Marty Booker and Randy Moss Continue to Have Nothing in Common

Patriots fans must really be torn up about this:

The Patriots had a standing offer to [Marty] Booker, and set a deadline for a decision last night. It came down to the wire, but Booker choose the Bears. That decision was either the cause or the effect of the Jabar Gaffney deal, although I suspect Booker was first in line.

In case you missed it, New England re-signed Gaffney to a one-year $2 million deal. If Chad Jackson can finally figure out how to make a game-day roster, the wide receivers could be just as effective (if not more so) than last season. Scary.

You have to wonder why Booker would choose Chicago over New England. Money probably had something to do with it, but assuming the two offers were relatively close, why wouldn't Booker want to play for the Patriots? I'm not begrudging the guy for his choice, I'm just curious.

In addition to the dough, playing time also must've been a consideration. And even if the Patriots didn't re-sign Gaffney, Booker would be the third or fourth wide receiver. In Chicago, he's no worse than second, which should tell you about the current state of the Bears depth chart. Luckily, the quarterback position is settled.

In a perfect world, Booker would've signed a three-year, $27 million deal with New England, and Randy Moss would've retired. Of course, the Patriots managed to win 12 games with Tom Brady throwing to Reche Caldwell and Gaffney, so it probably wouldn't have much mattered.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-05-2008 @ 8:59PM

Bill Walters said...

"You have to wonder why Booker would choose Chicago over New England. Money probably had something to do with it, but assuming the two offers were relatively close, why wouldn't Booker want to play for the Patriots? I'm not begrudging the guy for his choice, I'm just curious".

Its simple, who does want to play for New England and have that attached to their name?

3-05-2008 @ 9:08PM

Jay Lundry said...

Mr. Wilson,

Marty Booker was the Bears' 3rd round pick (78th overall) in the 1999 draft. He has an established relationship with the Bears and feels he can make more of an impact with the them than the Patriots. Further more, he feels more comfortable with them.

BTW, Marty caught 100 balls in 2001 and 97 passes in 2002 with an average QB. He is a Pro Bowler and will be a nice addition for Rex. NO, he's not a third or fourth WR!!!

3-05-2008 @ 11:34PM

tobrien28 said...

Ryan, do you have any idea what you are talking about? The Pats are losing Stallworth. Randy Moss just had the best season of his career, but do you think a 33 year-old can have two seasons in a row like that? The Pats receivers are still the best, but they will NOT be close to the dominating force they were last year.

3-05-2008 @ 11:49PM

David Fogel said...

I think Booker is foolish. He would have had a blast in New England and will be nothing but frustrated in Chicago since they still don't have a consistent passing game.........

3-06-2008 @ 12:58AM

marcusjm said...

I honestly think this is one of those rare cases of a player choosing a team because he wants to play for that team, rather than just money. I'm not trying to glorify that or anything, it just seems like that was Booker's primary motivation. He contacted the Bears as soon as he was released and told them he wanted to play for them again, and by all accounts he still has a lot of friends on the team.

3-06-2008 @ 8:08AM

He also despises cheaters,

3-06-2008 @ 3:38PM

rick said...

another patriot blog and bill shows up, cant we say 'patriot envy', i guess the steelers blog was slow as usual.

3-06-2008 @ 4:52PM

yep! good day Rick

But it's closer to the truth than you think.

3-07-2008 @ 12:42PM

Lee said...

Hey, Bill, you are obviously unaware that your comments only portray you as a close-minded, beyond jealous and 'holier-than-thou' fan of some less-than-adequate NFL that will never see a championship during the rest of your lifetime. I bet that it hurts, doesn't it?

3-07-2008 @ 4:31PM

I'm sorry you feel that way lee.

But if you think your comments will make me change my behavior of bashing cheaters you wrong.

Cheers mate

Can you offer a better reason for the desertion of all your players?

They can't get out of town fast enough.

Wonder whats is coming next? LMFAO

3-07-2008 @ 4:38PM

bob said...

Hey Bill hate to tell you but your team is taping other teams as well. They all are, if you don't think so go to a game and watch them set up. They are taping each other from the end zone, the coaches boxes everywhere and then they study it. They all do it to each other. That is why you change your signal ups. The Pats were caught taping from the sidelines which the league had requested no one to do. But everyone is taping each other from everywhere else. I still have not figured out why this is such a big deal to everyone. I chalk it up to envy because their team does not draft well and can't manage the cap. On the other hand if they did tape the Rams walk thru which they strongly deny,,,I would agree with a very severe punishment

3-07-2008 @ 6:18PM

gee bob thanks for that insight oh my gosh where have I been for so long.

Now about the cheating?

3-13-2008 @ 9:12AM

Jean said...

You know something I am so sick of all of you calling the Patritos cheaters - if any of you heard Howie Long's comments that all the teams do that it was that the Patriots got caught -- now put that to rest and lets play football - the Patriots players are a team and they are the best -- there are some teams that are good -- so lets all think about this -- lets have a great football season --