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By Michael Tapia

An old proverb states that every good son returns home, explaining that the loyal never forgets their roots. We don’t know about Randy Moss being a good son – but so it seems -that like a good son, Randy Moss will be returning to his original team, the Minnesota Vikings.

The Patriots and Moss have decided to go their separate ways after the wide receiver expressed his discomfort with being uncertain about his future with the team.

On September 6th, Moss said: “When you have done so much and put so much work in, it kind of feels like I am not wanted.” He added, “I am taking that in stride and playing my final year out and whatever the future holds is what it holds, but it is kind of a bad feeling — feeling not wanted. It is not like my production has gone down.”

Being that Moss is in the last year of his contract, speculation leads you to believe that that he had not heard anything regarding an extension. Perhaps the reason for this is that Moss has only caught nine receptions for 139 yards and three touchdowns. This is a big drop in Moss’ production compared to last year when he totaled 13 touchdowns, 1,264 yards after 83 passes caught. The wide receiver’s production has declined even steeper if compared to his first year with New England when he hauled 98 passes for a total of 1,493 yards and 23 touchdowns.

It is hard to believe that at 33 years old – the wear and tear of football – is taking its toll on Randy Moss, who is not performing like several of his counterparts in the league. Terrell Owens, 36, has 376 yards and is playing with a less talented quarterback in Carson Palmer. Reggie Wayne, 31, leads all wide receivers with 456 receiving yards; other notable wide receivers include Anquan Boldin, 30 (355 yards), Chad Ochocinco, 31 (296 yards), and Larry Fitzgerald at 27 (208 yards). One would think that with the skill that Randy Moss possesses and playing with a quarterback like Tom Brady, he would have at least caught 300 yards.

Whether New England is shipping Moss because of his age or not, it is very evident that they are interested in younger talent.

The blockbuster deal has the Patriots receiving a third round pick from the Vikings, a first round pick from the Oakland Raiders and a second round pick from the Carolina Panthers. This means the Patriots will have two picks in the first four rounds for a total of eight picks in those rounds. Keeping in mind that the draft offers many NFL ready players with all-star potential, the Patriots can possibly become the biggest threat in the league again.

For the Vikings, this means that Brett Favre will be getting his wishes. Not too long before Favre’s exit from Green Bay he lobbied to his team to acquire the seven-time pro bowler. If Moss can turn things around and play at his potential, look out for the Vikings offense as he will be paired up with one of the best running backs in the league in Adrian Peterson who has 392 yards and three touchdowns this season.

RELATED:

Randy Moss traded from Pats for 3rd round pick

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