Moss coming back to Minnesota

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EDEN PRAIRIE - (Sports Network) Randy Moss is headed back to the place where he started his illustrious career, as the Minnesota Vikings sent a 2011 third-round draft pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for the future Hall of Fame wideout, according to the NFL Network.

When the deal becomes official, the Patriots will have two selections in each of the first four rounds in next year's draft.

The trade talks between the clubs apparently came to fruition after Moss was held without a reception in New England's 41-14 drubbing of Miami on Monday.

The rumblings began when Moss, in the final year of his contract, ruffled feathers following the Pats' season-opening win over Cincinnati by saying he was playing his last season with the Patriots and indicating he was not appreciated by the franchise.

According to the report, Moss did not agree to a new deal with the Vikings, who were looking to inject a deep threat in their struggling passing game. Minnesota, which ranks 14th in the NFC with an average of 185 yards per game through the air, has reportedly been searching for another option for quarterback Brett Favre since Pro Bowl receiver Sidney Rice has been sidelined due to hip surgery.

Minnesota is next in action on Monday against the New York Jets. The Vikings also play the Patriots in Foxboro on October 31.

Moss spent the first seven years of his career with the Vikes, who selected the Marshall product with the 21st overall pick in the 1998 draft. He made an immediate impact on the league, catching 17 touchdowns in his first season.

Following his first stint with the Vikings, Moss played two years with the Oakland Raiders before joining the Patriots, who acquired the wide receiver with a fourth-round pick in the 2007 draft. The Raiders used the extra pick to select Cincinnati cornerback John Bowie, who played a total of five games for the club.

Tags: minnesota sports, football, proam, vikings