A league source said the Patriots and Vikings are discussing a trade that would bring star receiver Randy Moss back to Minnesota. Plus, get news on the Steelers, Colts and Seahawks in today's NFL Newswatch.
New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss, left, celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Tom Brady during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010.( AP Photo/Charles Krupa)A league source said the Patriots and Vikings are discussing a trade that would bring star receiver Randy Moss back to Minnesota.
The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the negotiations.
The seven-time Pro Bowler was a first-round draft pick of the Vikings in 1998 and spent his first seven seasons in the NFL with Minnesota. He was traded to Oakland in 2005 and languished for two years before being revitalized in New England.
Moss set an NFL record with 23 TD receptions in 2007. He has said several times this year that he expected 2010 to be his last season with the Patriots.
Foxsports.com first reported the discussions.
Ready for no football? NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith sees new signs that owners are preparing for a football-free 2011.
Speaking on Tuesday in Green Bay, Wis., Smith referred to a recent Sports Business Journal report that said the NFL is requiring banks that lend money to its teams to extend grace periods for loan defaults through the end of the 2011 season in the event of a lockout. “That to me is a step where the owners are protecting themselves in the event that there is no season,” Smith said.
Seahawks trade for Lynch: Buffalo gave up on Marshawn Lynch as their featured ball carrier, trading him to Seattle for a pair of undisclosed draft picks. That clears the way to give more playing time for Fred Jackson and first-round draft pick C.J. Spiller in the Bills’ backfield.
Seattle released running back Julius Jones, its leading rusher the past two seasons, to clear a roster spot for Lynch.
Around the league
Colts: Safety Melvin Bullitt, Bob Sanders’ replacement, will miss the rest of the season with a right shoulder injury.
Panthers: Carolina released receiver Dwayne Jarrett, hours after his second arrest on a charge of driving while impaired in less than three years.
Steelers: On the first pass he threw in his first post-suspension practice, Ben Roethlisberger found fast receiver Mike Wallace far downfield for an over-the-shoulder catch of a perfectly thrown football.
Ben is back.
“We have our whole team here, and we have our leader — our quarterback — back with us,” Wallace said. “He makes everybody better. The offense is definitely going to go in another direction.”
Roethlisberger showed no rustiness or lack of rhythm in his first practice since training camp, zipping passes throughout a 30-minute passing drill that was incorporated into the practice to quickly get him and his receivers back in sync.
“It was a good step, and I don’t think it’ll take as long as I thought,” Roethlisberger said.
Titans: Tennessee placed first-round draft pick Derrick Morgan (torn left anterior cruciate ligament) on injured reserve and replaced the defensive end with defensive tackle Amon Gordon.