Randy Moss Trade: Bill Belichick Can't Get Along With Stars Not Named Tom Brady

When the New England Patriots traded Randy Moss to the Minnesota Vikings for a third-round draft pick, one thought immediately crossed everyone's mind. Remember that "talk" that Bill Belichick had with Moss after his Week 1 diatribe about a lack of respect and people not wanting him to do well?

Yup. So do I. And I have a feeling it was key in the receiver's departure from New England.

So, the Patriots send Moss on a one-way flight to Minnesota, and it remains to be seen whether they grounded their high-flying aerial assault as a result of the trade.

But one thing is for certain: Bill Belichick can't stand divas.

So much so, that so much as opening your mouth in distaste with the organization usually means the axe, the cane, the rope, or any metaphor you can think of that equates to "the end."

But has it begun to stand in the way of the Patriots success?

Remember when the Patriots won three out of four Super Bowls? So do I. Ah, those were the glory days...

Remember in their first Super Bowl appearance, when the Rams were introduced individually with their star players coming out first with video introductions, and the Patriots quietly came onto the field as a team?

It was at that moment that my dad turned to me and said, "The Patriots are going to win this game."

The Patriots' success in their dynasty days was made possible by the team-first mentality, and the "Patriot Way" that the entire 53-man roster bought into.

Let's just look at Brady and Moss' handling of their respective contract situations. While Moss believed all along that his time was up in New England and made that known all summer, Brady quietly shrugged and often dodged those same questions.

The fact that Randy Moss was complaining about his contract before Brady's got done should really speak volumes.

Brady is a different kind of star athlete because he's all numbers: stats, Super Bowl wins, you name it.

The number that matters most to Randy Moss is zero: how many receptions he had in Monday night win over Miami, and how many Super Bowl rings he has.

Brady is the kind of star athlete that doesn't care about his star status. Moss...well, you get the idea.

Bill Belichick puts two things first in every situation: value, and team chemistry. He was able to put both first in making this trade.