Pats Don't Franchise Randy Moss

The deadline for teams to place the franchise tag on players passed yesterday afternoon, and despite what many believed (including myself) the Patriots did not franchise Randy Moss. Some believe that the Pats may already have a verbal agreement in place with Moss that will be announced as soon as they are allowed to next Friday, February 29th at midnight. The NFL does not allow player contracts to be reworked twice in one season and the Pats already jiggered with Moss' once when he signed on last April. This is somewhat of a risky move as it will allow teams to at least contact Moss with an offer. Should someone offer ridiculous money to Moss he could take it and the Pats would be left empy handed. Some commentators like John Clayton of ESPN don't think it's worth the risk to not franchise Moss and leave the door at least a crack open for him to exit without any kind of compensation for the Patriots.

What I believe is that Moss was truly happy for the first time in many years. The team supported and protected him throughout the 2007 season and he ended up breaking the single season TD reception record. Does Moss really want to go somewhere else like to the Tennesee Titans or the Philadelphia Eagles where he will again have to reestablish a relationship with a new quarterback? He's made enough money in his career, it's worth taking slightly less money from the Pats where he'll be catching passes from arguably the best quarterback in the league in the prime of his career.