When news broke earlier this evening of a potential deal that would send Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss back to the Vikings, it caught much of the league off-guard, as Moss is the clear cut number one receiver on a team that has the potential of making a deep postseason run.

But as the night moved on and talks between the two sides began to heat up, word leaked out that Patriots head coach Bill Belichick expressed displeasure with Moss, after the latter showed up to practice angry about his lack of production in New England’s annihilation of Miami on Monday night.

While that news is far from shocking, given Moss’ attitude throughout his career, it does make the Patriots willingness to deal him away in the middle of the season a much more understandable proposition, as Belichick has always preached that the team is greater than the parts that make it up.

The two sides have seemingly called it quits for the night, preferring to ramp their discussion up again in the morning. Tomorrow is likely to be the one and only shot to make a deal happen, given that the Vikings are coming off a BYE week and will be implementing their offense for their game against the Jets on Thursday at the latest.

Bringing Moss back to the place where he started his career would seem to serve multiple purposes for the Vikings, in that his addition would undoubtedly excite their fan base to a fever pitch and it would also give quarterback Brett Favre the true number one receiver he needs to be effective as a passer.

Combining Moss with fellow Pro Bowl receiver Sidney Rice once the latter returns from his injury, won’t hurt either, as opposing defenses would be hard pressed to cover both players without freeing up other areas of the field.

For the Patriots, losing a player of Moss’ talent doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, however when you factor in Moss’ free agent status at the end of the year and his attitude problems as of late, acquiring a third round pick back for him is exactly the kind of move that Belichick is known for making. It might hurt his team in the short term, but the long term reward could end up being greater, if the player they get via the draft turns out to be productive for them in the coming years.

We’ll be following this story through the night and we’ll definitely have all the latest on it as it breaks tomorrow morning, so be sure to check back often to stay in the know.

Other posts you may enjoy:

1. Vikings end Moss reunion tour after four games
2. Moss questions Vikings game plan in loss to Patriots
3. Childress on thin ice after Moss dismissal