cents on the dollar to come here.
-NO OTHER TEAM WOULD TAKE A CHANCE ON HIM?? SImply not true (GB one example). The Pats were the only team he would make his contract more tradeable for.
-HE WIL NOT DUPLICATE OR SURPASS LAST YEAR? Well, no kidding. You mean he won't catch 25 td's next year?

Moss is being greedy? It's not our penny-pinching, jack up prices on tickets, concessions and parking ownership? We are notorious for underpaying for players and this is a perfect example. We have $22 million to spend this season....make it happen.

The Pat's have been draging thier feet on a Moss deal.
They just started to get serious while Moss is looking at other deals. The Pat';s better get their act together and soon.

The only people affected by Spy-Gate are those whom seemingly benefited (Brady, Bruschi, Vrabel...). Free agents want money or rings; nothing else. I think people are suffering from a crisis in perception. With the Patriot defensive aging and being sucked dry by free agency, the last thing NE needs is to willingly concede defeat and demolish the highest scoring offense in history!

The Pats made a good deal last year but please do not overstate Moss' sacrifice. He did have a contract with the Raiders for $10M but they were going to trade him or cut him so as a practical matter the contract was worthless. Moss took $3M base salary plus up to $2M incentives which he earned. So he made $5M when on the open market he could have earned $7-10M. He is obviously a much better WR than UFA Bernard Berrian but is not getting lots of offers because of his past history where teams watched him "dog it" when he did not feel like playing. He brought his situation on himself.

MK wrote:

You mean he won't catch 25 td's next year?

For starters. His overall effectiveness is likely to come way down. And this is why he isn't signed yet, the Pats aren't going to overpay. Moss is akin to Michael Jackson the day after Thriller was released. And ignorance doesn't mean stupidity as you imply, ignorance means unknowing. How can I be unknowing because I observe that Moss's effectiveness will be reduced (which you agree with) going forward? You are ignorant of the meaning of the word ignorant.

No question that Moss is the best receiver on the market. But if he doesn't fit into the Patriots financial scheme, then we need to let him go.

There are some fans that don't seem to understand the financial ramifications of just paying million and millions of dollars for players.

Take a look around the league at all the teams that hand out huge contracts. They haven't moved up in the standings despite paying big dollars to players. Case in point...49er's

Money doesn't buy championships, never has.....Good players and coaches that LOVE the GAME win championships.

Gheeech, 20 million, 30 million, how much can you spend.

I'm proud of the way the Patriots run their business and I'm proud of the Patriots.

Jillian

Although Moss was a huge part of the team's success this season, I think the Super Bowl showed what winds championships-Defense! The defense played well, but not when it mattered. The Pats need a bonafide pass rusher, a shut down corner, and a tackle(s) that can handle speed rushers.

As proven the year before you can get by without a top flight wideout. You need a good one for sure but not necessarily a Moss type. I know people will point to Reche Caldwell's crucial drop in the Indy game but lets not forget the great catch he made in San Diego to help in the win there. Moss did the same thing in the earlier Giants game when he dropped one and was lucky enough that they were able to go back to him so he could redeem himself. Furthermore if you cannot protect the QB it does not matter who is on the outside.

Why do these guys have to be so damn greedy? Does he really need $10 million dollars? I mean really, you could live off of $5 million easily for the rest of your life, very comfortably. I'm really getting sick and tired of the outrageous salary demands that professional athletes demand now.

C'mon...what happened to playing for the love of the game?

I love how some people on this board like to point out that Moss disappeared in the playoffs as if it were his fault. Your coaching staff sucks for not adapting to what teams were doing to stop Moss. Double and triple teams and you expect the guy to put up 100yd 2 td games? hahahahahaha The coaching staff sent him on deep patterns on 90% of the passing plays. Had the coaching staff tried a few more quick slants to a 6'4" Moss, that would have rendered the Giants pass rush ineffective. I saw them throw the slant to Moss once in the SB for an 8 yard completion. So why abandon it if it works? Get off Belichick's jock, HE not Moss choked for your team in the SB. I hope Moss bolts for the Eagles so that he can team up with a QB who can actually avoid the pass rush and play for a coaching staff who will use him as a true weapon as opposed to a decoy when the games count.

This is all pretty comical. They'll reach a deal and everyone will breathe a little easier.

On a different note, I find it funny that someone trashed the OL and all of a sudden they can't run-block. Even though the Pats were known for their passing game, they were also 13th out of 32 teams in rushing YPG. Yes they took a beating in the Super Bowl, but you don't put 3 O-linemen in the Pro Bowl because they're horrible. They just picked the worst game to have their worst day. Somewhere in there you do have to give credit to the Giants - they did have the best D-line in the league.

i think the Patriots made a devils bargain.
they will not play to win for the next few years if the rest of the teams shut up about spygate. i guess that is the reason all the owners are not pursuing spygate...polian, rooney, etc are all mum.

