Randy Moss Traded: Are The New England Patriots Giving Up?

Twitter feeds lit up Tuesday night as news came in from New England and Minnesota that the two teams were in discussion regarding the Patriots tumultuous star receiver Randy Moss. Those discussions have seemed to reach its purpose.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Patriots have agreed to send Moss to the Vikings for a 2011 third-round draft pick on Wednesday. Moss now has come full circle since his departure from Minnesota in 2005 to Oakland. 

But now after the shocking turn of events in the past 24 hours, most fans are left asking: Are the New England Patriots Giving Up?

No way. 

This team has been a blueprint for success over the past decade in the NFL. Three Super Bowl championships, a perfect regular season, and numerous division titles would make any franchise envious of those accolades. Despite the numerous personnel and coaches that have gone through New England since 2001, there have been two constants. 

Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. 

These have been the two were key components since their shocking Super Bowl season in 2001. They had already won three Super Bowls before they ever had a star-caliber receiver in Moss. Brady was already an elite quarterback prior to the arrival of Moss. Arguably his best receiver before Randy Moss was Deion Branch. Before that? Troy Brown.  

While their offense won't be as dynamic as it was with Moss, it will still be effective. Wes Welker is one of best slot receivers in the NFL thanks to the Patriots offensive scheme of short, slashing passes enhanced with yards after the catch. He immediately becomes the No. 1 receiver and main focus of defenses league wide. 

Belichick had to have been pleased with his young tight end Aaron Hernandez to pull the trigger on this deal. Hernandez has been Brady's favorite down field threat in 2010, leading the team with 240 reception yards. The rookie out of Florida has shown potential as a great tight end and could have a lot more thrown his way in the future. 

The emergence of BenJarvus Green-Ellis has breathed new life into what has been a rather stagnant New England run game over the past few seasons. The Patriots were allowed to get away from the run thanks to their offensive scheme and the home run threat of Moss.

The Patriots must rely on Green-Ellis to be effective and help set up the pass. If the first four games were any indication, the third year running back might be the answer. He is averaging 4.6 yards per carry and now can expect his carries go up in order to keep defenses honest. 

Once again, the Patriots are stocking up on draft picks and with the acquisition of Minnesota's third-round pick, it gives New England eight picks in the first four rounds. They can expect a top-10 overall pick thanks to the struggling Oakland Raiders and can use their surplus of other picks to either trade up or trade for more picks in future drafts. 

The Patriots may have traded away their most dynamic weapon, but they still remain a dangerous team. Opponents may start to underestimate New England, an approach which has proved to be a poor mindset in the past.

It will take some time to adjust to life without Moss, but with Belichick and Brady always being the constant, the Patriots will always remain a threat, and are far from throwing the towel in this season. 

Erik Yost is a student at The Ohio State University and a writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow me on Twitter @ twitter.com/ErikYost_