Randy Moss Trade

As I am certain that everyone has heard by now, Randy Moss was traded to the Vikings yesterday for a third round pick. On the surface, this is not a trade that appears to make any sense for New England. Presently they are sitting at 3-1 on the bye week, have a legitimate chance at making the playoffs, and yet they trade their primary deep threat.
So, why would they do this? On the surface, it would appear that there are two distinct reasons for the trade. First, to acquire an asset for a player that does not fit into their long-term plans. Moss is in the final year of his contract and wants an extension, which the Patriots were quite unwilling to give. He was not going to be there after this season - pure and simple. Secondly, this is simply what the Patriots do. They get rid of players that want more than they feel that they are worth. This follows their pattern. Look at the examples: Deion Branch, Asante Samuel, Richard Seymour, and now Randy Moss. And this does not even reflect the current holdout of Logan Mankins or the almost holdout of Vince Wilfork this offseason.
However, what does this mean for the offense as it stands now? Theoretically, this makes Welker the primary receiving option, even if he stays in the slot. Brandon Tate would move into the position vacated by the departure of Moss, but can he really be counted on? Granted, Tate has been impressive this season, but he has a history of injuries. Last season, he began the year on the PUP list, played in two games, then ended the season on the IR. Even if Tate stays healthy, then who is the number three receiver? This is a fairly important part of the Patriots offense. Looking at their depth chart, this job would fall to Julian Edelman (who is a Welker clone as a slot receiver), Matthew Slater (who is a special teams player with a grand total of ZERO career receptions over this three years in the NFL), and Taylor Price (who hasn't seen the field this season). Does anyone truly feel comfortable with any of those options?
My thought is that the Patriots will be running a lot of two tight end sets. Hernandez and Gronkowski appear to be legitimate targets, and Hernandez has shown potential as a playmaker (he already has two plays of 40+ yards this season). The running game should also be more of an option. It feels as though the Patriots are attempting to recreate the offensive gameplan from 2001-2006, where they would control the ball with short passes and the running game.

On the Vikings side of the ball, this is a trade that absolutely makes sense. Acquiring a receiver that is still amongst the best at his position for a third round pick is an easy trade to make most times. But to acquire Randy Moss in a contract year after he's been traded and feels disrespected by the Patriots? Moss is going to be motivated. Expect huge numbers from Moss by the end of the year.
This also makes the Vikings offense truly impressive. Not only do they have one of the top three backs in the NFL in Adrian Petersen, but they have dramatically improved their receiving corps. Adding Moss to a roster that already includes Percy Harvin, Bernard Berrian, Greg Camarillo, Visanthe Shiancoe, and Sidney Rice (when he comes back)? That is a formidable group right there.

It will be interesting to see how this trade impacts the end results of both teams, but it certainly appears that the Vikings are now the favorites to come out of the NFC and make the Super Bowl.