Randy Moss Is Still An Elite Receiver and Intends To Be Paid Like One

ESPN reported on Monday that New England Patriots WR Randy Moss fired his agent, Tom DiPiero, and plans to seek new representation.

Moss shed some light on the subject when he stated that the move was for business purposes. He intends to capitalize more on marketing opportunities with his next agent, whomever that may be.

But does the move carry any indication toward Moss' future plans with the Patriots?

It hasn't had any immediate impact, as Moss showed up for the start of voluntary OTAs this week. He displayed the right mindset toward this season in an interview with the Boston Herald, saying, "I'm going to play the year, I'm not coming in to start any conflicts or be disgruntled."

In a contract year, we can expect that Moss won't be taking many plays off. Remember, as well, that 2007 was a contract year for Moss; he was in the last year of the contract he signed in Oakland when he was traded to New England. 

He could put up the right numbers to earn a big contract to cap off his high-paying career.

Which brings me to the long-term issue at stake, which Moss addressed just a breath later, saying, "I don't think I'm realistically in the future plans of the Patriots. But if the New England Patriots don't want me in their future, [it's a business]. I understand."

The prolific pass-catcher is going for the long-bomb contract in free agency. 

That isn't likely to happen with the Patriots, though. 

Moss expressed his sentiments in that regard in February, when he said that "the Patriots don't really pay" their star players.

Many would contest that the Patriots' recent contract to NT Vince Wilfork is an indication that the team has changed its mentality in terms of paying their top talent, but I contest that they still only pay the players whom they think are irreplaceable.

Wilfork is a one-of-a-kind talent at nose tackle with another seven or eight years in the tank. The Patriots wouldn't be able to find anyone even close to his level of play, let alone his overall value to the team, in free agency or the draft.

Wide receivers, however, are generally seen as a bit more expendable—especially at Moss' age.

The Patriots have a lot of inexperienced depth at the position, but with Wes Welker absent for at least the first few weeks of the season, those players will have a chance to show what they're made of.

Every team needs a top-flight receiver and I don't know if the Patriots have Randy Moss' heir on their roster right now.

They may not find the next Moss—in fact, they may have passed up on him by passing on Dez Bryant—but the Patriots can certainly find receivers with the appropriate skill set for what they do offensively. 

Many owners and GMs are likely to see Moss' star-spangled numbers over the past three years and gush at the opportunity of having such a big-time wide receiver on the roster. 

He has led the NFL in receiving touchdowns over that span—he set an NFL record with 23 touchdowns in 2007, and led the league in touchdowns (13) in 2009. He has posted three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, and his career average of 15.6 yards per reception speaks volumes to his consistency.

The fact of the matter is that Randy Moss remains an elite receiver, deserving of top-end money. 

He's still shown no signs of slowing down, but at 33 years old, Robert Kraft will be asking himself how much gas is left in the tank. 

Even with a good season this year, the prospect remains that next year could be the first in a series of declining statistical performances by the Moss Man.

He's not one to pay a player just to prove him wrong. Whether it's to give Moss a contract or not, Kraft will make the decision that is best for the team.

Up to this point, Moss has been a model citizen, and has done almost everything right in changing his image from the NFL's bad boy. There's one thing, however, that New England hasn't changed about Moss: his "get paid" mentality. 

If he can, believe me, he will—to the fullest extent.