I believe there is more than money in the Moss situation. Perhaps the domestic assault in FL. is more serious than we know. This guy is awesome on the field, but a horrible history off. Going back to high school, college, and the Vikings, he did things that most regular people would have ended up in jail. Also at least 4 known children out of wed-lock. I know we are not looking for choir boys to play football, but maybe this last incident is giving the Pats pause. Not franchising him sent up flairs to me!

Its easy for people to call others greedy when it doesn't involve them. Imagine if you were one of the best players in a league as large as the nfl. You could be worth 10 mil, but you should just take 5 mil? get real who wouldn't want the larger number? If you worked for a publicly traded company, should you and all your coworkers take pay cuts to help increase earnings? obviously not...

While I am really nervous about the prosepcts of our receiving corp without Moss, I think Randy is taking responsible care of his business. Coming off the season he gave the Pats (and us) at a huge market discount, it's now time to stetch to something more in line with the market.

I'd be shocked if the Pats showered him with enough dough to preclude a market check. Brady takes a "discount" to keep things together, but his pay is not as far out of whack as Randy's deal was a year ago.

My hope rests with Randy just being a smart football guy and knowing history is available to him in NE. He's in the upper end of pros in terms of intellegence and he hasn't squandered the money he's made so far. So he'll take somewhat of a market discount to make more history and seal his place, but he won't just give it away. I wouldn't want him to either.

If BB and SP try to cheap him to death or if he ends up trying to completely break the bank and play on the frozen tundra, than we all miss out on something special because of ego and greed.

Maybe my world will start revolving around the Sox again and I'll have to be happy if the Pats make the playoffs and don't get embarassed on the way out. After that Super Bowl bust, I need to have faith restored in the intellengence of these folks on both sides.

Mr. Kraft, please exercise executive priviledge if you have to, maybe one time in the franchise history you'll have to, but that is why they call it a big boy call.

Thanks for all you've done for the team, don't let it get mucked up.

It looks like Randy has no competing offers to drive up the price which is why reports are surfacing about him willing to go with the Packers if Favre is coming back and that Culpepper would love to join him on a team (shame on John Clayton for getting drawn into that that ploy) If he had an offer better than the Pat's offer at this point, he would be gone.

looking to split my season tickets in sec. 127 @ face value- contact me at payct@yahoo.com

I totally agreed with you "Randy Moss fan". Moss wasn't the one throwing the ball in the playoffs or superbowl. He made good with whatever was thrown his way. Without Moss in the line up, Welker is nothing! Stop using him as a decoy and he'll probably give you 30 TDs.

Pay the man!!! He took a big discount to play here last year and if it was about money, could've stayed in Oak and made 20mm more over 2 yrs. With 22mm under the cap, stop being arrogant that your way is the only way. No coincidence he was part of the 2 best offenses ever. Brady after throwing no more than 28 in a season, became immortal last year. If Brady wants him, you owe it to him more than anyone. He just turned 31, and TO's not slowing down at 34! He still has some great football left, and wants to be respected.

I have no idea how much the Pats are offering Randy Moss or how much he wants.
Is he being greedy? I don't know. It's a well know fact, that the Pats are thrifty, and I'm sure Randy and his agent also know this. Randy did take a significant pay cut last year, and has earned a raise.

(had he been used more in the Superbowl. I'm sure we would have won. Don't tell me he was too well covered. He's come down with the ball in a crowd all year long.)

I sure hope they are able to come to terms. Randy. Don't rum away from home!!!

A note to Randy

could spygate keep free agents away from the Pats thinking they don't want to be associated with " cheaters " ?

terry,
"Welker is nothing"????
did you see how he blocks?
did you see those yards after the catch???
welker is amazing.

I really dont care that Moss took off after the game, but dont get high & mighty and say the coaching sucked. They were a TEAM and they lost as a team, it happens. The Pats were great BEFORE Moss got here. He added to it with the way he plays so well. If Brady wants him the Pats will keep him, but do not forget the fact that Tedy & Tom the heart of this team have both taken pay cuts to keep players.

Rodney took a pay cut last year also. Don't careless about what ESPN and LT (what a load) call class get us to post season. I'll raise my kids and if they get into trouble I'LL take the blame not Bill B.

I believe that that Moss is a truly god gifted athlete. He makes mistakes in judgement like every other individual. We should enjoy watching him play and wish him the best in his contract talks and try not to judge. I believe Moss has shown that he is a good fit for the Patriots.