Doesn't 'restructuring' usually translate as 'postpone the big cap hit till a later year'? It seldom means reducing the overall dollar amount. I don't have details on the restructuring that was done in this case, but usually it just puts off paying the piper till another day. But the cap hit eventually comes, especially if a team finds they need to cut a player. We won't know how this works out until the balls start flying, but I for one am not willing to give up on next season in April.
It's just amazing how stupid oakland is, I realize Moss has a big contract and that hurts his value some but the pats can get a 1st rd pick for Deion Branch who has NEVER been a big time WR and the pats can get Moss for a 4th rounder???? It's ridiculous how these teams keep getting duped by the Pats.
Excellent post Jack ... and pretty much sums up my feeling on it. Why worry about Randy Moss being in NE when so far his history shows he is more of a problem than a help? I will never dispute his skills & ability to own practically every pass defense in the league. But at the end of the day - does he kill your locker room? Does he stand there with his thumb up his ass instead of blocking on a sweep? There are things that Moss does as well as or better than other recievers. But there are plenty of things he does that can kill a team & its chemistry. BTW Jets just drafted - Jacob Bender OT - Nichols State
Players rarely, if ever, give away ANY guaranteed money when they restructure, so it isn't really that big of an issue. I don't know what Randy's numbers are, but if he's scheduled to make 20 million in salary over the next 2years, the Pats will just turn that money into signing bonus and spread it over a new 4 year contract with minimal salary. Randy still gets his money.
And on top of that 2 number 1 draft picks again next year. Most likely a mid rounder and a very late pick.
Here's the Moss conundrum for the Raiders: He's never going to play hard for them. He's proven that with two years of decreasing effort (he at least tried some in 2005, but 2006 was a joke.) He's owed 9.75 million dollars in cash this season and will not renegotiate. At some point between now and the end of training camp the Raiders were going to cut him if they could not get him to renegotiate (improbable), guarantee a solid effort next year (improbable), or trade him for the best possible value. The only way to trade him was either to find a team willing to take 9.75 million dollars onto their 2007 cap (improbable) or find a team Moss would renegotiate for (the Patriots) and take the best offer you could get for him. The way things turned out the Raiders got the best deal they could. It's not like Moss is going to beat them in the playoffs the next 3 years, cuz they're not gonna be there...
Still, I want to be clear - I'd have preferred it if the Jets were the team that traded a fourth round pick for perhaps the most talented player in the league, who also agreed to restructure his contract. My point above was that, it isn't out of line to suggest that there are genuine questions with the guy.
Randy Moss is fools gold Let me be one of the first to say that this move will BLOW UP on the Pats. I am sure they are thinking that he will conform to the Patriot way of doing things, but just as TO never conforms to the new team he goes to either wil Moss. I predict just as TO sent Parcells into retirement so will Moss send Belichick into retirement. The Patriots selfless team philosophy and their undeniable great team chemistry will never be the same. This trade is a true blessing in disguise for the Jets and all of the AFC. 2007 AFC East champs NYJ.... Holler!!!
Well, I don't know what to think really, I like Moss, but being a Patriot, I can't root for his success.
I loved Moss coming out of college. I loved Moss in his first couple of years in Minn. I dreamed about him paired back up with Pennington for awhile. But I think you made the best case for NOT bringing him. Its to early to tell if this will be good or bad for the Pats. Either way I won't let it ruin my summer & I refuse to write off the Jets because we will face him twice next season.
I see real problems at NE next season , and I'm not just wishing it. With all the FA that they have been involved in there are bound to be some ego issues and some resentment from the old guard. The Pats just lit the touch paper IMO.
Anyone who thinks this move will blow up in there face is obviously an ass. Brady is the type of QB who knows where to put the ball and has the arm to get the ball deep down the field. Randy excels at getting down the field, is big and extremely talented. Randy also isn't the biggest name on this team...This is a great move for the Pats... Get over it... it's done.
wow, well if you say it can't go anywhere but wrong, I guess I should feel better about it. thanks for setting me straight.
I was refering to his comparison of the New England Patriots to the Washington Redskins and how this is a "go for it all" desperation move.
Off the presses... Patriots get a new teammate By Mike Reiss, Globe Staff | April 29, 2007 FOXBOROUGH --Safety Rodney Harrison is one of the unquestioned leaders in the Patriots' locker room. His thoughts on the team's acquisition of receiver Randy Moss? "I'm excited for us," Harrison said today. "We gave up a fourth-round pick to get one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, still. He was in a bad situation, but he can still play." At the same time, Harrison acknowledged there is some risk in the move. "I've always said, if he comes in, doesn't work hard and acts like a primma donna, it's not going to work," he said. "But if he puts the team first and works hard, he has the talent to do special things for us. It comes down to the small things, and buying into what we're all about here." From a defensive perspective, Harrison knows well about the type of problems Moss can create. "As I've said before, there aren't many cornerbacks who can stick him man-to-man," he said. "That is going to help us out, because teams usually have to roll the safety to stop him and that can open things for the other guy. And then you consider we have the best quarterback in the league." Harrison believes Moss's situation mirrors Corey Dillon's from 2004, when Dillon was acquired by the Patriots after struggling in a losing situation in Cincinnati. He also sees similarities to his own situation from 2003, after he was let go by the Chargers and signed with the Patriots. "When Corey Dillon came in, everyone thought he was an outlaw. He proved otherwise. When I came in, everyone thought I was an outlaw, ruthless. I think I proved otherwise," Harrison said. "Let's get a chance to know the guy before we make any judgments. If he comes in and is selfish, there are going to be problems. But if he has the right attitude, it will be huge for us." Defensive lineman Ty Warren, another leader in the Patriots' locker room, also reacted to the news. "What I've witnessed is that he's a proven impact player. If Bill [Belichick], [Scott] Pioli and [Robert] Kraft are willing to have him on the team, I'm willing to have him on the team, too," Warren said. "Obviously, they do their research. They know where we're trying to go with things. Every move is part of a plan to get to the big dance and this year, they obviously feel he can be part of the puzzle of where we want to go."
What kind of leverage did the Raiders have? This guy quit on the team last year, it's on the film for everyone to see. He was going to cost $9 million against the cap in '07 and he would only restructure to go to New England. It was a simple choice: take a fourth rounder or cut him and get nothing. Deion Branch has nothing to do with this, it's a totally different situation. The fact that it might help the Pats is not for the Raiders to worry about, they're trying to get their own house in order.
Obviously I'm an ass. Thanks for pointing out that Randy Moss is good at football. I didn't know that. Disregard my first post... entirely. I forgot the team with the best players always wins the championship. Thats why the Redskins have been so amazing lately.. just bring in talent-chemistry matters not.... and the Yankee's just keep winning championships.
Everyone knows what Moss is capable of, any halfway decent GM could have gotten more than a 4th rounder.
