Spring Break
Pro sports report
-Online exclusive-
By: Matt Schirano
Issue date: 5/4/07 Section: Sports
Originally published: 5/4/07 at 3:37 PM EST
Last update: 5/4/07 at 3:43 PM EST
Originally published: 5/4/07 at 3:37 PM EST
Last update: 5/4/07 at 3:43 PM EST
Thoughts on the NFL Draft
At the NFL Draft this weekend at the Radio City Music Hall, Randy Moss was traded by the Oakland Raiders to the New England Patriots for a fourth round pick, which Oakland used to draft John Bowie, a cornerback from Cincinnati.
The first question I had when I heard about the trade was whether Randy Moss was only worth a fourth-round pick? Some NFL clubs follow a chart with a point value for each pick, so at first I assumed it had to be "equal" in value for each team; if it wasn't why would they go through with it right?
But I refuse to believe that John Bowie can give the Raiders what Randy Moss gives the Patriots. You might argue that Moss's numbers have not been very good in Oakland, but the Raiders fielded some pretty pathetic teams several of those years. It's a move by Oakland to clear up cap room, and the low value is because Moss refused to restructure his contract for anyone other than the Patriots, becoming too expensive for most NFL clubs.
The truth is Moss really didn't want to play in Oakland; he needs a team that can win now. Jamarcus Russell might make an impact on the Raiders this year only because they lacked anyone the year before, but he will still need time to develop into a consistent player; not everyone is a Vince Young. While it would have been nice to see what kind of relationship Randy Moss and Jamarcus Russell could have had, it was just not destined to be, Moss is looking for a championship while Russell is just looking to survive.
The trade makes the Patriots a lot better if they determine how Moss can gel with their offensive system and team mindset. Since I'm not a Patriots, fan I refuse to even explain to people what their team mindset is because that would be like giving them free advertising, but trust me it's all about the team, not the individual, something Moss has been known to forget at times during his career. Tom Brady now has two targets in Donte Stallworth and Randy Moss that are a step above anyone he's thrown to before, and Wes Welker, Reche Caldwell and Kelley Washington could thrive when defenses have to focus on two offensive threats.
At the NFL Draft this weekend at the Radio City Music Hall, Randy Moss was traded by the Oakland Raiders to the New England Patriots for a fourth round pick, which Oakland used to draft John Bowie, a cornerback from Cincinnati.
The first question I had when I heard about the trade was whether Randy Moss was only worth a fourth-round pick? Some NFL clubs follow a chart with a point value for each pick, so at first I assumed it had to be "equal" in value for each team; if it wasn't why would they go through with it right?
But I refuse to believe that John Bowie can give the Raiders what Randy Moss gives the Patriots. You might argue that Moss's numbers have not been very good in Oakland, but the Raiders fielded some pretty pathetic teams several of those years. It's a move by Oakland to clear up cap room, and the low value is because Moss refused to restructure his contract for anyone other than the Patriots, becoming too expensive for most NFL clubs.
The truth is Moss really didn't want to play in Oakland; he needs a team that can win now. Jamarcus Russell might make an impact on the Raiders this year only because they lacked anyone the year before, but he will still need time to develop into a consistent player; not everyone is a Vince Young. While it would have been nice to see what kind of relationship Randy Moss and Jamarcus Russell could have had, it was just not destined to be, Moss is looking for a championship while Russell is just looking to survive.
The trade makes the Patriots a lot better if they determine how Moss can gel with their offensive system and team mindset. Since I'm not a Patriots, fan I refuse to even explain to people what their team mindset is because that would be like giving them free advertising, but trust me it's all about the team, not the individual, something Moss has been known to forget at times during his career. Tom Brady now has two targets in Donte Stallworth and Randy Moss that are a step above anyone he's thrown to before, and Wes Welker, Reche Caldwell and Kelley Washington could thrive when defenses have to focus on two offensive threats.
