Randy Moss Trade Rumors: Why Trading Moss To the Vikings Is a Bad Move for Pats

Reports have been swirling since Tuesday afternoon when FoxSports.com reported the New England Patriots are on the verge of dealing away wide receiver Randy Moss to the Minnesota Vikings. 

The reports have indicated that a deal is in place and it's up to Moss and Minnesota to agree on a new contract.

I think this is pretty obvious; Minnesota acquiring Moss is a brilliant move, but New England parting ways with "the freak" is a bad idea. 

If New England trades Moss, they lose their best, and arguably, their only deep threat. 

Yes, Moss is not putting up the best numbers, but it's more about the numbers. Moss spreads the field.

When Moss spreads the field, it opens up multiple opportunities for other players to succeed. I.E. Wes Welker and Aaron Hernandez. 

Moss only has nine receptions for only three touchdowns, but players such as Hernandez and Welker are playing phenomenal. 

When Moss is split out, he is most likely going to be double covered, which not only puts Welker and Hernandez matched up with a miss-match, but it opens up the running game for New England. 

The Patriots, surprisingly, have been able to move the ball on the ground this year some-what effectively. 

New England is ranked 13th in the NFL in rushing, which is ahead of the Miami Dolphins who have the two-headed monster in Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. That says a lot. 

If the Pats ditch Moss, they're messing with not locker-room chemistry, but play-calling chemistry.

What I mean is: Moss spreads the field, once he's not on the field, teams can dictate New England into running the ball or throwing away from other top receiving options such as Welker, Hernandez, and Gronkowski, because they're being matched up with better defenders. 

Critics might say that second year receiver, Brandon Tate, will fill the role of Randy Moss if he's dealt, but no one knows how good Tate really is. 

Tate is better known for his special team play, but when he succeeds on offense, it's not like he's the number one option. He's the check-down option, which means he's matched-up with a "weaker" defender. 

Overall, I think this is a terrible trade if New England completes it.

It will put New England one step behind on offense, and take away another year from future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady.

The only way I can be some-what satisfied with the trade is if New England gets multiple high round draft picks in return, but that's not going to happen. The Patriots are probably looking for a third round pick at the highest with a few lower round picks. 

Loss Moss will expose other weakness' to this "high-powered" aerial attack. 

This article was first seen on SportsHaze.

Tony Santorsa is Sports Haze's AFC East Beat Writer, and you could read more sports stories at www.SportsHaze.com

You can also follow Tony via Twitter @ TSantorsa10